This collection contains rifle scopes for hunting, sport and long-range shooting. You also find compact scopes, prism scopes and bubble levels. Most scopes are from Vector Optics. Sightmark and Firefield complete the range. The scopes are sorted by shooting distance, based on their maximum magnification.
Step 1: magnification and shooting distance
The first number in the name is the magnification range, for example 1-8x or 5-30x. The lower number gives a wide view for close and moving targets. The higher number gives detail at distance. Choose the range by your typical shooting distance:
A few scopes go up to 24x or 30x. Examples are the Vector Optics Veyron 6-24x44 and the Sightmark Presidio 5-30x56. These are made for long-range target shooting.
Zoom ratio
Some Vector Optics names include the zoom ratio, for example Continental x6, x8 or x10. The ratio is the highest magnification divided by the lowest. A 1-6x scope has a 6x zoom ratio, a 2-16x scope has an 8x ratio. A higher ratio covers more situations with one scope, from close targets to longer distance.
Step 2: objective lens diameter
The second number in the name is the objective lens diameter in mm, for example 24, 44 or 56. A larger objective gathers more light and gives a brighter image at dusk. It also makes the scope larger and heavier, and it needs higher rings. Scopes with a 24 mm objective are typical for LPVOs. Scopes with 50 or 56 mm suit hunting in low light.
Step 3: first or second focal plane
The reticle sits in the first focal plane (FFP) or the second focal plane (SFP):
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FFP: the reticle grows and shrinks with the magnification. The holdover marks stay correct at every magnification. This suits long-range shooting with holdover.
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SFP: the reticle keeps the same size at every magnification. It stays easy to see at low magnification. Holdover marks are correct only at one magnification, usually the highest.
The focal plane is named in the title of most scopes. SFP models are the larger group in this collection.
Step 4: main tube diameter
The main tube diameter decides which scope rings you need. Most scopes here have a 30 mm tube. Some have a 1 inch (25.4 mm) tube, and a few have a 34 mm tube. A larger tube usually allows a larger adjustment range for elevation and windage. Each product names its tube diameter. Then choose rings with the same diameter. See Scope rings.
Reticle and illumination
Many scopes have an illuminated reticle. In Vector Optics names, "IR" stands for an illuminated reticle. Models with "Fiber" in the name have an illuminated fiber dot in the center. An illuminated center helps on dark backgrounds and at dusk. Reticles with holdover marks, such as MIL-based reticles, help at longer distance.
Turrets: MOA or MIL
The turrets move the point of impact in clicks. The click value is given in MOA or MIL. For example, 1/10 MIL moves the point of impact by 1 cm at 100 m. 1/4 MOA moves it by about 7 mm at 100 m. Choose turrets in the same unit as your reticle. Then you can read a correction in the reticle and dial it directly. Some models have a turret lock, so the setting does not change by accident.
Glass and coatings
The scopes here have fully multi-coated lenses. Some models have ED (extra-low dispersion) or HD glass. ED glass reduces color fringes at the edges of objects. This gives a sharper image at high magnification.
Eye relief
Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the eyepiece at which you see the full image. On a rifle with strong recoil, long eye relief protects your eye. Many scopes here are described as long eye relief models. The Vector Optics Continental x6 1-6x24, for example, has 100 mm of eye relief. Each product names its eye relief.
Scope lines in this collection
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Vector Optics Continental: ED glass on several models, zoom ratios of 6x, 8x and 10x, zero reset and turret lock on several models.
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Vector Optics Constantine: LPVO models from 1-6x to 1-10x, in FFP and SFP.
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Vector Optics Orion Pro Max and Tauron: HD glass for long-range shooting.
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Vector Optics Veyron: compact scopes, many with an illuminated reticle.
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Vector Optics Forester, Matiz, Hugo and Grizzly: hunting scopes with SFP reticles, several with an illuminated fiber dot.
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Sightmark Presidio: FFP and SFP models from 1-6x24 to 5-30x56.
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Firefield RapidStrike: LPVOs with a circle dot reticle in red, green or black. The 1-6x24 kit includes a cantilever mount.
Size: compact, standard and sub-compact
Many scopes are compact or ultra-short models. They save weight and length on a short rifle or a rimfire rifle. Standard scopes have a longer tube and often more adjustment range. Some models have side focus for parallax adjustment at different distances.
Prism scopes
A prism scope uses a prism instead of a lens system. It has a fixed magnification, for example 1x, 3x or 4x. The etched reticle stays visible even when the illumination is off. Prism scopes suit close to medium distances.
Mounting the scope
To mount a rifle scope, you need a base on the rifle and rings that fit the scope tube. Many rifles take a Picatinny rail as a base. See Picatinny rails. A bubble level on the scope tube helps you avoid canting the rifle. See Bubble levels for rifle scope.
Frequently asked questions
Which magnification do I need?
For driven hunts and short distance, choose a scope that starts at 1x. It should end at 6x to 8x. For stalking and general hunting, choose a range up to about 12x. For target shooting at long distance, choose 15x or more.
Should I choose FFP or SFP?
Choose FFP if you use the reticle marks for holdover at different magnifications. Choose SFP if you mostly shoot at one magnification or want a reticle that stays the same size.
Which scope rings do I need?
Rings with the same diameter as the main tube of your scope, for example 30 mm. They must also fit the base on your rifle, for example a Picatinny rail. Choose the lowest ring height at which the objective lens does not touch the rifle.
What do the numbers in the scope name mean?
In "2-12x44", the scope zooms from 2x to 12x magnification. The objective lens has a diameter of 44 mm.
