I have a Leupold 1.5x5 scope. At the low settings, the barrel is glaringly obvious in the field of vision. I find this distracting especially when the barrel doesn't seem to be pointing to where the cross hairs are positioned.

Does this bother anyone else? Do you eventually get used to it?

At the lower settings, the FOV is so wide (an advantage for fast shooting running game) that it englobes the front sight. Once accustomed, you won't notice its shadow.

Wooly,

Same-oo here with my 1.5x6x42 Kahles on my .375H&H. Initially kept wondered what the fuzzy grey blob in the bottom of the sight picture was. It was the front sight.

Don't even notice it anymore.

Does seeing the barrel of your shotgun at the bottom of your field of view impede your ability to hit the bird?

If the barrel isn't pointing where the crosshairs are positioned, I would hazard a guess that you're canting the rifle one side or another.

quote:

Originally posted by Wooly ESS:
I have a Leupold 1.5x5 scope. At the low settings, the barrel is glaringly obvious in the field of vision. .....

Wooly,
This may be an opportunity and a blessing!

Hey Wooly
I had the same trouble with a Leupold 1.5-5x20 on my 375 H&H. I just couldn't get used to it so I sold that scope and got a 2.5-8 which I am loving, still slightly visible on 2.5 power but nowhere near as distracting as the 1.5 I had. If the blob or ghost image is not centered then you are canting the rifle somewhat, but for some reason it is extremely exagerrated.

Thanks for the feedback. It looks like the appearance of the barrel is normal considering the wide FOV, and one just has to learn to look past it. Additionally, the visual misalignment of barrel and cross hairs can be used as a training aid to reduce canting, a bad habit that can't possibly help accurate shooting.