Got a new scope for my 22WMR

D

DOCSpanky

New member
Bushnell 4-12x40 with adjustable paralax.

Which brings me to my question. What is paralax and should I worry alot about it in small game and target shooting. Or is it something for the 1000 yard wonders to worry about?

I also gotta find a higher set of scope rings for it, I cant put the lens cap on because it can't fit between the bottom of scope and receiver top:(

DOC
 
I'll try to explain parallax...

If you set up your rifle on a rest, zeroed on a target at 100 yards and have your parallax adjustment set at 100 yards, you could look through your scope and move your head around a little and see that the crosshairs do not move in relation to the target. If your parallax adjustment was set at 25 yards though, you would see the crosshairs moving around on the target. That relative movement is parallax error. When the crosshairs and image of the target are in the same focal plane, there is no parallax error. In essence, the AO moves the focal plane of the target image in relation to the crosshairs. Your purpose in adjusting the objective is to eliminate the parallax error.

Non-AO scopes for rimfires are usually adjusted by the factory to be parallax-free at around 65 yards. Non-AO scopes for centerfire rifles are factory-adjusted to be parallax-free at around 125 yards, if I recall correctly.

To get the most out of your rifle and scope, set the parallax adjustment to the range at which you'll be shooting. That makes consistency of head position relative to the occular lens of your scope a non-issue. If the adjustments and range marks on the scope are precise, you can even use the AO to estimate the range to a target by adjusting the objective until you see that the parallax error is gone and then reading the range marks.

I hope I haven't thoroughly confused you!

-RR-
 
Oh yeah...I meant to say also that if you are trying to shoot tiny groups with your .22, at say 50 yards or even 100, then the AO is definitely worth having. And, if I may offer a suggestion on the lens caps, I have had the same problem solved by simply doing a little cutting on the lens caps where they don't fit between the scope objective and the barrel. To me it would be a mortal sin to go with higher rings than otherwise necessary! :eek:

-RR-
 
Thanks dude, it makes sense... er uh..... well more than it did:)

Much pain and gnashing of teeth will befall the local vermin now that I can scope in farther. My blind arse needs all the help I can get;)
 
I use the same scope on my Marlin .22 magnum. The scope was mounted with see through mounts. This was needed just to get the scope on the gun. The rifle is now much more sensitive to canting but it does not seem to be significant.

Will
 
I'm looking for a new scope for my 22mag. I recently shot a 7inch group at 200yds and was completely surprised. I'm trashing my old scope because its not very clear. I can see a target but I couldn't read a McDonalds Sign at 200yds with it. I wasn't sure if its worth putting a high magnification scope on a 22mag? Should I settle for a 4x or go with a 3-9x or 4-12x? I'm only looking to spend no more than $75 for one.
 
Hey there SodaPop...

You didn't mention what kind of rifle you're shooting, and by that I mean I have no idea as to how accurate you or anyone else should expect it to be...but I am curious as to how accurate it is at 100 yards. And I am wondering if maybe parallax error is a part of what you are experiencing. Are you currently using an AO scope? I guess the point is moot though, if you can't see through it any better than you have stated.

I would take this opportunity to urge you to buy as good a scope as you can swing for your rimfire. Most people shoot their rimfire rifles far more than their centerfire rifles, and they spend way more on the scopes they use the least at the expense of optics on the rifles they shoot the most. I'm not saying you need a Swarovski on your rimfire rifle, but maybe it (and you too!)deserves a little better scope than what you get for 75 clams.

Anyway, in my opinion, a decent 3-9 or 4-12 should serve you just fine. A 4x might be a better bet though, if you are going to base your decision on economy.

Just my opinion. Hope it don't smell TOO bad!

-RR-
 
Its a Marlin 22Mag rifle. I forget the Model Number:rolleyes: It was my first rifle and I absolutely love it. I can shoot 1in groups at 100yds ALL THE TIME. What does AO mean?:o Its a cheap scope I got for $20 dollars in the used junk pile last year. I had a 2-7x20 scope that was clearer but fogged up all the time. I can't afford a Leupold for it but what about Simmons or Bushnell?
 
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