On most scopes, focussing the reticle is distinct from focussing on the target.
Normally one runs the eypiece clockwise until the reticle is distinctly out of focus.
Begin turning the eyepiece ccw one or two turns until the reticle comes into focus. The trick is to not stare at the reticle nor to stare at a target.
If possible, stare at a neutral background like a distant mound of dirt or toward the sky.
Mount the rifle and take a quick look. The reticle should pop into focus immediately. If it doesn't, your eye will try to accomodate and the result will be some eyestrain.
Move your head away from the scope and let your eye relax. Continue to mount and dismount the rifle, adjusting the eyepiece as required to achieve a sharp focus on the reticle without staring at a target.
Once that is done, you are good to go as far as the eyepiece is concerned.
If you have either a side focus knob on your scope or a front bell adjustment for target focus, that adjustment is your parallax adjustment.
If you have a target posted at 100 yards, begin adjusting that knob until the target comes into focus and don't move the eyepiece.
As the target comes into clear focus, begin shifting your eye from side to side and check for apparent movement between the target and the reticle. If you see movement, that error is parallax. It is caused by the target and the reticle not being in the same plane.
If you see that sort of movement, continue to adjust the side focus knob or the objective bell until the movement is either gone or it is at a minimum.
Now you should have both the target and your reticle in sharp relief and you are good to go.
One caution, if you are using a fixed power scope, like a Weaver K6, at shorter ranges ( 50 yards and closer ), you may not be able to get a clear image of the target. Don't adjust the eyepiece to try to make the target come into focus.
On a fixed power scope with no parallax adjustment, the scope is nominally set to be parallax free at 100 yards. In that case, adjust the eyepiece as described to be in focus when viewed at a neutral background. If your target is fuzzy, then most likely you are too close to it.
Most adjustable power scopes have both adjustments for reticle and target focus. They are two different adjustments and serve two different purposes.
Hope this helps.
Geetarman
