Choosing a Riflescope - The Most Accurate Telescopic Scope For Your Rifle

Choosing a riflescope is not easy, and selecting thepower, although many argue against it because the
best telescopic scope for your rifle has become amoving parts leave the scope open to failure.
science rather than a matter of preference. ThereAlthough this is theoretically true, on balance the
are several features of a riflescope that affect bothabove three problems render it more sensible to use
its accuracy and its suitability for your needs, anda zoomed adjustable magnification rather than a fixed
these can be split into two general headings: featuressetting.
relating to accuracy and those relating toB. Objective Lens Dimensions
construction.The larger diameter of the front objective lens, the
This first article on the topic will focus on the majormore light it collects and the brighter is the target.
factors that affect the accuracy of your shooting,This may be of advantage early morning and late
while the second, published under the title 'Rifleevening, but there are disadvantages to a large
Scope Mounts', focuses on the physical aspect ofdiameter objective lens. One is the mounting: the
mounting and other features that affect its soliditywider the lens the higher the telescopic scope
and lack of movement.mounting has to be above the barrel. Not only that
First, however, those design factors of a telescopicbut they are bulkier.
scope that enable you to hit the target more oftenKeep in mind that a large objective lens is only of
and that are essential for those that require thebenefit if the other lenses in the scope are of a good
highest accuracy in their shooting. Before you decidestandard: the quality of image is set by the lowest
to purchase a riflescope you must first be certain ofquality lens. You will generally find that a 40 mm
its use. A scope used for static target shooting up todiameter lens suits most needs for hunting and target
800 yards will offer different design features to oneshooting.
intended for shooting moving targets while hunting.C. Parallax and Adjustable Lenses
The optics you use with your rifle are frequentlyAn entire article could be written on the topic of
more important than the rifle itself, and true accuracyparallax, and any abbreviated explanation can at best
can generally only be achieved by matching a goodonly touch on the subject. To explain parallax, stand
telescopic scope with a well machined andclose to a clock and focusing on the minute hand
constructed rifle. Here are some of the features tocheck the time. Now move your head to the left still
which you should pay particular attention whenfocusing on the minute hand, and you will see a
choosing a riflescope.different apparent time, in advance of the first. That
A. Magnificationis parallax.
While each of the features discussed here can beIf you move your head even slightly when aiming
considered individually, it should be appreciated thatusing a telescopic scope, the crosshairs will appear
each is worthless without the other, just as a F1off-target and you will compensate accordingly - and
engine will be no good with the tires to hold the carmiss! An adjustable objective lens enables you to
on the road.eliminate or at least reduce parallax. This is only a
Many believe that the greater the magnification of aproblem with scopes of more than 10X, so is another
riflescope then the more accurate it will be. However,argument in favor of sticking to 10X magnification for
while this is true to certain extent, there aremost uses. If you go for 12X or over be sure and
limitations and you have factors such as mirage,have an adjustable ring at the front of the objective
vibration and a narrow field of view that can reducelens so you can reduce the effects of this problem.
the accuracy of your shot. Taking each in turn,a)The setting will change with range.
MirageIf you are shooting from say, 1,000 yards, youD. Other Adjustments Available
should generally find a 10x magnification good enoughThere are other adjustment options available when
for an accurate shot. However, up to 16x mightchoosing a riflescope, and if you really want to find
appear to offer greater accuracy with its greaterthe most accurate telescopic scope for your rifle you
magnification. This might sometimes be true, but ifshould check whether your possible choice has M.O.A
there is a difference in temperature between the(minute of angle) adjustment and B.D.C. (bullet drop
ground and the air, then heat waves will form. Thesecompensators).
will be magnified by anything around or over 12x andOne MOA refers to about one inch in 100 yards, so if
the image will be distorted by a shimmering mirage ofyour shot is out by 0.5" you can adjust your
heat waves. Sometimes it is better to reduce theriflescope by 0.5 MOA to compensate. BDC
magnification, and this is one argument in favor ofcompensation can help you compensate for the
adjustable power.b) Vibrationweight of the bullet for a specific rifle, cartridge and
The higher the magnification of your telescopicair density, but that is only relevant for top
scope, the more effect vibration will have and theprofessional marksmen.
greater the need for a stand for your rifle. This is notFor most, whether they are hunting or target
always possible, so again, a lower magnification canshooting, a 10X riflescope should be sufficient for the
offer greater accuracy.c) Field of Viewaccuracy they need, along with a 40mm objective
Your field of view reduces with the magnification oflens and possibly an adjustable objective. You can
your riflescope. If you are shooting at moving targetsthen fine tune your telescopic scope using the other
this can be a definite disadvantage so you have tooptions to enable you to maximize your accuracy for
drop below 10X.your specific use.
Each of these presents a good argument for zoom