If you are a shooting enthusiast, you know how important it is to select the right riflescope for your firearm. A riflescope is a device that enhances your shooting accuracy and performance by magnifying and aiming at your target. However, with so many options available in the market, how do you choose the best one for your needs? In this blog post, we will guide you through the basics of riflescopes, the factors to consider when choosing one, and the practical tips for buying one. We will also share some statistics about the global riflescopes market size, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 5.3% in the forecast period of 2024-2032 to reach a value of around USD 10.70 billion by 2032.
Understanding Riflescope Basics
Before you start shopping for a riflescope, you need to understand what it is and how it works. A riflescope is a type of telescopic sight that attaches to the top of your rifle and allows you to see your target more clearly and precisely. A riflescope consists of three main components: the objective lens, the tube, and the eyepiece. The objective lens is the front lens that gathers light and forms an image of the target. The tube is the body of the riflescope that contains the internal lenses and the reticle. The reticle is the crosshair or dot that indicates where the bullet will hit. The eyepiece is the rear lens that magnifies the image and allows you to focus on the target.
When choosing a riflescope, you need to pay attention to some key terminologies that describe its features and specifications. The most important ones are:
Magnification: This is the degree to which the riflescope enlarges the image of the target. It is usually expressed as a range, such as 3-9x, which means that the riflescope can magnify the image from 3 times to 9 times. The higher the magnification, the more detail you can see, but also the narrower the field of view and the more sensitive to movement and vibration.
Objective lens size: This is the diameter of the front lens, measured in millimeters. It determines how much light the riflescope can gather and how bright the image will be. The larger the objective lens size, the brighter the image, but also the heavier and bulkier the riflescope.
Reticle types: This is the shape and design of the crosshair or dot that helps you aim at the target. There are many types of reticles, such as duplex, mil-dot, BDC, and illuminated. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the shooting situation and preference.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Riflescope
Now that you have a basic understanding of riflescopes, you need to consider some factors that will help you narrow down your options and find the best one for your needs. The most important factors are:
Purpose of use: What kind of shooting do you do? Are you a hunter, a target shooter, or a tactical operator? Different types of shooting require different types of riflescopes. For example, if you are a hunter, you might want a riflescope that has a low to medium magnification, a large objective lens size, and a reticle that is easy to see in low-light conditions. If you are a target shooter, you might want a riflescope that has a high magnification, a small objective lens size, and a reticle that is precise and adjustable. If you are a tactical operator, you might want a riflescope that has a variable magnification, a medium objective lens size, and a reticle that is compatible with your ballistic calculator.
Magnification range: How far do you shoot and how big is your target? The magnification range of your riflescope should match the shooting distance and the target size. For example, if you shoot at close to medium range (up to 300 yards) and your target is relatively large (such as a deer), you might want a riflescope that has a magnification range of 1-4x or 2-7x. If you shoot at long range (over 500 yards) and your target is relatively small (such as a bullseye), you might want a riflescope that has a magnification range of 10-20x or higher.
Matching Riflescope Features with User Needs
Once you have determined your purpose of use and your magnification range, you can start looking for riflescopes that have the features that suit your needs. Some of the features that you should pay attention to are:
Long-range shooting: If you are a long-range shooter, you need a riflescope that has a high magnification, a large objective lens size, and a reticle that is calibrated for your bullet drop and wind drift. Turret adjustments can be either capped or exposed, and either MOA or MRAD. Capped turrets are protected by covers and are less likely to be accidentally moved, but they are also harder to access and adjust. Exposed turrets are easy to access and adjust, but they are also more prone to being bumped or knocked off. MOA and MRAD are units of measurement that indicate how much the reticle moves per click of the turret. MOA stands for minute of angle, and MRAD stands for milliradian. One MOA is equal to 1.047 inches at 100 yards, and one MRAD is equal to 3.6 inches at 100 yards. The choice between MOA and MRAD is mostly a matter of preference and familiarity.
Hunting: If you are a hunter, you need a riflescope that has a low to medium magnification, a large objective lens size, and a reticle that is easy to see in low-light conditions. You also need a riflescope that is compact, lightweight, and durable. You might want a riflescope that has an illuminated reticle, which is a reticle that has a battery-powered light source that makes it more visible in dark environments. However, an illuminated reticle also adds weight and complexity to the riflescope, and might not be legal in some areas. You might also want a riflescope that has a parallax adjustment, which is a feature that eliminates the apparent movement of the reticle relative to the target when you move your eye position. Parallax adjustment can be either a side focus knob or an adjustable objective ring. Parallax adjustment is more important for high-magnification riflescopes, but it can also be useful for low-magnification riflescopes, especially when shooting at close range.
Researching and Comparing Riflescope Options
After you have identified the features that you need in a riflescope, you can start researching and comparing different riflescope options that meet your criteria. Some of the sources that you can use are:
Manufacturer specifications and product descriptions: These are the official information that the riflescope makers provide about their products. They usually include technical details, such as the magnification range, the objective lens size, the reticle type, the turret adjustments, the weight, the length, and the price. They also usually include some marketing claims, such as the quality, durability, clarity, and performance of the riflescope. You should use these sources to get a general idea of the riflescope features and functions, but you should also be aware of the possible exaggerations and biases.
User reviews and expert opinions: These are the feedback and comments that the riflescope users and experts provide about their experiences and evaluations of the products. They usually include the pros and cons, the strengths and weaknesses, the likes and dislikes, and the recommendations of the riflescope. They also usually include some personal stories, anecdotes, and tips that can be helpful and insightful. You should use these sources to get a realistic and diverse perspective of the riflescope quality and performance, but you should also be aware of the possible subjectivity and inconsistency.
Practical Considerations for Buying a Riflescope
Finally, after you have researched and compared different riflescope options, you can make your final decision and buy the riflescope that best suits your needs. However, before you do that, you should also consider some practical aspects that can affect your satisfaction and enjoyment of the riflescope. Some of the practical considerations are:
Testing optics in person when possible: Although you can learn a lot from online sources, nothing can replace the experience of seeing and feeling the riflescope in person. If you have the opportunity, you should visit a local store or a shooting range and test the optics of the riflescope that you are interested in. You should check the clarity, brightness, contrast, the color, and the distortion of the image. You should also check the ease, the comfort, the convenience, and the accuracy of the adjustments. You should also compare the riflescope with other similar models and see which one you prefer.
Checking warranty and customer support options: A riflescope is a complex and delicate device that can malfunction or break due to various reasons, such as manufacturing defects, accidental damage, or normal wear and tear. Therefore, you should check the warranty and customer support options that the riflescope maker offers. You should look for a riflescope that has a long and comprehensive warranty that covers most of the possible issues and defects. You should also look for a riflescope that has a reliable and responsive customer support that can help you with any questions or problems that you might have.
