Rifle Scopes Windage and Parallax Adjustment: Which side?

[dpilot83]

On some higher end scopes you can choose which side you want your windage and parallax controls. I notice that some people choose to put both of them on the left side or right side. Which is better?

In my mind if you were right handed and you were shooting off the bipod with a sand bag under the butt of the rifle stock you would want to use your right hand to make adjustments and therefore you would want them both on the right side.

With this setup you would be able to maintain your sight picture as you adjusted your scope because the left hand would be manipulating the sand bag while the right hand is making adjustments on the scope. Does that make any sense? Thanks.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Windage and Parallax Adjustment: Which side?

The firing hand has two purposes, to hold the rifle into the shoulder pocket and to manipulate the trigger ...

The support hand is that, support... if you think holding the rear bag is more important to the firing task then holding the rifle into the shoulder pocket, more power too you.

 

[dpilot83]

Re: Windage and Parallax Adjustment: Which side?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The firing hand has two purposes, to hold the rifle into the shoulder pocket and to manipulate the trigger ...

The support hand is that, support... if you think holding the rear bag is more important to the firing task then holding the rifle into the shoulder pocket, more power too you. </div></div>

Thanks for the quick reply. I've read enough on here to know that your advice is spot on so I want to make it clear that I'm not questioning whether you're right.

Since that's the case, why do most scope mfg's have the windage adjustment on the right hand side of the scope by default? As evidence I am just looking at the home page of Schmidt and Bender, Night Force and USO. They all have scopes on their home page with the windage adjustment on the right hand side.

I guess my question is, if proper technique dictates that your support hand does the scope adjusting and most people are right handed, why do most scope mfg's put the controls on the wrong side?

Maybe it's easier to adjust turrets from the opposite side of your support hand than I imagine. I do not yet have any good scopes and therefore the scopes I have can only be adjusted after removing caps and sticking a penny or a screwdriver on the adjustment control and turning it. Having a good scope may answer my questions, but in lei of that, I'm asking here. Thanks.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Windage and Parallax Adjustment: Which side?

Because that is how they have always done it... and technically, they expect people to set it before they prep the firing task. You don't break position to change it, if you do, you should start the sequence over.

In the tactical world, most people hold for wind and not dial it at all, which is why many scopes are now coming with locks or caps to close off the windage.

Because something has always been done a certain way doesn't make it right...

 

[dpilot83]

Re: Windage and Parallax Adjustment: Which side?

Alright, that makes sense. I appreciate your replies.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Windage and Parallax Adjustment: Which side?

And FYI,

At SHOT we had this very discussion with Kahles because they have their parallax under the elevation, Eduardo Abril De Fontcuberta (Author of Paladin Press' 100+ Sniping Exercises ) requested they moved the windage to the left and I agree with him.

He uses a USO with a left hand windage knob, and since the Kahles K624i can be operated from the left, it makes sense to put the windage on that side moving the illumination to the right

 

[jakelly]

Re: Windage and Parallax Adjustment: Which side?

Lowlight,

That's enough of this heresy! One thing in the world inherently favors those in their right mind and you try to change it.

It has been my own little secret that the traditional layout of scopes is ideal for lefties.

 

[Mr Flannel]

Re: Windage and Parallax Adjustment: Which side?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And FYI,

At SHOT we had this very discussion with Kahles because they have their parallax under the elevation, Eduardo Abril De Fontcuberta (Author of Paladin Press' 100+ Sniping Exercises ) requested they moved the windage to the left and I agree with him.

<span style="font-weight: bold">He uses a USO with a left hand windage knob, and since the Kahles K624i can be operated from the left, it makes sense to put the windage on that side moving the illumination to the right </span> </div></div>

The day they do that is the day I order one.