Rifle Scope Guide / Information

In our Rifle Scope Guide we have put together some information that should support sport shooters and hunters in choosing a suitable rifle scope. A good riflescope should match the weapon and intended use and have a minimum quality standard. Very cheap rifle scopes are often not bulletproof, which can lead to an error in the optics which in some cases is not always recognized. Missed shots are the result. A good rifle scope should also be waterproof and dustproof so that the shooter can rely on the information given by his target optics in every situation. This is the only way to achieve reliable precision.

Designations of a Rifle Scope

The designations on an example rifle scope 4-20x50 RD SFP 4C:

4-20: This is a 5x variable zoom scope (4 x 5 = 20), 4x magnification at the lowest setting, 20x magnification at the highest setting.

50: indicates the lens diameter in mm

RD: Red Dot, a rifle scope with switchable red illuminated dot (RGD: Red Green Dot with red and green illuminated dot, selectable)

SFP: Second Focal Plane, the reticle is in the 2nd focal plane (FFP: First Focal Plane, reticle in the 1st focal plane)

4C: the designation of the reticle used

Distance / magnification

The following information on the rifle scope magnification is for guidance only:

Distance / Magnification for sport shooting

Distance 25m: Magnification 6-10x

Distance 50m: Magnification 9-16x

Distance 100m: Magnification 12-24x

Long range up to 1000m: Magnification 24-50x

Distance / Magnification for hunting

Driven hunt: Magnification 1-6x

Stalking: Magnification 3-10x

Seat: Magnification 10-20x

Long range / mountain hunting: Magnification 16-30x

Quality Rifle Scope

As with reflex sights, it is crucial for a good riflescope that it meets the tough demands. High-quality branded riflescopes are usually all shooting-proof, even for large calibers. With very cheap riflescopes, caution is advised as the caliber increases. Even if the glass does not immediately fall out of the barrel, the adjustment can be slightly adjusted when the shot is fired without the shooter noticing. A nightmare for every sport shooter, because a good hit position is then almost impossible. For sport shooters who shoot at an illuminated target, a high light transmission is not crucial, so the diameter of the rifle scope should not be too large, 56mm tubes are intended for hunters who use the last light of dawn. In addition, the distance between the line of sight and the line of fire is relatively large, which has disadvantages when shooting at different distances and the weight of the target optics increases with its size.

Riflescope Reticle

The "reticle" replaces the crosshair in many rifle scopes, which was often used in rifle optics of older models. However, the crosshair is still used today in simple riflescopes. A crosshair consists of two threads stretched in a cross shape, mostly made of metal, which indicate the theoretical hit point to the shooter in their center. In modern target optics, the reticle is replaced by the reticle, which is engraved into one of the glass surfaces of the telescopic sight using laser technology. A good reticle should be clearly drawn, provide good orientation and yet not cover too much of the image. With Mil-Dot reticles, the distance to the target can also be estimated. Most reticles are standardized, but many manufacturers also like to use slight modifications of the standardized reticles in their target optics. We have put together a selection of the most popular reticles here.

Adjustment step of the reticle

The reticle adjustment step indicates the amount of adjustment at the target, at a distance of 100 m, in cm or MOA. For example, if the adjustment step of the reticle is 0.7 cm at 100 m, the hit point position at a distance of 100 m is shifted by 0.7 cm per click. When adjusting the windage in the horizontal line, when adjusting the height in the vertical. In the case of turrets with MOA subdivisions, the adjustment increment is indicated in whole, 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8 MOA.

The adjustment range of the reticle is also given in cm or MOA and describes the maximum range in which the reticle can be adjusted (again at a distance of 100 m). For example, if the adjustment range is 180 cm, the hit point position can be shifted 90 cm to the left or down and 90 cm to the right or up.

MOA (Minute of Angle)

MOA (Minute of Angle) describes the unit in which the horizontal / vertical tower adjustment (reticle adjustment) is standardized. The entire horizontal and vertical circumference is divided into 360 ° pieces, one of these degree pieces is now divided into 60 angular minutes. One MOA corresponds to one angular minute. The turret adjustments of telescopic sights subdivide this angular minute again into e.g. ½ MOA adjustment per click or ¼ MOA adjustment per click. The ¼ MOA adjustment per click is the finer division here and it is more suitable for long-range shots. Take a look at our MOA graphic.

Objective Diameter

A large lens diameter of 56 mm can capture a lot of light and is particularly suitable for hunting at dusk. For sport shooters who shoot in good lighting conditions, a large lens diameter is more of a hindrance because the larger the lens diameter, the larger the distance between the line of sight and the line of fire. This means that the riflescope has to be readjusted frequently when shooting at different distances.

1st and 2nd Focal Plane

All riflescopes have the reticle in the 1st (first focal plane [FFP]) or 2nd focal plane (second focal plane [SFP]). If the reticle is in the 1st image plane, the reticle and illuminated dot increase in size as the zoom factor increases. With riflescopes with a reticle in the 2nd image plane, the reticle and illuminated dot remain the same size when zooming.

Riflescope Twilight Number

The indication of the twilight factor for riflescopes is only a calculated value from the lens diameter and magnification. The twilight factor therefore does not provide any information about the quality of target optics or binoculars. Nevertheless, the value offers a good overview of what light output can be expected.

Riflescope light transmission

The light transmission describes the percentage of the captured light that is actually transferred by the rifle scope and gives a good overview of the quality of the built-in lenses and their compensation. In good lighting conditions, the light transmission values ​​are hardly significant, but when dusk falls, these values ​​also become more and more decisive for image quality. A rifle scope with high light transmission brings better contrasts and a clearer image, which can offer the decisive advantage when hunting in difficult lighting conditions. High-quality riflescopes such as the Meopta Optika6 5-30x56 achieve transmission values ​​of 91% in daylight and 88% in twilight (manufacturer information). Since the various manufacturers measure the transmission values ​​in a spectrometer at different wavelengths, the information on light transmission is not standardized and therefore not meaningful across manufacturers, but still gives a good starting point.

Parallax

Parallax (ancient Greek - parállaxis "change, moving back and forth") is the apparent displacement of the target object when the angle of view into the scope changes. A parallax error occurs when the target object is further away than the parallax freedom of the rifle scope. If the target is further away, the focus shifts in front of the reticle. In order to compensate for this as far as possible, there are target optics with parallax compensation, in which case the objective lens is mechanically shifted slightly backwards. The focal point is now exactly on the reticle again. However, the parallax compensation is noticeable with a higher price and also with a little more weight. In addition, not every shooter needs parallax compensation, newer telescopic sights are set to be parallax-free at a distance of around 100m to 150m by the manufacturer. If you want to shoot at targets at a shorter distance, you don't need a rifle scope with parallax compensation.

Quality Rifle Scopes

As with reflex sights, it is crucial for a good riflescope that it is bulletproof. High-quality branded riflescopes are usually all bulletproof, even for large calibers. With very cheap riflescopes, caution is advised as the caliber increases. Even if the glass does not immediately fall out of the barrel, the adjustment can be slightly adjusted when the shot is fired without the shooter noticing. A nightmare for every marksman, because a good hit position becomes almost impossible. For sport shooters who shoot at an illuminated target, a high light transmission is not crucial, so the diameter of the rifle scope should not be too large, 56mm tubes are intended for hunters who use the last light of dawn. In addition, the distance between the line of sight and the line of fire is relatively large, which has disadvantages when shooting at different distances and the weight of the target optics increases with its size.

Red Dot Sights

With red dot sights it is crucial that the red dot neither shines too strongly, i.e. fades, nor that it is poorly or not at all visible due to insufficient shine. In addition, the red dot sight, especially for outdoor use, should be robust and provided with a lotus coating which allows water droplets to roll off. In addition, an automatic switch-off is recommended to increase the service life of the battery. A red dot sight, just like rifle scopes, should be fireproof. The bullet resistance ensures that the target optics do not move when a shot is fired or that the built-in lenses are not dislodged.

How much does a scope cost?

Small telescopic sights with a lens diameter of 40 mm are available from around €200. Riflescopes under €200 usually do not keep what they promise, especially when they are mounted on recoil-strong firearms or are used outdoors. If you want to save money and shoot in good light conditions, you should consider a rifle scope with a small lens diameter, if you want to shoot at distances of less than 100 m, you do not need parallax compensation. An illuminated scope only offers advantages in poor visibility.

Reliable rifle scopes with a large lens diameter of 50 or 56 mm without illuminated reticle are available from around €400, high-end optics cost between €2,000 and €3,000, and some particularly high-quality rifle scopes cost up to €5,000.