Scopes questions
- Thread starter czhen
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MobileSuitPilotX
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- May 18, 2004
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czhen...
I'm with you...completely clueless when it comes to scopes. I was thinking of asking the same question myself. If you don't mind, can I expand on your original question a bit?
Does caliber make a difference? (i.e. large caliber=higher-quality, more stable scope needed?)
Is there a real difference in the PURPOSE of a scope? (i.e. plinking versus hunting, etc.)
What the heck do the different "power" denotations mean, and to what distance are they useful up to? (i'm sure some of this depends on the effective range of the firearm you put it on)
I'm with you...completely clueless when it comes to scopes. I was thinking of asking the same question myself. If you don't mind, can I expand on your original question a bit?
Does caliber make a difference? (i.e. large caliber=higher-quality, more stable scope needed?)
Is there a real difference in the PURPOSE of a scope? (i.e. plinking versus hunting, etc.)
What the heck do the different "power" denotations mean, and to what distance are they useful up to? (i'm sure some of this depends on the effective range of the firearm you put it on)
I'll give this a shot.
Scope selection depends on your intended target, conditions and gun.
By intended target, when you speak of varmint hunting your talking medium to long range, small targets and typically high power scopes to find and shoot these small critters. If you're talking about just shooting targets at 100 yards, then a high fixed power scope would be more appropriate. For general plinking, a middle of the road variable power scope would be all that you needed.
By conditions, where do you live? Will you be hunting wide open areas or dense woods?
And the gun....what gun are you trying to mount a scope on? What purpose does the gun serve? Once you can answer these questions, you'll have an idea of the type of scope you need.
There are several numbers that describe a scope. For example, 4x36. The first number is the magnification and the second is the size of the objective lens in millimeters (the lens at the opposite end you look through). Also, a 3-9x40 label dictates that the scope has variable magnification from 3 to 9 power with a objective lens of 40mm. A 8-32x50 has a magnification range of 8-32 power with a objective lens of 50mm. The larger the objective lens, the more light the scope lets in and the crisper and brighter the image is. There are some drawbacks to having a large scope though, portability for one. If this is a hunting gun, a large scope is more of a pain than anything else. Also, there are generally two different sizes of main tubes: the American 1" and the 30mm.
Most people don't spend the required amount of money on optics. They get a very nice rifle and put a crappy Tasco on it. A general rule is to spend 2/3 the cost of the gun on optics.
Generally, most guns are over scoped as far as magnification goes. Yes, I'll freely admit, I do it too. The classic hunting scope is a 3-9x40 of quality manufacture. Out here in open California where I do a lot of varmint hunting, I prefer a 4-14 at least. Varmint hunters typically use a higher powered scope for the reasons above, anywhere from 6-18, 6.5-20 and 8-32 magnification.
The standard of optical quality is generally set by Leupold. Some other quality manufacturers are Burris, Bushnell (the Elite series), Kahles, Nikon and Weaver. If you really want to go high-end, look at Schmidt & Bender, Swarovski, US Optics and Zeiss.
Also, take a look at the hunting forum and get an idea of what people use on their guns.
Riflescopes.com is a nice place to look things up and check out the different products.
Good Luck,
Ed
Scope selection depends on your intended target, conditions and gun.
By intended target, when you speak of varmint hunting your talking medium to long range, small targets and typically high power scopes to find and shoot these small critters. If you're talking about just shooting targets at 100 yards, then a high fixed power scope would be more appropriate. For general plinking, a middle of the road variable power scope would be all that you needed.
By conditions, where do you live? Will you be hunting wide open areas or dense woods?
And the gun....what gun are you trying to mount a scope on? What purpose does the gun serve? Once you can answer these questions, you'll have an idea of the type of scope you need.
There are several numbers that describe a scope. For example, 4x36. The first number is the magnification and the second is the size of the objective lens in millimeters (the lens at the opposite end you look through). Also, a 3-9x40 label dictates that the scope has variable magnification from 3 to 9 power with a objective lens of 40mm. A 8-32x50 has a magnification range of 8-32 power with a objective lens of 50mm. The larger the objective lens, the more light the scope lets in and the crisper and brighter the image is. There are some drawbacks to having a large scope though, portability for one. If this is a hunting gun, a large scope is more of a pain than anything else. Also, there are generally two different sizes of main tubes: the American 1" and the 30mm.
Most people don't spend the required amount of money on optics. They get a very nice rifle and put a crappy Tasco on it. A general rule is to spend 2/3 the cost of the gun on optics.
Generally, most guns are over scoped as far as magnification goes. Yes, I'll freely admit, I do it too. The classic hunting scope is a 3-9x40 of quality manufacture. Out here in open California where I do a lot of varmint hunting, I prefer a 4-14 at least. Varmint hunters typically use a higher powered scope for the reasons above, anywhere from 6-18, 6.5-20 and 8-32 magnification.
The standard of optical quality is generally set by Leupold. Some other quality manufacturers are Burris, Bushnell (the Elite series), Kahles, Nikon and Weaver. If you really want to go high-end, look at Schmidt & Bender, Swarovski, US Optics and Zeiss.
Also, take a look at the hunting forum and get an idea of what people use on their guns.
Riflescopes.com is a nice place to look things up and check out the different products.
Good Luck,
Ed
Intune
Member
Since you posted this on the pistol forum you also may want to consider an EER (Extended Eye Relief) scope. Might save you some stiches. 
These are scopes that can be used at arms length, great for pistols and "scout" rifle applications. For magnum kickers fixed power is supposedly more durable than variable.
These are scopes that can be used at arms length, great for pistols and "scout" rifle applications. For magnum kickers fixed power is supposedly more durable than variable.
Intune
Member
At least you didn't spell "stitches" wrong! You gave them some good advice. Scopes are kinda application sensitive, there are some that will generally fit but there is usually a couple that will do exactly what you need them to. The more we know about how they intend to use them the more accurate the advice will be. Heck, they might be referring to rifle scopes too!
You gave them some good advice. Scopes are kinda application sensitive, there are some that will generally fit but there is usually a couple that will do exactly what you need them to. The more we know about how they intend to use them the more accurate the advice will be. Heck, they might be referring to rifle scopes too!MrAcheson
Member
Question on scopes... Will a handgun scope work as a scout scope for a rifle or carbine as well? Most of the scout scopes I see are 2-3x. Not enough for my poor eyesight. A standard scope will obviously not work because the eye relief is too short. Would a handgun scope of 4x (or variable power in that range) work as well in the same application? Can you have an eye relief that is too long?
Gator
Member
"Will a handgun scope work as a scout scope for a rifle or carbine as well?"
Yes, some will, but it will depend on the eye relief. Many handgun scopes will have too much eye relief to be used as a scout scope. For myself, I like about eight inches more eye relief for a handgun, than a scout scope.
Yes, some will, but it will depend on the eye relief. Many handgun scopes will have too much eye relief to be used as a scout scope. For myself, I like about eight inches more eye relief for a handgun, than a scout scope.
Okiecruffler
Member
A lot depends on caliber
On my 22LR Striker I use a Simmons 3-9 rifle scope. Recoil isn't an issue, so eye relief isn't an issue either. My .223 Contender wears a NcStar 2-7X EER scope. I've tried a rifle scope, but got a smack to the head for my trouble, but recoil isn't heavy enough to tear up the cheap NcStar. My .308 Striker is another story, it wears a Bushnell 2-6X pistol scope. A more expensive scope, but I figured recoil from the 308 would destroy a NcStar. My 444 Marlin Contender is a mystery. I strapped an old 2X EER NcStar on it, mainly because I was tired of looking at the old thing and figured this would bury it once and for all. It's held up to hundreds of rounds with no ill effects.
For scout mounts, I've used everything from the formentioned unstoppable NcStar to T/C recoil proof (which wasn't) pistol scopes. Never ran into a problem mounting them where I was happy with the relief.
On my 22LR Striker I use a Simmons 3-9 rifle scope. Recoil isn't an issue, so eye relief isn't an issue either. My .223 Contender wears a NcStar 2-7X EER scope. I've tried a rifle scope, but got a smack to the head for my trouble, but recoil isn't heavy enough to tear up the cheap NcStar. My .308 Striker is another story, it wears a Bushnell 2-6X pistol scope. A more expensive scope, but I figured recoil from the 308 would destroy a NcStar. My 444 Marlin Contender is a mystery. I strapped an old 2X EER NcStar on it, mainly because I was tired of looking at the old thing and figured this would bury it once and for all. It's held up to hundreds of rounds with no ill effects.
For scout mounts, I've used everything from the formentioned unstoppable NcStar to T/C recoil proof (which wasn't) pistol scopes. Never ran into a problem mounting them where I was happy with the relief.
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