How to choose a telescopic sight

Modern optics provide the ability to hunt at a distance of one kilometer or more, give a clear and contrast image in any conditions and allow you to make a shot with numerous amendments, greatly increasing its accuracy. Of course, the advantages described above become available to the hunter only when the choice of an optical sight is approached with full responsibility and preference is given to the sights most suitable for a particular type of weapon and conditions of use.

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Top manufacturers
Types of sights and the principle of their action
Selection options. What to look for when choosing a riflescope?
Video on the choice of sight

we select a sight for the gun

Top manufacturers

Despite the fact that high-quality optical devices are currently produced by a great number of manufacturers, not all of them have mastered the production of hunting sights. Given the high manufacturability and complexity in the production, preference should be given exclusively to proven brands operating in this market for a long time:

Aimpoint
Burris
Leica
Zeiss
Vortex
Steiner

Before you opt for a particular model, you should familiarize yourself with its characteristics, as well as its functional capabilities, having familiarized itself with the feedback and impressions of experienced hunters who have tried a particular device in a real hunt.

Types of sights and the principle of their action

Modern hunting sights are in many ways similar to other optical devices designed to monitor the terrain - monocles, telescopes, binoculars. Their difference lies only in a focused focus on the execution of an accurate shot and maximizing the increase of this very accuracy. For this purpose, hunting sights are completed with numerous auxiliary devices that provide high-quality image even in difficult conditions, as well as allowing for the correction of distance, wind and height, if necessary.

Modern riflescopes can be divided into several main categories, differing in functionality and operating conditions.

Optical sights with a constant approximation

Classic models equipped with lenses with fixed optical parameters. Provide the possibility of a decent approximation in any operating conditions and give a clear and contrasting picture regardless of the operating conditions. They have a decent image angle and high contrast, however, both of these parameters decrease in proportion to the increase in the multiplicity of the sight. Completed with a set of sights of different multiplicity, the hunter gets the opportunity to hunt in any conditions.

Virtues

Compact size;

Extensive variety of models, differing by multiplicity of approximation up to 40-50x;

Wide angle image;

High contrast and image clarity;

Unpretentious operation;

disadvantages

Quality road models;

Universal models do not exist, and therefore in the arsenal have to keep several models of different multiplicity;

The viewing angle, brightness and contrast of the image are directly dependent on the multiplicity of the sight;

Stencils

Devices of this class differ from the models described above by the ability to change the multiplicity of approximation, which makes them at least more versatile and allows you to hunt in different conditions without resorting to replacing the sight. Adjusting the multiplicity is carried out online and provides the possibility of approaching or moving away from the target, without losing it from view. The most advanced models have a dimensional scale that allows to measure the distance to the target and make the necessary adjustments when aiming.

Virtues

High functionality;

The presence of a distance scale that allows you to determine the exact distance to the target and make corrections to the shot;

Convenient and ergonomic adjustment;

The ability to change the multiplicity, without taking his eyes off the target;

disadvantages

High price;

Technological complexity and the requirement of appropriate maintenance;

Collimator sights

Combined optical devices, in the role of a designator in which a special bright point appears, located as if at infinity. Regardless of how the target is monitored, the point will be located in the center of the sight and will display the bullet hit point when fired. In order to ensure maximum accuracy when firing, a special high-brightness LED powered by a built-in battery is used to draw a point.

Virtues

Compact size;

Easy adjustment and adjustment of various amendments;

Convenience of operation in any conditions;

Maximum accuracy;

disadvantages

High price;

Not suitable for all types of weapons and operating conditions;

They require careful and careful handling;

The minimum brightness due to the highlight LED point;

Night vision sights

Special optical devices designed to operate in complete darkness. They are very popular among ambush hunters, waiting for a shot among which can last far more than one night. The principle of operation and the design of such sights very often resembles ordinary optical devices, but their main element is a special light filter, activating which, the hunter gets a distinct image even in complete darkness.

Virtues

The ability to hunt in complete darkness;

Clear and clear picture at night;

disadvantages

They are afraid of a bright light source, suitable for operation exclusively at night;

High price;

The difficult design differing in whimsicalness in service and care;

Selection options. What to look for when choosing a riflescope?

selection criteria

All the variety of optical sights, presented in the sale, combines a common list of technical characteristics that should be taken into account when choosing one or another sight.

Weight and dimensions of sight

This parameter plays a very important role, first of all, for those hunters who practice running hunting and move a lot with a gun. The fact is that the most functional sights can easily exceed the kilogram mark, delivering maximum discomfort and turning the hunt from pleasure into anguish. However, if the hunt comes from an ambush, the weight of the sight moves into the background. The situation is similar with regards to the overall dimensions of the sight: the greater its length - the greater the discomfort during a hunting hunt.

Sight aperture

Or lens diameter.The more this parameter - the more high-quality, contrast and detailed picture will be at the output. The downside of the coin can be an increase in weight and overall dimensions of the device, which should also be borne in mind.

The presence of the reticle

This structural element greatly simplifies the operation of the sight, regardless of its type. Most models use either a traditional crosshair (as a rule, we are talking about sights with low multiplicity), or else it is displayed in the form of several scales on the grid (called the Mid Dot). The latter type of grid is characteristic for scopes with high multiplicity, with its help you can easily calculate the distance to the target and determine the correction for the distance and wind.

Multiplicity of sight

It shows how many times the sight can increase the original image relative to the current location of the hunter. The magnitudes associated with multiplicity are the angle of view and the overall brightness of the image — the closer the approximation, the smaller the angle and the lower the contrast. It is for this reason that sights with a multiplicity of the order of 20x-30x will not allow to shoot offhand and require the use of special stops for aiming, and every sudden movement turns into a loss of the object of observation from the zone of visibility.

Parallax and tune from it

Indicates the visual deviation of the aiming point in relation to the scope itself. The higher this value - the more blurry the picture is, and therefore the detuning from parallax is simply called sharpness. The adjustment mechanism of this parameter allows you to adjust the sharpness and contrast of the image, regardless of the distance to the target. Moreover, many modern models, guided by the value of the detuning from parallax and performing clever counting algorithms, are able to measure the exact distance to the target and output it directly in the sight.

When choosing a particular type of sight, one should be guided by one's own needs, as well as the type of weapon used and the conditions in which the hunt will take place. It is necessary to take into account both the above characteristics, and basic functionality. For example, battery-powered collimator sights can quickly become unusable due to low temperatures and low power sources as a result. And the same night-sight can be useless if the hunt will occur near a strong source of illumination.