Eye relief, a term commonly discussed in the realm of shooting and precision optics, holds significant importance for firearm enthusiasts and marksmen alike. But first and foremost, what exactly is eye relief? It refers to the distance between the lens of your scope or binoculars and the beginning of your eye – essentially, the point at which light contacts the cornea when viewing through any lens. Understanding and properly adjusting eye relief is paramount for achieving optimal clarity and precision in target acquisition. Incorrect eye relief can result in distorted images, whether blurry or with blackened edges, affecting accuracy and performance.
Eye relief is the distance between the lens of your binoculars or scope to the tip of your eye. When viewing a scene through any lens with incorrect eye relief distance, the picture you see will be distorted, either with a fuzzy image or with a black ring around the field of view.
When your rifle scope is mounted with accurate eye relief, your field of view through the scope should be bright and full.
Bushnell
The distance from the ocular (rear) lens of an optical system to a point at which the user’s eye can see the full field of view. “Long-eye-relief” binoculars and spotting scopes allow users to see the entire field of view while wearing eyeglasses. Telescopic sights used on hard-kicking firearms must have especially long eye relief to reduce the likelihood of the ocular striking the shooter’s eye or face.
Steiner
Eye relief standards vary depending on the type of sighting device and its intended application. For instance, a standard eye relief typically ranges from 3.5 to 4 inches, or approximately 10 centimeters, which is commonly suitable for precision shooting. However, there are instances where a longer eye relief, exceeding 5 inches or 15 centimeters, may be warranted, particularly for firearms with heavier calibers or when shooting from prone positions.
So, how do you ensure proper eye relief adjustment? It largely depends on factors such as the type of firearm, shooting application, and preferred shooting position. For precision shooters, aligning the scope with the shooter’s head and body position is crucial. By positioning oneself correctly and adjusting the scope accordingly, shooters can achieve optimal eye relief, ensuring a clear and unobstructed view through the scope.
One common challenge arises when using firearms that are not personally customized or familiar. In such cases, shooters may struggle to achieve the correct eye relief, leading to discomfort and compromised performance. Additionally, attempting to compensate for incorrect eye relief through scope adjustments, such as elevation or windage, is futile. The only effective solution is to adjust the distance between the scope and the shooter’s eye, ensuring proper alignment and clarity.
According to Warne Scope mounts:
How to Set Eye Relief on a Rifle Scope.
With your rifle unloaded, action open, and safe to handle, mount your scope in the scope rings and snug the rings but do not torque them. The scope should move with a little effort but not so loose that it moves with gravity.
You should put on any gear you wear when you are shooting. For example, if you are a hunter and wear a backpack, the straps can affect the distance of your eye to the eyepiece.
Get into the position you most commonly shoot in.
If it is a variable scope, put it on the highest setting.
With the rifle unloaded and pointing in a safe direction, perform the “Eye Relief Test” mentioned.
Move the scope forward or back until you have a “full-sight picture.” There is usually an area about an inch that is good eye relief. It is best to find its sweet spot right in the middle of that so that it will still have good eye relief in different shooting positions.
Understanding and optimizing eye relief is essential for shooters seeking consistency and accuracy in precision shooting. By ensuring proper alignment and adjustment of optics, shooters can minimize variability and achieve more reliable results. So, next time you’re out on the range, take a moment to evaluate your eye relief – it could make all the difference in your shooting performance.
References:
Bushnell. https://www.bushnell.com/through-the-lens/bu-blog-eye-relief-everything-you-need-to-know.html#:~:text=Eye%20relief%20is%20the%20distance,around%20the%20field%20of%20view.
Warne, https://warnescopemounts.com/blog/the-importance-of-proper-eye-relief/
Optics Bible. https://opticsbible.com/what-is-eye-relief-on-a-scope-all-you-need-to-know/
Steiner. https://www.steiner-optics.com/glossary/riflescopes-glossary
