Are you struggling to get a clear and comfortable view through your scope? Do you find yourself squinting and straining to see your target? The problem may not be your eyesight, but rather the eye relief on your scope.
Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope’s eyepiece that allows you to see a full and clear image without any distortion. It is a critical factor in shooting accuracy and comfort. However, not all scopes have the same eye relief, and some may require adjustments to suit your individual needs.
If you want to improve your shooting experience and increase your accuracy, it’s essential to know how to adjust the eye relief on your scope. In this article, we will explore the different ways to increase eye relief and find the perfect setting for your scope. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a beginner, these tips will help you get the most out of your scope and improve your aim.
Table: How to Increase Eye Relief on a Scope
Method | Description | Steps |
---|---|---|
Adjust the scope position | Move the scope backward or forward | 1. Loosen the mount screws. 2. Move the scope backward or forward. 3. Tighten the mount screws. |
Use a scope extension | Add an extension to the scope mount | 1. Attach the extension to the scope mount. 2. Secure the scope to the extension. |
Use a riser mount | Use a mount with a riser to elevate the scope | 1. Attach the riser mount to the gun. 2. Secure the scope to the riser. |
Use a higher magnification scope | Use a scope with more magnification | Purchase a scope with a longer eye relief rating |
Use a longer eye relief scope | Use a scope with more eye relief | 1. Attach the extension to the scope mount. 2. Secure the scope of the extension. |
Position the stock properly | Adjust the stock length | 1. Adjust the length of the stock. 2. Align the eye with the scope. |
Use a recoil pad | Add a recoil pad to the stock | 1. Attach the recoil pad to the stock. 2. Adjust the shoulder position. |
Understanding Eye Relief
Before we explore methods to enhance eye relief, it’s essential to understand why it matters. Eye relief directly affects your shooting experience, particularly when using a scope with higher magnification or powerful firearms. The primary benefits of proper eye relief include:
Safety: By maintaining an adequate distance between your eye and the scope, you minimize the risk of recoil-related injuries, such as “scope eye” or brow bruises caused by the scope’s rearward movement.
Comfort: Longer eye relief ensures that you can maintain a natural shooting position without straining your eyes or neck. This is especially crucial during extended shooting sessions or when using heavy-caliber rifles.
Full Field of View: When you have the correct eye relief, you’ll have an unobstructed and clear sight picture, allowing you to make precise shots and track targets efficiently.
Now that we understand the importance of eye relief, let’s explore some practical methods to increase it effectively.
Adjusting Scope Position
The first step to achieving proper eye relief is adjusting the position of your scope on the rifle. Follow these steps to optimize its placement:
Loosen Scope Mounts: Use the appropriate tools to loosen the scope mounts without removing them completely. This will allow you to make adjustments easily.
Eye Positioning: Assume your shooting position and position your eye naturally behind the scope. Ensure a comfortable and relaxed stance.
Slide Scope Forward/Backward: While maintaining your shooting position, gently slide the scope back and forth within the mounts until you find the optimal eye relief distance. Take your time to achieve the perfect balance of comfort and sight picture.
Tighten Mount Screws: Once you’re satisfied with the scope’s position, tighten the mount screws gradually, alternating between screws to ensure an even and secure fit. Be careful not to overtighten and damage the scope or mounts.
Using Extended Eye Relief Scopes
If you’re struggling to achieve adequate eye relief with your current scope, consider investing in an extended eye relief (EER) scope. Unlike regular scopes, EER scopes are specifically designed to provide generous eye relief, making them ideal for shooters who prefer a greater distance between their eye and the scope.
When choosing an EER scope, look for models with an eye relief of at least 3-4 inches. This will ensure a comfortable shooting experience, even with high-powered rifles that generate substantial recoil.
Utilizing Eye Relief Accessories
Sometimes, even after adjusting the scope position or switching to an EER scope, you may still need additional eye relief. In such cases, the following accessories can help:
Eye Relief Extenders: These accessories, typically made of rubber or foam, attach to the scope’s eyepiece and extend its distance from your eye. They provide a cushioning effect and allow you to achieve a more comfortable shooting position.
Riser Mounts: Riser mounts elevate the scope’s height, creating more space between your eye and the scope. This can be particularly beneficial if you have a larger, high cheekbone structure or prefer a more upright shooting position. Riser mounts come in various heights, so choose one that suits your specific needs.
Adjustable Cheek Rests: If you find that your eye is not aligning with the scope properly due to your shooting stance or the rifle’s stock design, an adjustable cheek rest can help. These accessories attach to the stock and allow you to raise or lower your cheek position, consequently adjusting the eye relief.
Opting for Low Recoil Ammunition
While not directly related to increasing eye relief, using low recoil ammunition can significantly improve your shooting experience. Reduced recoil means less rearward movement of the rifle, minimizing the chances of getting too close to the scope and increasing the margin of error for eye relief.
Conclusion
Achieving the proper eye relief on a scope is crucial for a comfortable and safe shooting experience. By following the techniques outlined in this article, you can optimize your setup and enhance your eye relief effectively. Remember to adjust the scope’s position, consider extended eye relief scopes, and utilize accessories like eye relief extenders, riser mounts, and adjustable cheek rests as needed. Additionally, using low recoil ammunition can further enhance your shooting comfort. With these methods, you’ll be able to enjoy improved eye relief, a clear sight picture, and maximize your shooting accuracy.
Remember, whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a beginner, prioritizing eye relief is essential for your safety and shooting performance. Happy shooting!
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
What is eye relief, and why is it important?
Eye relief refers to the distance between your eye and the ocular lens of a scope. It’s important because it determines the field of view as well as comfort and safety for the shooter. If the eye relief is too short, the scope could hit your eye and cause injury when firing the gun.
How can I measure my current eye relief?
To measure your current eye relief, you need to aim and position the scope so that your eye is at optimum distance from the optic. Then carefully move the optic back until the image presents itself both clearly and correctly stationed and take note of that distance.
Can I increase eye relief on any scope?
No, not all scopes can be modified to suit both your need for accuracy and eye relief. However, it is best to research and consult about scop professional.
Can I modify my scope to increase eye relief by myself?
Upgrades or mini-Sumer steps as repositioning/optics realignment procedures can be done by knowledgeable/shoot professionals or respectively skilled person. If in any way unsure about what must be done, consulting and facing the possibility for doing further damage of a scope by claim shall only make an accurate-precise problem worse than is already.
Is there an adjustment setting on the scope for eye relief?
A few long-range scopes will include elements/drategic, planning, marketing minds research, manufacturing output percentage where specifically conducive lines of solid-build optically finest-precision crafted optics will be able to project any reliable-consistent / stable capable-to-be-sighted reticles crossbreeding apparent sighting qualities – shall have “fixive” option for changing eye-relief to ensure safe-fit no matter type usable results shall obtain.
What can I do if the scope has limited eye relief?
Modifying/customizing sorts precision crafting capable professional’s expertise based shall be asked for. Thereby; limiting yourself to shooting only weapons with a muzzle brake compensated helps with keeping your combat position/set-up-predicaments for magnified alignment ergonomically pivoted properly will give your eyes and extremities less organic fatigue.
Is more eye relief always better?
Absolutely, beyond efficient (distance-enough-to-sight for) screen-casting interactions imply adjusting anything as may derail focus, decreasing accuracy without any slight conversion-fixups shall aid sufficient weapon casting ready-treme-edge. Longer distances which shall aid in-line targeting area projection stability enhancing until gained accuracy gets noticed progressive positive results over having tighter perfun results-enhancing performance constraints.

A. Wilcox Head is a lifelong shooter, hunter, and firearms enthusiast. Head grew up in a family where firearms were a way of life, and from an early age, he was taught the importance of firearm safety, accuracy, and proper hunting techniques.