I’m sure you’ve heard this gem a time or two from whoever
taught you how to shoot a gun: “The only things a good gun owner will ever need
to purchase is ammunition. There’s no need for extra bells and whistles!” This
statement reflects a fairly common belief held by some of the more
old-fashioned gun enthusiasts out there. These rifle virtuosos have handled
firearms since their youth, tinkering here and there with very few other guns
than the one that their father or grandfather gave them as a rite of passage
into manhood. Such hunters and professional target shooters know their rifle
like the back of their hand, needing only the built-in sight to make their
highly accurate shots! My father is someone who fits this description well and
is the one responsible for the quote above.

But he’s very much wrong, ladies and gentlemen.

While it’s true that any gun can enjoy a long and fulfilling life so long as its owner takes care of it, utilizing the built-in sight alone will only get you so far when it comes to hunting. This fact becomes even more glaring when you consider your hunting style. Not everyone wants to get up close to the action, and not everyone wants to rely on camouflage to attract their prey. Some hunters prefer taking the long distance approach, as it allows them a bit more breathing room without the fear of scaring any deer or turkeys off. Obviously, spotting prey from a long distance can’t really be done with sights alone.

That’s why long range hunting rifle scopes are so necessary! But how does one go about choosing the perfect scope for their rifle?

How
Do Long Range Scopes Work?

Before we get into how you’d pick the perfect scope for your rifle, we need to take a moment to briefly review the most important characteristics of a good hunting scope. If this is the first time you’re buying a long range scope, it is essential that you do your research beforehand. If you don’t, you may purchase an incompatible scope for your rifle. Some basic parts on long range scopes include:

Objective Lens – The objective lens is the telescope-like glass at the front of the scope. You look into it whenever you spot a target worth your
bullet’s time. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that this is the most notable
part of your scope, but there is more than meets the eye to the objective lens.
Pun totally intended, by the way.

When shopping for a long range scope, try not to get one
that’s too big. With newbies hunters, you may find they frequently see a scope
with a huge, gigantic lens and think to themselves, “Look at that! A big lens!
That’ll help me see things very easily!” This is not true. All that a big lens
is gonna give you is a workout…because they make scopes heavy. Do not fall
for this deception–your image can easily be improved by adjusting your magnification level!

Magnification Levels – Also known as the zoom feature of a scope. There are two operative types of magnification systems that are typically implemented on hunting rifle scopes. Fixed magnification levels refer to scopes containing one zoom level. Variable magnification levels, on the other hand, have multiple zoom options.

Which magnification type is the best, you ask? Honestly,
that completely depends on your preference. Fixed magnification levels are good
for those of you looking to hunt from a not-too-specific distance, but still
within a range (far, close, midway, etc). Variable magnification settings give
you much more control over your sight, in the case there’s a very specific
location you want to “make house” at during your hunt. Plus it works from those
with shoddy eyesight…so the ability to freely adjust your magnification is a
real lifesaver.

What Additional Details Do I Need to Consider When Picking A Long Range Scope?

First thing’s first, it is essential that you keep the overall
quality of the lens in mind at all times. Most sporting goods stores will
let you test out the scopes firsthand, so the lens is the first thing you
should check before making a decision. When you put your eye up to the lens,
can you see anything? How clear is your picture? Do you have to strain your
eyes at all? If you answered “yes”, “very”, and “not at all” to these
questions, then that scope has successfully passed the first round of consumer
interrogation!

For those of your ordering scopes online, the best advice I
can give is do your homework on the available options. You can read reviews
from other buyers, look up Youtube videos demonstrating the products, or you
can go on a hunting forum and ask for recommendations. It might be more of a
gamble when purchasing your scope, but it’s one that can be in your favor if you’re careful.

Another super important feature that you need to thoroughly
evaluate is the reticle marks and positioning. You know those little
marks inside your lens that may or may not remind you of a James Bond film
intro? Those are your scopes reticles, and they should be very bold in texture
(meaning they should be very easy to see). Vertical marks help with bullet drop
compensation and horizontal marks help with wind compensation.

There are two possible focal planes that can help with your
positioning. Each focal plane coincides with the different magnification types.
As such, the one associated more with variable magnification is more accurate
because it’s easier to adjust. As for the focal plane closely related to the
fixed system, it’s caught in a neverending stasis. It won’t move unless you
move!

Now that you know a bit about what to look for in long range hunting scopes, good luck shopping!
Check more comprehensive article from LBrenzy at Ellettbrothers.