Rifle Scopes Do I understand parallax?

holdem

Private
Minuteman
Nov 4, 2009
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53
Orlando, FL
I have a Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 6.5-20x50 w/ TMR reticle. The scope has a parallax adjustment on the left hand side. This knob has 5 dots in descending size, and then the infinity symbol.

My understanding is to adjust the focus ring on the back of the scope (the part closest to my eye) for my eyesight, and then leave it set. This adjusts the clarity of the reticle.

I then adjust the parallax knob as needed to bring the target into focus. And when the target is in focus, I should experience little to no parallax?

If I am correct so far, do these dots correspond with a given distance? I shot at 200 and 300 yards for the first time this past week and this is when I discovered a need for this knob. The knob was on the 3rd largest dot for 200 yards and 4th largest dot for 300 yards. Is infinity beyond 600 yards? 1000 yards? Or will all of these markings vary based on eyesight, temp, humidity, etc?
 
Re: Do I understand parallax?

Parallax adjustments rarely actually line up to real parallax. They are just estimates.

Lindy had a post, that I think became a sticky on the optics thread about parallax what it is and how to adjust for it. Look in one of the sticky subjects on this forum. It was really detailed.

-Nate
 
Re: Do I understand parallax?

A parallax error is most noticeable by shifting your eye location in relation to the eyepiece. If the reticle moves significantly in relation to the target, there is a parallax error.
Normally, a side-parallax adjustment or an adjustable objective will have reference markings. Even the much-vaunted Unertl externally adjustable target scopes came with a paper indicating where the parallax adjustment was most accurate.
 
Re: Do I understand parallax?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: holdem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I have a Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 6.5-20x50 w/ TMR reticle. The scope has a parallax adjustment on the left hand side. This knob has 5 dots in descending size, and then the infinity symbol.

My understanding is to adjust the focus ring on the back of the scope (the part closest to my eye) for my eyesight, and then leave it set. This adjusts the clarity of the reticle.

I then adjust the parallax knob as needed to bring the target into focus. And when the target is in focus, I should experience little to no parallax?

If I am correct so far, do these dots correspond with a given distance? I shot at 200 and 300 yards for the first time this past week and this is when I discovered a need for this knob. The knob was on the 3rd largest dot for 200 yards and 4th largest dot for 300 yards. Is infinity beyond 600 yards? 1000 yards? Or will all of these markings vary based on eyesight, temp, humidity, etc?

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My .02

Sometimes your scope can have the parallax adjusted out correctly"in accordance with what NukeMMC described" but the scope will still not be perfectly in focus.So focusing the scope perfectly clear can be secondary.

I've put tape around the AO or side focus on some of my scopes and written marks on them correlating to different yardages and the correct parallax adjustment.