What Are Riflescopes?

Almost all guns have some sort of optical sighting device. This can help in shooting your target. The aid of a scope on your rifle eliminates the complex lining up of an iron sight to a target. The scope provides a crosshair or reticle to your target.

A common feature of rifle scopes is that they can be magnified. You can see the target much closer resulting in better precision. Those who have eye problems sometimes have difficulty in focusing on the target if the rifle has no scope. Luckily, rifle scopes eliminate this problem.

Check out the top selling rifle scopes like the one below which is available on Amazon.com right now:

How To Choose A Scope For Deer Hunting

There is a lot to consider when choosing the best rifle scope that you can possibly find for deer hunting. You would want the features of the rifle scope to fit your needs. A Deer is not a small animal. It requires skill, patience, and most importantly a good rifle and scope in order to obtain one.

Magnification

You need find the right and suitable rifle scope. The scope must be compatible with your rifle’s stopping power. Bigger scopes are intended for heavy rifles and light scopes are for average light rifles. The first part thing that you would want to consider is the magnification of the rifle scope.

The bigger the magnification, the heavier the scope. If you need a scope that can reach a far distance especially when hunting deer, then usually a 10x rifle scope is enough. A 10x scope can make targets appear 10 times closer. So for example, if a deer is 100 yards away, you would see the target only 10 yards away.

The big and heavy scopes such as the 25x magnification types are often used in heavy rifles and small targets from a far distance. In this case, a deer would be a medium size type of animal to hunt for. You would also want a tactile power indicator for easy determination of your magnification. This is because while hunting deer, you would want to change the magnification in real-time for better accuracy. You won’t have to remove your eye from the scope while hunting with this feature.

Lens Objective

The bigger the Objective of the lens, the more light gets in. Usually if the rifle scope has a large objective, it is more expensive and bulkier. The large objectives can be useful in low-light settings as more light is gathered.

In most cases, objective sizes range from 20 mm to 72 mm. A common choice are 40 mm to 44 mm which is usually sufficient for most deer hunting escapades. The glass in the rifle scope must be of high quality for accurate targeting of the deer. Look for rifle scopes that have a chromatic aberration minimizer so that the image that you see is sharp and clear.

Make sure that the lens is also multi-coated so that light can easily pass through. A hydrophobic coating is also preferred as the scope could easily get wet. An extra-low dispersion glass can provide higher resolution, great image quality, and increased color fidelity.

Durability

A rifle scope’s toughness is important for its intended purpose. Because these are ruggedly used in hunting, it should be able to accurately adjust even if it is subjected to scratches, hits, or blunt force. The scope must also not leak and be properly sealed throughout.

Eye Comfort

For maximum comfort while hunting, eye relief is something to consider. Rifles can recoil causing you to injure your eye if it the scope is too close. A buffer space of at least 3 inches from the eye is recommended in order to prevent injury and provide maximum eye relief.

How To Choose A Rifle Scope For Elk Hunting

Hunting elk is much better if you have a good functioning and clear rifle scope. As mentioned earlier, a rifle scope can cover varying ranges and increases your hunting potential. Elks are commonly fast with great senses such as hearing, smell, and sight. Rifle scopes offer you a great elk hunting experience when used correctly.

There are various types of rifle scopes available in the market right now. You should choose a rifle scope that’s appropriate for elk hunting. The way scopes work is based on their magnification power. If the scope has a great magnification power, then you will be able to see the target much closer.

Magnification Levels

The magnification plays an important role when elk hunting because of how far you are from the target. Be familiar with the magnification levels before choosing the scope. A 3 – 18x power unit can cover a wide variety of distances. Usually these are expensive but there are more budget friendly options available.

Magnification levels of 3-9x or 4-12x are good alternatives. If you are going to use the scope at really long ranges, large objective lenses are preferred. Larger objective lenses can gather more light to give you a better picture of your target.

Fixed Scope Magnification

An example with a magnification variety in a scope is the Fixed Scope type. These have a fixed magnification level. The magnification power cannot be changed. Before buying, make sure to select the most suitable unit that’s the most comfortable for you.

Variable Scope Magnification

For scopes that can change magnification, there are options such as the Variable Scopes. With these types of scopes, you will be able to change the magnification level while using your rifle. The Variable scope is also great if you want an extra dose of versatility and precision especially when elk hunting.

Night Vision Scopes

Because Elks are fast and nimble and can be even more at night, you may opt to use Night vision Scopes. These types of scopes can allow you to hunt elk, even in the dark, with accuracy.

Rifle Scope Brand

Another item that you should consider before buying a rifle scope is the brand of the scope. Be familiar with the brands available and check if that brand is popular and reliable. Don’t hesitate to buy from legitimate, reputable brands such as Vortex or Steiner. You can research how good the rifle scope brand by checking customer reviews as these usually give honest opinions about the scope you are considering.

The Scope’s Toughness

As mentioned above and we can’t overstate this, but the durability of the scope needs to be considered as well in determining what’s best for you elk hunting.

Anti-Reflection & Anti-Scratch Protection

Once again, elks are fast moving creatures, so you’d want to have a clear image while looking through your scope. There’s nothing worse than using a scope with glares and reflections on the view finder. A suggestion would be to look for a scope with an anti-reflective coating in order to prevent glares and reflections.

Another feature to look for in a rifle scope is for it to come with an Anti-scratch protection. These can prolong the service life of your scope as well as prevent smudges and dirt to accumulate on the lenses while you are using your rifle.

In Conclusion

As a serious hunter you would want the best gear that you can possibly get your hands on for your survival. Have this same mindset for your the rifle of your choice as well. Having a well-made rifle scope vs a cheap one on your rifle could be what makes the difference between you coming home with a winning trophy or not.

Additional Links And Information About Rifle Scopes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telescopic_sight