Deciding between the many rifle scope options in the current marketplace can be challenging. There is an art to knowing how to choose a rifle scope. Since this process can have numerous twists and turns, it is important for those in the market for a new rifle scope to learn more. Let’s start by taking a closer look at the motivations of the modern firearm enthusiast:
Why a New Rifle Scope Is Needed
The simplicity that a scope provides is second to none. Instead of going through the typical difficulties associated with lining up iron sights, a scope or a red dot ensures much easier shooting for today’s enthusiasts. Metallic sights can be more challenging for the shooter, as they require us to line up the rear sight and the front sight with the target in question.
With the help of a scope, all that the shooter needs to do is line up the crosshairs with the target, and the rest takes care of itself. This is a great feature for those who are learning to shoot. Riflescopes are also helpful from a magnifying standpoint, allowing the target to appear much closer than it would have otherwise.
How To Come to the Right Decision
There is no reason to fall victim to the idea that you need the most powerful cartridges and scopes on the market. It’s the equivalent of purchasing an all-powerful nail gun when all you need to do is pound a nail or two to hang some picture frames. When marksmen are not properly informed, they will end up purchasing scopes and ammunition that far exceeds their actual needs.
For the average hunter, a 3-9x scope (also known as the 3-9×40) is more than sufficient for their needs. The power is low, so there is no risk of missing or wounding the game being hunted. The exit pupil and the field of view make close shots simple, while the nine power offers the necessary magnification when it comes time for the longer shots.
Looking for the top magnifications when searching for the right scope for hunting deer is a mistake. Less is more in these instances. Keep it simple and don’t purchase high-level magnifications that go beyond the realm of what is necessary. Those who are more experienced may have a good reason for wanting or needing features, but others are much better off asking how low the scope can go.
Lower powered scopes are perfectly fine for game hunting and can still shoot quite far. Shooting close with higher-powered scopes is actually far more difficult than expected, which many buyers do not take into account until it is too late. The field of view and the exit pupil are simply going to be too small in these instances. While a 4-12 or 4.4-14 scope magnification is still doable, a 3-9 magnification typically gets the job done with no issue.