The Ultimate Guide to LowPower Riflescopes How to Choose the Perfect Companion for Your Hunting Trip
Introduction
Searching for the ideal buddy to join you on your next hunting journey? Search no more! A low-power riflescope is just the tool for hunting animals at short ranges. It's a great addition to your hunting gear.
In this guide, we'll inform you about all you need to know about low-power riflescopes. We'll teach you how to pick the right one and the different features to watch out for. Keep reading to discover more!
What is a Low-Power Riflescope?
Low-power riflescopes are great for hunters who don't need magnification or shooters who don't want to spend extra. They usually come with hunting rifles and scatterguns. These scopes offer wide field of view, close focus ranges and large exit pupils, allowing for maximum light transmission and less eye strain. Generally, they have simple reticles or crosshairs to help with aiming. Power settings range from 1x to 8x. Lower settings mean wider field of view.
When buying a rifle scope, look at:
- Size,
- Weight,
- Construction materials,
- Lens quality,
- Coating type,
- Type of reticle/crosshair alignment system,
- Eye relief distance, and
- Weather protection.
There are lots of options, so inspect each model before making a purchase.
What are the Benefits of Using a Low-Power Riflescope?
Low-power riflescopes are a great pick for hunters who need accuracy and visibility. These scopes give advantages to make hunting trips better:
- Higher Magnification: This increases accuracy when shooting from far away.
- Better Visibility: Magnification enables seeing further in low light. Great for wildlife that move at twilight.
- Smaller Weight & Size: Easier to carry in the field.
- Wider FOV: Easier target acquisition in dense vegetation.
- More Eye Relief: Good for heavy-recoiling calibers. Comfort is priority.
- Larger Objectives: Better light gathering during twilight or rain.
- Durable Construction: Aircraft grade aluminum components can stand tough terrains and bad weather.
Types of Low-Power Riflescopes
Low-power riflescopes are great for hunting! They're lightweight, compact and provide decent magnification. You can choose from different types – variable-power or fixed-power – with many features.
To help you find the ideal one for your hunting trip, let's explore the different types of low-power riflescopes:
Fixed Power Riflescopes
Fixed power riflescopes are ideal for hunting. Their objective lens is larger than variable ones, which makes them brighter and clearer. They are also more affordable! These scopes come in two-power and four-power magnifications.
- Two-power scopes work best for shooting up to 100 yards.
- But, with a four-power scope, you can shoot up to 500 yards.
- Plus, they are lighter and easier to mount than higher powered scopes.
Variable Power Riflescopes
Variable power riflescopes offer versatility. They have adjustable magnification levels, usually in the lower range. These scopes come in two forms: fixed and variable. Plus, there are four types depending on their design:
- Dual Zoom scopes have two zooms. One is set at a fixed power like 3X or 4X. The second zoom offers adjustable magnification like 6X-20X for greater accuracy over longer distances.
- Varifocal scopes have a single zoom up to 9x or 10x. It can be adjusted using an external focus knob.
- Mildot scopes have a reticle with mil lines. These provide visual references for range-finding and shooting precision over long distance shots.
- Variable scopes allow you to adjust their variable zoom of 1x to 9x or 10x in finer increments for accuracy at multiple ranges.
Features to Look For When Choosing a Low-Power Riflescope
‘Tis time to select a quality low-power riflescope! Many features to consider. To guarantee a good viewing experience, it's important to pick the right ones. Such as magnification power, reticle type, optical clarity, eye relief, objective lens diameter, field of view and other details.
Let's explore each one; this'll help when purchasing a scope for your next hunting trip!
Magnification and Objective Lens
When checking out low-power riflescopes, two key things to look at are the magnification and objective lens. Magnification is how much bigger the object looks. It's usually written as “times” (e.g. 3x). So a 3x scope makes the target look 3 times bigger than normal.
The objective lens gathers light and can be 20-50mm in size.
Low-power scopes are made for short-range shooting. They have magnifications of 1X-4X. They're best for shooting 200 yards or less. You'll be able to spot movement quickly and aim accurately without the image getting too blurry.
Low-powered scopes need large objective lenses, so they can get enough light even during dawn or dusk hours, which is when you might go hunting.
Reticle
When looking for a low-power riflescope, the reticle is a key feature. It's the crosshair-style pattern seen when looking through the scope. It helps with aiming the rifle and can be either fixed or variable power.
- Fixed power reticles are one magnification (usually 3x). They're for close range shooting and have fewer subtensions.
- Variable power reticles can be adjusted to different magnifications. This lets you shoot at both close and long ranges. It also has more fine adjustments and subtensions, which can be useful for estimating range, wind drift, and trajectory drop.
Other factors to consider are the type of illumination, mil or MOA measurement, etching size, and line/dot thickness of the reticle pattern. Get the best quality scope based on features, not price. Quality over quantity!
Eye Relief
Eye relief is the space between your eye and the riflescope's eyepiece lens. It decides how far your face must be from the scope to have a good view of its reticle. Low-power scopes have generous eye relief. This allows you to shoot with a “scoped in” or relaxed posture.
When choosing eye relief, think about recoil, comfort and weather. This helps you decide which distance works best for you.
Parallax Adjustment
Parallax adjustment is crucial when selecting a low-power riflescope. Parallax is when the image seen through the objective lens isn't the same as the one seen through the ocular lens, which can lead to errors in aiming. Parallax adjustment counteracts this by allowing users to adjust the focus of their view so the target is in both lenses. Most scopes have a range of parallax adjustment of 50 yards to infinity, though some require more.
There are two types of parallax adjustment available:
- Optically adjustable objectives, found on high-end scopes, let you move the target relative to crosshairs at varying distances.
- Side focus parallax adjustments, on other scopes, let you alter focus without changing your hold on the rifle stock, which is useful in certain shooting situations.
Turret Adjustment
Turret adjustment is a crucial factor when selecting a riflescope. On the side of your scope, you'll find turrets that let you adjust for elevation and windage. Many manufacturers include target turrets with indicators for minute adjustments. Some of them also have locking turrets to secure settings during a shot.
The most common type of turret adjustment on low-power riflescopes is called exposed turrets. This means you can adjust the reticle by hand – just turn each knob until you get the desired position. Exposed turrets are easy and fast, but need to be reset after each shot, since they don't have a locking mechanism. So, check if this feature is included with the scope before buying it.
Also, find out what type of accessory it has, such as:
- Caps or covers, to protect from dust and moisture,
- Scratches when travelling or storing.
Conclusion
Choosing the correct low-power riflescope is a must for successful hunting trips. Size, magnification and lens size are key elements to consider. Take into account weather and night vision features, too. Quality matters as a poor quality option can be inaccurate. Buy one that handles extreme weather.
Do research on specs such as eye relief and reticle type. Don't rush – it could save hassle in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What makes a good low-power rifle scope?
A1: The best low-power rifle scopes are designed to provide a clear and bright image, while sacrificing some magnification capabilities. Look for features such as adjustable reticles, parallax adjustment, and good eye relief. The scope should also be durable and water resistant.
Q2: What is the difference between low-power and high-power rifle scopes?
A2: Low-power rifle scopes typically have a magnification range of 1-4x or 3-9x, while high-power rifle scopes have a magnification range of 10x or higher. Low-power scopes provide a wide field of view, making them ideal for close-range shooting, while high-power scopes offer more magnification and can be used for long-range shooting.
Q3: How do I choose the right low-power rifle scope?
A3: When choosing a low-power rifle scope, it's important to consider your specific needs. Consider the type of terrain and game you'll be hunting, the type of reticle you prefer, the weight of the scope, and the amount of eye relief you need. Additionally, make sure to select a scope that is waterproof and fog-proof.