How to choose the right Rifle Scope
Since Rifle Scopes are an investment, you will need to make sure that you choose the right scope for your weapon. Just like your air-rifle, each scope will have a different application. If you want to significantly improve your accuracy, choosing the right rifle scope for your gun and your purposes will make all the difference. In short, a scope isn’t just a scope and any scope can’t simply be used on any rifle.
There are several factors to look at when choosing Rifle Scopes. No one scope is perfect for every job, so by understanding what you should look for, you can better understand which scope will best help you accomplish what you need to. Here are some of the considerations for you to take in when buying Rifle scopes.
1. Riflescope magnification and field of view
These two factors are interlinked. Rifle Scopes with lower magnification will have a larger field of view, which makes them good for shooting at closer ranges, whereas higher magnification scopes are better for sighting targets that are further away. However with the extra magnification will come a loss of field of view and a darker image. So when you are choosing an Riflescope it is important to consider how far and what type of shooting you will be doing.
2. High power vs low power
A common mistake when choosing Rifle Scope is to get one far more powerful than is needed. More power doesn't necessarily mean better shooting. Keep in mind that having extra capability is nice, but high magnification scopes are usually quite a bit heavier and bulkier and the extra size add complexity for the shooter. And, as always, purpose matters! High magnification scopes are often unsuitable for medium and short-range work because the field of view is narrower than it would be on a low power scope.
3. Diameter of the scope’s objective lens aperture
The objective lens is on the end of the scope farthest from the rifle's stock, it’s job is to allow in as much light as possible to improve brightness. A larger aperture will allow more light in and thus allows the shooter to see a little further. However, the larger it is, the heavier the scope will be in general, and there is the possibility of having it interfere with mounting. So you will need to think about the size of your Rifle when you are purchasing Rifle Scopes.
Main Body or Tube diameter
This also has a bearing on light transmission and ease of reticle alignment between eye, ocular and target. Remember; the clearer the target the more accurate shot placement will be !
4. Rifle Scope mounting suitability
Some Rifle Scopes are fitted to the weapon with dovetail mounts whereas some use weaver mounts, before you waste time and money on buying a scope make sure you know which type your Rifle needs. If the scope mounts you purchased have a stop pin, the pin goes in the hole to prevent the entire mount and scope from creeping back on you when shooting. If there are no holes provided, then you can install a scope stop near the rear of the dovetail that will provide that function for you.
5. Rifle Scope Reticles
The reticles A.K.A the crosshairs on your scope, usually consist of one vertical and one horizontal line, but for an airgun user there are a few optical reticles to pay attention to when shopping for an Rifle Scope. The standard duplex is sufficient for most plinking and even target shooting, whereas Rifle Scopes with dotted reticles can be used to aid shooters in adjusting for longer range shooting when significant bullet drop begins to happen.
The ASO Verreaux MTAC
6. Focal Plane
What is the effect of first focal plane or FFP?
- The reticle and target shares the same 1:1 magnification ratio in other words a mil at 2,5 x Magnification is a mill at 20 or 30 x Magnification and therefore it is not needed to adjust to accommodate for a difference in scale
- Because of this 1:1 relationship the reticle will become coarser and a reticle designed to compensate for this is desirable.
Now that you are equipped with the knowledge to make a good decision, you can visit www.airgunnut.co.za and visit our Rifle Scopes section to make your next purchase.
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