What is the best way to determine proper eye relief?

kcult

kcult

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I've always been fairly ignorant about eye relief when it comes to scopes. Up until recently, I really didn't pay attention to it when deciding on an optic. I'm guessing I never had to, until now.

I picked up a used CVA Scout and I almost have to sit on the rifle just to see through the scope. Moving the scope back only helped the tiniest bit, but it's still a strain getting a good picture.

I would like to be able to make an educated guess, getting me in the ballpark of getting a good sight picture.

How do I go about this?
 
I usually loosely mount the scope in the rings and then get into several shooting positions looking out into my backyard. Then I can fiddle with the distance from my eye and mark the location of the scope relative to the rings on the scope body with a pencil.

I try to focus on being relaxed. Sometimes it is a compromise between different positions.
 
Like the lady said, more is better.

You probably need to move the scope rings back. Loosen everything. Get in the position you plan to use the rifle. Close your eyes and get comfortable. Open your eyes and without moving your head move the scope to where it is good for you on max magnification. That is generally the shortest eye relief for a scope. Don’t forget to put a coat on when doing this if it is going to be used in cold weather.
 
The scope defines the eye relief. If you are not comfortable within what the scope requires (stock, your physical issues, expected recoil, etc.) then you need to look for another scope.

You drive the eye relief parameter.
 
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I think I worded things wrongly.

While holding the rifle like I'm accustomed to holding one, there isn't enough adjustment in the loose scope or the rings to bring it back far enough to get the sight picture I want.

So I removed the scope.

Assuming I'm going to need a different scope, how do I go about choosing one that will give the results I'm after?

Do I look up the specs for the scope I removed, and let's say the specs say something like 2.5" to 3.5" eye relief, do I go an inch more? Two inches?

I just don't want to start throwing money at optics.
 
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What scope mounts are you using?
Are there any that allow you to move the scope back?
Would a cantilever mount work on your rifle?
 
kcult said:
I think I worded things wrongly.

While holding the rifle like I'm accustomed to holding one, there isn't enough adjustment in the loose scope or the rings to bring it back far enough to get the sight picture I want.

So I removed the scope.

Assuming I'm going to need a different scope, how do I go about choosing one that will give the results I'm after?

Do I look up the specs for the scope I removed, and let's say the specs say something like 2.5" to 3.5" eye relief, do I go an inch more? Two inches?

I just don't want to start throwing money at optics.
Click to expand...
Ahh. I think I wasn’t really paying attention when I read the OP.

What scope do you have now? I would think you could figure out the eye relief you have, how far back you need to go, then make up the difference with a scope with that much more eye relief. Or a different base.

Pics would help.
 
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Get in position with the rifle and no scope mounted. Get a good solid cheek weld, snug in the shoulder pocket, etc. Have the 'ol lady measure from your eyeball to the back of the receiver (parallel to the bore, not a line from eye to metal).

Get a scope that is +/- 1/2" or so of that measurement.
 
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The height of the scope may or may not be an issue as well. May need higher or lower rings/mount.
faces all being different.
With optics too low I struggle to get a good picture and have to really mash my cheek down.
 
Ryan Cleckner has some youtube videos with NSSF for setting up scope eye relief and focus. I followed his instructions when setting up mine and my dad's rifles. We did get into different shooting positions like we have been using in matches (kneeling, prone, different obstacle heights) to confirm it the eye relief setup. Each time we'd get into position with our eyes closed and in a natural relaxed head position then open our eyes to check.
 
This may not sound related, but it often is.

About 8 or 9 years ago I had to start using shorter length of pull stocks as well as pursuing longer eye relief optics. For some of the positions that I end up in when hunting the 2 can "feed off of each other" so to speak.
 
1- Close eyes
2 -Hold rifle in a natural sighing position
3 - Open eyes
4 - How is the scope? Full sight picture?
Yes = Tighten and lock scope position.
No = Move scope back/forth to get full sight picture.
Repeat 1-4 until you get a full sight picture.

Testing:
When shooting if you see your blood, you're too close and need to find a longer eye relief scope.
 
Turn the power up on the optic.
Get a flashlight and shine the light down inside the riflescope.

At the ocular the light exits

Take your hand and move it back and forth and with the light focuses on the smallest circle, that distance is the perfect eye relief

You can measure that spot, you can make a witness mark on the stock, etc.
 
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