10 - Dummies Guide To Parallax & Cant Errors and How To Fix Them

[@neiledwards8931]

32 mm scope , medium mounts , and plumb line at 10 yards 👌 and prevents parrallax , good video.

[@Jetjai]

Thanks for the info. I am female and new to air rifle and air gun shooting and really enjoying it. I find your approach to putting information over as really helpful. I don’t always understand it, particularly the maths - cosines and stuff - but you have a gift for making things easy to understand. 👏 I am working my way through your videos from the beginning. Thanks very much 👍

[@hftshooter]

Glad to hear you're finding it helpful. Good luck with your shooting! 😀👍

[@gasmangasssssss2836]

Grown up adults all laying in mud with guns......have i died and gone to heaven lol

[@hftshooter]

When you say it like that. 😂

[@felgate11]

Think of looking at a clock face, looking at it "Square On", the clock hands are dead in line with the Numbers. Stand to the Right, say at 30 degrees, the clock looks a couple of minutes Fast. Stand to the Left & the clock looks a couple of minutes Slow. That's "Parallax" in a Nutshell.

[@markletts2000]

Excellent…explained really well…but have more questions than I started with..So..say my targets 25m away,should I focus in all the way filling the lens,and have the cross hairs slightly out of focus but usable,or should the cross hairs be fully focused and have a couple of turns left in my range focus,,

[@hftshooter]

Hi Mark. You're dealing with two separate things here. Your reticle should always be in focus. Set it with the eyepiece diopter adjustment. Once set it shouldn't need any further adjustment and can be locked or taped off. The side focus or adjustable objective is just for focusing your target. If your eye alignment is very good it shouldn't matter if your target focus is slightly out. Hope that makes sense?

[@hedgerowpete]

A brilliant video, one of the clearest explanations out there.

[@hftshooter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@boskoromanic7425]

Cant can be canted on purpuse by some shooters for more natural rifle position amd as long rifle is being in that position always it works just fine trough certan distance. Mainly in humting application

[@hftshooter]

Yes, you're right. I think some olympic 10m rifle shooters also purposely can't their rifles.

[@ashy1423]

Thanks for the video. Great info and well explained. I just purchased an Air Arms S510 xs FAC which will be used for ratting. I am a well experienced 22LR shooter and an old springer hw97 guy but new to pcp’s. Im hoping that you could advise me of what you think is the best zero and magnification for my rifle? I will be shooting at distances from 20 - 60 yards. Any advice would be appreciated. Many thanks Stay well Ash from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@hftshooter]

Have you heard about PBR or point blank range? It's the zero range that you get the broadest shot ranges from for a given kill zone. So, for example, with my Ghost I choose a kill zone of 20mm for rabbits. If I zero to 37 yards then I can use crosshairs for any shot between 13-41 yards knowing my shot will be within that + or - 10mm of centre. Chairgun and Mero ballistic calculators will work it out for you. As for magnification that's just down to how your eyes are. On the rats I tend to use lower mag as the range is usually shorter. hope that helps.

[@lindsayheyes925]

Getting to know you... Maths and models... I like it. Difference in magnification between your two samples might be down to which sights were cheapest/best known/best marketed/ brightest image at the time - or copying the scope chosen by the best marksman of the day, or nowadays whose videos get most views on KZbin... x9 or x10. Why 23 yards would have been a popular zeroing range for parallax for HFT puzzles me. The mid-point from 8 to 45 is 26•5 yards, so 23 yards makes no sense to me. Could it be down to the change in chosen magnification? If the preference was for x9, did that affect focus too much at short ranges, nudging HFT competitors to choose a shorter range for zeroing? You get nerdy about the maths, I get nerdy about Human Factors: If you use a x10 scope for acceptable focus at short range, you're likely to zero for parallax towards 26.5 yards - but for the HF that test firing is easier on the 25 yard range at the competition venue. HFs often trump science, but I still like your maths and models.

[@hftshooter]

Yes I like maths as its totally objective; no grey areas. 23 yards is close to the midpoint of 45 yards range, that's why it's chosen as a starting point I guess. For me, I generally don't use focus to range find much, so it's more of a decision about where I want most targets to be in focus.

[@dkjngl1]

Great explanation. Q: how does that parallax formula work with close targets from 8-15yds, which are blurry in my EVX 10x44. I notice much more parallax error at these close distances than I do at 45yds, even with a pigs ear and repeatable head position. Obviously I’ve set the parallax to be equally blurry at about 45 & 15yds. Great vid, thanks

[@hftshooter]

Don't confuse 'scope focus', often called parallax for some reason, with 'parallax error'. You should have zero parallax error at your chosen focus range. The further you move away from your focus range then greater the potential for parallax error. That works both ways, i.e. longer ranges and shorter ranges. Hope that helps?

[@dkjngl1]

@@hftshooter Thanks for the reply, unfortunately I understand only too well what parallax error is :) I'm just interested in your equation. So if your focus is set at 25 yds then you should get the same amount of parallax error at 45 & 5yds as they are both 20yds from your focus range? My focus range is about 25yds but it seems I get more parallax error (crosshairs move over target if I move my head) at close distances, which are also more blurry....Is it not directly related to how out of focus it is? ie: more out of focus, more parallax error? Cheers

[@hftshooter]

To answer your first question, Yes! The equation works for distance from focus range in both directions. The further from your focus range the more blurry and the larger potential parallax error, so there is that link. However, you should notice the same movement with head bobbing at both short and long ranges. For my setup, the close range is always more blurry than the long range. If it's the same for you then there may be some sort of optical illusion in play? I did another piece on parallax error in the following video you may find useful from 18:30 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXykkp1vd9hsfpY

[@dkjngl1]

@@hftshooter ok, thanks mate. Yes my setup is same as yours, 8-13 is blurrier than 45 but I can work with it. Final Q: I use the EVX 10-44 for HFT and I find it’s brighter than CP’s I’ve looked through. On another vid you said you prefer your EVX to your CP, is that also because it’s brighter in low light? The new ES looks similar to the older EVX btw. Ta

[@hftshooter]

It may be that? Being fixed mag my EVX has less gubbins inside which I've heard produces a clearer image. I've never tried a fixed focus CP, perhaps that will be just as good as the EVX?

[@MarkPiercy-x7p]

I thought better quality scopes have less parallax error than lower quality scopes. According to the formula in your video its only the objective lens diameter that makes a difference. Is that correct? I was following you at Cambridge HFT for a few lanes on Sunday, and you commented that your CP 10x32 scope had more parallax than your AMX, i have the same CP scope and I'm convinced it has more error than my AMX 10x40. According to the formula the CP should be better.... Not sure what to make of it!

[@hftshooter]

Hi Mark, you got me thinking. Parallax error should be mostly about eye alignment, but I guess it's possible that distortion in low quality lenses could add to it if they make eye alignment difficult; I'm no expert so can't be certain. According to the maths the larger objective diameter creates the potential for greater error. At the range Rex was giving the opinion that the production version of the CP appears to give more parallax error than the prototypes that were tested. I've never used one of the prototypes so I couldn't say. However, I've given the CP a good try on my 97 and it isn't doing it for me. I'm not keen on the reticle and I'm getting unexplained errors that I wasn't getting with my Airmax or Vantage. I've switched back to the Airmax to see if things go back to what they were. 🙂👍

[@MarkPiercy-x7p]

@@hftshooter hi, I spoke to Optics Warehouse and they said it's partially down to the formula and partially due to scope quality. There's obviously no way of avoiding it in HFT when we're using a set parallax and shooting at other distances. I found the same with the CP as you, although I do like the reticle. Regards Mark

[@andyg9847]

Hi there...... I like watching your videos..... but on your point of Cant Error, ........ from my point of view shooting 10mtr targets with open sights (Diopter) I always shot stood up perfectly straight and then I had a bit of coaching from a National and International 10mtr coach and the first thing he said to me was Cant the rifle ....... the outcome was a more consistent shot and a more relaxed position.....AND I never altered my Diopter at all, and I have my rifle at a serious angle now.......

[@hftshooter]

That's interesting. Never heard of that before. The only thing I can think of is that at 10m range the error must be insignificant?

[@andyg9847]

@@hftshooter .... Now looking forward to trying it on my Scoped Benchrest setup the next time I take it out just for the hell of it :)

[@hftshooter]

🙂👍

[@redauwg911]

Thank you for the very good video. At 23;40 the parallax chart , Is that showing the most common zeroing? 25yds ? thanks again liked and subscribed

[@hftshooter]

Hi thanks for your comment and question. The chart is showing the most common distance setting for the focus, not zero distance.

[@redauwg911]

@@hftshooter Thank you, Would you know the most common zero setting ?

[@hftshooter]

If you're just starting out I would recommend starting out at 25 yards or maybe 30 at most. These are probably the most common because they avoid 'hold-unders'. I zero at 25 yards. Check out my video #6 Trajectory 101 to see why.

[@Happy-Me.]

My partner and I shot at Harrogate. She came 4th missing 3rd by 1 point! I won a sleeve of pellets! 😎

[@mandj102]

Another really well presented and informative video. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to your next one.

[@hftshooter]

Thank you very much!

[@pullmeifinger]

Who are you calling a cant? 🤣sorry

[@hftshooter]

He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy! 😉

[@MrWhiltetail]

I'm a high powered rifle shooter and your formula was very helpful in determining at what point I may need to address parallax. So thank you for that! BUT, my problem with scope mounting is how to be sure my rifle is perfectly straight up & down when going to the plumb bob? Is it safe to assume (I hate making assumptions) that the machining on the gun, rings & bases are perfect?

[@hftshooter]

I guess it's not safe to assume anything, lol. However, buying reputable brands helps. You could also use a mirror to check that the centre of your objective lense is aligned with the centre of your muzzle.

[@fxpeter22]

Jeff, I have to lift my hat to you🤠. Probably the best explanation of parallax error I have come across with demo that is definately worthy of a "Blue Peter" badge. Worthg noting in the calculation that the target range and focus range are "unit less" as they serve to form a ratio, could be yards, metres or even lamp posts as long as both use the same 😀

[@hftshooter]

Cheers, I'll take a BP badge! 😄

[@Shorts-qy5no]

I am not a HFT shooter but a sub 12 air rifle hunter and found your videos very informative and useful thank you. I also like your presentation style. Being old I like the way you speak what I would call normal for example you say "Hello, and welcome to the channel" not HI GUYS. Sorry but cannot stand the use and overuse of the words "GUYS" which seems so common these days! I think your channel will do well if you stay keen to make the big effort it takes to produce these videos.

[@hftshooter]

Thanks, I appreciate your comments. Happy new year to you. 😀👍

[@johnhouston6142]

Great video to a new shooter.. my girlfriend looks parallax to me every weekend I cant get her in focus.. she's out of focus at 3 am in the morning.. there's four of her..😂😂 now I can show her this video.. now I have to explain to her CANT.. or she WON'T... its getting complicated now but I'm going to her this video and maybe I'll get lucky.. 😂😂😂 joking of course.. very good info again... I did the plum line in my toilet.. and a torch flashing through the scope.. spirit levels.. bang on.. I would love to do a HFT... but I'm a bit scared.. thanks again.. your a good Teacher.. 👍🤘👌

[@hftshooter]

😅😅 Thanks John.

[@mcbride271]

Thank you so much you solve my problems now i smile😊 may rich God bless you abundantly

[@hftshooter]

Happy to help. 😀👍

[@xa4037]

Hello. Simple but excelent explanations. Keep on rocking those videos. Muchas gracias amigo!

[@hftshooter]

Thanks, will do!

[@pjgtech]

Good video, keep them coming. I have learnt something today as well, that is a very useful formula to work out max error, so thanx for that, cheers.

[@hftshooter]

Good stuff!

[@fliesarenegade]

Guess you're living somewhere around Camebridge and, by the look at your T-shirts, you like Spitfire's. How 'bout I buy you a real coup of coffee at the IWA sometime? We'd be in Duxford on sunday 21st july 2024. Maybe we can meet up and talk abit about airplanes and airguns? Cool channel, keep it up. Regards, Filip

[@hftshooter]

Funny you mention Duxford. I have a part-time job there working as an aircraft refueler. Always a possibility for a meet there. Why not contact me again a little nearer that date. 😀👍

[@fliesarenegade]

@@hftshooter way cool, that refueling job. I kinda envy you! Flew along with Stu Goldspink 2 years ago, with the aerial collective Spit. The link to the Camebridge shooting club, the airplane doing aerobatics overhead your garden, you wearing the exact same Spitfire-T-shirt I bought then, it wasn’t so hard to deduct 😊. Thought you were living somewhere south of Camebridge, so Duxford’s not far away. Had to be something like that. I let you know when we come over. I’m from Belgium, by the way…

[@ianb5682]

Very informative and interesting videos you are doing, keep up the good work

[@hftshooter]

Thank you very much!

[@alanmullock381]

Excellent deep dive and explaination 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😎😎😎😎

[@hftshooter]

Thanks! 👍

[@arthurrytus7318]

Another daf't question mate if your learning to shoot of a stick do you need to re zero your weapon to suit the stick

[@hftshooter]

No daft questions mate. It depends how you first set your zero and how different that is to your sticks position. Prone to sticks probably, bench to sticks less so. Just put a few shots down the range to check.

[@arthurrytus7318]

@@hftshooter thanx bud you can tell I'm a beginner

[@Steve-Cross]

A lot of modern scopes have parallax adjusters, to eliminate the problem. They also help with rangefinding. Great video. Thank you. 😊

[@hftshooter]

Thanks for sharing

[@Airgunfunrich]

But in HFT you are not allowed to adjust parallax on course

[@Steve-Cross]

@@Airgunfunrich Yes of course. When shooting HFT, I set mine to 25yds. Using the head bob method, I can still gauge the range by how much the crosshairs move. Then, obviously it is the case of aligning your eye perfectly with the sight, before taking the shot. 👍

[@rivit90]

interesting video cheers , love the channel

[@hftshooter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@TocRum]

I think you needed to change yards to meters to keep everything metric? The theory is the same so doesn’t really matter I guess

[@hftshooter]

Good point, but in HFT we range in yards. 👍

[@TocRum]

@@hftshooter I know, thought you’d have to convert yards into meters for the equation but turns out you don’t so ignore me. Videos are really useful, I’m new to hft, keep it up ☺️

[@hftshooter]

🙂👍

[@nickpurdy3096]

I would consider 26.5yds to be the optimum parralax set up, as that bisects the minimum and maximum ranges in HFT of 8yds to 45yd, which provides a difference of 37yds divided by half and then add on the minimum of 8 yards making 26.5 yards. At that set up you have equal disparity between the minimum and maximum targets.. just a thought.

[@hftshooter]

Have you tested that through your scope? A lot of shooters choose 23 yards as a close mid point. It's really a question of where you want your most in focus targets to be . It will also have an effect on the limits of parallax error.

[@nickpurdy3096]

Hi Jeff. Apologies for the late reply. I use that in my garden range, and practice with that focus from 26.5yds down to 8 yards, to try and become accustomed to the level of blur. I haven't practised beyond 26.5 as I don't really have the space without a major modification of the garden structure. I'd like to take up HFT , but shooting lying down is painful and difficult. I'll keep practising and see if I can get fit for it.. I very much appreciate your videos. I like the scientific approach, very appealing to my nerdy side. . Keep going. Very well structured and thoughtful videos.

[@hftshooter]

Thanks Nick. Have you thought about sticks class in HFT? Getting very popular now and avoids the prone shots.

[@nickpurdy3096]

Mmmm. You know what? You've inspired me to give it a go..I'd love to join in..I'll order some..I bet they are a challenge in themselves..

[@nickpurdy3096]

I've ordered them.

[@frankjames4573]

Great vid... Thanks chap!

[@hftshooter]

Glad you liked it!