kjd, a mate who does a lot of benchrest shooting told me. He mentioned that there were several shooters who purchased side focus scopes and were less than happy with them.kjd wrote:Who told you that mate I've never heard it before and only heard good things about good quality SF scopes!7mmmag wrote: As for the adjustable objectives, i have been told to steer clear of the side focus scopes and stick with the A/O models.
Pro's and Cons for fixed V variable power scopes please
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7mmmag
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zzsstt
There was a review in a magazine a while ago of a side focus Leupold with a Varmint Hunter reticle. The reviewer made comment that the scope went out of focus with every shot, and was also not very impressed with the Varmint Hunter reticle. It is possible that (as is so often the case) someone has read this review and is simply passing the message on.
Out of interest, I have a 6.5-20x40 VX-III Long Range, with side focus and Varmint Hunter reticle. I have never noticed the scope go out of focus between shots. Also out of interest, it sits on the front of my bike most days whilst we muster cattle, check fences etc. It probably despatches between 2 and 5 roos (permit) and a few rabbits several nights a week, and a few crows and the odd fox when they poke their heads up. It is used as a "tool" rather than a treasured possession, and I am delighted with it.
I also have an AO Leupold on my HMR. It is equally good, but nowhere near as quick and easy to focus.
Out of interest, I have a 6.5-20x40 VX-III Long Range, with side focus and Varmint Hunter reticle. I have never noticed the scope go out of focus between shots. Also out of interest, it sits on the front of my bike most days whilst we muster cattle, check fences etc. It probably despatches between 2 and 5 roos (permit) and a few rabbits several nights a week, and a few crows and the odd fox when they poke their heads up. It is used as a "tool" rather than a treasured possession, and I am delighted with it.
I also have an AO Leupold on my HMR. It is equally good, but nowhere near as quick and easy to focus.
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HiWall
- Site Admin
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Some of the early side focus jobs had 'backlash' in the system that moved the lenses. It was necessary to wind the focus all the way to minimum and then back out to where you wanted it before shooting or the 'backlash' would allow the lenses to move internally and the scope would lose focus. It wasn't really problem if you were aware of the cause and cranked it right back first.
None of the side focus Nikons or Leupolds that I have seem to suffer this problem, they have all been purchased within the last couple of years so I think the 'fault' may have been addressed, at least by the major optics manufacturers.
None of the side focus Nikons or Leupolds that I have seem to suffer this problem, they have all been purchased within the last couple of years so I think the 'fault' may have been addressed, at least by the major optics manufacturers.
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7mmmag
I havn't read the review on the Leupold that you are talking about, i just mentioned what i had heard from a good friend who happens to be a pretty good BR shooter. I was in the market for a good scope recently and i asked his advice, he told me to steer clear of the side focus scopes. I trusted his judgement and went for a scope with the AO.zzsstt wrote: It is possible that (as is so often the case) someone has read this review and is simply passing the message on.
I am not trying to rubbish people who have the side focus scopes just passing on what i have heard.
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Dr G
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It didnt come across that you were rubbishing people or their scopes at all 7mmmag. From an independent viewpoint you appeared to be providing some info for debate.7mmmag wrote:I am not trying to rubbish people who have the side focus scopes just passing on what i have heard.
That said i didnt think the others objected to your post either. All in all some good debate on an interesting topic
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Ned Kelly
- .270 Winchester
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G'Day all,
FWIW, as a lefty, I have avoided side focus scopes because of the awkardness of adjusting it prone and off a bench.
In BR you do not need unwanted internal backlash, that's why we perfer fixed power scopes over variables. (I'm talking short range 6ppc's not 1000yd BR) In the field you would be ok with a side focus as that level of accuracy is not needed for busting varmints.
One tip on the use of side focus and correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Leupold recommend winding the dial fully one way then come back to the correct setting. If you over correct, go back to the full adjustment and try again.
Same with your windage/elevation adjustments, go about 1-2 click past the point you want and then back 1-2 clicks, which ever you prefer to remove any backlash and get positive adjustment each time you zero.
Cheerio Ned
FWIW, as a lefty, I have avoided side focus scopes because of the awkardness of adjusting it prone and off a bench.
In BR you do not need unwanted internal backlash, that's why we perfer fixed power scopes over variables. (I'm talking short range 6ppc's not 1000yd BR) In the field you would be ok with a side focus as that level of accuracy is not needed for busting varmints.
One tip on the use of side focus and correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Leupold recommend winding the dial fully one way then come back to the correct setting. If you over correct, go back to the full adjustment and try again.
Same with your windage/elevation adjustments, go about 1-2 click past the point you want and then back 1-2 clicks, which ever you prefer to remove any backlash and get positive adjustment each time you zero.
Cheerio Ned
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theMISSIONARY
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