Buying a new scope? Check out these expert tips first

Purchasing a new scope isn’t something that should be taken lightly, nor should it be rushed. It is for these two reasons (and the fact that many people do rush into buying a new scope without giving it much thought) that we decided to put this article together. Although we can’t cover absolutely everything in the 600 words we have for this post, we can certainly provide you with some solid, foundational advice.

However, as we want you to have the best possible experience, once you’ve finished reading this piece, we recommend you head over to the experts at OpticsBoss.com (you’ll find everything you need to know about optics there, that’s for sure!).

Three things you must know before buying a scope

What’s more important to you: sticking to a budget or having a scope that covers a greater range?

If you’re on a strict budget, always opt for a fixed magnification scope (as they are much cheaper). A scope that has one magnification level will have two numbers on the box instead of three, e.g. 3x20 as opposed to 3-9x50. Single magnification scopes will always be cheaper than their variable counterparts, and although they don’t as much adjustability, if you choose the right magnification for your purposes, you’ll be just fine.

If your budget allows for a more expensive scope that has variable magnification (and potentially a bigger lens), by all means, go for it. However, there’s not a simple and straightforward correlation between a greater magnification range and larger lens size, with the performance and quality of the scope, i.e. just because a scope offers 4-20x magnification and has a 60mm lens, doesn’t automatically mean it’ll be better than a smaller scope. Plus, there is seldom any need to purchase a scope that has more than 20x magnification (it really is overkill in 99% of situations - no pun intended!).

What environment(s) will you be shooting in?

Although most scopes sold today will be durable and usable in all manner of weather and environmental conditions, it is always wise to double-check this before purchase.

Your scope must be, at the absolute minimum, fog-proof, otherwise you may find yourself compromised in specific locations or during early morning and dawn shoots/hunts. If you live in what could be deemed an ‘extreme’ environment, i.e. somewhere that is hotter, colder, more humid etc. than most places, it would be wise to invest in a scope that will perform in these types of conditions - even if that means paying extra, as the last thing you want is to be let down by your optics when the cross-hairs are honed in on your target.

This is actually one mistake I made early on in my hunting ‘career’. I decided not to spend the extra money on a scope that could deal with extremes in temperatures and conditions, which backfired massively given the fact that I live somewhere that is foggy, misty and very humid. It became almost impossible to shoot first thing in the morning due to the fog and the fact that I couldn’t see anything through my scope! Don’t make the same mistake as I did. Always think about the weather and environment where you’ll be shooting, and how that may impact your rifle, scope and hunting gear. If in doubt, speak to the shop owner, or if you’re buying online, check out OpticsBoss.com.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article - it’s very much appreciated.

If you have any comments, feel free to do so below or send us an email.

Have a great day!