Hunting Optics and Scopes
Distinguishing similar-looking species can be difficult for newer wildlife enthusiasts. Scopes allow hunters to clearly view animals at close ranges, helping them identify them easily.
Hunting optics enhance capabilities, build confidence, and transform the sport into an engaging marksmanship activity. Rifle scopes offer unparalleled adaptability and precise reticle references for further challenging marksmanship activities.
High-quality optics
When selecting a hunting scope, look for one that provides a satisfying viewing experience – that means creating an image in the eyepiece that does not feature shadowed edges and doesn’t flicker at any points along its edge. A quality hunting scope also offers reticle references with elevation (elevation) and windage (windage) marks; additionally capped turrets prevent accidental adjustment during field use while providing clicks you can feel to confirm when they have been turned.
As long-range precision shooting has grown increasingly popular, manufacturers have produced large 5-25×56 scopes featuring first-plane reticles and exposed turrets calibrated to milliradian values – these scopes are expensive and often weigh over 2 pounds.
Increased light-gathering
Optics with advanced light gathering capabilities allow hunters to spot animals hiding among dense brush, or see sufficient detail at greater ranges than traditional iron sights can provide for ethical kill shots at further ranges. This increases their chances of filling their tags while providing them with an enjoyable hunting experience.
Scopes featuring larger objective lenses gather more light, providing brighter sight pictures even in dim dawn or dusk conditions. Fully multi-coated lenses reduce glare while improving image resolution for greater detail and clarity in the field.
Reticles on scopes can assist hunters in visualizing game and selecting the ideal shot at any distance. BDC reticles provide more precise aiming over longer distances than basic duplex reticles due to their horizontal hashmarks which correspond with known amounts of bullet drop based on caliber and bullet weight – providing more precise targeting over longer ranges than simple duplex reticles. Many hunters also prefer scopes with lockable or capped turrets so their settings won’t accidentally become disoriented while hunting.
Versatility
An all-purpose scope provides you with the versatility you need for various shooting applications, enabling you to switch seamlessly from rimfire plinking to big game hunting with ease. Look for one with magnification levels appropriate to your average sightline distance, as well as either variable or fixed scope capabilities depending on what kind of hunting you will be engaging in.
BDC (Base Defensive Course) reticles are widely used by hunters, helping them determine wind speed and target distance to make an accurate shot. Other useful options for hunters are MOA turrets which allow users to precisely dial in elevation settings for accurate targeting.
Gunwerks and its team at Gunwerks and its Revic Acura RS shooting/hunting scope is part of a new breed of hybrid shooting/hunting scopes, promising versatility and dynamic optics for everything from Western big game hunts to PRS competition. It achieves this with its second-plane reticle that remains the same size even as you increase or decrease magnification.
Better performance
No matter if it’s your first rifle or you need new scopes for all your hunting guns, having an optic that excels across a wide range of shooting situations is important. As such, look for something with strong low-light performance and great parallax properties for optimal performance.
Your camera must also be durable and waterproof to withstand unpredictable weather conditions, including moisture, fog and rain that could quickly fog up lenses obscuring the view and making it hard for an ethical shot.
This Steiner scope came out on top in our low-light and resolution testing, as well as excelling in reticle-and-turret versatility. While designed more towards Western big game hunters than bloodless target shooting, its long range capabilities make it suitable for mountain elk rifles or custom sheep hunting rifles – not to mention excellent glass quality and first plane hash-style reticle use – making this world-beating scope available at an exceptional price point.