how to find out the max range on a scope

[TX_bowhunter37]

how can you tell the max range on a scope

[Dspivey]

Like a rifle scope?

[ted_kennedys_liver]

gonna have to give some more details about your question

[TX_bowhunter37]

Ok so i want to buy a rifle scope. but i dontknow how far they can see out clearly. i know each one has a magnifaction zoom on them but i dont know how to tell the max yardage they can see out hope this helps

[ted_kennedys_liver]

Ok so i want to buy a rifle scope. but i dontknow how far they can see out clearly. i know each one has a magnifaction zoom on them but i dont know how to tell the max yardage they can see out hope this helps

Not really. What kind of shooting are you looking at doing? That may help us guide you in right direction. Most of all scopes these days are going to be clear no matter what you are looking at no matter the distance. NOW, Low light is another subject all together. For example could you use a 3x9x40 to shoot at something 500yds away - sure but its a challenge depending on your reticles. At 1000 yds - not so much. Some guys even still use open sights at insane distances.

Now if you are talking about scopes with a BDC (ballistic reticle) most have calibrated holdover points out to 500 yds or a little more based on what magnification you have scope turned to.

But really just about every scope now a days is clear. Quality is a different story. Low light is another story.

Hope this helps

[TX_bowhunter37]

that does help i am new to all of this sorry looking to get a hog scope and one for deer

[trophy8]

It truly depends on the quality of the optics.
For instance, I was out a couple days ago shooting some longer ranges.
One gun had a vortex, the other a leupold. both higher end scopes in their respective brands. I could shoot and see the 1k yard target clearly with one, the other I could see and shoot 1k but it was much more difficult. One was a 6-24 the other was an 8.5-25 both 50mm objectives. This was on max power It was in the sand dunes and it was windy (constant 10-12 mph) and the mirage will mess with them too. The vortex had to be taken down to 16ish to be clear. The leupold was left on max power and was fine.
You get what you pay for in optics. And hot windy days at longer ranges will show the true quality of optics. Lots of glass looks good in the store.

[aftex99]

Are you wanting a fixed power or var power?

[TX_bowhunter37]

Are you wanting a fixed power or var power?

dunno what that is

[ted_kennedys_liver]

My advice is to go to cabelas or Academy and look at the selection. DO NOT BUY - if they know you dont know much you are a prime candidate to be taken for a ride by a less than ethical associate. Just look and ask questions about them. It will make a lot more sense having them in your hand and and seeing vs reading what we have to say. Also do some internet research.

A variable scope would be one with a "zoom" for simplistic terms - example 3 - 9 x 40. A fixed would be a 3 x 40 scope (in other words no zoom). 40 is size of the bell which is at the end of the scope - most popular sizes are 40s and 50s.

You dont need two kinds of scopes. One will work for both types of game.

If you dont see yourself taking longer shots than say 350 yds then a 3-9x40, 4-12 x 40, 4-16x 40, 6-18 x 50 etc will be just fine.

What is your budget?

If you are looking to stay under $500 - look at variable scopes by Redfield and Vortex (lot of scope for your money). I love the Redfield (4-12x42) with accu?? reticle -$219. Scope is made by Leupold. Great glass and great price. Vortex will give you more power.

Now if your budget is between $500 and $1000 then you look at Zeiss, Leupold etc

I will let others take over from here on out. Best thing to do is determine your budget. Come up with about three scopes you like then go to Cabelas and look through them. You can then either buy one from them or Academy or buy it online from a place like cameraland.

[TX_bowhunter37]

cool thanjs for the info budget around250 to 500

[txfireguy2003]

I'm a big fan of Vortex optics, Viper line and above....they are in your price range. That being said, look into the Cabelas Euro line. We just bought one for Kaitlin's .243 and it's a really nice scope. The Euro is made by Meopta, which is a quality European optics company who I recently learned used to make some of the scopes for Zeiss. From what I'm gathering from your questions and statements, you'll probably be keeping your shots within a couple hundred yards or so, and if that's the case, a 3-9x40 or 3-9X50 will be sufficient for hunting game animals. I like a lot of magnification, but only because I like to zoom way in on targets to make certain that I'm aiming at the same spot every shot, especially when sighting in or testing reloads for the best groups, but when I'm hunting, I dial it down quite a bit, makes finding the animals easier.

A quality scope that is "clear" at 100 yards, will also be clear at 1000 and 2000 etc, it's just a matter of how far you can see with the magnification provided. Different people can shoot well with more or less magnification, but if the glass is clear, it's clear. Light transmission is another matter altogether, and depends of the quality of the glass and coatings. Generally speaking, the larger the diameter of the objective lens (that's the bell at the end of the scope, represented by the last number ie: 3-9X40 or 4-12X50) the "brighter a scope will be because a larger objective allows more light to enter the scope, BUT a high end 40mm scope will allow more of the light that enters to reach your eye than a cheapy 50mm scope because the coatings and quality of glass on the high end scope will allow more of that light to pass through the lenses.

[ducks-and-bucks]

TX_Bowhunter37

All the info provided is good. You need to talk with a friend that is into it more and ask questions and learn more before you buy anything. A good detailed breakdown of scopes can be found on youtube at the Sniper 101 videos. DO NOT BUY A REALLY EXPENSIVE SCOPE UNTIL YOU HAVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE UNDER YOUR BELT! it's not worth it. A lot can be done with a basic Nikon 3X9 for your hunting hogs and deer. You do pay for what you get. variable power scopes have the zoom feature to them. fixed power scopes are fixed on one power. 3X9 means 3 power to 9 power... 10X means a fixed 10 power. you will see these advertised as 3-9X40 or 10X40. first numbers are the zoom, last number is the objective diameter. The bigger the objective, the more light the scope collects. Stay with 40-50mm objectives. hopes this helps some.

[Lokmdwn]

Get online and Google how to determine the exit pupil size for a scope. Some scopes are very clear in bright sunlight but when the light starts fading so do they. The exit pupil determines how much light is gathered. A lot of people think that the scope objective diameter does this and are wrong. A high quality scope with a 40mm objective will do way better than a cheap scope with a 50mm objective. You want a scope that works great in low light conditions.

I'm a huge fan of Nikon, IMO they rank right up there with Leupold. I just picked up a Nikon Prostaff this weekend 3x9x50. You didn't say what rifle you are putting this on either. This is my opinion only, not looking for a debate on this, I know what works for me. I had a 4x16x40 Nikon Monarch on my 30-06 . great scope but I quickly learned that without a very solid rest, 16x would make you dizzy. I put that scope on the 204. I would go with a 3x9 or a 4x12 on any big game rifle. 3x for up close and low light conditions and 9x (or 12x) for the long range shots. I want to know exactly what I am shooting at, for example...does he truly have a slick beam on one side or is that a brow tine? I even have a 3x9 on my 22. I like to see a big squirrel head.
If you are shooting close range and want quick target acquisition for possible moving targets then look at the red dot scopes. Google is your friend on this. Go online and read. You can get a nice scope for $200-300 or you can spend a bunch of money and get an even nicer one. My recommendation, look at the Nikon Prostaff or Vortex scopes. You won't break the bank and it should do everything you need it to do. I'm guessing here that you are hunting...Deer...Pigs...??
If you have never shot with a scope you need to practice, practice and then practice some more. Another point here, don’t look for your target using the scope. Does that make sense? Once you see the target don't take your eyes off the target, raise the rifle to your shoulder and the scope will come into place between your eye and the target. Do this a lot until you don't even have to think about it. If you have been shooting awhile, your arms already know what to do. Don't let your thinking process get in the way.
Make sure you set the eye relief where it needs to be or you might end up with a scope ring on the forehead.
Have fun shooting and good luck,
Jim

[trophy8]

Need to know a few more answers.
How far do you plan on shooting?
What caliber and type of rifle?
Is it just going to be a hunting rifle?

I have a leupold vx3 3.5-10x50 that came on a rifle that I may sell, but it may not be what your after.