Rifle scopes may seem like a luxury item for some guns enthusiasts, but there are some genuine benefits to having a good scope on your rifle.
What follows is a roundup of several things you should consider when buying a scope, along with a few specific aspects that are most important.
Do You Need a Rifle Scope?
It's worth asking yourself if you actually need a rifle scope.
For example, if your gun already came with a scope, that may be enough.
But these days, a lot of gun enthusiasts will use a sight of some kind on their guns, and that's not just rifles. That can include shotguns and handguns as well.
The reason for this is because it increases the simplicity of using your gun. It's much easier and more accurate than the standard iron sights, especially because a lot of scopes also magnify.
That said, a lot of people will be overwhelmed with all the many options, but hopefully this article will help you understand some of the basic principles to keep in mind when making your selection.
Magnification
Magnification isn't a requirement for a scope, but it sure makes things a lot easier, especially if you're really into hunting.
For larger animals like deer, we recommend a scope with a 3-9 magnification range. This will absolutely be all you need.
However, for a lot of smaller animals, a higher magnification may be necessary. For animals like prairie dogs, I'd recommend a 6-20x or 8-25x scope. This will make it much easier to hit your target.
Get a Big Objective Lens
The Objective lens is the larger part of the scope that you look into. Generally speaking, the bigger the better, because it will make it easier to see your target.
However, this can lead to a heavier scope, so this is not a hard and fast rule. For close range or low-recoil guns, you can use a 28mm, but for low light or long range targets, you can go as high as 50mm.
Choosing the Best Quality
There's a fine balance between trying to save on a budget sight, and choosing the quality sight. For most people, what you pay for is what you get, and if you want the best of the best, you'll have to pay through the nose to get it.
That said, there are a number of good budget scopes out there for those who don't need all the extra features. And for most people, this is all you will need.
How to Mount a Scope
One of the biggest hangups for people, believe it or not, is learning how to mount the scope to your gun. This can depend on what type of gun you have, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
For one, you need to make sure you have all the correct tools, including appropriate rings and bases. These are essential to get the scope mounted properly.
Next, you'll need to attach the rings and adjust to fit your particular gun. Keep in mind that while most scopes will fit most rifles, if you have a smaller handgun, not all scopes will necessarily work.
Once you've done this, its time to level and secure your scope.
There's a great detailed explanation of this process here.
There's a lot more to be said about scopes, but this is just an overview. Your first step is to pick out something for your gun, and this will depend on your gun type. However, most scopes will work in most circumstances. I recommend finding one that you like, and is budget friendly, and giving it a try. You learn best by experimenting with an actual scope. Once you've got a feel for one, you'll have a better idea of what to get in a more professional sight.
