Scopes and Sights

Sports optics such as rifle scopes and handgun scopes can be broken into catagories based on their magnification or power.

Close Range: Red Dot scopes and scopes rated 1X, 2X or variable power such as 1-5X and 2-7X are for short range use like hunting in dense brush or hunting wild boar and other dangerous game. Many handgun scopes as well as shotgun, slug gun, black powder rifle, and 22 caliber rimfire scopes are in this power range. The lower power scopes will usually be lighter in weight and have a wider field of view than higher power scopes.

Medium Range: Fixed power riflescopes rated 4X, 6X and variable power like 3-9X and 3.5-10X are for medium ranged targets. The 3-9X scopes are by far the most popular and versatile hunting scope and are an excellent choice for Whitetail Deer hunts. Some handgun and .22 caliber rimfire scopes are in this power range.

Transitional Scopes: Variable power rifle scopes rated 4-12X, 4.5-14X, 4-16X and 5-15X are a good choice for those that will be shooting medium to long range targets. The lowest power is in the medium range and the highest power allows for long range shots.

Long Range: Fixed power riflescopes rated 10X and above and variable power rifle scopes like those rated 6-18X, 6-24X, 6.5-20X, 8-24X, 8-32X, 8.5-25X are for long range target shooting and varmit (varmint) hunting.