A Quick Guide to Selecting a Rifle Scope

This tutorial will teach you all to know about riflescopes and weapon optics.

Including:

  • Magnification
  • Various types of scope reticles
  • Parallax
  • a little bit more

Rifle Scope

Magnification

Magnification refers to how much closer the target appears to the naked eye.

For example, if the magnification of scope is 8X, it indicates you can see EIGHT TIMES closer than with the naked eye. But how much magnification is required? A LOT of newbies would advise you to “purchase as much magnification as you can.” This isn’t always the case. If you buy too much magnification, you will not only have wasted your money, but you may not even utilize it. That’s why I recommend a magnification level based on your needs.

This should assist you:

  • Do you generally use your rifle for target shooting (up to 100 yards), stalking small wildlife, or homeland defense? Obtain a magnification of 1-4x.
  • Target shooting (up to 200 yards), stalking extraordinary wildlife, or hunting in densely forested areas (forests, mountains, etc.)? Obtain a magnification of 5-8x.
  • What about target shooting (outside of 200 yards) or hunting in expansive terrain (deserts, farms, etc.)? Obtain a magnification of 9-12x.

Variable power vs. Fixed power

The term “fixed power” means that your scope only has ONE magnification. (For example, 230.) Variable power, on the other side, means that your coverage employs MORE THAN ONE magnification. (For example, 3-940.)

However, the issue is, which one should you use?

Variable powered scopes, in my opinion, are the best option since they allow you to shoot in a range of conditions and scenarios. However, it also depends. If you intend to shoot from a single distance, a fixed powered scope is the way to go. Otherwise, a variable-powered scope is a way to go. After you’ve decided on the type of magnification, it’s time to learn...

Lens objective

The objective lens is the lens at the scope’s end responsible for light transmission. The larger the objective lens, the brighter and clearer the image. Should you acquire a scope with a LOT of objective lenses? No, not at all. What’s the reason? Purchasing a degree with an excessive number of objective lenses may be hazardous since it adds more weight, necessitates higher scope rings, and makes your scope more susceptible to sunlight reflection. (This reveals your shooting position.) So, if not a lot, how much objective lens should you buy?

This should help:

  • if your rifle has little recoil, you’re hunting at close range, and you have a low power scope, go with 28mm or less.
  • If your rifle has a lot of recoils, you’re hunting in poor light, and you have a high power scope, go with 30 – 44mm.
  • Finally, if you’re a long-range shooter or need high magnification in poor light, go with 50mm and more excellent.

Coatings for lenses

A lens coat is an invisible coating that lowers glare and improves vision.

There are four basic types of lens coatings:

  • Coated: At least one coating on one surface.
  • Fully-Coated: All external glass surfaces have a single layer of coating.
  • Multi-Coated: Having many layers on at least one character.
  • Fully Multi-Coated: Multiple layers of coating on all external glass surfaces.

I wouldn’t be concerned about lens coating because most scopes these days are entirely multi-coated. Even if an area is only coated, one layer is sometimes preferable to numerous layers. I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on scope coatings. Instead, invest in a good reticle.