It also prevents spinning the knob past your zero. Regardless, you’ll need to learn to speak either the MIL or MOA language, and for the most part stop thinking in inches.Ī zero stop is also a good idea because it allows you to return the elevation knob to your zero without looking. Others find MILs complicated because the relation to inches does not closely correlate. Some find it easier to work with MILs because they’re in graduations of 10. Which is best? There is no best, only differences, but both move the reticle a pre-determined amount. Reticle adjustments on long-range rifle scopes can be in MOAs or MILs. This allows you to easily transfer from a hold-over to a dial adjustment, and vice-versa. If your rifle scope has MOA adjustments, then your reticle should have MOA graduations, and the same with MILs. As a minimum make sure the graduation marks correspond to your scope adjustments. The more aiming points your reticle has, the more complicated it will be to use. Others are much more complex with a massive array of additional aiming points to the left, right, and below the center aiming point. Some only have graduations on the vertical or horizontal reticle wires. Long-range rifle scope reticles come in many styles. They’re not popular for long-range shooting because the sub-tensions of the graduation marks used for windage and elevation holds vary with magnification.
Second-focal plane rifle scopes are popular for hunting because at low magnification the reticles are bold and easy to see. This means a reticle with a graduated mark subtending to 10 MOA at 5X, will subtend to 20 MOA at 10X. Second-focal-plane reticles do not magnify with the target. This means that with a graduated long-range reticle, a graduation that equals 10 MOA at 5X also equals 10 MOA at 10X. With a first-focal plane reticle, the relationship of the reticle to the target does not change with magnification. Rifle scopes are manufactured with the reticle in either the first (front) or second (rear) focal plane. For ease of access, it’s best positioned on the adjustment turret saddle than on the objective bell. A rifle scope with parallax adjustment is a must. When parallax is not properly set, slight imperfections in head positioning behind the rifle scope alter the position of the reticle on the target which can lead to a poor shot or a miss. This works for most applications but not long-range. Typically, on scopes that lack parallax adjustment the parallax is set somewhere between 50 and 175 yards. Parallax occurs when the reticle and the target are focused at different distances within the rifle scope. Regardless, a magnification throw lever to help with rapid magnification adjustment is a nice accessory. A range from 3-18X is at the low end for precision long range, with the 4X-24X or 5X-30X magnification range optimal. Today magnification factors of six are not uncommon, which can allow a zoom range that goes from 3-18X, 4-24X or 5-30X. For years rifle scopes had a magnification range of only three, meaning they had ranges of 3-9X or 4-12X. The controlling element is the magnification factor or magnification range. You may need to shoot quickly at targets inside 100 yards too. More magnification helps, but you do not want to go so high with your maximum magnification that your low-end magnification is more than about 4X to 6X. As a minimum, you should be able to make a 1,000-yard target appear as though it is no further than 100 yards. Your long range rifle scope needs to deliver enough magnification to resolve targets out to 1,000 yards. Let’s look at each in order to help you select the rifle scope you need. There are six critical elements to consider. This adage certainly applies to most rifle scopes: You mostly get what you pay for. It’s so important that if your long range rifle scope does not cost at least as much as your rifle, it’s probably not the right rifle scope. The shooter’s interaction with the rifle scope is paramount because that is where the shooting solutions are applied.
LONG RANGE SHOOTING GAMES ONLINE SERIES
The Long Game is a new series designed to improve your long-range-shooting skills. Ignore them when selecting a riflescope and you’ll miss more than you hit. Just as with a long-range rifle, a riflescope suited for long-range work has a variety of features specifically suited to the task.