Leupold AO vs non-AO

Robinhood21

Robinhood21

Member
I'm looking to upgrade my optics on my .17 fireball and am looking at the Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40.

I'd prefer to have AO adjustment but would it be necessary for this application? I imagine I won't be shooting animals any further than 350 and that'll probably be pushing it especially for this caliber.

I'd like the opinions of those who have experience with both scopes.

Thanks!
 
The recommendation is AO on anything over 10x or 12x magnification, and always AO for target shooting or varminting.

For a predator hunting rifle, AO is not necessary at all because the vast majority of your shots will be under 100 or 200 yards and generally on a low or mid level magnification.

The problem many folks have (myself included) is we want one scope to perform multiple tasks and err on the side of higher magnification than really needed.
 
Originally Posted By: rjsA O on everything for me . JMO

X2!

AO or side focus on every scope I have except for one. I cheaped out on the Leupy AR MOD I 3-9x40 I bought last winter and I've been kicking myself since for not spending a little extra to get the one with side focus.
 
If your shooting small critters Paralax adjustment YES, either AO or SF. On a coyote calling rifle NO, having to reach up and make adjustments is one more chance to get busted and one more thing to screw up a set.
 
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I much prefer SF or will settle for AO over fixed. If you are worried about making adjustments while hunting then put it on Infinity.
I have even made a couple blurry shots when a surprise shows up.
It seems the non-AO 4.5-14 had a 150 yd parallax and I sold it for that reason.
 
Originally Posted By: AWSIf your shooting small critters Paralax adjustment YES, either AO or SF. On a coyote calling rifle NO, having to reach up and make adjustments is one more chance to get busted and one more thing to screw up a set.

Amen!
 
SF better than AO, fixed is something I only use for short range rimfire rifles. I don't even like using fixed parallax scopes on revolvers...

For calling, set it at 100yrds, then if something comes in fast, you'll be fine at 100. At infinity, you set yourself up for greater parallax error - being set beyond the target is more prone to error than being set in front of it.
 
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