Riflescopes Comparison

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Individuals who are into hunting and related pursuits are often into their gear. They search high and low for the best equipment and add-ons, especially air riflescopes since these make such a difference. However, choosing one can be quite a task since there is a huge assortment of scopes in the market and they vary by type, features and specifications.

Here is a neat, informative guide on scope considerations to understand more about the equipment but first a comparison of the best scopes in the business to make your shopping easier and hassle-free.

The Best Lineup of Riflescopes Today

The riflescope is a substantial aspect of a rifle since it lets the user view and aim at the target accurately. Scopes that are poorly-made are a hassle so it is recommended that you at least invest on something that you can use for a longer period of time. Here are examples of great scopes retailed in the market today and how they measure up with each other.

• UTG 4X32 1″ Hunter Scope, Mil-dot, Airgun Rings

The UTG 4X32 has a magnification of 4x and an objective diameter of 32mm. It has a fixed or straight power magnification, one of the most reliable magnification levels and is ideal to use for hunting rabbits or other small game.

It also features a 1/4 MOA for windage and elevation adjustment with finger-adjustable turrets and a mil-dot reticle. It weighs at 306 grams and has a length of 300-mm.

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• BESTEK 3-9X40mm Hunting Optics Rifle Scope

The BESTEK 3-9X40mm has variable magnification; it has 3-9x and has an objective diameter of 40mm. It measures 11.8 inches and has a net weight of 339 grams. The model also has two rotating hand wheel on the upper and right part of the tube, which makes using the device a breeze.

Its plane-grade aluminum tube means it’s tough and resists scratches and abrasions.

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• CVLIFE Tactical 3-9×40 Optics R4 Reticle Crosshair Rifle Scope

Another model with 3-9x variable magnification and 40mm objective diameter, CVLIFE Tactical 3-9×40 weighs around 345 grams and measures 12.20 inches.

The model has the ability to let users concentrate on even the most undersized mark on longer distances. Its 9x focus enlargement provides a crisp and clear view so you can easily fire away at the target.

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• Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope

Bushnell’s Banner Dusk and Dawn Riflescope has a variable magnification of 4-12x and an objective diameter of 40mm. This is the perfect scope to bring along if you are fond of hunting in the wee hours of the morning due to its Dusk Dawn Brightness multi-coated lenses. It weighs 426 grams and measures 12 inches long.

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• UTG 3-9X32 BugBuster Scope

A scope with variable magnification (3-9x), it promises to keep users on target with its finger-adjustable turrets and illuminated reticle. It also features an objective diameter of 32mm for greater comfort and steadiness plus its emerald-coated lenses provide clear-cut views and max light transmission for precise aim.

The model has a weight of 394 grams and it measures at 206mm.

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• CVLIFE Tactical 3-9X56 Mil-dot Illuminated Optics Rifle Scope

CVLIFE’s Tactical 3-9X56 feature red and green mil-dot illuminated optics for a sharper, clutter-free view with amplified brightness. Its optic system is powered by a CR2032 battery and also features variable magnification (3-9x) and an objective diameter of 56mm.

The model weighs at 590 grams and measures 32cm.

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Let’s Get It Down To Comparison

• Scope Size

Bigger lenses means you will acquire greater magnification and a broader field of view, plus it also allocates more light to pass through. Most of the scopes featured on this article have scope sizes of 30-40mm with CVLIFE Tactical 3-9X56 being the highest.

Generally, those with 32mm and 40mm like the UTG models, Bushnell, BESTEK and CVLIFE Tactical 3-9×40 will allow sufficient amounts of light for majority of activities while CVLIFE Tactical 3-9X56 or any model with higher scope sizes are best recommended for the serious air rifle enthusiast.

• Adjustments

The UTG 3-9X32 has well-positioned knobs for windage and elevation adjustments while the UTG 4X32 has 1/4 minutes of angle for the aforementioned adjustments (can be done with the accompanying finger-adjustable turrets). The later has a parallax setting of 35 yards for a more accurate focus on higher magnifications while the former has 3 yards to infinity.

Meanwhile, the Bushnell Dusk and Dawn air riflescope features a quick-focusing eyepiece and 1/4 minutes of angle finger-adjustable elevation and windage settings. If you are occupied on focusing at targets on longer distances, then the models from UTG will work for you since parallax adjustment plays a huge role in keeping an accurate aim on targets.

• Durability

Since air rifle scopes are made for outdoor use, all models mentioned are shockproof, waterproof and fogproof. Those aspects are certainly needed especially on models designed for early-morning/dim light use like the Bushnell Dusk and Dawn Riflescope. In addition, they have to last harsh impacts so all models are made from high-quality materials.

A model like BESTEK 3-9X40mm has a plane aluminum tube which means it is resistant to scratches and corrosion so this is a great addition to a scope that’s built to endure harsh weather conditions.

• Value

Scopes have an effect on your precision and levels of comfort so you better guarantee that the item you are going to purchase won’t disrupt a good time on the field. Air rifle scopes can cost over a hundred dollars but there are affordable and mid-priced ones that still work efficiently like the models from BESTEK and UTG. Beginners might test the field first with those budget rifle scopes.

But if you want to invest more on an equipment, you can go for the CVLIFE and Bushnell models. Also if you are on a budget, you can take advantage of sale items since plenty of brands often provide sales and discounts on their products.

The Comparison Final Verdict

Personal preferences can hold sway over a purchase. What you will buy will also depend on the kind of activity you do, whether you are into plinking, target shooting, hunting or competitions. Generally speaking, you just mull over the comparison of the mentioned items, go over the factors described earlier and measure everything up to your needs and soon, you will get the air rifle scope of your dreams.

Riflescope Considerations

A scope that’s highly-regarded in the community and works effectively during your forays into the wild will make your pursuit undemanding and more interesting. We use them in leisurely pursuits or competitions but it is fact that in order to get that target, our gear should be solid and efficient.

The following are considerations you should look into before buying an air rifle scope:

• Magnification

This aspect determines the amount of times when an object can be viewed by means of a scope other than the naked eye. A unit with 10x magnification translates that the goal seems 10 times nearer thus a target that’s a hundred meters away is noticeable as if it was just ten meters away from where you stand or lie down. Magnification can be secure or adjustable.

• Field of view

Field of view or FOV is the spot that can be viewed throughout the unit from right to left at a hundred meters. This can vary depending on magnification and it diminishes as the magnification rises, etc.

• Objective lens diameter

The dimensions of the objective diameter calculates the quantity of light that must get within the unit and the light transmission’s effectivity. The bigger the objective diameter, the more light goes by throughout the unit which is a blessing in low-light situations.

• Reticle

The reticle is used to point the rifle and it also assists the shooter to assess distance or wind range. The most commonplace reticle is the crosshair, which has two kinds: fine and thick. There are a few kinds of crosshair reticles available and they are duplex, mil-dot, etched and illuminated.

Duplex crosshairs are thick inching toward the perimeter and it thins out when it reaches the center. Mil-dot is the same as the duplex but it has mil dots situated in the center to help with distance and range assessment. The etched crosshair provides users amplified tractability to take in figures like dots and rings for a more precise range estimate.

The illuminated reticle meanwhile is powered by battery and lit by fiber-optic light pipes, LED lights or tritium. This one is helpful in conditions with dim lights or overcast weather.

• Parallax adjustable

If you want more accurate focus at higher magnifications on far-flung targets, you have to pay attention to an air rifle scope’s parallax adjustment. This factor is also crucial in terms of shooting at greater distances—over a hundred meters max most particularly when aiming with higher magnification scopes. The parallax adjustment is usually situated on the scope’s objective.

• Turret adjustments

This factor is important particularly in competition-style precise targeting. The target turrets shift the crosshairs in the unit and its housing it located in the central part of the scope tube. Most units are designed with 1/4 minutes of angle (MOA) turrets which are great for majority of targeting activities. Scopes with 1/8 MOA though are recommended for slighter targets which require more accurate fine-tuning.

However, turrets are useless in bushy or tree-filled areas since they can get caught on branches or bushes thus scopes meant for hunting generally do not have them.

• Tube length, weight and diameter

Those aforesaid aspects can influence the effectivity and handiness of an air riflescope. In general, a 1-inch tube diameter is sufficient enough for majority of activities. If you are targeting long distances or employing high levels of magnification, a 30-mm tube diameter is stronger and highly suggested.

For those who want a riflescope that won’t make the rifle top-heavy, the length and weight of a model must be considered. There are available scopes weighing up to 227 grams but generally most models weigh around 340-390 grams.

• Light transmission

This factor entails the measurement of the light that can go by the scope. It is usually measured by percent. High-end scopes can go up even more than 95 percent. Excellent light transmission makes targeting in low light possible and it also offers users sharper, brighter images so focus and aiming won’t be a problem.

• Eye relief distance

The distance beginning from the eye to the ocular lens once the whole field of view is perceptible by way of the scope is called the eye relief. It can differ depending on the power of the scope. Majority of air rifle scopes usually have an eye relief of 70-90 centimeters.

Keep in mind that the eye relief should be bigger than the recoil of the rifle or else the recoil might physically harm the user.

• Exit pupil

The exit pupil is measured by divvying the objective diameter by means of the magnification level. For example; a 10x magnification on a 40-mm objective diameter is equal to a 4-mm exit pupil. As a tip, average daylight requires 2-3mm while low light conditions will need around 5-mm.

• Lens coating

Majority of scopes include coated lenses to minimize glare from sunny conditions, enhance light transmission and improve contrast. The coating on a lens can vary; they are available as coated, fully-coated, multi-coated or fully multi-coated.

A coated lens has a single coating on a single lens surface, the fully-coated features single coating on all surfaces, multi-coated means multiple coating on a single lens surface while fully multi-coated have several layers on all surfaces.

Usually, the quality of the coating and glass is more crucial than the number of coatings a model features. A top-rate lens with superior single coating can operate greater than a budget air rifle scope with a multi-coated lens.

• Repeatability

This refers to the capability of a riflescope to fire away with precision numerous times without adjustment. Also, it is crucial that you need to look into on how fast the air rifle scope will alight following an adjustment. Excellent air riflescopes will act quickly while poor-quality models will require an additional round of fire in order to settle.