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Fantastic input guys; especially regarding the greater "sensitivity" to focus distance with AO scopes. That they are not simply an improvement over non-AO scopes, but that you give up some of the "in-focus" range, was useful to the extent that I am now not going to consider them for any hunting applications.

Tonight I am going to attempt to adjust the parallax in my VX3i 1.5-5 since I really like this scope. This just means I need to get another one to put back on my .270.

Thanks again for all the great input.

I've never experienced giving up anything on an adjustable objective scope. I have been disappointed when a non adjustable scope wouldn't focus at a particular distance on a particular power,and wished I had an AO scope instead.

I agree for an all around scope for hunting and paper punching at the range to 100 yards the ao is worth it. The OP stated for hunting from 15-40 yards, an ao is unnessesary. If You like the 1.5-5, set the parralax Yourself, and never have to mess with it again.

The 1.5-5 with parallax set to 50 yards would make a fantastic hunting scope. It would probably be a better squirrel hunting scope than the 4-12 AO. I just didn't want anyone to be afraid of AO scopes worrying about focus issues.

Understood R H. I was just trying to convey why I didn't care for ao in hunting. There really is no right or wrong, it all comes down to using what You enjoy!

I had the parallax in a Leupold Vari X II 3 to 9 X 40 set at 60 yards. It works great on a Winchester Model 190.

RDW,
Thanks a bunch friend, for the suggestion to reset parallax. I just did it, though to do it right I had to make a couple of tools in the machine shop. But man is that image ROCK SOLID now at 30 yards. I've now got a fantastic close range (1.5x) as well as medium range (5x though it is actually 4.4x) Leuppold VX-3i with the brightness that originally drew me to this scope for my deer rifle.
Ed

Rdw, what was the most difficult part to do on the reset?

Correction. Question meant for InTheAlders

Correction. Question meant for InTheAlders

Pretty simple, isn't it, Alders? No charge, and no shipping. Enjoy!

Holding the inner ring in place, once you have it in its new position, while tightening down the outer ring. I made a spanner wrench to fit the notches in the inner ring which made it much easier.

I've tried quite a few scopes over the years on my squirrel guns. Favorite has been the Leupold VX1 2-7x33mm set parallax free at 50 yards. Most places I can hunt don't present many very long ranged shots, and 7x top end has been plenty, along with a big field of view at 2x for moving critters and those in heavy cover at short range. The eyebox on these scopes is big, eye relief perfect for the mounting position on many rifles, light in weight, etc. Hard to beat for my situation. An AO 3-9x or 4-12x make good sights for squirrel guns too.

I'm 81 and my squirrel rifle is "retro"....Winchester mdl 75 Sporter with a 4x Leupold Alaskan.

I ended up looking in the silverware drawer and found a bread knife that fit the notches perfectly.

The hard part generally is getting the damn objective end loose. A rubber strap wrench works well, as does a Red Green staple, duck tape.

Pretty much agree with this. My scoped .22 is an older Marlin 25N with an even older Bushnell "Scope Chief"4x on it.
Works for me.

I guess my stuff is pretty outdated, but my favorite squirrel rifle (on nice weather days) is a Remington 541s that has a "baby" Redfield 3/4' tube 4x.. Makes a classy looking setup and shoots very well. My everyday 22's are a Marlin glenfield model 25 with an old weaver j model 4x and a western auto revelation model 150m semi auto that has a jap made tasco 3-9x40 with the tv view. They all shoot pretty well, but the revelation is a little picky with what ammo it likes.

I have a 3x9 Denver Widefields on my 22’s. Posts with a crosshair.

I run a Burris Fullfield II with the BP reticle. I am quite pleased with it.

Good to hear it worked out, go kill some squirrels!