Adjustable objective vs non-adjustable

[tuam76]

I just picked up a new model 70 featherweight in 243 win. It is gorgeous and the fit and finish is great. Any way, trying to figure if I should get a scope with an AO or not worry about it. I would like to be able to do everything from punch paper to jack rabbits and coyotes maybe even mule deer. I heard that AO lets you correct for parallax, when present, which of course has an effect on accuracy. Out to 400 yds do I need to be concerned about this or will some of the newer scopes that are "parallax free" take care of this?

Educate me please.

 

[cattlebuyer]

Spend a few extra bucks and go with A O, lord knows how many whitetails Ive killed with older Leupolds and Redfields BUT sooner or later your eyes will age and if you shoot paper at various ranges and varmints and you will want to 'stretch it out' 4,5,6 even 1000 yards the AO scopes will pay off.. pay and cry once, I still own and use my first scope. great gun and cal. you picked ! my scope pick for that combo would be a 4.5 X 14 A O Leupold with varmint reticule ,Ive only had to send 2 back to Leupold both were 2nd hand that I bought off flea bay. Leupold took care of them no ? at all, my shipping cost out there was only expense.

 

[Preacher]

It's always better to have it, than wish you did ;D

 

[M700]

"Out to 400 yds do I need to be concerned about this or will some of the newer scopes that are "parallax free" take care of this?"

Over the past 5 years I've taken five mule deer, and I don't know how many coyotes & rockchucks with my .25-06. For the past three years I've had a simple 6x Leupold on it and have taken mulies from 30 yards to an honest (laser verified) 400 yards - no adjustable objective. The .243 isn't all that different in trajectory from my .25-06 either...

When I first got the rifle I topped it with a 4.5-14x Leupold with an adjustable objective, then after a year or so I switched to the fixed 6x Leupold and have found it to be the better scope for general purpose hunting. Oh, it also clangs the gongs at 500+ yards just fine at the rifle range - I just haven't shot game that far with it. Go with a variable if you want, but I wouldn't bother with the adjustable objective for the shooting you describe.

Regards, Guy

 

[cattlebuyer]

When your eyes reach about 52 years (for me anyhow) you will appreciate the AO. I use 5 or 6 fixed power scopes as well but they all have AO You want to sell the 4.5x14? I need another.

 

[M700]

Ah, I'm 54, understand about the eyes. Wearing glasses now. Phooey.

No, the 4.5-14x has found a home on a long-range plinker/hunter... Excellent scope, and I had Leupold spiff it up a bit with a set of their M1 target knobs. I like the scope, just don't use it on my most commonly used hunting rifles.

Regards, Guy

 

[tuam76]

cattlebuyer, Im curious to know what fixed power scopes you have with AO's. I do like the leupold but man are they ever expensive. I have a VX III 2.5-8x36 on a 7mm rem mag that I like. I'm not at all opposed to fixed power, but would like to know what models you have.

Thanks for all the input

 

[cattlebuyer]

2 - 10X , 3 - 12X , 1- 36X . Most of these scopes were bought off flea bay 3,4 years ago, back then they were kinda sleeper, I paid around 200 for several , 325 for the 36x, I cannot remember if my 6X on a .22lr is AO or not. As I mentioned I did have to send 2 back to Leupold for repair. I shoot a lot of .22cal center fire varmint .

 

[Slowshot]

After trying several lower cost scopes, I finally dressed my Ruger No. 1 220 Swift in a Leupold 6-18 Vari-X IIc AO scope. The resulting increase in clarity is amazing at all magnifications. The AO feature quickly and easily dials out any parallex. The range numbers on the bell of the scope are surprisingly accurate as well.

Save your money in the long run and enjoy shooting more. Buy a high quality AO scope like a Leupold or a Nightforce and you will never be sorry.

 

[deadlyswift]

I like the AO! I like the side focus with Leupold and night force even better! It is much easier to adjust than reaching all the way up to the bell of the scope. I would suggess the 4.5x14x50 LR. for a do it all hunting scope. With a 30mm tube and 50mm obj lens Clarity and light transmisson is well worth the money! If your budget doesn't allow it. I would say go with M700 advice. It will serve the porpose, but if you can hold out just a bit the new and advance will be even better and add luxury that you want be disappointed in!

 

[SS427]

Parallax is only a significant factor with high magnification. This is why you rarely see AO or side focus on a variable scope rated 3-9x or lower. You might see some parallax once you get over 7 or 8 power, but not much, and it will also depend on where the scope is set to be parallax free. Most are set to be parallax free at 100 yards, and a rimfire scope will be set at 50 yards. With a custom Leupold, you can have them set it at any distance you choose.

For a 100 to 300 yard varmint rifle scope when the action is hot and heavy, I don't like to have to fiddle with AO or side focus. My favorite scope for this purpose is a Sightron II 4.5-14x50mm without AO or side focus. And yes, it does have parallax issues at high power, but not enough to make me miss my target. All my scopes that are of higher power either have an AO or a side focus. I don't think you can buy a high power scope without this feature. From what I've seen, only Sightron and Leupold even offer a 4.5-14x scope without AO or side focus. There may be more that do that I'm not aware of though.

 

[Slowshot]

Based on benchrest tests, I see parallax occuring at all magnifications. The number of inches of variation between aparrent point of aim and true point of aim, introduced by parallax is actually the same regardless of the magnification level. It is just easier to see the crosshairs move against the target when you move your cheek weld at higher magnifications. For a hunter aiming at a six inch kill zone, this is of little to no importance.

As a benchrest shooter trying to score 250 with 25X, this is critical for me. If I cannot shoot in the high 240s, I am not competitive. The difference between 225 and 240 is measured in hundredths of inches per shot.

Any fixed focus scope has a set range for parallax. On my Savage Model 19 NRA, I have a Nikon Prostaff Rimfire Classic 4 power scope. It came with an information sheet listing the parallax settings of various Nikon Scopes. Mine is set for 50 yards. This means that there will be parallax issues at any other distance.

If you have AO, you can always set it at an average for the range you are expecting to shoot and leave it alone. If you don't have it and want to fine tune your shot, you are out of luck.

 

[holstil]

As posted, most scopes with out ao are set to be parallax free @ 100yds. Even with the adj, you will have limits on the close range side. Some ao scopes focus as close as 10' and are as advertised (in some cases) as EFR or extended focal range. Meaning as the acronym suggest, an extended range at which to focus. These scopes do well on pellet guns and rimfire or the ol 338 squirrel blaster where one likes to hone in on a particular parasite.
Jim

 

[VooDooMagic]

And the "adjustable objective" style is a more accurate/precise method of adjusting out the parallax than the newer style "side focus". Not as convenient, but more precise...

 

[AckleymanII]

Parallax is set at 100 yards or 150 yards with a NON A.O. scope

it is better to see than not to see. Of course, if your vision is blurry, you may not know that it is blurry.

This is a no brainer...get an adjustable objective.