CHAPTER 3: CHOOSING A RIFLE SCOPE
GENERAL HUNTING RIFLE SCOPE
Deciding on a good hunting scope doesn’t need to be complicated. What matters the most is the magnification power, protection rating, and reticle that you can use comfortably. When it comes to the magnification power, anything below 20x is more than enough. As you go higher, the field of view becomes narrower and less ideal for you as a hunter. A good magnification range would be around 3-9x or 4-12x. Anything other than that will also be fine if you feel comfortable using them.
The environment can be unpredictable when you’re out hunting. Because of this, a good hunting rifle scope needs to have a good protection rating. The ratings include waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof.
When choosing a reticle, ideally you will want a simpler reticle that won't obstruct your view when aiming at your target. A good example would be a Duplex reticle. For more information on everything related to reticles, you can head on to our previous chapter by clicking here. Here are some quick recommendations for a good hunting rifle scope:
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TARGET & COMPETITION RIFLE SCOPE
When it comes to target shooting or competition, you’ll need a scope that is mechanically accurate and can allow you to make minor adjustments on the fly with high precision. For a long-range competition, it’s important to use reticles with holdover points in the first focal plane to help you make those minor adjustments (elevation, wind, bullet drop) for follow-up shots. A BDC reticle would be the minimum standard with the best one being the Horus reticle.
For speed courses, having target turrets for windage and elevation that fit the caliber you’re running is a must. For multiple stages with varying ranges, you need to prioritize tracking turrets to help you make small adjustments in your follow-up shots. Below are some of our recommendations for target and competition rifle scopes:
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TACTICAL RIFLE OPTICS
When it comes to tactical optics, you have multiple choices for both short and long-range scenarios. For short range, you can equip either a red dot sight or a reflex sight that does not feature any magnification capabilities. Red dots are available in two variations, a tube red dot sight, and a reflex sight (for more info on both types, you can click here).
Another type of sight is the Holographic sight. Unlike a red dot, their reticles are projected on the same plane as your target which removes the need for you to switch focus between the reticle and your target. Sometimes they even feature illuminated reticles to help you see your target in low light conditions. For close-range optics, we recommend the following:
If you need something that can cover longer distances, then you’ll be looking at telescopic scopes. These types of rifle scopes are just like your average hunting scope that features magnification capability and the mechanical precision of a target shooting/competition rifle scope.
Depending on the lighting condition during your “tactical activity” you might opt for a scope that features illuminated reticles to help you aim your target in low light conditions. For better accuracy, it would be best to use a scope that uses a Horus reticle in the first focal plane that features holdover points to help you make those minor adjustments mid-operation. The last thing that should be considered is the turrets of the scope. Preferably you will want one with precision turrets for both windage and elevation adjustments that also feature zero stop. Some of our recommendations for a tactical scope are:
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NIGHT VISION RIFLE SCOPE
There are two types of night vision scopes available in the market. The first one is your standard night vision with image intensifier technology and the second one is thermal imaging. A night vision with an image intensifier is what most people would expect a night vision to look like. They work by enhancing the ambient light in a low-light environment using an image intensifier tube. The image that they produce is more detailed compared to a thermal imager. However, in the absence of ambient light, they will not be able to function at all. To overcome this shortcoming, some are equipped with an IR illuminator that shoots off invisible light.
For thermal imaging-based night vision, they produce images by capturing a higher spectrum of infrared light using an infrared scanner. They are typically more versatile than an image intensifier and can even be used to see through smoke and debris. However, the image they produce is less detailed which makes target identification harder. Also, keep in mind that thermal imager does not come cheap. For night vision scopes, we recommend the following:
