In a technical discussion with a Leupold service expert, I asked about having the paralax on my DG rifle scope changed from standard 100 Yards to 25 yards.
Expert said they could do it at 25 yards, but 50 was what they preferred.
I asked what the paralax error might be if set for 50 yards and the rifle was fired at a 25 yard target and scope is set at 1.5 X.
Expert surprised me when he did a set of calculations (from charts he keeps) and quoted me the following.
He said "a minor error of eye placement could easily result in aproximately a 1/2 inch shot placement error and a major offset of the shooter's eye could result in an error of as much as 1-1/2 inches at 25 yards"!!
Did everyone else already know this, or did I just stumble into learning these exact error measurements that I should have known about?

My only comment is that if one knows the A&P of any DG, even the cats, then a 1.5" error is nothing to be concerned about.

I've used the standard Leupold 1.5-5x w/illuminated circle-dot reticle on almost all of my DG, including Lion, Leopard and Croc, as well as all the rest, without incident and except for Eles, some of my Buff and one of my Hippo, all were one shot kills. All were taken between 25-60 yards, with the average closer to 25 yards. Honestly, knowing where the vitals are and how to reach them is the key to successful DG hunting and a 1.5" parallax error is not critical and needn't be worried about.

Knew it and have been the victim of it shooting at a hippo from an awkward position at 40ish yards with a 100 yard parallax adjusted scope.

Trust me, 1.5 to 2" can make a difference on a hippo brain shot.

Wiil-

Take your rifle and scope set-up to the range and shoot at paper @ 40ish yards from a steady rest. I think you'll be surprised and I'd bet the "awkward position" had more to do with your poor shot on that Hippo than any parallax effect.

Also, in my experience, the "brain" shot on Croc may be the most difficult shot in Africa to make; much more so than Hippo (and much more likely to loose the Croc). Ask me how I know.

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
Wiil-

Take your rifle and scope set-up to the range and shoot at paper @ 40ish yards from a steady rest. I think you'll be surprised and I'd bet the "awkward position" had more to do with your poor shot on that Hippo than any parallax effect.

+1 +1 +1

I too use the Leupold 1.5 x 5x scopes on all three of my Africa rifles. Good stock fit is the key to minimizing any parallax problems. That and practice. Ya gotta shoot them things.

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
Wiil-

Take your rifle and scope set-up to the range and shoot at paper @ 40ish yards from a steady rest. I think you'll be surprised and I'd bet the "awkward position" had more to do with your poor shot on that Hippo than any parallax effect.

+1 +1 +1

Yes and no.

An awkward position = bad cheek weld = potential movement of POI at any distance other than the distance at which the scope is parallax adjusted.

There is no parallax, at any distance, as long as the eye is lined up exactly with the optical axis of the scope. But, if you start moving your head and take your eye out of the proper optical axis, you'll start spraying bullets.

Similarly, you get into an akward position and don't get your eye in exact line with the optical axis of the scope, you can experience parallax error if you are shooting at any distance other than that at which the scope is parallax adjusted, which is typically 100 yards.

Have I reproduced this at a bench with a proper rest . . . yes. I changed from ear plugs to muffs which caused me to not be able to put my cheek as firmly into the stock as I could with the plugs. At 50 yards my group moved two inches. Also had it happen when using a lead sled that prevented me from getting into a proper shooting position, again shooting at 50 yard targets.

quote:

I too use the Leupold 1.5 x 5x scopes on all three of my Africa rifles. Good stock fit is the key to minimizing any parallax problems. That and practice. Ya gotta shoot them things.

That says it ALL!!!

I think that someone read the chart backwards or misunderstood the question. A potential parallax error of that amount is about right for 250 yards, not 25 yards. I'd suggest you check with the tech a second timne.