Rifle Scopes Potential issue with Athlon Optics Cronus Scope

[Austinma62]

I finally have my rifle all setup. Tikka ctr 6.5 creedmoor in a krg xray chassis and have my Athlon Optics Cronus -4.5x29x56mm 34mm tube scope mounted on it. Its a very impressive scope with clear glass and great turrets. However i noticed my groups are horrible at 100 yards and I keep having these horizontal patterns showing up. After shooting a couple boxes through the gun, check all the mounting hardware, I decided to swap out scopes.

I switched scopes to my old trusty fixed 10x SWFA scope. After sighting it in, I shot some groups with it at 100 yards using the same ammo. 140gr ELD Hornadys. The groups were much better and I did not have the weird horizontal shift going on.

So what do you think the issue is? I feel like with the Cronus I cannot get the crosshairs and the image to every both be focused. Its either you get one or the other, and then after a few shots it feels like its all out of whack again. I've also noticed when i have everything setup as clear as i can, when i bob my head around on the scope i can see the crosshairs move to and I can't get them to stop moving. So I'm thinking maybe something is up with the parrallax or something internally with the scope?

What do you all think? I've called and left a message with Athlon but they haven't called me back yet about whether they will take a look at, or fix the scope. I hope it can be fixed cause it seems like a great scope with the features, for the money.

Thanks!

I've also attached pics of the groups.

 

[spife7980]

Have someone else that could set it up for their eyes and shoot it? I suspect you spent so much time fiddling that you went crosseyed lol

 

[Austinma62]

Have someone else that could set it up for their eyes and shoot it? I suspect you spent so much time fiddling that you went crosseyed lol

Lol. yeah it does feel that way. Ive tried multipe times to set it up properly and i am just unable to shoot any decent groups with it. My best so far is around 2 inches with the Cronus...

 

[spife7980]

Ehh, send it back, they will get you taken care of.

I will say this is the reverse of how I do it
"I've also noticed when i have everything setup as clear as i can, when i bob my head around on the scope i can see the crosshairs move to and I can't get them to stop moving. So I'm thinking maybe something is up with the parrallax or something internally with the scope?"

I set it up so that the reticle stops moving on the target (dial out the parallax) and then adjust the eye diopter to make it clear.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I second the second set of eyes.
Set reticle focus, set image focus and parallax SHOULD be good.
If not scope should fall under warranty.

 

[whatsupdoc]

What power were you shooting the groups with the Cronus?
Are you certain that the parallax was adjusted correctly?

While it is possible the optic has an issue more than likely it is you or your setup.

 

[Austinma62]

What power were you shooting the groups with the Cronus?
Are you certain that the parallax was adjusted correctly?

While it is possible the optic has an issue more than likely it is you or your setup.

I second the second set of eyes.
Set reticle focus, set image focus and parallax SHOULD be good.
If not scope should fall under warranty.

thats just it. Unless its just me, i cant get the image to focus, reticle focus, and the reticle to stop moving when i moved my head around in the scope all at the same time.

 

[Austinma62]

What power were you shooting the groups with the Cronus?
Are you certain that the parallax was adjusted correctly?

While it is possible the optic has an issue more than likely it is you or your setup.

10x or 15x. dont recall for sure. ive shot so many groups i dont remember. I am not certain as i said above i couldnt get all 3 to work at the same time.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Does your SWFA scope have a parallax adjustment?

Clear sky the reticle, then focus on target.
Do it quick or the brain farts on your vision

 

[ddavis52]

It is a parallax adjustment issue. Your 10X SWFA is much more forgiving of parallax issues. Start over in the adjustment process. I believe that there is a pretty good sticky that addresses the process. Have someone else try if it doesn't work for you. Contact the company if both fail.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Is there a 10X SWFA scope with adjustable parallax, or just preset @ 100yds?

 

[Austinma62]

I read over the sticky. Ill give that a shot this evening, but im pretty sure I already have done that. And yes the SWFA 10x scope does have adjustable parallax.

 

[squishee]

My ares etr did this to me.
It was a parralax issue.
Took my time on a white wall adjusting diopter which was way off from using the sky as a back drop. I cant answer why .
Keep both eyes open looking at wall then look at reticle adjust diopter 1/8 turn look again.
Worked for me. Might work for you .

 

[ddavis52]

I read over the sticky. Ill give that a shot this evening, but im pretty sure I already have done that. And yes the SWFA 10x scope does have adjustable parallax.

Be patient and work your way through it.... it will probably fall into place.... it really is a fairly common problem, particularly for people with good uncorrected vision or "young eyes".... people in those groups can make their eyes focus on the reticle through a very wide range. The key is very quick looks when adjusting the initial reticle focus.... look away before your brain force fits a solution.

 

[Ben17]

Try taping or having someone hold a white piece of paper in front of the scope. Then get behind the rifle to your natural point of aim and close and open your eye repeatedly while adjusting your diopter until it gets blurry then go back the other way until it is blurry and back again bracketing it in until the reticle seems sharp. Be sure to breath naturally and keep blinking to insure your eye doesn’t focus the reticle for you. the reticle should be crisp as soon as you open your eye. If not keep adjusting the diopter.

I like to do this bracketing technique to hone in the diopter adjustment. Once it is set to your eye the parallax will be easier to adjust because your eyes won’t be fighting to focus on the reticle.

 

[Steel head]

My Cronus was also a touch difficult to get everything perfect.
Take your time to get it all set right and you’ll be happy.

 

[Harman117]

Watch these two videos for a better understanding on setting up the diopter for your scope:

 

[Austinma62]

So after work today I went home and tried all of the recommendations above. And again. I still can't get all 3 to work. I can get the crosshairs clear, a clear target picture, and removing the parallax. When i bob my head around, the crosshairs are still moving. And the same way around. When i can get rid of most of the cross hair movement, my target picture is blurry. I've messed with the diopter adjustment for the reticle and I cant seem to get it working. Even with the best possible settings, under no circumstance can I get rid of the crosshair movement.

I was able to get ahold of athlon optics and i am having them check it out....

I do have one question though. Is there a difference between a fixed 10x power scope with 30mm main tube as far as easiness of parallax adjustment is concerned? Vs the athlon optics which is 4.5x29 with 34mm main tube? I can get my SWFA scope adjusted very easily. I've been able to shoot many moa/sub moa groups with it at 100 yards. I really hope to get to the bottom of this soon. This whole process has drug out for a couple of years. I first bought this scope and setup on my tikka ctr and i took it to the range. That's when i first noticed I had this horrible horizontal group forming. I was able to tinker with the scope and adjust it some, but even then my groups were still marginal at best. Maybe 1.5 to 1.75 groups at 100 yards. So that brought me to thinking my cheek rest wasn't good enough on the stock of the factory rifle since its such a big scope. So i ordered a krg xray chassis with an adjustable cheek riser. Well after another 40 rounds down range i still have the same issue and have tried everything above.

So i have two scenarios that im thinking are possible. Somehow my eyes adjust so fast i cant get the diopter truly in focus, and im having personal issues adjust the scope properly.

Or there is something wrong with the reticle focus, parallax internally with the scope... I hope to find out soon!

 

[squishee]

Does this happen to you with any other scopes you own?
If not contact Athlon.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Second set of eyes.

 

[Austinma62]

No it does not.

 

[JeffLebowski]

Second set of eyes.

 

[Daleteam6]

It is a parallax adjustment issue. Your 10X SWFA is much more forgiving of parallax issues. Start over in the adjustment process. I believe that there is a pretty good sticky that addresses the process. Have someone else try if it doesn't work for you. Contact the company if both fail.

I second this, it could be parallax issue because I have a Cronus btr and was having issues at firstgetting it dialed and it ended up being

 

[Austinma62]

I second this, it could be parallax issue because I have a Cronus btr and was having issues at firstgetting it dialed and it ended up being

were you able to get the crosshairs to stop moving? I never could...

 

[vincent7]

as Squishee said;

Does this happen to you with any other scopes you own?

If not contact Athlon.

I had this with a gen 2 Arken SH last week. Returned it. Parallax issue.

 

[Austinma62]

A few questions...

As far as different scope manufactures go, is there a difference in quality and ease of adjustment for parallax adjustment between scopes?

Also how does a 30mm vs 34mm main tube scope compare to each other in use of adjusting parallax? is a 34mm more difficult to get setup properly?

Are fixed power scopes easier to adjust than a variable power?

 

[spife7980]

There will always be differences but you bought a relatively high end model that you shouldn’t give you issues and mine haven’t ever given me issues.

It doesn’t really.

No, but lower power scopes are. The higher the magnification the more pronounced parallax becomes.

Just send it back for your own confidence at this point.

 

[vincent7]

as Squishee said;

Does this happen to you with any other scopes you own?

If not contact Athlon.

I had this with a gen 2 Arken SH last week. Returned it. Parallax issue.

yep, same here, also an Arken sh gen 2..

 

[Austinma62]

There will always be differences but you bought a relatively high end model that you shouldn’t give you issues and mine haven’t ever given me issues.

It doesn’t really.

No, but lower power scopes are. The higher the magnification the more pronounced parallax becomes.

Just send it back for your own confidence at this point.

That makes this even more interesting...
I mailed the scope in a few days ago, and today I have an email from Athlon saying the scope has been repaired, but when you look at pdf sheet where the notes are written down, according to them it passes all their tests and has a clean bill of health. Their recommendation was to check the torque on the scope rings... Which Ive verified countless times already...

I don't know what else do at this point. I've spend hours trying to dial the scope in, adjust the reticle and parallax. I'm not sure how they conduct their tests on there scopes but the reality is I can't perform well with this scope and I am unable to get a clear sight picture, with clear cross hairs and to remove the parallax out of the scope. Most of my groups are around 2 to 2.5 inches. I could probably do better using my $100 walmart 3x9 scope lol. Who knows, maybe it is me. I've shot through quite a few scopes and I've never had an issue until now with this one. I think im going to look into purchasing a name brand scope this next time, and see if it I can't get better results. After all I have $1500 in the gun itself and I think i should be at least under an inch at 100 yards with my 6.5 tikka.

 

[spife7980]

And normally I would say the scope is the problem but your earlier comments are still casting doubt for me.

I still can't get all 3 to work. I can get the crosshairs clear, a clear target picture, and removing the parallax. When i bob my head around, the crosshairs are still moving. And the same way around.

You say you remove the parallax but then you say it bobs around which in fact is not removing the parallax and makes me question if you really know what you are doing and/or describing.

 

[Austinma62]

What I mean is i have a clear target picture, clear sights, but the crosshairs will still move around. I can never get the crosshairs to stop moving around

 

[FormerFarmer]

How is your eyesight?

I am late 50's and have to wear glasses. Mostly for near work, but a little corrective for far vision also. If I do not wear my glasses, I also have this problem. My far vision is good enough that the majority of the time I am outdoors or not doing close work, I do not wear them.

 

[Austinma62]

How is your eyesight?

I am late 50's and have to wear glasses. Mostly for near work, but a little corrective for far vision also. If I do not wear my glasses, I also have this problem. My far vision is good enough that the majority of the time I am outdoors or not doing close work, I do not wear them.

20/20

i had my eyes checked a year ago and made me think of it, but i have no problem seeing anything.

 

[IPoutdoors]

Has anyone suggested diopter adjustment yet?

 

[squishee]

Has anyone suggested diopter adjustment yet?

Look up and will find your answer ^^^^^^

 

[Memberberries]

Is there someone you could shoot with that has a lot of experience with high power ffp glass? Maybe a local prs match you could go to and find someone to try to get the scope adjusted.

I had a bit of a learning curve with my Cronus but it adjusts quick and has been repeatable. My eyes are also quick to adjust so for the diopter I had to use a wall and sit with my eyes closed for a while then open while already behind the scope and close them again and adjust then repeat. A buddy to adjust while your eyes are closed can help if you're having trouble. You should be able to set the diopter with zoom at max, parallax at infinity, and then never touch it unless your eyes change. Mark it with a sharpie if you think you'll bump it.

For adjusting parallax, ignore the numbers, put the gun in a vise, and adjust until the reticle stays put on a target

 

[Austinma62]

Is there someone you could shoot with that has a lot of experience with high power ffp glass? Maybe a local prs match you could go to and find someone to try to get the scope adjusted.

I had a bit of a learning curve with my Cronus but it adjusts quick and has been repeatable. My eyes are also quick to adjust so for the diopter I had to use a wall and sit with my eyes closed for a while then open while already behind the scope and close them again and adjust then repeat. A buddy to adjust while your eyes are closed can help if you're having trouble. You should be able to set the diopter with zoom at max, parallax at infinity, and then never touch it unless your eyes change. Mark it with a sharpie if you think you'll bump it.

For adjusting parallax, ignore the numbers, put the gun in a vise, and adjust until the reticle stays put on a target

thanks for your advice. thats what i tinkered with again this weekend. It seems the diopter focus for the reticle has a wide range that my eyes will accept which i think could possibly be leading to my problem. However i think i have it setup now. I need to remount my scope and shoot some groups at 100 yards to see how it does. Im very suprised how difficult it is to setup and how touchy the parallax is. Do you think its typical for a scope like this or are some other more expensive scopes a little more forgiving and quicker to adjust to?

 

[squishee]

Its not typical to scopes in this price range , It is typical to the Ares ETR.
Some peoples eyes are easier to adjust for. Some like me not so much .
Also keep in mind that the Ares ETR is a good scope but really in a lower mid tier price range.
We have so many options in the 1000-1500 range .

 

[Steel head]

On a lot of scopes following common advice to set up a FFP scope I’d get a it to where I could get a nice crisp reticle but perfect image and perfect parallax were not achievable, so for a while I’d just have a slightly out of focus image but good parallax.
There was a thread a few years ago where a guy gave his method for setting up a FFP snd I decided to play with it to see if I could get my Cronus image focus an parallax to coincide.
Well it worked.
It’s more of a tinker with it approach than just holding it to a white wall or clear sky an quickly glancing through.

 

[Memberberries]

thanks for your advice. thats what i tinkered with again this weekend. It seems the diopter focus for the reticle has a wide range that my eyes will accept which i think could possibly be leading to my problem. However i think i have it setup now. I need to remount my scope and shoot some groups at 100 yards to see how it does. Im very suprised how difficult it is to setup and how touchy the parallax is. Do you think its typical for a scope like this or are some other more expensive scopes a little more forgiving and quicker to adjust to?

I think that my buddies razor hd gen 2 is a little more forgiving than my cronus but not by a significant amount. I haven't spent much time being too many other scopes in the price range besides my Eotech vudu 5-25x50 but it's an ultrashort design that comes with its own quirks and I would say that the Cronus is easier to get behind for me.

FWIW everyone I take shooting has a hard time getting behind my Cronus until they adjust my cheek riser and screw up my diopter.

 

[Austinma62]

I think that my buddies razor hd gen 2 is a little more forgiving than my cronus but not by a significant amount. I haven't spent much time being too many other scopes in the price range besides my Eotech vudu 5-25x50 but it's an ultrashort design that comes with its own quirks and I would say that the Cronus is easier to get behind for me.

FWIW everyone I take shooting has a hard time getting behind my Cronus until they adjust my cheek riser and screw up my diopter.

That's what I am curious about. The cronus is a nice scope, i like the turrets and the glass a lot. I am just finding it to be a bit difficult to use, however this is my first scope i have used, purchased, and have shot with that has this much magnification. I'm curious to see how much of a difference between parallax adjustment there would be between lets say the Nightforce atacr 4-16x50 and the 5x25x56 compared to the cronus. These are significantly more expensive, but to me getting behind a scope that's quicker, and easier to adjust is a huge perk. I'm curious to how people entering long range competitions have to dial in there parallax adjustment every time at a new distance and get it just right, on top of dialing in your elevation in a timely manner, and then check for parallax error. It seems that would take a lot of time. The leupold fixed 10x powers and my SWFA 10x scopes are lightning quick to have parallax adjusted. But again, Ive never used something with an adjustable magnification range this big.

 

[Memberberries]

That's what I am curious about. The cronus is a nice scope, i like the turrets and the glass a lot. I am just finding it to be a bit difficult to use, however this is my first scope i have used, purchased, and have shot with that has this much magnification. I'm curious to see how much of a difference between parallax adjustment there would be between lets say the Nightforce atacr 4-16x50 and the 5x25x56 compared to the cronus. These are significantly more expensive, but to me getting behind a scope that's quicker, and easier to adjust is a huge perk. I'm curious to how people entering long range competitions have to dial in there parallax adjustment every time at a new distance and get it just right, on top of dialing in your elevation in a timely manner, and then check for parallax error. It seems that would take a lot of time. The leupold fixed 10x powers and my SWFA 10x scopes are lightning quick to have parallax adjusted. But again, Ive never used something with an adjustable magnification range this big.

The 4-16 will be significantly more forgiving because of the reduced magnification but I've never gotten behind an Atacr so I can't speak to ease getting behind either based on the scope itself.

Once I got my chassis adjusted and everything figured out I can now get behind my cronus super fast. I will definitely say that I had a training curve to adjust parallax for each shot or find a happy intermediate setting when I started shooting matches. I've seen people approach it where each shot gets parallax dialed and others dial before to stage and don't touch it during.