Bushnell Blurry Hairs?

[Idcurrie]

I am having trouble with a Bushnell Banner and a Bushnell Elite 3200 HD.

In both scopes when I'm shooting at phoenix range (indoors, 40 yards), I can adjust the scopes so that the target is clear but then the cross hairs become blurry and almost invisible. I just cannot get them both clear at the same time in both the Banner and the Elite 3200.

Both of these scopes work fine in the outdoors, it seems.

I know someone is going to suggest I need to spend more money on my optics but here's the thing. At the same indoor range, at the same time, my 2 rimfire scopes which are both $50 Simmons 3-9x32s. On these scopes, both the target and cross hair are clear and it's easier to shoot than with the $100-$250 Bushnell scopes.

What gives?

 

[bassman]

I suspect that you are dealing with parallax issues. Your centerfire scopes (Banner and 3200) have the parallax preset by Bushnell at a longer distance (without checking, I'd guess 150 yds??). On your rimfire scopes, they have parallax set at shorter rimfire ranges, usually 50-75 yds, depending on the manufacturer.

This is likely the cause of your issue. In order to correct this, you would need to mount a rimfire scope or an adjustable objective type scope to shoot at 40 yds.

 

[m39a2]

Bushnell scopes are adusted at 100 yards. Leupold at 150. If your scopes have a parallax adjustment, use the rear eye piece to adjust the "Cross hairs" and the parallax to adjust the focus of the target.

 

[Idcurrie]

That explains it. Neither the banner nor the elite 3200 have parallax adjustments. I certainly wouldn't consider putting a rimfire scope on those centrefire rifles. They're strictly for outdoor hunting and those scopes work great outdoors. I just had them at the indoor range for sighting in.

Good to know there's nothing wrong with them.

Thanks Guys.

 

[P of PDent]

If you have a reticle that is out of focus then you can adjust it by turning the last part of your eye piece (ocular lense). This should only be set once (unless your eyes change or another person uses your scope). Take your scope outside and point it at a blank surface like a white wall or the sky and turn it until the reticle is the sharpest. Keep looking in the scope and away when adjusting otherwise your eye will naturaly try to focus the reticle if it is out a bit. Do not use this adjustment to focus the target image even though it may help a shorter distances. Most scopes will have a minimum distance they can be used at (focal range). This may not be short enough to use at the distances you are shooting at. Some scopes have an extended focal range (EFR) and these come with a parallax adjustment that accomplish two things...focus the image and reduce parallax error to zero. Not all scopes with parallax adjustments may allow you to focus at short range as most were intended for long range shooting. The fixed parallax for most scopes is 100-150 yds while some rimfire and shotgun scopes is 50-75 yds. Phil.

 

[Idcurrie]

Thanks Phil. I have no issues using these scopes in the outdoors. It seems that 40 yards is below their minimum range. They can still be used but it's very difficult and requires a lot of attention to where that nearly invisible crosshair is. I guess I'll stick to rimfire for phoenix for now.