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.
At "score-your-hunting" we are about hunting skills. We know that it may take more skill to get closer and to use "iron" sights. BUT!
We believe scopes are safer
and help to make cleaner kills.
  Most hunters use scopes and we don't want to encourage hunting without them. Scopes score well with us. With so many scope models; some hunters don't know where to start. The first question is usually; "How much power?" Let's start with fixed power scopes, they are easier to talk about, although most scopes are variable power today. With optics you need a "balance"; nothing changes the "laws of optics". Read about:
Binoculars
Game Cameras
Wildlife Cameras
Lower powered scopes have many advantages:
Experienced hunters who hunt in dense woods will choose low power rifle scopes from 1-4x. They may need to shoot quickly, without a rest, and seldom have a long shot. Lower power means a wider field-of-view (how much you see) to find the target easily, especially at closer range. They are bright in low light, don't need a large objective lens (front end of the scope). They can mount low, be compact, and compliment short, light, rifles, or shotguns. The 4 power scope is great for most big game hunting. The 4x is the most versatile power (magnification), enough field-of-view, and light gathering (brightness). It can be compact, and mounted low. It will almost always work, but occasionally you want more field-of-view, or more power .
Most deer hunters don't
need more than 4x very often.
As the power goes up: we begin to compromise other attributes. The field-of-view decreases and focus becomes more limited. The image gets darker, or the scope needs 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. A scope's brightness can be determined simply by dividing the magnification into the size of the objective lens. Most adults eyes can only dilate to a maximum of about 5 mm. There is little advantage in having a scope brighter than that. 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 works out like this: 6x30, 8x40, 10x50, 12x60,... Some hunters like the scope to compliment the gun in size, use, and capability. Some hunters buy big powerful scopes just because they look powerful. Scope makers make what will 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 40 mm. 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:
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. A rifle with these sights is a joy to carry, lighter, and better balanced than with a scope attached. "Irons" still get the job done, especially at shorter range, but they may require more practice, and are more difficult to use in low light.
Rifle scopes allow you to see better, identify the target better, and you may shoot better/safer.
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