If you’ve ever stared at a website or stood in front of a shelf of scopes in a brick-and-mortar gun store trying to figure out the difference between lens sizes, magnification levels, or reticles, this one’s for you. Hunters have different needs from other shooters when it comes to choosing optics, and it can be a challenge to find the right one. But once you understand a few basic things about how optics work, it gets a lot easier.
Picking a Scope For Hunting
Choosing the correct riflescope for your hunt is a matter of taking various factors into consideration. You need to figure out a few things, like what your target animal is, approximately what distance you’ll be shooting from, and what environmental conditions you’ll be facing (yes, it matters). In addition, you need to consider issues like objective size, because not all rifle-and-rail setups can handle larger objective scopes without making some adjustments. Finally, there’s the matching of the caliber of your gun—meaning the G-force it generates—to the scope’s ability to handle it. It’s not unheard of for scopes to get wrecked by G-force, so you do need to pay attention to that little detail. There can always be more, but these are the general basics you need to figure out.
The Objective Lens
Let’s break down the objective lens in the simplest way possible. The objective lens on a riflescope is located within the objective bell. That’s the larger end of your scope that aims down-range. You can figure out the objective size of a scope by reading the numbers in its model name. For example, the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 Hunt Plex has a 40mm objective lens. While the first two numbers designate the magnification range, it’s the final number that tells you how big the objective lens is. On a hunting scope, it might be 20mm or as large as 50mm—that’s the high end—while on a long-range shooter’s scope, it’s more likely to be 50mm and up. Yes, a bigger objective is necessary for shooting true long range.
Understanding The Lens Better
What does it do? The objective lens gathers light, aiding in clarity and brightness. This might make it sound like bigger is always better, but that isn’t the case. A larger objective lens will indeed transmit more light. However, there’s a lot more that goes into a scope than just that one feature. Plus, when you increase magnification, you start losing that extra light transmission from your big objective.
This all matters because you’re typically better off as a hunter with a larger objective. That doesn’t mean it has to be 50mm. It does mean the 20mm on that LPVO isn’t likely to be ideal. One reason is that with a small objective, you’re going to have trouble seeing as shooting like ends, or if you’re in the woods in dim light. Larger objectives will gather light more effectively, allowing you to take ethical shots that a smaller objective won’t allow.
Bottom line: You don’t have to get a 50mm—and you might not even benefit from one—but you do want to keep it at 40mm or above. There are certainly exceptions to that rule—I’ve hunted with 20mm objectives—but generally speaking, it will serve you well to stick to the larger end. Usually, if I’m going with a smaller objective on a hunt, I’m not planning to hunt in low light or at the end of shooting light during deer season.
G-Force and Scopes
G-force is the measurement used to figure out how much recoil a scope can handle. It’s the gravitational force created by acceleration—in this case, recoil—and used by scope manufacturers to explain what calibers their products can withstand. You won’t find G-force to be a problem with most higher-end optics, but when you’re dealing with the more affordable models, it becomes a factor more frequently. My mantra is to always check what the manufacturers list as the scope’s G-force rating. Better to know in advance, and this is especially true if you like big bores.
G-force rating is often listed in the user’s manual. Sometimes it’ll be on the company’s website—although that isn’t common—and others you’ll be forced to contact customer service. Although this isn’t always a must, it is wise if you’re hunting with a big bore.
Tube Size On a Scope
The tube size of the scope doesn’t have much to do with light transmission—that’s a common point of confusion. What it does is affect how much wiggle room you have for adjusting elevation and windage. You’ll see a lot of 30mm tubes, and that’s a good thing because it’s a great size for a hunting optic. Smaller tubes, like those 1-inch in diameter, aren’t bad; they simply don’t offer as much adjustment.
Choosing Between First and Second Focal Plane for Hunting Scopes
Let’s preface this one by saying personal preference does come into play when choosing between a first focal plane (FFP) and a second focal plane (SFP) optic. The difference between the two types has to do with the reticle and how it responds to magnification changes. On an FFP scope, the reticle size moves along with the magnification. So, if you increase magnification, the reticle is going to get bigger, too. But if you have an SFP scope, the reticle won’t change size, no matter what you do.
Some hunters will tell you a hunting scope must be SFP, but that isn’t strictly true. Aside from personal preference, the conditions in which you’re hunting matter. An SFP scope shines in low-light situations where you’re likely taking closer shots. This is because the reticle is always large and visible, even at lower magnification, and you’ll also have better light transmission. In an FFP, the reticle will be much smaller at lower magnification, and it won’t gather light as well. If you’re strictly doing long-range hunting, an FFP might be great. But an SFP does offer many benefits for hunters, including versatility in an ever-changing situation.
Recommended Magnification for Hunting Scopes
The bare minimum magnification range for most hunting scopes is going to be 3-9x. That will usually be sufficient for deer hunting, the vast majority of which takes place within 100 yards. If you’re hunting at potentially greater distances or going on a mule deer hunt in open country, go bigger with something like a 4-16x. There aren’t a lot of circumstances in which you’ll need the truly high magnifications—think 7-35x—but it does happen on occasion. Figure out the distance at which you’ll be hunting, and go from there. You do need to be sure the lower end of the magnification range is low enough to work at your closest-range scenario, which is another reason not to get carried away.
READ MORE HERE: Burris Veracity PH 4–20×50 Review
The Best Hunting Scope
There’s no ideal hunting scope, but a few factors are largely true. You want a 40mm objective or larger, a 30mm tube, and a minimum magnification of 3-9x. And, of course, the scope has to withstand whatever caliber you’re shooting (don’t just assume it can, not if you’re running larger calibers). I always say it’s smarter to put money into a higher-quality scope than the rifle itself, and it is accurate. A low-quality scope will do far more damage to your hunt than a more affordably priced rifle. Invest in a good scope. You won’t regret it, and your hunts will be a lot more successful.
Take a look at Leupold’s long-range hunting optics here. Riton’s hunting optic line can be viewed here.
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