Hey guys,

I just started another thread on the question of parallax adjustment, or lack thereof on the Leatherwood scope.  I know that both the Parsons (no longer made) and MVA scopes do feature parallax adjustment.  So how about some feedback from you experienced scope shooters concerning the ability to adjust parallax.  Is it a distinct benefit for ranges out to 500 meters?  If it is, do you adjust it during the match or do you adjust it to a nominal setting and leave it along for ranges of 200 to 500 meters?  Also knowing that RHO scopes do not offer parallax adjustment, I’m wondering if the feature is a real or only a perceived benefit (marketing hype).  Thanks.

Wayne

Wayne,   I have had a Leatherwood Malcom for over two years,  have shot from 100 to 500 yards with no problems with parralax, the optics are the best thing going with this scope.  However even with the fine Elevation Adjustment Set , for about $50 extra, the adustment from one range to another is not very fine.  The scope makes a noticeable jump when the locking knob is loosened and the scope may or may not lock where expected after adjusting the elevation screw.  I put up with this until I sold it to a friend, that I made aware of it's quirks.  Perhaps their Precision Long Range Mount for about $200 extra will work like it should. If my friend springs for one of those I will report the results.
Gundoc

Hi Wayne

Please keep us informed of your new scope, I have the long model and concider the short 6X model for my next winter project.

Michael

Interesting information:

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Wayne,
The 17 inch Leatherwood is 3X and the adjustments are not micrometer but screws with jam nuts. The tops of the the adjustment screw knobs have some marks and numbers,,,but,, not very precise.
I have one,  it is fine for recreational shooting as is the long model but I am sure a serious match shooter would not want to use them.
Midway USA sells them and has user feedback reports on them.  Mike Sexton their factory repair man told me to use the extra anti-slip ring on the short model too.
Gundoc

Gundoc,

I forgot to thank you for your comments.  If I choose to rigidly mount the scope I'll definitely get the extra anti-slip ring.  Also, I agree with you about the inadequate adjustment markings on the rear mount knobs, which is the main reason they may not work for precision adjustments and shooting.  I would not be surprised to find that I end up switching them out for the Unertl mount.    Thanks again.

Wayne

Following is an email I received this morning from Randy Oates, owner of R.H.O. Instruments and a well-know classic Malcolm-style scope supplier.  I had spoken to Randy about his scopes a few years ago and knew that his scopes do not feature a parallax adjustment, but asked him to comment once again.  I thought some of you may be interested in his response below.

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"Hello Wayne, Thank you for your interest in these sights. In answer to your question, these telescopes are not adjustable for parallax, however, due to the quite long focal lengths of the lenses used in these telescopes, parallax is not much of an issue. The telescopes are zeroed for parallax at 200 yards, and there will be essentially no parallax at distances further than this. At say, 100 yards a small amount of parallax may be observed, but this will amount to no more than approx 1/8" total movement of the crosshairs. At 50 yards observable parallax will be about 1/4". In practice, actual effective parallax will be even less since the relatively small exit pupil diameter of this type of telescope tends to keep the eye well centered in the image (field of view).  If a person wants to use one of these telescopes at a very short distance all the time, say 25 or 50 yards, I can adjust the parallax to zero at this distance, but there will then be some parallax at longer distances."
Regards, Randy Oates
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One of Randy's interesting comments is ..."due to the quite long focal lengths of the lenses used in these telescopes, parallax is not much of an issue".  Therefore, the implication, at least to me, is a shorter scope of equivalent power (hence with shorter focal length lenses) and no parallax adjustment could very well have an accuracy problem due to parallax.   

I also called Leatherwood and asked what the zero parallax range was in their scopes, especially the short 18" 6X version.  They did not know.  So I'm following up with an email hoping they will evenually respond with a better answer.

I know some of you guys are thinking, "why doesn't this guy give it up and just buy an MVA"?  The answer is I just can't justify spending $950 - $1000 for a scope at this time.   

Stay tuned,
Wayne

Rich,

Coming from someone with your scope building experience, I certainly do appreciate and value your comments.  I have some optics training and experience, so I am educated on optics, but all of it was from technical training and research with lasers in support of the US Gov. backed laser fusion program.  Therefore, I understand most of the common optics terminology, but not necessarily the specifics concerning telescope or riflescope construction.  I have seriously considered educating myself on riflescope construction and making my own scope, but placed this on the backburner as I have too many irons in the fire already.  I am about ready to order the 18” 6X Leatherwood and your comments just reinforces my decision to do so.

I’m in the process of building a gunsmith/machinist workshop, so don’t be surprised if I contact you sometime in the future for some tips on scope construction.  By the way, my complements to you for your recent and excellent article titled “To Build A Full-Length Scope”, which was published in the Black Powder Cartridge News.  I saved it for future reference.  Thanks again.

Regards,
Wayne