There is always room to improve on your shot no matter how good you currently are; all you need is to invest in the right rifle scope. The process of choosing your scope is pretty straightforward, regardless of whether you are interested in a tactical, varmint, mid-range, or a safari. Nonetheless, you should note that the best scope that suits you is dependent on your typical hunt. As such, this read will explore the elements that you need to be on the lookout for when you are on the market for a new scope.
#1. Elevation and Windage Adjustment Dials
A top hunting scope should come equipped with a turret, better known as windage adjustment dial. The turret is covered with a cap and, therefore, the windage adjustment dial allows shooters to move bullets left or right. In the same light, it is important for your scope to have the elevation adjustment dial. The elevation dial is similar to a windage dial, except for the fact that it allows the shooter to move the impact of the bullet down or up.
#2. Eye Relief
Being smacked on your eyebrow due to recoil is not a pleasant thing to experience. As such, it is important to choose a rifle with ample eye relief. This is especially important if you use a larger caliber rifle for hunting. Such rifles tend to have harder recoils. A golden tip is to choose a rifle with an eye relief of at least 3”.
#3. Understand The Hunting Scope Reticles
Reticles evolved from the simple feature that is the crosshair. In this evolution, the crosshair has developed and evolved a great deal to be more than the simple crosshair lines that were used in the old days, hence reticles being a better description. Today the reticle used in scopes can feature dots, duplex, bullet drop compensation, or illumination.
All these types of reticles will work just fine. However, hunters typically will prefer one type of reticle over the other. As such, your eventual choice is dependent on your personal preference. Nonetheless, opt for reticles that have parallax error adjustment.
#4. Parallax Error Features That Enhance Your Shots’ Accuracy
For a better experience in as far as accurate shots are concerned, ensure that your scope has a parallax error adjustment features. A parallax error arises when the reticle moves with the slightest eye movement as you are looking through your scope and you have a good rest. When this error occurs, there is an increased potential to miss your shot, even when you are lined up perfectly on target. The parallax error adjustment features compensate for this action, therefore, negating your chances of missing.
#5. Safari Rifle Scopes
The best scope for safari hunting is a variable unit, low-power unit. Such a unit allows users to zone in on big games without necessarily getting too close.
#6. Varmint Shooting
It is pretty obvious that you should not use the same gun and indeed the same scope while varmint shooting as you would with safari shooting. When varmint shooting, opt for a scope ranging between 6 ½ and 20. Moreover, you should consider choosing a scope with side focus. Such a scope will have higher magnification that allows users to accurately hold steady on smaller targets.
#7. Rifle Scopes For Big Game
Mid-range scopes are the most popular rifle scopes, which are also perfect for big game hunting – deer and elk come to mind. This types of hunts require a variable scope that delivers a power ranging from 3 ½ and 10.
Adding any scope to your hunting gear increases the accuracy of your shot as you do not have to worry about lining up the rear and front sights before taking a shot. Follow the tips above when you choosing your rifle scope to improve your hunting experience. A scope will make you a better hunter as it lowers the burden of lining up your target making shooting easier, faster, and much more accurate.
Article Written By; Kevin Fleeman
