Not All Rifle Scopes Are Created Equal

By Author: Dale Coover
Total Articles: 6
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Iron sights the oldest form of sighting system. You focus the eye on the front sight and align it the rear sight and sight it to your target. Some shooters have trouble with this as the eye is drawn to the target as a result both sites are blurred. Offering the user the ability to focus on both the crosshair and the target at the same time, telescopic sights are a better choice

The reticle is also called the crosshairs in a rifle scope.
There are two main types of reticles a wire reticle and etched reticle. A rifle scope is commonly called a telescopic sight which is used on crossbows, rifles and hand guns. Some other sighting systems are iron sights and laser sights.
Wire reticles and are made out of metal wire as the name implies they are mounted inside the sights tube as the crosshairs. If back lit a wire reticle will reflect light and not present a crosshair with high-contrast. In less expensive telescopic sights wire reticles are still often mounted to avoid costly production. Depending on the real cost of the scope and the rifle scope mounting when shot it could knock the crosshairs out of alignment.

Etched ...
... reticles (crosshairs) are just that they are etched in to the glass. A etched reticle will stay fully visible if back lit. Etched reticles are considered to be a better solution over wire reticles and can offer many different layouts in design. The more expensive and high end telescopic sights have etched reticles and they dominate the market. Some manufactures will make custom rifle scopes.

Rifle scopes for military and law enforcement use may also be designed with range finder. The mil-dot reticle is different in they consist of crosshairs with small dots (Mil) at intervals in the field of view.

A telescopic sight can have several adjustment controls.
*A focusing control at the eye end of the sight to obtain a sharp picture of the object and reticle.
*Adjustment for elevation or vertical control of the reticle.
*Windage adjustment for horizontal control of the reticle.
*Magnification control giving you several magnification power levels.
*Illumination adjustment control of the reticule to regulate the brightness level of the reticles crosshairs.

Typical accessories you may want for telescopic sights are.
Lens hoods to reduce or eliminate image quality by stray light, available for both ends of your rifle scope.
Some lens hoods extend the full length of a gun barrel not just cover the scope. They improve image quality by blocking out heat waves or mirages.
There are slide-over, bikini and flip-open covers to protect against weather and damage for going through the brush. Polarizing filters to optimize image quality in various lighting conditions. A kill flash or honeycomb filters to eliminate light reflections that could compromise a sniper. Eye-safe laser filters to protect operators these filters are usually built into the rifle scope.
Cases for protection while in transit and storage.

Just buying a good telescopic sight will not make it hit your target. Alignment, bore sighting and most of all practice and being familiar with it will make it the best scope you will ever own. Practice safety and have a great time.