When is side parallax beneficial?

[tam9492]

I’m looking for a scope to put on a Mark V, and I’m wondering if I should be looking for side parallax. I’m primarily a bowhunter, and although I’ve hunted with a rifle for years, this is my first nice rifle setup and I’m enjoying the research. I’m not looking to shoot beyond 500 - even at targets really. Would I find any benefit in side focus?

 

[mlgc20]

It depends on the distance you will be shooting and the magnification. If you are shooting a 3-9x scope out to 300 yards you can probably do without side parallax adjustment. If your over 300 years or more than 9x magnification, I would recommend side parallax. If you are out to 500 yards and 15x magnification, I’d say it’s a must have. Personally, I prefer to have side parallax adjustment on all my rifles.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Are you referring to the parallax adjustment knob being on the side of the scope as opposed to being on the front objective? I much prefer the side adjustment, since I don't have to remove the rifle from my shoulder to look at the setting while I adjust it. I'm pretty sure most scopes have an "infinity" setting past 300 yards, so anything past 300, it would be adjusted to the max or infinity setting.
My first scope on my Wby Mk V (.340 Mag) was a Zeiss 3-9X42 without adj parallax. The Rifle now has a Swarovski Z5 3.5-18X44, and the side adjustment for the parallax has the infinity setting after the 300 yard setting.

 

[tam9492]

Good info. I’m basically interested in understanding how often I’ll need/want to adjust the parallax for shots under 500. I do understand that it’s definitely a convenience if adjusting parallax frequently. Looking at scopes maxing out at 10-14x.

 

[tdhanses]

Personally I wouldn’t buy one without it But that’s just me.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Good info. I’m basically interested in understanding how often I’ll need/want to adjust the parallax for shots under 500. I do understand that it’s definitely a convenience if adjusting parallax frequently. Looking at scopes maxing out at 10-14x.

I would think you would adjust it for just about every shot for max effectiveness if the range to target changes. I found that usually the marked yardage on the adjustment doesn't necessarily match the distance. Could be due to my vision, but when I range a target, I set the parallax knob to that distance, but when I look through the scope again, I have to fine tune it to get max effectiveness. It usually is within a couple of yards, but I adjust it to my eyesight, not the marked yardage on the scope. Past 300, it just goes on the infinity setting.

 

[rayporter]

side knobs are great for most use but it is a little bulky to carry and if you ever need to put it in a scabbard it may not fit.
personally on a hunting rifle i prefer it on the objective.

 

[jpretle]

Good info. I’m basically interested in understanding how often I’ll need/want to adjust the parallax for shots under 500. I do understand that it’s definitely a convenience if adjusting parallax frequently. Looking at scopes maxing out at 10-14x.

If you aren't running above 14X, PA isn't needed. Particularly if you aren't target/competition shooting. For hunting optics---not needed.

 

[tam9492]

Lots of good info so far!

 

[Laelkhunter]

side knobs are great for most use but it is a little bulky to carry and if you ever need to put it in a scabbard it may not fit.
personally on a hunting rifle i prefer it on the objective.

On my Swarovski Z5 the side PA knob doesn't stick out any farther than the windage knob on the other side. Not sure how big they are on other brands of scopes.

 

[Blockcaver]

If your buying a Leupold 3.5-10 for big game and casual target shooting form 100-500 yds you don't need parallax adjustment in my experience.

Just the opposite for a Leupold 4.5-14. They suck without AO or side parallax and I own several with AO, two with side parallax. Had one without parallax adjustment and consider it the worst scope I ever owned. After two trips to Leupold I sold it.

I don't have a strong preference for AO vs side parallax. Both work and for big game hunting just set it on infinity, and for casual target shooting you have all plenty of time to adjust it with either type.

 

[tam9492]

If your buying a Leupold 3.5-10 for big game and casual target shooting form 100-500 yds you don't need parallax adjustment in my experience.

Just the opposite for a Leupold 4.5-14. They suck without AO or side parallax and I own several with AO, two with side parallax. Had one without parallax adjustment and consider it the worst scope I ever owned. After two trips to Leupold I sold it.

I don't have a strong preference for AO vs side parallax. Both work and for big game hunting just set it on infinity, and for casual target shooting you have all plenty of time to adjust it with either type.

These are the two I'm primarily looking at, so this is great info. If I go Leupold, it sounds like it's a good idea. Other brands, maybe take it or leave it?

 

[Laelkhunter]

I agree with Blockcaver. If hunting at longer range (out West) you can leave the Parallax adj at infinity, and if hunting closer in (wooded area) leave it on 100. Most rifle scopes that don't have adjustable parallax have the parallax corrected at 100 yards. Rimfire scopes are 50 yards, I believe.

 

[sndmn11]

These are the two I'm primarily looking at, so this is great info. If I go Leupold, it sounds like it's a good idea. Other brands, maybe take it or leave it?

Any brand, take it.

 

[rayporter]

if they dont stick out you wont notice. my 2 valdadas and leupies have tall turrets and the focus is the same height. this makes the scope very wide.

the more you are going back and forth between different ranges of targets, like at a range shooting gongs, the more you will use it. for one distance -not so much.

it is convenient to reach, for sure. on my varmint scopes i rotated the scope 90degrees so the elevation knob is on the left and the windage knob is on top, so i can reach them with my left hand in a hurry. these have an AO.