Author Topic: EYE RELIEF (Read 643 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** February 21, 2005, 01:32:49 AM »

What is eye relief? What is its importance? How do you know if it is/will be needed?
Blessings

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2005, 02:25:32 AM »

William,

Eye Relief is the distance between the scope and your eye to give you a full view in the scope. One major importance of eye relief is when you are shooting you gun that you have enough eye relief that the scope will not hit you in the eye.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2005, 03:34:28 AM »

I'm going to add to what Jon said. Eye relief is not measured with the same criteria between scope manufacturers. Some measure from the end of the scope and others from the rear lens. That can take 1/4" or a bit more off of the measurement between you and the end of the scope when measured from the rear lens. Some folk's eyes are more deeply set than others so that comes into play too. The usual rule of thumb is the higher the magnification, the less eye relief you have. There is an optical "triangle" of three things in optics : eye relief, magnification, and field of view. Change one and it affects the others. If you have 4" of eye relief at say 20x the field of view will be quite tiny at 100 yards and less as the distance gets less. Most of the higher magnification variables are intended for varmint hunting and lower recoiling cartridges and heavier rifles are the norm so shorter eye relief isn't a problem. I hope this helps. Dave

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2005, 03:55:57 PM »

Quote from: williamlayton

How do you know if it is/will be needed?

It is always needed....the question is how much? And the answer to that question depends on the following factors:

1. Cartridge (.243 Winchester or .375H&H Mag?)
2. Rifle weight (6 pounds or 9 pounds).
3. Stock design
4. Bullet weight (although not as significantly important as catridge).
5. Shooting position.

Zachary

unspellable · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2005, 11:45:15 AM »

You goes are talking about rifles, but I'll toss in the comment that for handguns you need a lot more eye relief since you will be holding the scope out at arm's length.

ranburr · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2005, 05:36:17 PM »

This is one of the reasons I like the 3-9x40 Zeis Conquest. It has 4" of eyerelief on any magnification setting. That is enough for essentially any caliber. No black eyes here!

ranburr