10 Tips to Make Sure You Don’t Make a Mistake When Choosing a Scope For Hunting?

It can be said that today the use of the rifle scope has become so widespread among big game hunters that very few still shoot with open sights, even for short shots or cutters. To save you some time I am suggesting to read this great guide on Best Scope for AR 15 under $100 to make sure that you’re choosing one of the best scopes on the market for an affordable price.

1. It can be said that one of the greatest advantages of the rifle scope lies in being able to shoot at a greater distance and with more certainty, as the magnifying power brings us closer to the animal, i.e. we see it bigger, so it is theoretically easier to aim at a specific point.
2. The advantage of fixed magnification rifle scopes is that they are cheaper than variable ones and, above all, more robust. On the negative side, they are less versatile than the variables. As for your choice, four or six magnifications are ideal. For hunting, we will opt for 4x, while for stalking, 6x is more suitable. In terms of luminosity, from 32 millimetres in diameter for hunting to 40 millimetres or more for stalking. Another advantage is that they are usually lighter, more compact and with less bell than the variable ones, which makes possible low mounts that facilitate a quick facing and alignment on the target.
3. There are two types of variable magnification rifle scopes, the American ones, designed mostly for stalking, and the European ones, more suitable for our way of hunting (hunting and stalking with low light). This is theoretical, since nowadays German and Austrian companies manufacture models for the United States market, and American manufacturers design models for the European market only. The European scopes are usually more luminous, with a diameter of 30 millimetres, although lately there are also 35 and even 40 millimetres, while the American ones used for daytime scopes (they don't wait at night) are usually inches (25.4 millimetres).

4. European hunters, who used scopes long before the Americans, developed one that, by its design, achieves a compromise between luminosity and magnification that allows it to succeed in hunting and stalking. It is the venerable 1.5-6x42. With 1.5 magnification we can shoot with the advantages of the rifle scope (only two planes), but keeping practically the same field as with the open sights. By increasing the magnification we can shoot further and further, up to the maximum, 6x. To many people this may seem like a low magnification, when in fact it is amply sufficient and less sensitive to any vibration (finger pull on trigger, breathing, nerves, pulse, etc.) that makes the cross shake on the target. The objective, of good quality, treated to avoid parasitic lights, of 42 millimetres in diameter, is sufficient for a more than acceptable transmission of light, even for lying down in low light or waiting at night.

5. For raids and mounts, not much magnification should be used, paying greater attention to controlling a wide field of vision. Ideally, the diameter of the front lens or objective should not be too large so that the mount is low and can be quickly addressed. Very bright viewfinders are also not necessary, as we usually have enough light. A rifle scope must be short and light, like Weihrauch HW100 rifle with a lightweight scope reviewed by Alpha Militaria. Otherwise, the scope just becomes a hindrance rather than an aid.

6. Another alternative is the red dot, holographic and other displays, most of them without magnification. These are small, lightweight and you only need to superimpose the floating point on the animal to hit the target. They are very fast and allow you to shoot on the run in low light, as well as shoot with both eyes open, controlling the entire field of vision.

7. he rifle scopes for the roe deer stalking, when this is done at dawn or at sunset, with little light and often with fog, must be very bright, that is to say, they must have a lot of bell (large objective). These scopes are, of course, larger and heavier - and also more expensive - than those used in hunting or raiding. For bawling deer, mouflon and fallow deer you do not need so many visors, but you can use the same one. The rifle scope for high mountain stalking also has its requirements, as it has to have many magnifications in order to be able to shoot up to 200 or 300 metres and even more. Ideally, it should have drop and parallax correction, as well as a good-sized bell. The main thing about this rifle scope is that it is light, otherwise it would become a major burden during the long hours of climbing.

8. For night time waiting, it is normal to carry an illuminated rifle scope, although in this case, not much magnification is required, as the shooting distances are short and even very short. If we use some luminous device (focus, flashlight, etc.) it will not be necessary that the viewfinder is luminous, except perhaps for the moment just before the shot.

9. We can choose between many types of reticle, although the best ones are, in my opinion, the one with three thick sticks (German I) and even the Duplex (cross with fine cross in the middle), which is the most used in Spain. The best one, also in my opinion, is the Duplex. There are reticles (according to their location in the viewfinder) that increase in thickness with the magnifications (in the first focal plane), and others that stay the same size (in the second focal plane). Be careful with the ones that increase, because they can cover a distant target or make it difficult to aim. We will also find totally or partially illuminated reticles, being able to regulate the intensity or even use the viewfinder with the reticle off (black cross).

10. A lot of importance is given to the rifle scopes and little to the frames, however, some bad frames become a source of problems. Many people prefer removable mounts to prevent damage to the rifle scope during transport. One drawback is that, however good they may be, they always have some play to allow for the 90º rotation inherent in the mount. Over time, this play can become slack, requiring periodic adjustments. There are also German type 'claw' mounts, but they are usually very expensive and their assemblies are complicated. The lower the mounts, the better, at least for fast shooting, as for lying down we will have more time to position ourselves and, if necessary, to slightly stretch the neck to center the view. There are Weaver-type rail mounts, although they can be removed without problems, with which you can make fixed, low and very resistant mounts, as well as cheap ones.