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Parallax Free & Eye Alignment

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wamshane View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wamshane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Parallax Free & Eye Alignment
    Posted: August/05/2008 at 23:05
While at a scope dealer this afternoon I was told that rather it is important to obtain a scope that is "parallax free" so that if your eye alignment slips slightly off center, you will still print the shot onto the target. 
 
I cannot put the previous statemen in quotes but I do think it is pretty accurate to what I was told.  I am not quite sure I understand it completely so I am asking if those of more experience and expertise might offer some feedback and or tutoring?
 
e.g. ...I know when I shift my head/eye a bit sometimes the scope picture goes out/black.  Does it mean if I shift just a teeny bit and the scope picture is still there that I might not in fact be seeing where the scope is actually pointing?
 
Does a scope with parallax correction help this?
 
And I am not quite sure how to ask if a scope is "parallax free" or if that is the right phrase?
 
And lastly(but probably not) if I get a scope with an illuminated dot in the crosshair center will that help the situation or ?
 
Lots of questions ...but then again my forum moniker does classify my as a tenderfoot.
 
thanks,
wamshane
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cyborg View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2008 at 06:59
What it means is that the point of axis between the picture and the reticle is out of proportion and then any movement behind the sight picture will cause a shift in the line up between the reticle and target. The point of impact will change, in reference to the cross hairs. Parralax adjustment, and parralax free help to resolve this. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2008 at 07:49
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sholling Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2008 at 11:19
Originally posted by wamshane wamshane wrote:

While at a scope dealer this afternoon I was told that rather it is important to obtain a scope that is "parallax free" so that if your eye alignment slips slightly off center, you will still print the shot onto the target.
True. Refer to this article for details.

Quote Does it mean if I shift just a teeny bit and the scope picture is still there that I might not in fact be seeing where the scope is actually pointing?
Yes.
 
Quote Does a scope with parallax correction help this?
Yes but getting a consistent cheek weld is still very important.

 
Quote And I am not quite sure how to ask if a scope is "parallax free" or if that is the right phrase?
Most rimfire scopes are set from the factory to be relatively "parallax free" at 50 yards. Most centerfire rifle scopes are set to be relatively parallax free at 100 yards and beyond. Shotgun scopes are set for 50 or 75 depending on the brand. What they mean by "parallax free" is that parallax should not be an issue for normal hunting or plinking at those ranges and beyond. However it may still be an issue for fine target shooting. Read the linked article above for details about parallax correction.

 
Quote And lastly(but probably not) if I get a scope with an illuminated dot in the crosshair center will that help the situation or ?
Not to be flipent but does painting a car red make it go faster? All illumination does is light up the cross hairs for low light shooting. Darn few people actually use it. This is where you have to deside how you want to use the scope. In my amature opinion a scope with an adjustable objective (see article) aka AO or side focus (SF) is a must for a target rifle or with magnifications over 10x - but a pain for a hunter/plinker because it slows you down a bit. 
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Dale Clifford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2008 at 12:22
the off axis parallax associated with non-direct alignment due to incorrect check weld is a function of the magnification of the scope. Scopes with no magnification, red dots and others have no parallax problems. I suspect this is where your illumination question is coming from. Sholling brings out a good point, an ao or side focus does not necessarily a better scope make. z6 and diavaris are good examples.
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wamshane View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wamshane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2008 at 18:50
Thank you very very much to all respondents ... it is a big help and with this feedback training I do believe I will be able to make an improved decision ...  I will probably go with the scope that lines up best with my eye and is not too cluttered on sight picture ...years ago I had a Leupold Pioneer 4x with some sort of German post on a horizontal cross hair on my old Winchester Model 54 and although my eyes were younger I could usually get 4 out of 5 bullets in the black about 6" circle at 100 yards from a standing off hand/sling position.
 
I think the Zeiss Conquest has a similar reticle as does Leupold ... ?
 
thanks again to everyone ... I really appreciate it! ....
and of course...all additional feedback/training is welcome and appreciated!
 
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Dale Clifford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/06/2008 at 23:54
zeiss reticles tend to be "wider" when compared across the board, their fch or fine cross hair, which should be for of a target, is about as wide as the leo duplex, as an example
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