Fixed Parallax limitations?

I'm looking for an optic for my 6.5 Grendel AR. My goal is to shoot varmints and steel out to 600 yards, but I don't want a big bulky scope. I'm thinking about something 3-9x40 with exposed turrets, like a Leupold VXR Patrol or maybe a Mark AR.

Question is if the fixed parallax on those scopes will limit the distance I can shoot? Will the targets beyond a certain distance become blurry? This might be a noob question, but all my other optics have side focuses.

Thanks!

megastink said:

I'm looking for an optic for my 6.5 Grendel AR. My goal is to shoot varmints and steel out to 600 yards, but I don't want a big bulky scope. I'm thinking about something 3-9x40 with exposed turrets, like a Leupold VXR Patrol or maybe a Mark AR.

Question is if the fixed parallax on those scopes will limit the distance I can shoot? Will the targets beyond a certain distance become blurry? This might be a noob question, but all my other optics have side focuses.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

If the parallax is off the crosshairs can wander if you are not positioned perfectly behind the scope.

True, but this is more of a problem at close range than long range IME. Error also scales with magnification, and that's why very few low magnification scopes have this feature. under 10x it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.

I've used the VXR Patrol a fair bit. Great scope for coyotes out to 500yd, but the reticle is covering a good portion of the target at that point. I'm not sure how many gophers it would cover at 600 - I much prefer a finer reticle for the small targets.

12" steel at 600 is doable. 6" is not (unless it's square, in which case you will just be able to see the corners of the target peeking out behind the reticle.)

For a true ''do all" scope you may have to compromise on the size factor. I've seen the Vortex Razor LH 3-15x42's going for about $100 more. They're not a bad little scope. HSR-4 is plenty fine for varmints. Physically a bit longer than the VXR 3-9, but virtually the same weight.

I think you should be able to answer your own question. With one of your other scopes, set it to 9x, adjust the parallax to 150yd and look at some objects at 1/4mi. Dial the parallax out to infinity and then back to 150. Note the changes in the image.

For larger targets, it may not matter. For smaller ones, it probably will.

I use a 2-7 diamondback on an AR and a 4-12 on a 7mm08. Both fixed parallax. No problem with blurriness. Proper form will help with keeping parallax in check. 430 is the farthest I've shot the ar. I can keep moa out past 600 with the 7-08.

I shoot a VX-6 2-12x42 on my lightweight 6.5x284 and at 600 yards and was getting two distinct groups which I realized was due to no parallax adjustment(fixed at 150 yards on this scope), the amount the crosshairs move around at 600 was a bit of a surprise, making cheek weld/head position critical. Things were in focus but not parallax free. I won't buy another scope without a parallax adjustment as the gun is capable to 1,000 yards but it's a lot more difficult. I have learned to pull my head away from the scope a bit until there is black(tunneling) around the view and center that in the scope sort of like a peep sight.
I posted this issue a while back.
https://www.longrangehunting.com/th...parallax-on-a-scope-w-o-parallax-knob.185419/