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What parallax setting?

Dunraven

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Minuteman
Feb 1, 2019
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If a stage has targets from, say, 300 out to 800, would you just pick a parallax setting somewhere in the middle, or would you try to adjust as you go?
 
If a stage has targets from, say, 300 out to 800, would you just pick a parallax setting somewhere in the middle, or would you try to adjust as you go?
Much depends upon your scope an your cheek weld. I have some side focus scopes I have to adjust, for every yardage even if the target is 3-4 moa. I also have a front ergo scope, that requires no adjustment from 500 to 1050 for 1.5 - 2moa or bigger targets at all.
 
Find a Premier 3-15X.

When I change distances its usually toward the end of firing at longer distance that I realize I did not adjust parallax and it didnt make any difference.
 
I don’t shoot matches, but I do shoot and can say that parallax error is more theoretical than practical. If you know how lo look through a scope then it matters none. You aren’t missing because of parallax.
 
Parallax is very real and not theoretical at all. Its Effects are not seen as much in a perfect world, but with a gun that is not fitted correctly or if shooting from a difficult position it can make quite a difference.

With certain scopes like the swfa 10x I have on a .22, I can easily get the crosshairs 1 mil off target.

As for during a stage I try to remove parallax when ever possible, but will settle for a little movement if I feel I can get away with it and still make a hit.
 
Can you tell me IF you ever change parallax settings during a stage? I don't seem to have enough time as it is.

Again, depends on the optic.

On my zco or thetas, I set it in the middle and it’s parallax free from 300-1000. And mostly in focus.

You will have to experiment with your optic and see where the error occurs. Maybe you are good from 3-600, then need to adjust after 600. Maybe it’s picky around 1-300.

And yes. If you are shooting different distances and those distances require different parallax, you should dial it during a stage.
 
I don’t shoot matches, but I do shoot and can say that parallax error is more theoretical than practical. If you know how lo look through a scope then it matters none. You aren’t missing because of parallax.

Unless you shoot everything prone or in a way that allows you to get an absolutely perfect sight picture every time, IGNORE this advise.

If you do any type of practical/tactical/positional shooting, parallax is a huge deal.
 
I don’t shoot matches, but I do shoot and can say that parallax error is more theoretical than practical. If you know how lo look through a scope then it matters none. You aren’t missing because of parallax.


it's theoretical depending on several factors, the biggest being Cheekweld, but it's real if,

In a PRS event, a new or less experienced shooter is compromising their head position on different props or positions, and if they are running too high a magnification

Parallax is mostly magnification based, when guys are shooting at 15x it's not a big deal, go to 25x it starts to get more so, and if a 7-35x tries it on 35x it's worst,

Parallax might not cause you to miss, but can, even on paper at 100. Just knock your scope off parallax and move your head, you can see it float over the target and move around.

If you lower your magnification you can get away with a ton, which if you use 12x, odds are you see nothing. It's still part of sight picture and requires you to understand how it works so you can compromise when needed.

Sure most are not missing with a parallax error, but we don't know if that is the case with a lower 50% shooter, how do you know some of their misses are not due to them trying to engage a series of targets on 25x. Finding a middle is easy, but if you have no clue and some guy on the internet says don't sweat it, you might not sweat it when you should.

I think education is this case is better than dismissing it, especially since you can see it and set it up so you will miss.
 
it's theoretical depending on several factors, the biggest being Cheekweld, but it's real if,

In a PRS event, a new or less experienced shooter is compromising their head position on different props or positions, and if they are running too high a magnification

Parallax is mostly magnification based, when guys are shooting at 15x it's not a big deal, go to 25x it starts to get more so, and if a 7-35x tries it on 35x it's worst,

Parallax might not cause you to miss, but can, even on paper at 100. Just knock your scope off parallax and move your head, you can see it float over the target and move around.

If you lower your magnification you can get away with a ton, which if you use 12x, odds are you see nothing. It's still part of sight picture and requires you to understand how it works so you can compromise when needed.

Sure most are not missing with a parallax error, but we don't know if that is the case with a lower 50% shooter, how do you know some of their misses are not due to them trying to engage a series of targets on 25x. Finding a middle is easy, but if you have no clue and some guy on the internet says don't sweat it, you might not sweat it when you should.

I think education is this case is better than dismissing it, especially since you can see it and set it up so you will miss.
that sure helps. thx.
 
it's theoretical depending on several factors, the biggest being Cheekweld, but it's real if,

In a PRS event, a new or less experienced shooter is compromising their head position on different props or positions, and if they are running too high a magnification

Parallax is mostly magnification based, when guys are shooting at 15x it's not a big deal, go to 25x it starts to get more so, and if a 7-35x tries it on 35x it's worst,

Parallax might not cause you to miss, but can, even on paper at 100. Just knock your scope off parallax and move your head, you can see it float over the target and move around.

If you lower your magnification you can get away with a ton, which if you use 12x, odds are you see nothing. It's still part of sight picture and requires you to understand how it works so you can compromise when needed.

Sure most are not missing with a parallax error, but we don't know if that is the case with a lower 50% shooter, how do you know some of their misses are not due to them trying to engage a series of targets on 25x. Finding a middle is easy, but if you have no clue and some guy on the internet says don't sweat it, you might not sweat it when you should.

I think education is this case is better than dismissing it, especially since you can see it and set it up so you will miss.

Mouse trap at RO. Lol.

Don’t mess with parallax on some of those spots. It hurts.
 
it's theoretical depending on several factors, the biggest being Cheekweld, but it's real if,

In a PRS event, a new or less experienced shooter is compromising their head position on different props or positions, and if they are running too high a magnification

Parallax is mostly magnification based, when guys are shooting at 15x it's not a big deal, go to 25x it starts to get more so, and if a 7-35x tries it on 35x it's worst,

Parallax might not cause you to miss, but can, even on paper at 100. Just knock your scope off parallax and move your head, you can see it float over the target and move around.

If you lower your magnification you can get away with a ton, which if you use 12x, odds are you see nothing. It's still part of sight picture and requires you to understand how it works so you can compromise when needed.

Sure most are not missing with a parallax error, but we don't know if that is the case with a lower 50% shooter, how do you know some of their misses are not due to them trying to engage a series of targets on 25x. Finding a middle is easy, but if you have no clue and some guy on the internet says don't sweat it, you might not sweat it when you should.

I think education is this case is better than dismissing it, especially since you can see it and set it up so you will miss.
I always thought differently about new shooters. My thoughts were that they should ‘t worry about something that means so little when first starting out. If they didn’t know parallax existed and would just get behind the scope correctly (not necessarily the rifle) and concentrate on that, they would be better off. Spend the energy and effort where it matters most.

You broke it down in greater detail of course and I agree with your assessment. You are an instructor after all and not me. Is parallax something you spend a lot of time on in your beginner classes Or something you educate guys about and move on.
 
it's theoretical depending on several factors, the biggest being Cheekweld, but it's real if,

In a PRS event, a new or less experienced shooter is compromising their head position on different props or positions, and if they are running too high a magnification

Parallax is mostly magnification based, when guys are shooting at 15x it's not a big deal, go to 25x it starts to get more so, and if a 7-35x tries it on 35x it's worst,

Parallax might not cause you to miss, but can, even on paper at 100. Just knock your scope off parallax and move your head, you can see it float over the target and move around.

If you lower your magnification you can get away with a ton, which if you use 12x, odds are you see nothing. It's still part of sight picture and requires you to understand how it works so you can compromise when needed.

Sure most are not missing with a parallax error, but we don't know if that is the case with a lower 50% shooter, how do you know some of their misses are not due to them trying to engage a series of targets on 25x. Finding a middle is easy, but if you have no clue and some guy on the internet says don't sweat it, you might not sweat it when you should.

I think education is this case is better than dismissing it, especially since you can see it and set it up so you will miss.
Good info
im normally around 15x probably why set it and forget it seems to not make much difference
 
Unless you shoot everything prone or in a way that allows you to get an absolutely perfect sight picture every time, IGNORE this advise.

If you do any type of practical/tactical/positional shooting, parallax is a huge deal.
Lowlight and others seem to agree either on whole or in part on what I said. You have stated before you shoot on max power almost always and I shoot under 15x almost always. Maybe thats the disconnect between us both. My point is if the target is in focus or relatively close, the parralax is set close enough to not make a difference. Lowlight pointed out a few finer details that may make that statement not all inclusive of course.

Don’t be so quick to discount guys that don’t play your game. I do not just shoot from the bench either. I shoot from many positions to be a better shooter overall. A first time shooter can bag up on the bench and make hits at 7-800 yards with little help. Bench shooting by itself won’t make a better marksman.