Different Types of Scope Reticles for Rifle: Explained How To Choose The Best One

When shooting at long distances, you may want to use a variable power scope. This type of scope has a range selector dial to adjust the magnification from 100% to infinity. What other types of scopes exist?

A variable power scope is a great tool for hunting or target shooting. The magnification changes automatically depending on where you point the scope. Here we describe the different types of scope reticles that you may know about;

Types of Scope Reticles

There are three main variable power scopes: fixed power, zoom, and turret. Fixed power scopes have a single magnification setting. Zoom scopes offer two settings, low and high. Turret scopes have four low, medium, high, and infinity settings.

1. Fixed Power Scopes

A fixed power scope is one in which the magnification does not change as you move your eye away from the eyepiece. You can set the magnification when you purchase the scope. It will stay constant until you change it.

2. Zoom Scopes

A zoo;m scope offers two magnifications. One is usually lower than the other. When you move your eye away, the higher magnification becomes active.

3. Turret Scopes

A turret scope has four different settings. Low, medium, high, or infinity. The magnification changes accordingly as you move your eye away from the eyepiece.

4. Dot Reticle

Scope reticles, in general, are used to create multiple ranges of images in the same scope. They can use to create a wider field of vision or a narrow field of view, and they also change the way colors are rendered. Furthermore, they can help companies increase the effective range.

5. Mil-Dot Reticle

A Mil-Dot Reticle is a clear, white box with a black dot and an arrow. It is used in night vision scopes to help users find their target more easily.

The reticles are commonly found all over the world in different variants, including “MIL-DOT,” “Mil Dots,” “Multi-Laser Dot,” and “Beam Spotting.”

6. BDC Reticle

The BDC Reticle is a type of scopes reticle that is used to indicate the minimum range for night vision. It is a common feature in military and police equipment, like Binoculars and Night Vision Goggles, searchlights, watch glasses, etc. The size and position of this reticle can adjust on both sides, but they are usually adjustable in height only.

7. Leupold Reticle

The Leupold scope is a basic style of optical scope. It has a single ring that can be manually set to take the reticle setting for hunting or military use. The nose cap of the scope covers a high-quality, objective lens, giving the user many features like low light capability and long eye relief.

How do I Choose Between these Types of Scopes?

The first thing to consider is what kind of hunting or target shooting you plan to do. If you hunt with a rifle, you should probably get a fixed power scope. A fixed power scope gives you more control over the distance you shoot.

If you are going to be using a pistol or shotgun, you might want to go with a zoom scope. It’s much easier to change magnification without moving your eye from the scope’s eyepiece quickly.

If you plan to use a rifle and a handgun, you might want a turret scope. With this type of scope, you can easily switch back and forth between the two weapons.

What About Night Vision Scopes?

Night vision scopes work by projecting an image onto the reticle instead of focusing through the lens. Night vision scopes are designed specifically for hunting or target shooting at night. They allow you to see better at longer ranges. However, they aren’t meant for day-to-day use.

What Else Should I know About Scopes?

You should also make sure that the scope is waterproof. Waterproofing helps prevent moisture from getting inside the scope. This could cause damage to the internal components.

Also, make sure that the scope has enough eye relief. Eye relief refers to how far away your eyes need to be from the eyepiece before you begin to experience blurry images. Too little eye relief means you will have trouble seeing clearly if you look too close to the scope.

Riflescopes – How To Choose The Right One

Choosing the right rifle scope is important for every hunter. There are many factors to consider when choosing a new rifle scope. Here we break down some of the most important features when buying a new rifle scope.

Fixed or Variable Power Scope

First off, you need to decide if you want a fixed or variable power scope. A fixed power scope has one setting and will not change magnification as your eye moves up and down the target. Variable power scopes have multiple settings that can adjust with an elevation knob on the side of the scope. This allows you to adjust the power of the lens depending on what type of game you’re hunting.

Red Dot Sight

Next, you need to choose between a red dot sight (rads) or traditional iron sights. Rads are great for close-up shots where you don’t need a lot of magnification. Traditional iron sights work well in longer distances, but they aren’t very accurate at close range. If you’re looking for something in between, consider a hybrid scope that uses rads and traditional iron sights.

Lighting

The next thing to think about is how much light you need to see your target. Some hunters prefer low light optics, while others like high-powered scopes even in dim conditions. You also need to know what kind of shooting style you use. Do you hunt from a prone position or standing? Are you using a bipod or tripod? These things all affect the amount of light needed for a particular optic.

Plan to Shoot

Next, you need to figure out how far away you plan to shoot. Longer distance requires more magnification than closer ranges. When it comes to long-range shooting, you should always get a higher power scope. However, this doesn’t mean you need a 200mm objective lens. Most people find that 100mm works just fine for their needs.

Analog or Digital Display

The last thing to consider is whether you want a digital or analog display. Digital displays show exactly what your reticle is doing, so there’s no guessing. Analog displays require you to guess where the crosshairs are going based on the movement of the reticle.

Summary

Now, I hope you have cleared all the different types of scope reticles that you know what to look for; let’s go over some of the best rifle scopes available today. So, click here and get the best rifle scope!