SPORTING ANSWERS
What’s the use of parallax?
SCOPES
Q What is parallax adjustment on a scope and why is it important? Is it only a focus knob?
A There are two types of scopes.
The first type is usually a cheaper, more basic model that will have a fixed parallax, typically set around 100 yards or 150 yards.
The other type has an adjustable parallax, which is found in most top-end scopes, particularly those designed for long-range shooting.
Parallax, as most will know, focuses the image in the scope, enabling you to see it clearly, but it also has another function. It sets the lenses within the scope to be on the same plane.
Why is this an important feature? Well, if the scope is slightly out of alignment, and so not in focus, you will find that if you move your head on the stock slightly to the left or right, it will appear to move the crosshairs off the target. This, of course, could result in a miss that could be more pronounced at longer ranges.
By adjusting your scope’s parallax, you bring your target into sharp focus and at the same time minimise
