3-9x40 parallax

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Im thinking about buying a new .22 rimfire after Christmas. I want to buy a nice scope for it and was thinking about either the typical fixed 4x, or a 3-9x40. I will be plucking critters, no competition shooting but of course accuracy is still very important.
I understand that most 4x scopes have a 50 yard parallax and Im guessing most of my shots will be between 20 to 75 yards. So, if I were to buy a 3-9x40 and for example I end up adjusting and being satisfied with the magnification of 6x, then should I be concerned about the parallax for my rimfire, considering the yardages I'll be shooting, or do they work differently than a fixed ?
 
Here is an article that could help you. The problem with shooting beyond the fixed point of the parallax is that after 50 yards the object you are aiming at may not be well focused. But you can focus the scope manually beyond that point. If shooting further , like I do my 22's at 200 yards and beyond a variable parallax scope would be recommended.

https://discoverthedinosaurs.com/wh...-are-the-advantages-of-a-fixed-parallax-scope
 
I recently tested all of my scopes for another thread at 100 and 50 yards and all three of my 3-9x40mm scopes did fine. Scopes were focused at 100 yards testing of reading small prints on transformer in bright sun and 50 yard test was visualizing Coffee Mate creamer container in the dark shadow under canopy of 150 foot redwood trees.

Leupold American Marksman, Minox and Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40mm stayed sharp the entire field of view transitioning from 100 yard bright sun to 50 yard dark shadow. Focus adjustment was not required.

Various 4/6/6.5-18/20/24x50mm scopes required AO/side parallax adjustment from 100 to 50 to retain sharpness - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...dations-under-200.912293/page-2#post-12457516
 
ms6852 said:
Here is an article that could help you. The problem with shooting beyond the fixed point of the parallax is that after 50 yards the object you are aiming at may not be well focused. But you can focus the scope manually beyond that point. If shooting further , like I do my 22's at 200 yards and beyond a variable parallax scope would be recommended.

https://discoverthedinosaurs.com/wh...-are-the-advantages-of-a-fixed-parallax-scope
Click to expand...

Great advice and article for someone as uneducated on this matter as myself. After reading the article I feel a fixed 4x should work fine.
Thanks

LiveLife said:
I recently tested all of my scopes for another thread at 100 and 50 yards and all three of my 3-9x40mm scopes did fine. Scopes were focused at 100 yards testing of reading small prints on transformer in bright sun and 50 yard test was visualizing Coffee Mate creamer container in the dark shadow under canopy of 150 foot redwood trees.

Leupold American Marksman, Minox and Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40mm stayed sharp the entire field of view transitioning from 100 yard bright sun to 50 yard dark shadow. Focus adjustment was not required.

Various 4/6/6.5-18/20/24x50mm scopes required AO/side parallax adjustment from 100 to 50 to retain sharpness - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...dations-under-200.912293/page-2#post-12457516
Click to expand...

Awesome research and results but I must admit that most information goes over my head but thanks for your response and for helping out.



In addition, Ive been shooting a .22 since I was a kid and I dont believe Ive ever tried a variable scope mounted on any 22 that I remember and I wasnt sure if I should consider it as this will most likely be my last "go-to" 22 rifle that I purchase.
Thanks for the replies.
 
I was also considering a fixed 6x but thinking it might be too much for a .22 shooting at distances of 20 to 75 yards, idk ???
I have a few more months before I buy the rifle so I have more time to research the scope options.
 
There’s no type of shooting where I would be personally satisfied with a fixed 4x or 6x scope. The days of greater reliability in fixed power scopes are really over, and typically, better quality optics are available as variable power options, especially variable power and adjustable parallax models.

Parallax error opportunity is NOT influenced by magnification. It’s common legend that zooming in more makes parallax error worse, but in reality, zooming in only shortens the depth of field which can make the reticle fall further out of focus - but the offset error potential is exactly the same.

Shooting 20-75yrds with a fixed 50yrd parallax scope will be fine. It has worked for generations. It wouldn’t be my preferred gear, personally, but it works well enough.
 
The features that you want/require sets the price point.
Once cheaper is added into the list the features drop off.

A fixed parallax never really bothered me until I got a scope that was adjustable.
Now I like having that feature for something other than a GP scope.
 
Thanks for all replies, and now Im thinking I should consider trying a good quality variable scope rather than the 4x.
Im in no way trying to promote one scope over another, but if I was to buy a variable scope, would there be any objections and/or concerns with parallax or any other features when it comes to the Leupold VX-FREEDOM 3-9X40 RIMFIRE MOA ?
The specifications say Fixed Parallax-Free Distance (60 yds), so I was thinking this might be a good option to consider.
 
MOST big game scopes regardless of the magnification have the parallax set for 100 yards or 150 yards depending on the manufacturer. You can buy similar scopes designed of 22's with parallax set at 50ish yards depending on the manufacturer. I've been using common big game scopes with the parallax set for 100 or 150 yards on my 22's for nearly 50 years with no issues at all.

Parallax and focus aren't the same and you can focus your scope at any range you please. My big game rifle scopes are focused at 100 yards, the ones on 22's are focused at 50 yards. I've never had a 3-9X40 scope that I could not make work from 25-250 yards. I do have a 4-12X scope that I can't get to focus at closer ranges if it is above 7X or 8X.

MOST scopes today have a fast focus feature and if I'm shooting one of the 22's at longer ranges it only takes a second or 2 to get it focused at longer ranges. And I shoot my 22's from 25 yards to 250 yards. Many older scopes take a lot more time to get focused and are best set for one range and left alone.

Parallax isn't the same as focus and occurs when you don't have your eye lined up directly behind the scope at a range different than where it is set. If the parallax is set for 100 yards, then at 100 yards my eye position behind the scope isn't as critical. But if shooting at 50 yards or if I'm shooting at ranges farther then 100 yards and I don't get my eye directly behind the scope the bullet will impact to the right or left of the crosshairs. But we're talking about being off by around 1/4" at 50 yards, and about 1" at 500 yards.

Most guns, ammo, and shooters aren't good enough for that to ever be a factor. And that is if your eye is at the extreme edge of the scope. As long as you get your eye directly behind the scope and look directly through it parallax is not an issue at all regardless of where it is set.

If you're really good and have the skills and equipment to shoot 1/2 MOA or better at extreme ranges, they do make scopes with parallax adjustments which can be helpful to those people. I have some scopes like that and have never found them to be an advantage for me.

One other thing to watch for. Many scopes designed for 22's have 1/2 MOA adjustments instead of the more common 1/4 MOA adjustments used on most big game scopes. That makes it harder to fine tune your zero, especially if you ever want to shoot beyond 50 yards.
 
dranrab said:
I don't see how you could go wrong with that. You aren't a veteran by chance are you?
Click to expand...

In my uneducated opinion I was thinking it might be a good scope for any .22 rimfire, whether for basic close range shooting as myself or also nice to have the moa for distances if I decide to practice and take longer shots than 75 yards... and Yes sir I am.

LiveLife said:
$247 + $8 shipping - https://www.tinstarshootingrange.com/products/optics-leupold-174181-030317018740-707
Click to expand...

Looks like out of stock but thanks just the same.
 
BigBL87 said:
Honestly, this would be my choice if I were to go with a fixed parallax rimfire scope. Can't beat the quality per dollar.
Click to expand...
Yes, I like my Burris FF E1 6.5-20x50mm and this FF E1 3-9x40mm is only $132 - https://battlehawkarmory.com/produc...tube-black-matte-finish-ballistic-plex-e1-sfp

But when Leupold replaced VX1 and VX2 with the Freedom, they must have done something with the glass as even my American Marksman 3-9x40mm is super bright and remains sharp even in dark shadows compared to Burris FF E1 6.5-20x50mm set at 9x zoom.

During recent 100 yard bright and 50 yard dark shadow comparison I did, Leupold American Marksman was even brighter than 30mm tube Vortex Strike Eagle 6-24x50mm.
 
You only experience "parallax error" if you hold your head in an inconsistent position from shot to shot.

The AMOUNT of maximum-possible-parallax error is easily calculated.

In the maximum-error scenario, you will be holding your head so offset from centerline that you will be viewing the aiming point of the reticle at the farthest edge of the visible field of view. And who does that anyway?

The point being, you can calculate the "error," but in practice, it is very unlikely that you will ever EXPERIENCE shot-displacent in a magnitude anywhere near the amount of of calculated maximum error.

If you are considering putting a 3x9 scope on a .22, I'm guessing you aren't needing it to shoot to Olympic-class accuracy standards anyway. And further, the poor optical resolution, and the reticle TRACKING ERROR of a cheap scope, and the questionable benchrest skills of most shooters, and in addition the poor installation of the scope, are usually the real reason people report dissatisfaction of the performance of a scope. But feel free to blame it on "parallax." Most people refuse to understand what parallax really is in the applied setting. So blame it on "parallax."

But, if you want to calculate the MAXIMUM POSSIBLE parallax error, there's an easy-to-use online calculator for that. You will need to know:
- size of front objective lens
- amount of magnification
- factory-determined parallax setting (most centerfire "hunting" scopes are set for 150 yards, rimfire usually 50 yards)
- firing distance

Here's the link: https://www.lelandwest.com/parallax-error-calculator.cfm

And feel free to run the numbers yourself:

Formulae:
  1. Parallax error in millimeters (Pmm): ( 0.5 x D x ( Abs ( R - P ) ) / P
    where
    • D = Objective diameter in millimeters
    • R = range to target
    • P = fixed parallax setting of scope
  2. Parallax error in inches (Pin): Pmm x 0.0393701
  3. Parallax error in Minutes of Angle: Pin / 1.047 / ( R / 100 )
  4. Parallax error in Milliradians: Pin / 3.6 / ( R / 100 )

Your best bet FOR ACCURACY on a .22 scope is the most expensive FIXED POWER scope you can afford, and the most expensive mount you can afford. Mounting it on a really expensive .22 rifle is usually clutch too.

Otherwise, slap that 3x9 on there, and get the best zero you can off the bench, and don't mess with the reticle adjustment further. Pick one type of HIGH QUALITY ammo too, and stick with that one type of ammo. If your ammo comes in a milk carton, don't expect accuracy.
 
All excellent replies.
My decision is currently between a 3-9, a fixed 6x, or the fixed 4x which Ive used for many years and will likely continue with after further consideration and input from members.
Thanks
 
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