Scope eye relief while shooting with a sling.

[Clinton350]

Ive been shooting casually with military slings ever since I discovered them. Every rifle I own wears one. If a rifle cannot wear a 1903 or web sling I will not buy it. That being said, my eyes are getting where using iron sights is becoming more of a struggle than I wish to fight anymore.

So now I'm looking at putting optics on some of my rifles. The problem I run into is eye relief. Sitting Indian style with a loop sling moves my eye position further forward than most people typically mount their scopes. It gets even worse when moving into prone. Makes you appreciate how forgiving irons are.

So how do people contend with this problem? Are some scopes more forgiving with eye relief? Lower power scopes maybe? I don't shoot competition but isn't there a NM high power class that allows scopes? How are their rifles set up?

 

[Bart B.]

Get bases that let both rings to go a few inches forward. I've seen adds for extension rings that let scopes move an inch or two forward but raises them about 1/4 inch. Check these out:

https://www.google.com/search?q=extension+scope+rings&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

Eye relief is set mostly by the eyepiece lens focal length and size of the reticle mount inside the scope. Doesn't change much with magnification. It's usually has a wider range with lower powered ones.

High power slow fire matches sometimes allow "any sight" which includes scopes and aperture or V notch rear sight with any front sight.

 

[rskent]

I don't shoot competition but isn't there a NM high power class that allows scopes? How are their rifles set up?

I have been shooting NRA Service Rifle for some time. I made the switch to optics last year.

I am using a Vortex CM-203 Cantilever Mount. It has a 3-inch Offset. If you are shooting an

AR with a sling, 3 inches is about the offset you want. That will put the charging handle up your nose.

 

[Laphroaig]

Both NRA and CMP Service rifle class allows optics up to 4.5 Power.

I've set up mine for a Leupold Mark AR 1-4x. I still haven't set mine up to be comfortable in all positions. I either have to crane my neck forward in standing, or have it too close in prone. It is a better sight picture in prone and sitting, but I get too much movement in standing.

 

[Clinton350]

Thanks. That pretty much answers my question.

 

[rskent]

It is a better sight picture in prone and sitting, but I get too much movement in standing.

The only real benefit I see, is much less eye fatigue.

I get the best sight picture, for me, at 2 ½ power.

 

[Llama Bob]

So how do people contend with this problem?

Move the scope forward. The gun in the below picture has a Rhodesian type speed sling, which has the same practical issues as a web sling in terms of scope positioning.