Choosing A Great Rifle Scope

By Author: Keith Thompson
Total Articles: 11
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Finding the best rifle scope for yourself can be nearly as
challenging as stalking the prey itself. With so many
choices and so many options, it's sometimes difficult to
line up a target. This article will help first of all define
the options and choices you have, and give you a plan for
finding the best rifle scope to buy.

Ultimately the function of any scope is to help aim, give
you an idea of distance to the target, and make acquisition
easier. The best rifle scopes are high-quality, precision
instruments, very light, rugged and with outstanding optics.
To do that there are several features a good rifle scope
must possess. In no particular order, here they are. Not
directly related to the scope, but crucial nonetheless is
your mount. If your scope isn't securely mounted, with no
opportunity to move, then you're asking for problems. It's
worth it to make sure you have a solid, superbly-aligned
mount on which to place your great new scope.

Other factors to consider would be the image and it's
quality. There are several things ...
... to think about in this
regard. It's just vital that the optics deliver as much
light as possible to the eyepiece. The more light you have
to work with, the sharper the resolution and eventually the
shot. This is one reason why larger objective lens scopes
(50mm) have become more popular recently, as the larger the
light gathering capability, the more you have to work with.
Lens quality is a huge issue, too, and can be detected by
any distortion visible around the edges. Lens coatings are
applied to quality optics to reduce reflection causing glare
and help gather light for a crisper, brighter image. Don't
buy a lens that's not at least multi-coated.

Adjustment capability is also important. A good scope will
have little or no movement of the reticle, nor should it.
You don't want your aim reference point changing from one
shot to the next. Check for Parallax error as well. This is
when slight changes in eye position change the aim of the
scope. You can expect most quality rifle scopes to be
parallax error-free to 100 yards. Magnification of the
target image is another item to consider. If you're hunting
with a very powerful gun over a great distance this may be
something you would want. Most the time however you don't
want any magnification, as it fiddles with your natural
ability to reckon distance drop.

Finally make sure the scope you buy is watertight; sealed
tight as a drum, and totally fogproof. Keeping these things
in mind while you're search for a new rifle scope will help
you save money, heartache, and missed shots!


About the Author Keith Thompson is the webmaster at