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Re: AO scope for medium to large game rifle?

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21 August 2004, 05:29
Stonecreek
Re: AO scope for medium to large game rifle?
Given the choice, I would take the fixed-objective scope for a hunting rifle. As beeman notes, the AO is yet another system that can foul up (although most are pretty dependable). The AO represents another potential point of entry for moisture, usually requires slightly higher mounting, adds a bit of weight, and is CERTAIN to be set for a distance other than that at which the game presents itself.

On the other hand, if the AO-equipped scope you have available is one that you have confidence in, you're probably just fine using it. Set the AO at a nominal range such as 150 yards and you'll have no significant parallax at any typical range.
20 August 2004, 11:48
Furor
I like AO because I have fairly bad stigmatism in my right/shooting eye so I can get things better focused with AO but it takes longer to get a shot set up and I can still shoot adequately with a non AO scope. Im thinking a non AO would be safer, expecially if going after something that might fight back like a bear or whatever.
21 August 2004, 15:41
browningguy
I've got a Leupold AO scope on my 300 Win Mag, it's set up just like Stonecreek suggested. I put in on 150 yards when I mounted the scope and have never changed it. I wouldn't pay extra for an AO hunting scope, this one was a really good deal so it's what I ended up with. Mine is several years old now and it's never caused a problem.
22 August 2004, 04:52
Hot Core
Quote:

I like AO because I have fairly bad stigmatism in my right/shooting eye so I can get things better focused with AO but it takes longer to get a shot set up and I can still shoot adequately with a non AO scope. Im thinking a non AO would be safer, expecially if going after something that might fight back like a bear or whatever.



Hey Furor, I have a bit of astigmatism in my right eye too. Fortunately mine is correctable by wearing "contacts".

I use both kinds of scopes and for me the AOs have an advantage when using very high power up real close or way far out. My non-AO scopes are all on scopes with 10x or less power on the upper end and they work just fine up close or out far.

If the AO helps your ability to see the Game clearly, I'd say it would be worth using.

The thing working in your favor in either case is that hunting Dangerous Game is typically done at fairly close range, so you can set your AO appropriately. For the non-AO scopes, the parallax problem is "reduced" as you encounter Dangerous Game relatively close, so you wouldn't notice it as much as if you were taking a very long shot.