There are a great variety of rifle scopes, intended for various types of shooting. Hunting scopes, target shooting scopes, limited light scopes and variable magnification scopes are only a few of the variations to choose from. What type of scope is best for you depends on the shooting you intend to do.
Instructions
1. Compare by fixed vs. variable. Some scopes offer a fixed magnification, but most scopes have a variable magnification feature that allows the shooter to adjust the amount he zooms in to his target area. If your shooting is generally at a consistent range, a reliable fixed magnification is appropriate, but for most hunting situations, when game can be either near you or far away, a variable magnification is preferable.
2. Compare by magnification. The magnification also varies from weapon to weapon. Most variable magnification scopes are 3X-9X, that is, they can be adjusted to magnify the target area from three times to nine times magnification. This is suited for shooting from 100 to 400 yards, which is sufficient for most hunting. Some long range hunting, such as elk and antelope, offers longer shots. For longer hunting, you may want to increase magnification to 12X or 15X.
3. Compare by aperture. Scopes have different width. The hunting standard is 22mm to 44mm. A larger aperture allows more light, which can make a longer shot easier. Smaller apertures offer better definition at shorter range.
4. Compare by reviews. The simplest way to check a scope's overall quality is to read reviews of the product at a consumer review website or magazine, such as Consumer Reports.
Tags: variable magnification, fixed magnification, magnification scopes, most hunting, target area, variable magnification scopes