Optics transform hunting from an intimidating, time-consuming task into an engaging, ethical and productive experience. Optics allow us to hunt at long range, adapt quickly to changing conditions and develop confidence in the field.

An ideal hunting scope must feature sufficient eye relief, with a second focal plane reticle (one that changes size with magnification so there’s no need to refer back to drop charts). Furthermore, it must feature an easily adjustable capped turret that allows the shooter to change direction during shooting.

Variable magnification

Magnification refers to how many times an image has been magnified; typically this number will be followed by “x.” As magnification increases, so too does its field of view become limited and restricted.

High magnification scopes can make targets appear larger and more detailed, which can help when hunting from a distance. Unfortunately, however, high magnification reduces field of view and leads to smaller eyeboxes that make keeping the reticle in focus difficult.

Your choice of first or second focal plane scope depends on your shooting needs and conditions. Reticles of first-plane scopes remain unaffected by changing lens power settings; on the other hand, second-plane magnification magnifies at an equal rate with target image magnification. First-plane scopes tend to be less expensive than their counterparts while also boasting improved performance due to lower weight and simpler designs; they may even function more reliably during extreme weather conditions such as rain or fog without malfunctioning as often.

Parallax adjustment

Parallax adjustment corrects for the reticle appearing to shift around when you shift your eye position, which can be distracting and cause you to miss the target entirely if not careful. Parallax adjustments are particularly crucial in tactical riflescopes which must be used under changing conditions without reliable distance markings.

Imagine looking through a window at a piece of paper with a picture hanging on it. When you move the paper, the picture may shift because its surface lies on a different plane than where your eyes are looking at it from. A parallax-corrected scope eliminates this effect by aligning both its reticle and target image on one plane within its scope – this enables precise alignment between your aimpoint and target regardless of eye position or whether its focal planes overlap or not.

Exit pupil

When purchasing a scope, one of the key considerations should be its exit pupil size. This number depends on both lens diameter and magnification power and is calculated simply by dividing objective lens specifications by magnification levels; for instance, a Patriot 4-16x44mm scope typically has an exit pupil of around 11mm at its lowest magnification setting whereas as magnification levels increase so does its exit pupil.

Although larger exit pupils may appear beneficial, that may not always be the case. Human eye’s pupils only dilate up to a certain limit and as you age your eyes become less adaptable to dilation; therefore, using scopes with exit pupils larger than your own pupil size will actually diminish brightness of image as light passes through it more slowly. Experienced shooters and snipers tend to opt for low to mid magnification levels for optimal shooting and sniping experiences.

Windage and elevation turrets

Windage and elevation turrets, located on either side of the main tube, allow you to set precise horizontal alignment of your reticle for long-range shot placement. Each click of a turret moves it either upwards or downwards to suit your needs, with options that measure MOA (minutes of angle) or MRAD (milliradian).

Do your research when selecting the type of ballistic reticle you would like to use – hash marks, dots or post points are just some options to consider – MOA or Mrad might work better depending on its dimensions and availability.

Some turrets come with capless mechanisms that make adjusting them easily in the field, while others feature protective covers designed to protect them from accidental damage or dirt accumulation. Many shooters prefer leaving their windage turret alone and using holdover points on their reticle instead to compensate for wind’s influence at distance – this approach often proves more efficient than making frequent adjustments to their elevation turret in extreme winds.