Thread: FIXED OR ADJUSTABLE PARALLAX

I'm just interested in hearing what everyones thoughts and preferences are in regards to Fixed or Adjustable Parallax Scopes for Hunting .
When do you feel the need to go to an Adjusting Parallax scope as opposed to Fixed ?
What type of hunting do you do , Distance / Open Country / Bush etc ?
Problems you have found with both types ?

Cheers

depends on distance mate. i think the general rule is adjustable from like 450y or something.

it dosnt mean you cant shoot with fixed further just your head has a smaller window to line up in, whereas adjustable makes things far easier to work with.

Find that as age catches up AO makes life easier to obtain a better focus on target.

By chance more than design, I've ended up with an adjustable parallax scope on my .308. It's not necessary, but I like it. Nice clear image and reticle and the weight gain is minimal. Don't think I shoot long enough distances for it to make a significant difference to accuracy (i.e. <200m).

It depends on your rifle setup. If you have consistent head location/cheek weld, fixed will be more than fine. If your head is bobbing around in space adjustable would be preferable. You can look up the formulas to work out how much error you will have at set distance.

Parallax is only ever an issue above 10X, if your scope dont past 10 power then no need to worry about parallax.

For accurate shooting at closer ranges (rimfires and airguns ) it's a whole lot more important, and as @Husky1600#2 said, it really becomes important with higher magnification. For the vast majority of hunting scenarios, a 2-7 or 3-9 without AO will be more than adequate.

The flip side of this is that WITH adjustable parallax, its a lot easier to miss if the adjustment isn't correct because the crosshairs tend to wander on the point of aim depending on your head/cheek position.

I have AO on my rimfires as the obkective focus on most fixed scopes is uausally around the 100m mark from 100m to 400m ish the objective does not really make enough difference to be a concern so most scopes on a centrefire will be fine for what most people need. Longer ranges it comes into its own and especially very close ranges ...Think rats and bunnies at 30m. A deer or goat at 50m wont matter as the animal is big enough that any 'inaccuracy is maller than the target area.....

As mentioned, it becomes more f an issue as magnification increases past 9x power.........4x like the old 4x32 on 22s was fine without and if you can go without it is one thing less that you can break.....

Originally Posted by Bos

The flip side of this is that WITH adjustable parallax, its a lot easier to miss if the adjustment isn't correct because the crosshairs tend to wander on the point of aim depending on your head/cheek position.

On my rifles with Swarovski Z5 3.5-18 scopes with the Parallax turret I leave it set at 200 yds. Find that works for everything 50 to 400 yds.

Originally Posted by Bos

The flip side of this is that WITH adjustable parallax, its a lot easier to miss if the adjustment isn't correct because the crosshairs tend to wander on the point of aim depending on your head/cheek position.

AND I've seen many deer/tahr lost as the shot isn't taken cause the shooter was mucking about with scope knobs of various sorts. I try to encourage people to put their scope on 4 or 6 x, parallax on 100 or so and concentrate on shot placement.

words of wisdom Tentman in fact mucking around of any sort - okay if deer 400 m out have not seen or smelt anything - but deer 50 m away and heres ya mate playing with scope or bolt - very frustarting to go all that way and petrol only to have ones mate stuff it up and when one so kindly gave them first shot = shoot the damn thing