A rifle scope has several essential settings which allow the user to account for factors such windage, elevation, and parallax correction. While they may sound technical, they are not complicated. Let’s take a look at what each one means:

More info acr bushmaster

Windage refers to sideways adjustment, used to account for wind drift. As the bullet travels toward the target, wind can push it slightly off course, so you tweak the windage knob to account for that drift.

Elevation refers to vertical adjustment, to make up for that pesky gravity causing bullets to arc downwards over long distances. Just dial it up to aim a little higher so that your shot stays on target, even from my distance.

Parallax is the tiny difference between where the reticle crosshair appears to be versus where it actually is. It can throw off accuracy if your eye isn’t perfectly centered.

How to Choose the Best Rifle Scopes

Purpose of Use

Picking the perfect scope for your needs means that you have to keep your specific situation and preferences in mind.

Planning on being a long range sniper? You’ll need a holdover reticle that estimates bullet drop and windage at varying distances. How about close range hunting in heavy bush and forests? A lower fixed magnification will help you acquire and track moving targets.

A general purpose rifle calls for a jack-of-all-trades second focal plane (SFP) scope. The reticle offers a sharp view even at lower magnifications for those up close and personal shots.

First focal plane (FFP) scopes have reticles that scale up/down with magnification changes. Very handy for long range precision shooters tracking tiny aim point differences.

Magnification Needs

A scope’s magnification level is the number followed by an x like 3x or 6x. It plays a key role in rifle scope selection. But what zoom factor is right for you? It depends.

If you’re a hunter who mostly takes shots less than 100 yards or so, a very low power scope in the 1-4x range should meet your needs. This allows for a wide field of view to quickly pick up and track critters on the move.

For medium range shots from 100-400 yards, a variable power scope in the 4-9x magnification range lets you zoom in reasonably close while still allowing a decent field of view when dialed back down.

Long range shooters going 400+ yards will appreciate higher powered scopes, 9x or greater. At those distances, maximum magnification and narrow fields of view are ideal to see tiny details and adjustments.

Consideration of Reticle Type

When picking the perfect reticle for your scope, there’s a few things to keep in mind based on the type of hunting you plan to do:

Long-distance shots: If long-distance shots are in your future, you’ll want to consider a BDC reticle. These markers are calibrated to estimate holdover positions at common hunting ranges, like 200, 300, 400 yards and beyond, to help compensate for bullet drop.

Faster target acquisition: If you’re all about faster target acquisition at shorter ranges though, a basic duplex or crosshair reticle may be a better fit. Less aiming clutter and quicker aiming can make a difference when a deer or predator pops out of nowhere at close quarters.

Durability and Weather Resistance

In all likelihood, you’ll extensively test your rifle scope in the field, so ensuring its ability to withstand rough conditions is crucial. In two words, it needs to be tough and resistant to weather.

Look for aircraft-grade aluminum construction on the scope tube for lightweight strength. We’re talking waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof too thanks to tight o-ring seals and special gas purging. No moisture or dust sneaking inside to muck up your view. Some high-end scopes even have special coatings to resist scratches, dirt, oil, and sun glare.