Scope specs, parallax and adjustable objective?

helloworld

helloworld

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Hi guys, I've never purchased a scope before and have only show iron sights, so I'm getting a bit confused about some of the terminology used when looking at the specs for them and reading the parallax.

I'm looking to buy a scope for a 22 rimfire, and ideally I would like to shoot 50-100 yards target shooting. From what I understand I should get a scope with Adjustable Objective but I'm not sure how to interpret some scope specs and whether it means that it has adjustable objective unless it explicitly says so.

I've read some articles online but am still not clear on how parallax makes a difference at different ranges if I buy a scope with a further parallax and try to shoot short ranges.

For example for this scope it is clear that it has adjustable parallax:

h t t p://www.frontierfirearms.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_86&products_id=1483

But this is not. Comparing the Bushnell Banner 4-12 x 40mm and Trophy XLT from their site, the banner is AO but I can't tell whether the Trophy is.

h t t p://www.bushnell.com/products/scopes/riflescopes/banner/714124/

What does Adj Range in@100yds/ mm@100m mean? Is that the parallax?

Banner: 60 / 1.7
Trophy: 78 / 1.9

Are there other words used for adjustable objective and parallax?

And if I buy a scope with 50 yard parallax what does that mean if I try to shoot at 100 yards or 25 yards? Is it parallax free after 100 yards? etc

Will it make that much of a difference?
 
Adj range in@100yrds is referring to how far you can adjust the scope's adjustment turrets to zero it or adjust its point of impact at 100 yards. 60 inches at 100 yards means you could turn the up / down turret all the way down and all the way up and it would change the point of impact by 60 inches at 100 yards (also known as 60 minutes of angle). It does not refer to parallax adjustment.

If the scope is parallax adjustable it will typically be described as AO (adjustable objective, you turn the front bell on the scope to adjust parallax) or side focus (a knob on the left side of the scope to adjust parallax or focus).
 
Bushnell, Tasco make dedicated rimfire scopes they are 3x9 power and cost between 40 and 80 bucks. For a rimfire having AO is kinda pointless, the only scope I use with AO is on my 7mm rem mag. A 50 yard paralax means the scope is focused at 50 yards it won't affect your shooting at ranges from 5 yards to 100 and even farther.
 
If you put a scope designed for a centrefire rifle, on a rimfire, you may find it is blurry up close. The rimfire scope will be set to focus at a closer distance and also parallax free at that distance as well. As you get closer or further from the distance at which it is parallax free, you get more error in aiming when your eye is not held consistent in position behind the ocular lens.

At higher magnifications, parallax error is more noticeable, but no more present. At higher magnifications, lack of focus is more noticeable when shooting too close for the scope.

Personally, I'd buy either a fixed 3-9x rimfire scope, or a parallax adjustable rimfire scope if I wanted to shoot with higher magnification and may encounter situations where I shoot up close as well.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it.

What parallax setting do you suggest I get if I decide to go the fixed route? I think I'm looking at a 3-9 scope but the reason I wanted to get a scope is because at 50+ yards I start to have a hard time with the iron sights. At 100 yards I can barely see anything.

My main goal is to shoot at 100 yards but I would still like to shoot at 50 effectively (or less as well if that is possible). Is that unrealistic when it comes to scope choice and fixed parallax?

Would it be better to get a scope adjusted to 50 yards or 100 yards for shooting 50-100 yards? Logan_Lamothe mentioned that a 50 yard should have no effect from 5-100 yards, am I just reading into this way too much? 50 yards sounds like the way to go.

Thanks again.
 
I wouldn't sweat it too much, your 22 will shoot fine from 50 to 100 yards and little will contribute to the inaccuracy owing to the scope's parallax setting of 50 vs 100 plus yards. The main drawback of a high powered type scope is that without AO, it will be fuzzy if you try to shoot up real close. Parallax error is real, but not of great significance for general plinking or hunting. Small targets at great distance, or shooting tiny groups up close it may be useful, but otherwise its not that critical for general 22 rimfire shooting. Your accuracy falls off pretty fast after 125 yards with a 22 anyhow unless you have a very fine rifle, select ammo, and near perfect conditions.
 
helloworld said:
What parallax setting do you suggest I get if I decide to go the fixed route? I think I'm looking at a 3-9 scope but the reason I wanted to get a scope is because at 50+ yards I start to have a hard time with the iron sights. At 100 yards I can barely see anything.

My main goal is to shoot at 100 yards but I would still like to shoot at 50 effectively (or less as well if that is possible). Is that unrealistic when it comes to scope choice and fixed parallax?

Would it be better to get a scope adjusted to 50 yards or 100 yards for shooting 50-100 yards? Logan_Lamothe mentioned that a 50 yard should have no effect from 5-100 yards, am I just reading into this way too much? 50 yards sounds like the way to go.
Click to expand...

I have both rimfire (parallax free from 50 meters up) and AO (adjustable from 7 meters to infinity).

IMO, there are two general categories of .22 shooting.
1) range/target shooting where distances are known and fixed;
2) field plinking or hunting where targets of opportunity are the norm and range is at best, estimated.

for 1) You want AO for this application. AO scopes will give best accuracy since you can adjust for best focus and parallax. You have the luxury of time when shooting at the range.

for 2) I have see-through scope mounts for this application because they allow me to see the iron sights as well. A fixed or variable power scope sits on top. I prefer a simple fixed power Rimfire 4x x 32 scope for this application. Rimfire designated scopes usually mean they are parallax free from 50 meters up.

In the field, you need quick target acquisition and you have no time to fiddle with the AO, that is the reason for recommending a fixed power. For ranges from up-close to 50 meters, use the irons. 50m and beyond, use the scope.

You still need to estimate distance, but not so precisely...to know when to use the irons or scope.
 
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