Choosing a riflescope is not easy, and selecting the best telescopic scope for your rifle has become a science rather than a matter of preference. There are several features of a riflescope that affect both its accuracy and its suitability for your needs, and these can be split into two general headings: features relating to accuracy and those relating to construction.
This first article on the topic will focus on the major factors that affect the accuracy of your shooting, while the second, published under the title 'Rifle Scope Mounts', focuses on the physical aspect of mounting and other features that affect its solidity and lack of movement.
First, however, those design factors of a telescopic scope that enable you to hit the target more often and that are essential for those that require the highest accuracy in their shooting. Before you decide to purchase a riflescope you must first be certain of its use. A scope used for static target shooting up to 800 yards will offer different design features to one intended for shooting moving targets while hunting.
The optics you use with your rifle are frequently more important than the rifle itself, and true accuracy can generally only be achieved by matching a good telescopic scope with a well machined and constructed rifle. Here are some of the features to which you should pay particular attention when choosing a riflescope.
A. Magnification
While each of the features discussed here can be considered individually, it should be appreciated that each is worthless without the other, just as a F1 engine will be no good with the tires to hold the car on the road.
Many believe that the greater the magnification of a riflescope then the more accurate it will be. However, while this is true to certain extent, there are limitations and you have factors such as mirage, vibration and a narrow field of view that can reduce the accuracy of your shot. Taking each in turn,
a) Mirage
If you are shooting from say, 1,000 yards, you should generally find a 10x magnification good enough for an accurate shot. However, up to 16x might appear to offer greater accuracy with its greater magnification. This might sometimes be true, but if there is a difference in temperature between the ground and the air, then heat waves will form. These will be magnified by anything around or over 12x and the image will be distorted by a shimmering mirage of heat waves. Sometimes it is better to reduce the magnification, and this is one argument in favor of adjustable power.
b) Vibration
The higher the magnification of your telescopic scope, the more effect vibration will have and the greater the need for a stand for your rifle. This is not always possible, so again, a lower magnification can offer greater accuracy.
c) Field of View
Your field of view reduces with the magnification of your riflescope. If you are shooting at moving targets this can be a definite disadvantage so you have to drop below 10X.
Each of these presents a good argument for zoom power, although many argue against it because the moving parts leave the scope open to failure. Although this is theoretically true, on balance the above three problems render it more sensible to use a zoomed adjustable magnification rather than a fixed setting.
B. Objective Lens Dimensions
The larger diameter of the front objective lens, the more light it collects and the brighter is the target. This may be of advantage early morning and late evening, but there are disadvantages to a large diameter objective lens. One is the mounting: the wider the lens the higher the telescopic scope mounting has to be above the barrel. Not only that but they are bulkier.
Keep in mind that a large objective lens is only of benefit if the other lenses in the scope are of a good standard: the quality of image is set by the lowest quality lens. You will generally find that a 40 mm diameter lens suits most needs for hunting and target shooting.
C. Parallax and Adjustable Lenses
An entire article could be written on the topic of parallax, and any abbreviated explanation can at best only touch on the subject. To explain parallax, stand close to a clock and focusing on the minute hand check the time. Now move your head to the left still focusing on the minute hand, and you will see a different apparent time, in advance of the first. That is parallax.
If you move your head even slightly when aiming using a telescopic scope, the crosshairs will appear off-target and you will compensate accordingly - and miss! An adjustable objective lens enables you to eliminate or at least reduce parallax. This is only a problem with scopes of more than 10X, so is another argument in favor of sticking to 10X magnification for most uses. If you go for 12X or over be sure and have an adjustable ring at the front of the objective lens so you can reduce the effects of this problem. The setting will change with range.
D. Other Adjustments Available
There are other adjustment options available when choosing a riflescope, and if you really want to find the most accurate telescopic scope for your rifle you should check whether your possible choice has M.O.A (minute of angle) adjustment and B.D.C. (bullet drop compensators).
One MOA refers to about one inch in 100 yards, so if your shot is out by 0.5" you can adjust your riflescope by 0.5 MOA to compensate. BDC compensation can help you compensate for the weight of the bullet for a specific rifle, cartridge and air density, but that is only relevant for top professional marksmen.
For most, whether they are hunting or target shooting, a 10X riflescope should be sufficient for the accuracy they need, along with a 40mm objective lens and possibly an adjustable objective. You can then fine tune your telescopic scope using the other options to enable you to maximize your accuracy for your specific use.
Further details on the components of a good telescopic scope are available on http://www.riflescopes.webyshops.com/?leadsource=7 where you will also find information on how to select a telescopic scope to exactly meet your needs for accuracy.
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