Side focus scopes- are they worth it?

yotenaylor

yotenaylor

New member
Im lookin for a new scope, and Id like to have the side focus, but not everyone has them availible.

Those that have them- do you like them or could you do without them?

And Does anyone know if Leupold makes one yet?
 
IMO, a side PA is the way to go... I like to reach up and focus my shot from my shooting position. I only have one scope that is a front and not a side focus. (for long range)

That being said, on my calling or hunting rifles I don't shoot a far enough distance to warrent a focus. For my field rifle's I use a low powered scope with no PA. I found out the hard way that when you get that shot at a hard charger or a deer that presents itself there is no time to be adjusting things. There are exceptions like PD's then I use a side focus.
 
I agree what yotekyllr said. It is nice to side focus rather than reaching all the way to the front of the scope (where you cant see the numbers). When I shoot PD's, chucks or targets, just get on your rest, fine tune with side focus and you are good to go.
 
Like mentioned before, it is much easier to adjust from a shooting position. I only have one S.F., it's a Nikon Buckmasters. I wish I had it on all my scopes, it allows for better clearance of the objective since there isn't an outer ring the scope outside diameter is less.
 
I like ARCOREY have only one side PA adjuster which is also the Nikon Buckmaster. I use it on a TC 223 for woodchucks and some limited target practice. I have AO and most of my scopes though.

I like them and they do work well with my eyes.
 

Since the "Side Focus" adjust came out, I don't purchase
front bell adjustable objectives any more. The side
adjust actually makes it much more probably that one will
be able to change ranges, and still get a shot off, before
the opportunity goes away.

Squeeze
 
I have a side focus on my .308 and really like it. I was out this past weekend with it and realized that if needed, you can turn the PA knob until your target is focused and then (at least on Nikon scopes) you can look at the knob and it is marked with ranges. I believe in a haste, it could be used as a ROUGH range estimating tool. It may not range you within anything but 50-100 yards but thats better than having no clue if your rusty on ranging. I personaly use a range finder but I thought of this since I accidently left it in the car.
 
It hasn't been mentioned yet, but it is WAY easier to glance at the SF adjustment for confirmation of the setting than it is to look over the top to see what you left it set on. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

All of my rifles are wearing SF scopes. I wouldn't have it any other way. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
Quote:
Is side focus really side parrelax?

Don't you still focus on the objective bell?



YEP. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

But the industry is calling them "side focus"....guess they think we're all pretty dumb, huh? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
I have a Leupold VX-III 6.5x20 with side focus and like it alot. So much easier to stay down on the scope and adjust it at the same time.
 
I think they are worth every penny extra you pay for them. I can't adjust an AO without having to readjust my hold. With SF it is no problem.
 
For a general hunting scope, an AO is not necessary. For longer range shooting at fixed targets, a side focus is excellent for maximizing clarity or for focusing on & reading mirage.

b.t.w...
For scopes that have them, the fixed distance numbers on the AO should be used as a quideline only. I let MY eyes tell me when parallax has actually been corrected for...
 
Yep, me too - only one side focus; a Nikon Buckmasters. But, I do really like it. Soon I will have another since I currently have an identical scope (6x18 dot reticle) on lay-a-way. I have some Leupolds too with the A/0 adjustment on the objective end and I like them too. The side focus is just easier to use while sitting at a bench. Makes it very handy while getting on a long-range groundhog. The SF is my preference.
 
If I can avoid it, I won't buy another scope with the AO on the end of the scope. I purchased a silver colored Leupold VX-III 6.5-20x40mm side focus scope for my Savage 12VLP in .204 Ruger back in May of 2004. That spoiled it for me!! Side focus from now on. Two years ago, I purchased a Sightron II 6.5-20x50mm scope with side focus. Great scope for the money. About a week ago I purchased another Leupold VX-III 6.5-20x40mm side focus scope in matte black. I don't have a rifle that doesn't have a scope on it, so I guess I'll have to buy another rifle on which to mount this scope.
 
For most of my hunting situations I prefer a scope with a wide field of view and no adjustable anything, except magnification. I do have a few scope with AO or SF for iddy bitty targets at long range, SF is the only way to go if that is the objective. Predator, hog, big game..... I prefer lower magnification and wider field of view. Live animals move, they ain't like paper targets!
 
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