Side focus or Not?

[pse&remington]

Hey just looking to hear some thoughts from those of you who may have an opinion on Side Focus.

Looking to buy a new scope, side focus or not is the question?

[monasheemountainman]

depends on the magnification....

[KodiakHntr]

What is the application? What are you wanting to do with it?

[J_06]

Only have it on my lr target rifle. Don't need it on my hunting rifles.

[VLD43]

In my experience side focus or parallex adjustment as is more correctly called should be considered once you are past 150 yds and over 10 power. I have a leupold 3.5 X 10 power which works well as far as I am willing to shoot and has no parallex adjustment. On the other hand, I have 4.5 X 14 power scope without parallex adjustment which at 200 yards and on 14 power shows very obvious parallex error. I know this because I replaced this scope with another 4.5 x 14 scope with side focus and a 30mm tube and my groups at 200 yds tighted up very considerable, using the same reloads.

[2chodi]

Side focus is actually a parallax adjustment as explained here: https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17295/~/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-side-focus-feature%3F

Where I have parallax adjustment useful is on a fairly high powered scope (9Xs and above) on a rimfire, especially when the target is very close.

[RiverOtter]

In a hunting rifle I'd say no. That said, even if there is a possibility for parallax error it is largely negated by consistent rifle hold, or more simply, consistent eye position.

[Bear Brawler]

When you're 3-400 yrs from your target and you're zoomed in, yes it's worth having. Leave it set at 100yds and have your scope backed down to low magnification for closer hunting.

[Wentrot]

Certainly nice to have farther out like others have said

[angus5024]

Over 400 yards I prefer it. I have shot to 1k without paralax adjustment, but you need to make sure your centered in your eyebox perfectly. Im with VLD43, over 10x I would go for it.
on that note, make sure you dont simply turn the paralax to the yard marks or image clarity, because it can be off.

[todbartell]

for hunting, not required. For precision shooting, absolutely required. Set it at 100y and leave it if you're hunting

[pse&remington]

Thnx vld43 ya I was looking at the leupold vx3i 4.5-14x50 and the guy @ nechako was saying the same thing, why would you not want it as you can always leave it zero'd @ your choice

[pse&remington]

In my experience side focus or parallex adjustment as is more correctly called should be considered once you are past 150 yds and over 10 power. I have a leupold 3.5 X 10 power which works well as far as I am willing to shoot and has no parallex adjustment. On the other hand, I have 4.5 X 14 power scope without parallex adjustment which at 200 yards and on 14 power shows very obvious parallex error. I know this because I replaced this scope with another 4.5 x 14 scope with side focus and a 30mm tube and my groups at 200 yds tighted up very considerable, using the same reloads.


Thnx vld43 ya I was looking at the leupold vx3i 4.5-14x50 and the guy @ nechako was saying the same thing, why would you not want it as you can always leave it zero'd @ your choice

[pse&remington]

thnx Bear Brawler thats what I was thinking

[pse&remington]

Thanks everyone just wanted some knowledge users to help confirm my thoughts. I am looking to purchasing a new set up for the year and wanted to make a wise purchase. I can only afford so much and would rather have as nice as I can afford. That said Im looking @ the Browning Hells Canyon Speed in a 300wsm and was thinking of going with a Leupold vx3i 4.5-14x50 cds with side focus, only because i dont understand why i wouldnt

[RiverOtter]

Not to dissuade you from a 50mm objective if that's what you really want, but consider cheek weld and how quickly you acquire a sight picture when you shoulder your rifle. A 40mm scope can be mounted much lower to the barrel and gives up very little in legal shooting light. Also lighter in weight and less money than an equivalent in 50mm.

Good luck with your new purchase.

[boxhitch]

Adjustable Objective is available on lots of scopes and of course is desirable, but is side focus vs front focus really worth the extras ?

[.264winmag]

Adjustable Objective is available on lots of scopes and of course is desirable, but is side focus vs front focus really worth the extras ?
Absolutely it is, working parallax out is done while looking through the scope and moving sight picture around until the crosshairs stop floating around. Very awkward with a front adjustment, not to mention theres not a scope on the current market with front parallax adjustment I'd trust...
As also said you give very little up going from a 50mm obj. to a 40,42,44mm as far as extending shooting time. You'll gather less foliage/rain in it and save weight and $. Id rather have the extra weight in a 30mm tube opposed to a 1''. Cant really go wrong with a higher end Leupold, I'm especially fond of the mark 4 series with M1 turrets. Not available in 40mm from factory though unless you go with the capped target turrets which are ok too.

[VLD43]

Not to dissuade you from a 50mm objective if that's what you really want, but consider cheek weld and how quickly you acquire a sight picture when you shoulder your rifle. A 40mm scope can be mounted much lower to the barrel and gives up very little in legal shooting light. Also lighter in weight and less money than an equivalent in 50mm.

Good luck with your new purchase.

Good point RiverOtter, and I fully agree with you. I made the mistake of getting a 50mm objective once, and won't do it again. I would say that if cost is a factor when purchasing a scope , that a leupold 3.5 x 10 is a great compromise. Stock fit can also go a long way towards consistency when shooting.

[RiverOtter]

IMHO, if comparing Leupolds VX-3's, a 3.5-10x40 is not a compromise to the 4.5-14x40. Personally, I'll gladly take the former.

[pse&remington]

Points noted on the 50mm objective, I have not much experience and that is why I am asking so thanks. I see the points and was being persuaded into a 50 from some people who maybe were not seeing anything more than there ego's. I am thinking a better scope in 40 is better than less with a 50 so thanks for that. If there are no downfalls to purchasing with side focus than why not have it if you ever need or want to use it, ie: playing with long ranges at the range and having a reason to shoot more.

[BgBlkDg]

Trying to "buy expertise" in guns/gear is very prevalent now, but, is a mistake. The 4.5x14 scopes, mine is a Zeiss Conquest and has the side parallax turret, have their uses, but, really few in most BC hunting.

I have scopes from 2.5x to 1.5x5, 1.75x6, 2.5x8, 3x9, 3.5x10,4x12 and 4.5x14 and had a 6.5x20 in both 50 mm and 40 mm and 4x fixed as well as a fine old B&L 2.5x5. I have had Zeiss, Kollmorgen, Redfield, Swarovski, Pecar, Weaver, Wollensak, Bushnell, Bausch and Lomb and dozens of Leupolds over the past 52 years.

Frankly, a beginner is much better off with a 2.5x8x36 and learning to use it while getting into handloading and practicing. JMHO, but, shooting at game at 300+ yds. is a game for experts and most game is killed at less than 200 yds.

Buy the 2.5x8, use Talley QDs and a spare Leupy 4x in spare rings. Works like dambusters.

[375shooter]

Trying to "buy expertise" in guns/gear is very prevalent now, but, is a mistake. The 4.5x14 scopes, mine is a Zeiss Conquest and has the side parallax turret, have their uses, but, really few in most BC hunting.

I have scopes from 2.5x to 1.5x5, 1.75x6, 2.5x8, 3x9, 3.5x10,4x12 and 4.5x14 and had a 6.5x20 in both 50 mm and 40 mm and 4x fixed as well as a fine old B&L 2.5x5. I have had Zeiss, Kollmorgen, Redfield, Swarovski, Pecar, Weaver, Wollensak, Bushnell, Bausch and Lomb and dozens of Leupolds over the past 52 years.

Frankly, a beginner is much better off with a 2.5x8x36 and learning to use it while getting into handloading and practicing. JMHO, but, shooting at game at 300+ yds. is a game for experts and most game is killed at less than 200 yds.

Buy the 2.5x8, use Talley QDs and a spare Leupy 4x in spare rings. Works like dambusters.

Spot on, if you ask me! Get a 2.5-8 VX-3 and use it for a few years, then decide if you need something bigger.

[375shooter]

Absolutely it is, working parallax out is done while looking through the scope and moving sight picture around until the crosshairs stop floating around. Very awkward with a front adjustment, not to mention theres not a scope on the current market with front parallax adjustment I'd trust...
As also said you give very little up going from a 50mm obj. to a 40,42,44mm as far as extending shooting time. You'll gather less foliage/rain in it and save weight and $. Id rather have the extra weight in a 30mm tube opposed to a 1''. Cant really go wrong with a higher end Leupold, I'm especially fond of the mark 4 series with M1 turrets. Not available in 40mm from factory though unless you go with the capped target turrets which are ok too.

What do you not trust about scopes with front parallax adjustments?

[.264winmag]

What do you not trust about scopes with front parallax adjustments?
Can't think of one on the current market that I'd trust, old technology and any decent scope manufacturer has went to SF. Also increases objective size needing higher rings, heavier and less durable.

[.264winmag]

Well I see they still make a vx2 with adj. obj., I'd run that if I absolutely had too;)

[.264winmag]

Thanks everyone just wanted some knowledge users to help confirm my thoughts. I am looking to purchasing a new set up for the year and wanted to make a wise purchase. I can only afford so much and would rather have as nice as I can afford. That said Im looking @ the Browning Hells Canyon Speed in a 300wsm and was thinking of going with a Leupold vx3i 4.5-14x50 cds with side focus, only because i dont understand why i wouldnt
Another thing to consider, both the vx3i 4.5-14x40/50 side focus have 110moa of internal adjustment opposed to 65 with non-sf. That there would be a deciding factor for me twisting turrets. Can eat a pile of elev. up just sighting in...

[pse&remington]

Another thing to consider, both the vx3i 4.5-14x40/50 side focus have 110moa of internal adjustment opposed to 65 with non-sf. That there would be a deciding factor for me twisting turrets. Can eat a pile of elev. up just sighting in...

ACTUALLY Leupold claims that MOA on a VX3i 4.5-14x40 is as follows

1" tube
standard - 64
cds - 62
adjustable objective - 62
adjustable objective with cds - 62

30mm tube
side focus - 113
side focus with cds - 113

[.264winmag]

Ah I see, they only throw the sf on the 30mm tube in the 3i, explains why there's more internal adj. and why 30mm is better;)