Author Topic: eye relief? (Read 745 times)

Bridger · « **on:** October 01, 2004, 12:12:18 PM »

I have very little experience with scopes which will probably be apparent with my question. When a scope is advertised as having 3 inches of eye relief, what exactly does that mean. I wear bifocals and have trouble seeing through the scope. When shooting from a bench I have a terrible time getting the scope aligned so I am seeing the entire field of view. I don't know how else to explain this. I have the scope back as far as it will go but it seems like I need to be right on top of it. This is not just one scope but about any I have tried- so what's my problem?Thanks

goose7856 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2004, 12:20:08 PM »

well simply put....eye relief is how fair the shooters eye must be in able to see the entire FOV........However, this does not mean the shooter can not move closer than the max of 3 in (away from the scope) it just means that you are risking getting cut from the kick :cry: :lol: .......If it is advertised as 3 in' you are probably looking at a Bushnell Elite......they are very good scopes (SO I HAVE HEARD) but it seems that the eye relief has something to be desired.....but it also depends what you plan on mounting the scope on??!! if i kno that i can help u a lil more!!

Bridger · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2004, 12:36:12 PM »

You obviously know your scopes, it is a 4200 Elite, 4-16x, mounted on a Ruger No 1, .223. It doesn't recoil enough for me to worry too much but it seems like I have to get right on top of this to be able to get a clear field of view and its driving me nuts as I do like the rifle.If there's a better scope for this I am open to selling it and moving on. Thanks

goose7856 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2004, 12:50:33 PM »

it really depends on how much you want to spend.......give me a cost and ley me know.......also, what type of magnification are you looking for?? 4-12 or 16 seems to be in the mix??

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2004, 01:06:59 PM »

Here's a scope basics primer...
http://www.chuckhawks.com/optical_sights.htm

Bridger · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2004, 02:59:12 PM »

Thanks for the link quickdtoo- I'll spend some time digesting it as it has a lot of information.
Goose7856- I guess for magnification I'd want something about the same, 4-16x, 4-12x might be okay too. Cost..probablyl under $400. Any thoughts about Nikon Monarch as I had one of those on a rimrire that I liked quite a bit and didn't cause as much problem as the Bushnell. Thanks

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2004, 05:30:00 PM »

I don't think eye relief is what's troubling you. Instead I believe it is the clear aperture or exit pupil.

Do this. Turn the power all the way down on the scope. Now see how the problem is. Next turn it up midway of the power range and see if the problem is worse. Next turn the power all the way up and see if this is the absolute worst.

If so what you're having trouble with is the size of the exit pupil and getting your eye correctly lined up with it. This often happens with high magnification scopes used at max power. This is one of those rare times when a HUGE objective lens can be an aid. Larger objective means larger exit pupil and IF that's your problem a larger objectiver or less power might help.

But I use 6-24 scopes with 40 mm objectives with no such problem for sure it's not necessary for most folks to have the huge objectives. Those contact lens no doubt are what's complicating life for you.

Bridger · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2004, 10:26:30 AM »

Graybeard had the answer- thanks !. I tried your suggestions and that was exactly the problem. I could see fine at the lower magnifications and had to really work at the higher ones to keep it aligned. I think a 50 mm lens would look a little big for this rifle. Do you think a 44 would be enough to make a difference?

goose7856 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2004, 10:47:37 AM »

PM sent to Bridger........

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** October 02, 2004, 06:22:41 PM »

No quite honestly a 44 isn't gonna be much help over a 40 mm objective. The 50 mm helps some as it gives a 25% increase in exit pupil diameter. To determine what your theoritical exit pupil should be divide the magnification of scope into objective diameter. Assuming that the power marked is actual magnification (it seldome really is) you'll see how much it can help.

For instance at 16X with a 40 mm objective your exit pupil is 2.5 mm and that's roughly half the diameter of your eye in normal subdued light. At 50 mm the exit pupil increases to 3.125 mm but at 44 mm it is only 2.75mm. So as you can see the 50 mm offers some real improvement but the 44 really doesn't.

Dropping power is really the proper answer. Except for target work on long range varmints there is really no need to go over about 9 or 10 power.

Tom W. · « **Reply #10 on:** October 03, 2004, 12:43:25 PM »

You may have to get the offset rings from Ruger. I couldn't get a good picture with my Nikon Buckmaster and the standard Ruger rings on my No.1,so I bought the extended rings. I found that I couldn't mount the scope any farther back than I could with the standard rings, so I bought a Leupold, which is made differently, offering more room to mount the scope, and has greater eye relief. I may be happy now...