When it comes to long range hunting, you want magnification that fits your riflescope’s applications 80 to 90 percent of the time.
The best long-range hunting scope should offer at least 20x magnification. That way, you can see your target clearly, enabling you to make a perfect shot.
Why Do You Need a Magnification Scope for 1,000 Yards?
A magnification scope is a crucial add-on to any long-range hunter’s ammo.
By magnifying the target’s image, a hunter can better estimate the animal’s range and take a more precise shot.
In addition, a rifle scope can help long-range hunters determine where to hit the animal, for a clean kill.
Types of Magnification Scopes
Magnification scopes are available in three categories as follows;
- Refracting
- Reflecting
- Catadioptric
Refracting Scopes
These riflescopes feature a simple design and are the most common.
Besides being relatively more affordable than the other types, these scopes are shock and vibration-resistant.
On the flip side, they lack chromatic aberration. For starters, this is when different colors of light focus on various points, making the images appear distorted or blurry.
Reflecting Scopes
These are less common than the other two types. However, like their refracting counterparts, they don’t have chromatic aberration.
Reflecting scopes are more expensive than refracting scopes and require more maintenance primarily because you have to keep the mirrors aligned and clean.
Further, they’re more durable than refracting scopes and can deliver more powerful magnification than the refracting type.
Catadioptric Scopes
Catadioptric rifle scopes are the most expensive of the lot. However, they offer superior image quality, have chromatic aberration, and provide the best magnification than the other two types.
However, they’re the most delicate and require more maintenance.
Tricks to Get the Most Out of Your Riflescope
A high-quality rifle scope can be a valuable asset in the woods, but there are a couple of things you can do to make the most of the unit’s capabilities.
The first thing you need to do is to make sure you mount and align the scope correctly. Proper mounting gives you a clear and accurate view.
On top of that, you need to use the highest power setting for the sharpest image. In addition, you must practice using the scope to enable you to find and track targets.
While taking out a game animal at 1,000+ yards can be challenging, you can use state-of-the-art scopes like the Stealth Vision hunting scope for better precision even if you’re a beginner.
The scope boasts patent-pending anti-cant technology to ensure you know exactly when to pull the trigger, increasing your chances of making a clean kill.
Why Do You Need a High-Quality Magnification Scope?
You’ll want to choose a high-quality magnification rifle scope for several reasons. These include:
- Improved accuracy
- Reduced eye fatigue
- Increased range
- Better light gathering
- Increased durability
The higher the scope’s quality, the more useful the scope is to a long-range shooter or hunter.
That said, you must know the various types of reticles to help you take full advantage of your long-range riflescope, so that’s what we’ll talk about next.
Types of Rifle Scope Reticles
There are four main types of reticles as follows;
- Duplex
- Mil-dot
- BDC
- Crosshair
Here’s a breakdown of how these reticles work;
- Duplex Reticles: These are the most common and are typically used for hunting. They feature thick crosshairs in the middle and a thinner outer circle. This design allows you to size up your target quickly while maintaining precision.
- Mil-dot Reticles: These are mainly used by the military for long-range shooting. They feature tiny dots evenly spaced along the crosshairs.
- BDC Reticles: These are more or less like mil-dot reticles but with larger and more spaced-out dots. They’re only compatible with specific loads and caliber and are ideal for long-range shooting.
- Crosshair Reticles: These are the most basic of reticles. They feature a set of crosshairs without additional marketing and are great for target shooting or hunting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the best magnification for a 1,000-yard rifle scope?
You’ll need to consider several factors to determine the perfect magnification for a long-range riflescope. These include:
- The type of hunting rifle you’re using
- The type of ammo compatible with your rifle
- The range you’re shooting at
- Personal preferences
Still, as a rule of thumb, you’re better off with a magnification of at least 20x to hit targets at 1,000 yards accurately.
What are the essential factors to consider in a 1,000-yard rifle scope?
The most important consideration when looking for a long-range scope is the number of features that the unit has.
These include the scope’s maximum magnification, turrets, objective lens size, and reticle. You’ll also want to ensure you’re buying a scope that can handle the rigors of frequent use for durability.
Consider reading reviews before investing your money in any long-range riflescope. Ideally, you want to purchase a unit with a reasonable amount of positive feedback and a high rating.
Price is also a crucial consideration. When it comes to long range scope, expensive doesn’t always mean high-quality, which takes us to the first two points …features and quality above everything else.
What is the benefit of a riflescope with an illuminated reticle?
An illuminated reticle allows you to see through the scope in low light conditions, making it easier to take an accurate shot. Illuminated reticles come in several colors, including blue, green, and red.
What’s the difference between a Mil-Dot and MOA reticle?
A Mil-Dot reticle uses dots to help the shooter estimate windage and range. An MOA reticle, on the other hand, leverages minutes of angle to estimate range and windage.
As the name suggests, Mil-Dot reticles are mostly used by the military, while civilians use their MOA counterparts.
The Bottom Line
The amount of magnification a rifle scope offers determines your success or lack of it at the hunting ground.
While it’s not hard to tell how much magnification a scope is, you should always ensure it’s enough for your needs.