{"id":4456,"date":"2023-09-21T18:15:39","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T18:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=4456"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:35:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:35:59","slug":"having-a-rifle-scope-with-long-eye-relief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/having-a-rifle-scope-with-long-eye-relief\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Having a Rifle Scope With Long Eye Relief is Important"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>If you\u2019ve ever wondered why having a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/benefits-of-custom-rifle-scope-turrets\/\">rifle scope<\/a> with long eye relief is important, we\u2019re going to cover the various benefits in this blog.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Eye relief for a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/riflemarksmanship-supported-shooting-positions\/\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship Supported Shooting Positions\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1726\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle scope<\/a> refers to the distance from the outer surface of the eyepiece lens to the position where the exit pupil is formed. At this distance, whether it\u2019s one or four inches, you should still be able to maintain a clear and unobstructed view of the target and reticle. Long eye relief &#8211; 3.5 to 4 inches is ideal &#8211; is important because it ensures a comfortable and safe <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/shooting-a-rifle-accurately-in-high-wind\/\">shooting<\/a> experience while allowing hunters and shooters to attain the optimal sight picture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/having-a-rifle-scope-with-long-eye-relief\/#Having_a_Rifle_Scope_With_Long_Eye_Relief\" >Having a Rifle Scope With Long Eye Relief<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/having-a-rifle-scope-with-long-eye-relief\/#Safety\" >Safety<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/having-a-rifle-scope-with-long-eye-relief\/#Shooting_Position\" >Shooting Position<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/having-a-rifle-scope-with-long-eye-relief\/#Target_Acquisition\" >Target Acquisition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/having-a-rifle-scope-with-long-eye-relief\/#Those_With_Eyeglasses\" >Those With Eyeglasses<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Having_a_Rifle_Scope_With_Long_Eye_Relief\"><\/span>Having a Rifle Scope With Long Eye Relief<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">All of the advantages of having a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-benefit-of-having-a-backup-rifle\/\">rifle<\/a> scope with long eye relief work together to increase accuracy. A comfortable shooting position allows you to properly settle into the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/choosing-the-best-riflescope-for-deer-hunting\/\" title=\"Choosing the Best Rifle Scope for Deer Hunting\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1252\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle and scope<\/a>. Faster target acquisition is important to competition shooters and hunters alike. As is peace of mind in knowing there is plenty of space between your forehead and the scope. A kid getting hit in the face by his <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/getting-into-prs-shooting\/\" title=\"Getting Into PRS Shooting\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1164\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle scope is probably not going to shoot<\/a> well and definitely won\u2019t enjoy time behind the rifle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As a kid, I unfortunately experienced a couple bumps and bruises using my father\u2019s old deer <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/types-of-rifle-scope-mounts\/\" title=\"Types of Rifle Scope Mounts\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1152\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle and scope<\/a>, the brand which I\u2019ll keep to myself (even though I think they\u2019re out of business now). And it was not until years later that I truly began to appreciate something that sounds so simple as eye relief.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So, for both <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/binoculars-for-kids\/\">kids<\/a> and adults, hunters and shooters of various disciplines, there are many <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/benefits-of-a-floating-center-dot-reticle\/\" title=\"Benefits of a Floating Center Dot Reticle\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1530\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">benefits to having a rifle scope<\/a> with long eye relief. The first of which is safety and knowing the chances of a scope-induced injury are greatly reduced.<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1387\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Eyerelief-3.png\" alt=\"If you\u2019ve ever wondered why having a rifle scope with long eye relief is important, we\u2019re going to cover the various benefits in this blog.\u00a0\" width=\"570\" height=\"370\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Eyerelief-3.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Eyerelief-3-300x195.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Eyerelief-3-463x300.png 463w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Eyerelief-3-150x97.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/p><p><em>Learn why having a rifle scope with constant eye relief makes all the difference.<\/em><\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Safety\"><\/span><b>Safety<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Having a rifle scope with long eye relief is important for all shooters, but especially if you\u2019re using a high-recoil, magnum caliber. A greater distance between your eye and the scope reduces the risk of recoil-related injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Having a rifle <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/what-you-need-for-an-air-rifle-competition\/\" title=\"Air Rifle Competition What You Need?\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1762\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">scope with long eye relief<\/a> is highly beneficial for competition shooters who may find themselves on a clock and need to acquire targets faster. Also, there\u2019s usually a station where an awkward shooting position may be required, forcing your scope\u2019s placement to be a little closer to the face than usual. But with enough eye relief, your margin for injury is still slim.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1452\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/9Q7A7656-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Why Having a Rifle Scope With Long Eye Relief is Important\" width=\"533\" height=\"356\" title=\"\"><\/p><p><em>Whatever the stage may bring, PRS competitors know that having a scope with proper eye relief improves consistancy.<\/em><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shooting_Position\"><\/span><b>Shooting Position<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When settling into a <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">standard shooting position<\/a>, such as a bench rest, bipods, or prone, having a rifle scope with long eye relief enables you to maintain consistency with your shot placement. It allows you to comfortably position their eye behind the scope without straining or contorting the body. This stability and comfort are vital for accuracy and precision, especially during prolonged shooting sessions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s also necessary for hunters who may need to quickly acquire targets in various <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/shooting-22lr-rifle-in-a-whole-new-way\/\" title=\"Shooting a 22LR Rifle in a Whole New Way\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"560\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting<\/a> positions or find themselves in the mountains shooting at angles that may otherwise be restrictive with \u201ctraditional\u201d eye relief, as mentioned above with competition shooters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Target_Acquisition\"><\/span><b>Target Acquisition<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Speaking of animals on the move, or standing still for that matter, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"rifle scopes\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"121\">rifle scopes<\/a> with long eye relief allow you to acquire targets much faster. For starters, having a rifle scope with long eye relief maximizes <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/choosing-the-best-riflescope-for-deer-hunting\/\">field of view<\/a>. It also provides a much more clear sight picture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pljHyqqK2Qk?si=MAKbqn_jU4tofWyw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p>Quickly acquiring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=pljHyqqK2Qk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">close range targets<\/a> can be trickier than you think&#8230;Especially during the heat of the rut when things happen fast.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When the eye is positioned at the appropriate distance from the eyepiece, you can achieve a sharp, focused view of the target and reticle simultaneously. This can aid in target identification, acquisition, and accuracy. This is a major point of importance when hunters are waiting for that buck or bull to step out in low light. Or during a stage in a competition when you\u2019re required to move quickly from station to station.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Those_With_Eyeglasses\"><\/span><b>Those With Eyeglasses<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Those who wear eyeglasses often struggle with achieving a proper sight picture due to the limited <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/scope-sighting-made-simple\/\" title=\"Scope Sighting Made Simple\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1392\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eye relief<\/a> offered by some scopes. The same is true with <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"binoculars\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"155\">binoculars<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On a side note, our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/binoculars\/hunting-binoculars-toric\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">binoculars<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> have a minimum of 19mm of eye relief. And they also come with multi-stop eyecups so that you can adjust the distance from the outer surface of the eyepiece lens to the position where the exit pupil is formed depending on whether you wear eyeglasses or not.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/the-convenience-of-scope-throw-levers\/\" title=\"The Convenience of Scope Throw Levers 11\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"513\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle scope<\/a>, on the other hand, doesn\u2019t give those who wear eyeglasses an option to adjust eye relief. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to select a scope with a long <\/span><b><i>constant <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">eye relief. And all TRACT <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/riflescopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">rifle scopes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are built with a minimum 3.5 inches of constant eye relief thanks to the large eye box design of the quick focus eyepiece.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4457\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Airgun-1024x791.jpg\" alt=\"Why Having a Rifle Scope With Long Eye Relief is Important\" width=\"459\" height=\"354\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Airgun-1024x791.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Airgun-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Airgun-768x593.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Airgun-1536x1187.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Airgun-388x300.jpg 388w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Airgun-150x116.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Airgun.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><\/p><p><em>The large eyebox (ocular lens) design of the <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/riflescopes\/toric-34mm-elr-rifle-scopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TRACT rifle scopes<\/a> make them a pleasure to shoot.<\/em><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So whether you\u2019re plinking steel with a rimfire or dialing in a magnum cartridge for western big game, we want you to experience maximum accuracy. Having a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/improving-rifle-marksmanship-part-1\/\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Scope Fundamentals\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1404\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle scope with long eye relief<\/a>, you can take comfort in the fact that the result of the shot is going to be on the target, not your forehead!<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/riflescopes\/toric-34mm-elr-rifle-scopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4246\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Tract-Optics-Digital_320x100.png\" alt=\"Why Having a Rifle Scope With Long Eye Relief is Important\" width=\"454\" height=\"142\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Tract-Optics-Digital_320x100.png 640w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Tract-Optics-Digital_320x100-300x94.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Tract-Optics-Digital_320x100-600x188.png 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Tract-Optics-Digital_320x100-150x47.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px\" \/><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why Having a Rifle Scope With Long Eye Relief is Important<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12044,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2255],"tags":[2462,3032,3046,3047,3049,3054,3247],"class_list":["post-4456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-extra-topics","tag-binocular","tag-rifle-scope","tag-rifle-scope-objective-lens","tag-rifle-scope-objective-size","tag-rifle-scope-reticles","tag-rifle-scope-turrets","tag-spotting-scope"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4456"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4456\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11328,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4456\/revisions\/11328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4456"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}