I have asked a similar question to this before, but I still am not sure what to do.

If I find a scope that I like that has is a rifle scope, with a parralax of 100 yds instead of 75 yds, could this be a good match for my blackpowder gun.

My eyes are poor and need to "zoom" in as close as I can, I dont mind extra length and higher up placement of the scope.

Thanks!!

andrewjoseph

My answer would be yes! if you purchase a reasonably quality scope built for a big game rifle. All of my scopes are regular rifle scopes with 100 yard parralax.

The idea of the muzzleloader/shotgun scope was to offer a shorter parralax because the ranges of the gun shooting were less. In a modern, and I'll use the word medium, quality scope and up the 100 yard parralax will allow shooting down to a few yards without a problem.

One other thought the greater the power of the scope the more apparent the parralax (edge focus) becomes. So if you are using a 2x7, in most instances pararalax will not be noticed. I choose to use 3x9x40's basically for the same reasons you have stated and they work superbly.

Cayugad and others really find the Bushnell Banner, Nikon Pro-Staff scopes that are fairly easy on the pocket book work very well for them. I have chosen to go a little higher in the quality line and I am using Bushnell Elite 3200's for the added features they provide.

Last point because your eyes may be marginal anyway I would advise a name brand medium quality or higher scope. It certainly does not have to be a $500 Leupold or even a Bushnell 4200.

Just sharing some thoughts....

Yes, a rifle scope works just fine. A muzzleloader is a rifle and more then able to shoot long distances. If you were to have the same scope on a 30-30 or 30-06 would you feel like you were over scoped? Variable scopes are able to be turned down so that they can work at shorter distances and longer distance. The thing you might encounter is the longer parallax might give you a less then clear picture at very close ranges. I use rifle scopes on three different inline rifles with no problems at all.

The big thing for me is eye relief. I like to have 3.7 - 4.0 inches of eye relief.

Here's a quote from the owners manuel for my 3x9 Luepold.

"PARALLAX: When the image of an object does not fall on the same plane with the reticle, a slight displacement of the reticle in relation to the object may occur. However the apparent movement is discernible only when the eye is moved away from the center point of the ocular lens. The maximum parallax occurs when the eye is held at the very edge of the exit pupil. Even in this unlikely situation, using our regular 4X hunting scope (set for a 150 yard focus), the maximum possible error at 500 yards is a mere 1.3 inches! At short distances, the effect is so negligible one could hardly blame parallax for missing a target or animal. For example, using the same 4X scope at a 100 yard range, the maximum possible error would be less than two-tenths of an inch!"

Next time I miss my mark by two-tenths of an inch, I'll shout out "Parallax Error, Parallax Error!"

I shoot most of my ML's with open sights. But I also have scoped ML's. I like the reticles like the Burris Ballistic Plex, or the B&C Leupold reticle. IMO the Blackpowder and Shotgun scopes is a marketing ploy. I would like to meet the person who can tell parallax difference between 75 and 100 or 150 yards. I surely can not tell the difference.

I you are selecting a new scope, I would suggest you pay more attention to how the scope tracks. I do not care for the friction type tracking, I prefer the positive clicks. Clarity is important, but tracking(repeatability) is imperative.

I have used the new hunting reticles like the Ballistic Plex, and they work quit well out to 250 yards. I sight the crosshair in at 100 yards, and then each line is an additional fifty yards for my bullets I shoot. The reticle actually makes it easy if you know your yardage. Tom.