Side Focus or Not for hunting?

[Matt]

I am wondering if having a scope with a side focus would be good for hunting. One of my options,see below) has no PA or side focus with a 1" tube, the other has a 30mm tube with the side focus and its the "long range" version of the scope. On many occasions I have to make shots that don't allow for scope focusing. I'm assuming that if there is no focus knob that the reticle and target are always in focus. Has anyone had any experience using a side focus scope while hunting?

Leupold 4.5-14x40 VX-III 30mm Riflescope

Matte
Varmint Hunters
30mm
Long Range
Side Focus
Index Matched Lens System


OR

Leupold 4.5-14x40 VX-III Riflescope

Matte
Varmint Hunters
1"
Index Matched Lens System

 

[6brxdude]

Hey Matt......I think it depends on the type of hunting you do. I hunt coyotes exclusively in Az. so my preference is to have a side focus scope. Tight cover means switching to low power and a parallax for tight shooting lanes. Sometimes when I'm fortunate to be in an elevated wide open stand I go to high power and an infinity setting on the parallax. Up until recently I was shooting a 6.5x20 EFR Leupold but got tired of adjusting the parallax using the front bell because it made my butler creek covers all cock eyed. I'm using a Nikon Monarch with side focus now and it's perfect. Just my 2 cents


Kevin

 

[Matt]

Thanks Kevin,
I will be hunting yotes, deer, and hogs. I have a Nikon on my coyote calling .204 and really like it. I haven't seen a Nikon reticle that I want on my new gun though.

 

[jthyttin]

You adjust the reticle focus from ocular. It can be either European-style fast focus, or lock ring like in Leupold. Usually reticle focus is quite OK straight from the factory, unless you have corrected vision.

Side focus is just parallax adjustment. It also somewhat affects target focus, if everything isn't perfect. With Leupold, there's some complaints that when you've adjusted for zero parallax,zero reticle movement relative to target, when you change your head position), the target may be a bit blurred.

Scopes without AO or SF, the parallax adjustment is fixed for certain yardage. Usually it's 100y or 150y. Leupold mentions this for different models.

You don't "lose" anything by going SF, if you remember to return the parallax adjustment to certain value when e.g. moving. Scope acts just like fixed parallax scope. I always return the scope to lowest magnification and suitable parallax,if applicable) when not in position.

If you need the adjustments, you usually have time to fiddle with them,compared to "jump shots" while moving etc.)

 

[tenring]

There are reports of some SF scopes having a lash probleem, i.e. changing focus from one yardage to another requires rotating the adjustment to one extreme, then to the other and finally set it to be parallax free at the desired distance. This takes time and would not be good in a hunting situation. Both of my Leupold SF scopes require this adjustment.

 

[Rtheurer]

Matt

I have had both of the scopes your looking at. The nice thing about having the side focus is that it is there when you need it. I take it that right now you have or had been using a non Adjustable Objective. So that tells me that your current or past set up was to focus at about 150 to 200. Was it OK before? Do you expect to shoot out farther than 300 yards? If the answer is yes to the later than maybe the SF would serve you better. You can leave the focus on the 150 to 200 yard and it will be just like before. If you need to focus out for a long shot you can do that, Generally the loonger shot you will have a little more time to make these adjustments.,generally)

TenRing brings up a sitiation that there is back lash in some of the Leupold scopes. The only one I have herd of are the Newer Comp 35X and 45X benchrest scopes. I hope you not using one of those!! I have not had this problem with mine, so far that is) Even if it is we are talking about shooting critters not paper. If my critter is a hair out of focus at the short range snap shot, well it shouldnt be a problem. Its no worse than shooting with a Non adjustable set up right?

Kevin has it figured out. He appearantly hunts enough to understand how to use his equipment properly and work any shortcomming that may exist.

I use the 30mm version that you list on my Wyoming Mule deer gun. I reall like this power of scope. To me it is a fine balance of power for hunting either in close brush or Long range shots. It seems to gather a bunch of light also.

Matt if it was me I would go with the SF 30mm. Oh snap I already did. : )

One thing I do not like about it is the Elevation and windage knobs. You can not zero them. The model I have,about 5 years old now) has a nice low profile knob but no set screws to zero the scope. I thought maybee I could pull up on the knob to free wheel the drum and push it back down, but nadaa. I Looked in the book and it gives you this little brass ring with a indexing arrow that rotates at the base of the knob that you line up with the number zero on top of the knob. What kind of cheap %*# crap is that? I like to be able to crank on those knobs for a Super Long range shot and Im stuck with set up. So far I havnt needed it. the reticle has served my perposes so far. Maybee Ill send it back to get M1 or M3 knobs put on.

Good luck Matt in your decision.

RT

 

[Clark]

I have hunted for rodents with both side focus and objective focus.

The side focus is handier.
The side focus is faster.

The objective focus allows focusing closer at high magnification.
The objective focus allows better reading the range from the adjustment.

I have hunted for deer, and I leave it on 2X, even at 500 yards, and focusing is not needed.

 

[Matt]

Thank you for helping me out, I appreciate every word!
I actually already own a vx-III 6.5-20x40 LR and love it but I have only used it for long range ground squirrels. I usually have it turned up as much as possible and do have to take some time to focus. I don't mind, they're not shooting back. It sounds like the side focus can only help with a lesser power scope in this particular application.

 

[dreever]

If you are left handed any advantage of having a side focus goes out the window and becomes a liability.
Sometimes it sucks being a "Lefty"! LOL!

Danny

 

[denny223cz]

Hi guys..New on here but need help and quick

Got my new Leupold VX-III 8.5-25x50 scope today of ebay from a guy in the states,,Brand new never been used ( maybe now i know why)
Boxed and all
Varmint hunter reticle

Problem is the Focus does not seem to be adjusting at all on the thing when you turn the SF.

Only time it is foucused is when i have it on minimum magnification. even then it is still slightly fussy....No matter what way you move the SF is dont make a difference to the focus at all.

When you move it up magnification the SF dont do anything at all.

its almost like your turning the knob and it aint doing a thing inside the scope.

i have set the eye reliefe thats ok...

Thing my uncle has the same scope and when you compare the 2 you have to say something in mine is broke. and yes Brand new..no marks,,no nothing...

any one got a clue what it could be or what i should do?,,,, it cost me enough

 

[holstil]

Denny, send it to the factory. I'm pretty sure they have a no BS transferable lifetime warranty. No sweat.

Danny, maybe I'm going crazy again, but could you get high rings and turn the scope 90deg. to put the ao on bot or top?

 

[k80skeet]

There have been quite a lot of problems with the (NEW LEUPOLDS) I have reverted back to the older Leupolds (Veri-X series) I find that that the glass is far better in the older series even if they don't have all the new coatings. When the glass wasn't made in China. The best part is they can be bought for a lot less than the newer verisons. So it is a WIN WIN DEAL better scope for less money. Leupold is like the rest of the world make a cheaper product and sell it for more money. This is just my take on Leupold in the past couple of years. I won't buy any of their new scopes.

 

[Clark]

I have compared my side focus to my objective focus scopes.

The side focus seems to be faster and more convenient.

The objective focus seems to have more range of focus and is more accurately delineated with respect to range.

It may just be anecdotal, but I have a side focus VX3 6.5x20x40 that just barely can focus at infinity on 6.5X and can barely focus at 50 yards on 20X.

I have an objective focus Vari X III 6.5x20x40 that had adjustment range to spare when focusing on infinity on 6.5X and can focus much closer than 50 yards on 20X.

 

[Gman]

There have been quite a lot of problems with the (NEW LEUPOLDS) I have reverted back to the older Leupolds (Veri-X series) I find that that the glass is far better in the older series even if they don't have all the new coatings. When the glass wasn't made in China. The best part is they can be bought for a lot less than the newer verisons. So it is a WIN WIN DEAL better scope for less money. Leupold is like the rest of the world make a cheaper product and sell it for more money. This is just my take on Leupold in the past couple of years. I won't buy any of their new scopes.

May I ask, "Who told you that the glass was made in China?"

 

[Klong]

I prefer side focus for long range hunting. Much faster!

 

[brian427cobra]

Its really a paralex adjusting knob, not a side focus, you turn the paralex knob to infinity, point the scope/weapon in the air and adjust the rear focus unitl the reticle is crisp and clear, now point the scope/weapon at whatever you would like to shoot, adjust the paralex knob so the target is crisp and clear, BUT you must also make sure to move your head and not the weapon making sure the reticle doesn't move on the target, it should stay stationary, if it moves paralex is off. The rear focus adjusts the scope to your eye, the paralex knob adjusts the scope to the target!