Eye Relief & Accuracy

Crosswind

Crosswind

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
12   0   0
Location
Lower Mainland, BC
Does proper eye relief really affect accuracy appreciably?

I'm asking because I'm currently weighing the pros and cons of a fixed power scope vs. a variable power scope for my next rifle.

A variable power scope offers more flexibility and options when shooting target's at various ranges; however the eye relief is always different depending on the zoom setting.

On the other hand, a fixed power scope ensures that you attain the same cheek-stock weld every time; and promotes consistency via muscle memory. But loses the ability to adjust the scope's field of view.

Another question, how do veteran rifle shooters deal with eye relief problems due to different shooting positions? (i.e. the shooter's eye will be closer to the scope in the prone position compared to the standing position).

Appreciate any comments or advice
 
Yes Eye relief does play a important part of ones proper shooting skills . I have several variable powered scopes Leupold MKIV 6.5-20 ,Night Force 3.5 -15. and a Schmidt and Bender PMII 4-16. A premium variable scope will provide the shooter proper eye relief n with minium of displacement thru out the magnifaction range and with the lessr units eye relief can pose some challenge to a shooter .I also have several 10 power scopes they are great scopes and are very consistent.
As for changing shooting positions I set up my rifle for shooting in the prone position and adjust from there to suit the position I am firing from.
 
Being able to have a full sight picture is very important. so is proper focusing and parallax adjustment.

I use high mag scopes on my competition or LR rigs. I set the eye relief to suit the position used most often. Right now, that is prone.

Moving your head a bit to get a proper sight picture is not going to hurt your shooting position much. Better scopes usually have very consistent eye relief over the full range of mag.

If the scope you are using requires alot of head movement, be careful that you don't need to get too close to the eyepiece on a heavy recoiling rifle.

Jerry
 
I have found that the focus of the scope is easier to repeat than the shoulder and check position . The latter will really screw you up as far as groups are concerned .
Your Parallex will get you on sight picture but will do nothing for your body position

Mr/Mrs 1000 yards
 
Thanks for the tips everybody.

I especially like the one about setting up the scope for prone position; since it's easier to move the head slightly forward in the off-hands rather than vice versa.

And I'll have to experiment with different variable power scopes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom