Rifle Scopes
Only a few years ago many hunters
were reluctant to use scopes.
Today rifle scopes are very popular.
What changed? The scopes! There was a time when open or peep sights were dependable, but hunting scopes were not. But that has changed, the scopes today, seldom fog up, or loose their accuracy.
The best rifle scope reviews show scopes with a good balance of power, eye relieve, field-of-view, brightness, size,... These were problems with early scopes.
Today, open or aperture sights still work, but a scope is often the best way to go.
Read about scope mounting.
We believe scopes are safer
and help to make cleaner kills.
Some hunters don't know how to start looking. With optics you need a balance of several factors to have a good versatile scope... It doesn't matter how much money your willing to spend it doesn't change the "laws of optics". The same is true for:
Binoculars,
Game Cameras, and
Wildlife Cameras
Lower powered scopes have many advantages:
Experienced hunters who hunt in dense woods use low power rifle scopes of less than 4x. They often need to shoot quickly, without a rest, and they seldom need more magnification for longer shots. Lower power allows you to get the crosshairs on a deer quickly. Lower magnification gives you a wider field-of-view (how much you see) and greater depth of field/focus (objects near and far appear sharp). Both are important when a deer is at close range. Low power does not magnify gun movement as much which can be important if you must take a quick shot without a rest. Good low power optics are clear and bright in early or late day low light. They don't need a large objective lens (front end of the scope). These scopes can usually be mounted low, are compact, and compliment short, light, rifles, or shotguns. A 4 power scope is all we really need for big game hunting about 90% of the time. The 4x is the most versatile power (magnification), it often has enough magnification, enough field-of-view, and plenty of light gathering (brightness). It can be compact, and mounted low. It will almost always work, but occasionally you may want more field-of-view, or more magnification. As the power goes up we must compromise other attributes. The field-of-view decreases and field of focus becomes more limited. The image gets darker, or the scope gets larger, needing a larger objective lens to maintain brightness. You should always steady your shot when possible, but as scope power goes up, or shots get longer, a rest becomes a necessity.
Brightness is simple, often misunderstood, even ignored, when shopping for optics.
Brightness makes a difference early or late in the day. An optic's brightness is determined by the light gathering ability of the objective lens. Simply divide the magnification into the size of the objective lens. Brightness does not come from some magical lens coating although that is important. Most adults eyes can only dilate to a maximum of about 5 mm. There is little advantage in having a scope with an exit pupil larger/brighter than 5mm. The size of the tube on most scopes is 20 mm. (20mm/4x =5mm) so until you pass 4x in power you don't even need an enlarged objective lens (the front end of the scope). The balance for optics with more magnification works out like this: 6x30, 8x40, 10x50, 12x60,... Some hunters like the scope to compliment or balance with the gun in size, use, and capability. Some hunters buy big powerful scopes just because they look big and powerful. Scope makers make scopes to sell!
For most big game hunting a 2-6x would be great, but the 3-9x is the most popular scope.
This could be because the deer rifle often serves as a varmint rifle also. The typical 3-9x rifle scope is about the same size and only slightly heaver than most 4x scopes. It will have an objective lens of about 30 mm., and if we turn the power up past 6x; it will begin to get dark, in low light. If you use your scope at more than 6x you may want a scope with a bigger objective lens. But! It will be somewhat big and bulky for some guns, and it must be mounted higher.
Some other thoughts on scopes and sights:
Money may buy a better built scope, a somewhat sharper image, but it can't change the laws of optics.Most experienced hunters keep their variable scope set on one of the lower powers (4x or lower) ready for a quick close shot. A long shot may allow enough time to get into a rested position, and turn the power ring up. Although fixed power rifle scopes are not as popular or versatile, they are simpler, can do the job, and some hunters still like them. A high magnification scope (which maintains a high quality image in low light) comes at a price. The price is a big, bulky, high-mounted scope. Iron sights, open sights, peep sights, still have a place.
1. As back-up sights if the scope fails.
2. A rifle with these simple sights is a joy to carry, lighter, and better balanced than with a scope attached.
3. Last second, emergency, instinctive shooting at a close up charging bear, lion, rino... may be easier without a scope.
Guides may not use rifle scopes because of reasons #2 & 3. Simple sights can still get the job done, especially at short range, but they may require more practice, and they are often more difficult to use in poor light.
Rifle scopes allow you to see better, identify the target better, and you may shoot better/safer.
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