Good Scopes for Beginners
So, you’ve just got your first rifle, or maybe you’ve been shooting iron sights for years and are finally ready to give your aging eyes a break with a scope. You’re probably confused and overwhelmed with all the possible options you can pick for the fancy glass to put on your rifle. Either way, you’re in the right place. We’re going to walk you through the basics of choosing a scope that fits your needs, without all the confusing jargon.
Before you even think about buying a scope, it’s important to know what your rifle can do. A long-range scope on a short-range rifle doesn’t make much sense, just like putting a scope made for close quarters on a rifle built for long shots. What you plan to do with your rifle—whether it’s hunting, target shooting, or tactical use—should guide your choice of optic.
Types of Optics
Scopes come in two main flavors: red dots and riflescopes.
- Red Dots: These are non-magnified sights that run on batteries and are perfect for quick, close-range shooting. Think of them like a super-precise laser pointer—you just put the dot on your target and pull the trigger.
- Riflescopes: These are magnified, meaning they bring distant targets closer to your view. They’re what you’ll use for medium to long-range shooting.
Magnified Optics
Magnified scopes are a bit more complex:
- Traditional Riflescopes: These can have either a fixed magnification (like 4x or 6x, meaning the target looks 4 or 6 times closer) or a variable magnification (like 2-6x or 4-12x). These days, most people prefer variable scopes because they give you more flexibility.
- LPVOs (Low Power Variable Optics): These start at 1x, which is basically no magnification, and can go up to 4x, 6x, or even 10x. LPVOs are great because they can handle both close-up and mid-range shots, giving them a lot of versatility.
- Scout Scopes: These are specialized scopes that are mounted further forward on the rifle, giving you more peripheral vision. They’re not for everyone, but they’re great for certain types of rifles and shooting situations.
Rail Positions and Eye Relief
Where you mount your optic on your rifle matters. This is important because it affects something called eye relief, which is the distance from your eye to the scope. Get this wrong, and you could end up with a blurry view or even a scope bumping into your face after a shot, possibly causing the dreaded “scope eye.”
There are three main rail positions:
- Standard Rail: The most common spot, right on top of the rifle’s receiver.
- Scout Rail: This one’s further forward, near the middle of the rifle, and is typically used for scout scopes.
- Canted Rail: This is mounted at an angle to the standard rail and is usually used for backup sights or red dots in tactical setups.
Red dots usually have unlimited eye relief, meaning you can mount them wherever is comfortable for you. Other scopes, like traditional riflescopes and LPVOs, have specific eye relief distances, so you’ll need to make sure your mounting position matches up. You can tell if your scope is mounted correctly if your reticle is sharp and you don’t see a scope shadow around the
Long-Range Bolt-Action Rifles for Hunting
For long-range hunting, you need a scope that can zoom in on faraway targets without losing clarity. Look for scopes with magnification ranges like 4-16x, 6-24x, or whatever magnification you feel you’ll need for the distances you’ll be shooting at. These allow you to get a close-up view of distant game while still giving you a good field of view to track movement.
Medium-Range AR-15s for Tactical Shooting
For AR-15s, you want a scope that’s quick to use up close but can also handle mid-range shots. LPVOs are perfect for this, with their 1x starting point for close quarters and the ability to zoom in when you need to.
Short-Range Pistol-Caliber Carbines
Pistol-caliber carbines (PCCs) are all about speed. You’re usually shooting at close ranges, so a red dot or holographic sight is the way to go. These sights give you a clear, fast picture of your target and are super easy to use.
Matching your optic to your rifle and your shooting style is key to getting the most out of your gear. With the right scope, you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way, whether it’s out in the field, on the range, or in a high-stakes situation.