Shotgun vs. rifle scope?

[Thumbsmasher]

Hi guys, just wondering what the differnece is between a shotgun scope and a rifle scope. Are the optics some differnet? Eye relief? The reason I'm asking is I'm tring to find a scope for my AR in the $100-$200 range and the local Dick's has a Burris shotgun scope for $90. Thanks for your input.

Loy

 

[griz]

Shotgun scopes usually are set to be parralex free at closer rangethan regular rifle scopes. Since you are looking at low power shotgun/muzzleloader scopes, I am assuming you aren't planning on any long range work, so that shouln't be a problem.

Also the shotgun scopes sometimes use a reticle with a small diamond at the center of the crosshairs.

I like low power scopes and have been pleased with them on a couple rifles.

 

[Mr. Two Guns]

I put a Bushnell shotgun scope on my AR while I was waiting for my IOR to show up. It's good for about 50 yards...much farther and the parallax comes into play. I personally wouldn't do it again.

 

[akodo]

please elaborate, how does parallax apply? i've only heard it used regarding planets and stars (two observers, 1 obeject out in space, how far out is determined by where each sees it relative to some distant star) I suppose this may apply to the scope and the muzzle being a few inches apart

 

[Outlaws]

please elaborate, how does parallax apply? i've only heard it used regarding planets and stars (two observers, 1 obeject out in space, how far out is determined by where each sees it relative to some distant star) I suppose this may apply to the scope and the muzzle being a few inches apart

Well the short explaination is that if you don't have the right parallax you can move your head while looking through the scope and make the crosshair move.

 

[akodo]

i need the long one then I guess

 

[ScottsGT]

In nutshell, the center of a scope is, lets say, two inches above the center of the barrel. At some point the object you are looking at thru the scope and the bullet must intersect at the same point. A shotgun scope has this point at, lets say 75 yards, while a rifle scope is at 150 yards. If you try to zero a shotgun scope on a rifle, your bullet drop will be greater at longer distances. If your making a 300 yard shot a rifle scope may have a drop of 3 inches while a shotgun scope might be 6 inches. (all speculation, numbers are fabricated)
Did I get this right??

 

[griz]

Nope, not right.

Parralex is an optical issue. It is the error between where the target appears in the scope and where the physical center is. Basically the image of the target is focused on an imaginary plane inside the scope. That plane is at a slightly different loacation depending on how far away the target is and the magnification of the scope. When your eye isn't centered in the scope there is a slight error introduced bcause you are looking at a little bit of an angle "across" the gap between the crosshairs and the image. Think of somebody misreading the speedo in a car from the passengers seat and you get the idea, the needle isn't in the same plane as the numbers. When the plane of the image is at the same plane as the cross hairs, the parralex is zero. Some scopes, usually target scopes, have adjustable parralex. Others have it set for a specific distance. For most rifle scopes, that will be 100 to 150 yards. For a shotgun scope that is further than you will shoot, so they set it for 50 or 75 yards.

The error starts growing at longer ranges, but is less for low power scopes. But is usually less than an inch at practicle ranges. Unless you are going to try a lot of shooting at longer than 300 yards, it still seems like a good option to me.

PS I am not a lawyer, optician, or a physicist.

 

[Lupinus]

paralax has to do with the cross hairs moving. In other words if you move your head, and the cross hairs move, you have paralax. This is bad because if your head isn't in the same spot and the cross hairs have moved it throws off your aim. Think of it as looking at something under water. Where it looks like isn't always where it is.

Many (not all) scopes can be adjusted to bring the paralax in or out. Unscrew the ring from the opposit side of the scope then you look through and there should be another ring with two little notches. Use a thin piece or metal in those slot and turn, bingo adjusting your paralax on a scope that wasn't marked AO. Its been awhile but if I remember right turning to the right moves it out and to the left brings it in. the gun on a good rest set up a target at the range you want and adjust, after some turning take sight move your head around. Did the cross hairs move? You have paralax. Were they steady? No paralax.

Just don't go to much it doesn't take much and turning to much could release the nitrogen and damage the scope.

 

[AGS]

According to Burris web site their scopes are set to be free of parallax error at 100yds


For info on parallax and their scopes go here

http://www.burrisoptics.com/SFAQ.HTM#17

 

[f4t9r]

I thought the difference had something to do with the recoil of the gun ??
A shotgun scope is made for the big recoil of a shotgun and a rifle scope holds up to the fast quick shock of a riflle.
Maybe some sales guy made that up and I believed it. Who knows for sure??

 

[akodo]

thanks Griz, I was able to follow your explination. (also scott, I was able to follow yours, too bad it was wrong!) and for F4ter, your store clerk was probably like scott and me, unenlightened!