Need a Scope Education

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paz

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I would like to know why you would use a 2x28mm scope vs a 4-14x40mm scope?

My understanding is one zooms in better and allows more light while the other does what? One seems set more for hunting or long-distance while the other replaces iron sights, or gives some form of accuracy if there aren't any sights?

I bought a rifle I intend to use for some casual shooting at 50-250 yards and it has no sights but I'd like a scope, what should I consider?

Burris Scout 2.75-20mm
Leupold VX Freedom 1.5-4x28mm
?
 
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Different uses. Why do cars have 14" tires and 32" tires? A fixed scope will be more reliable and weigh less then a variable zoom one.

What are you shooting at? How much money is in your wallet?

There are 4000 threads and forum posts asking about which scope to get. Start there.
 
Well the Burris Scout is a long eye relief scope. You get smaller FOV. But meant to be mounted forward of the reciever.

But like said above. It's a personal preference.

I have a 32x on my Anschutz 22 target rifle but meant to shoot small groups, but never use more than 20x. Most my guns only have 4x on them.
 
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OkayShooter said:
Well the Burris Scout is a long eye relief scope. You get smaller FOV. But meant to be mounted forward of the reciever.

But like said above. It's a personal preference.

I have a 32x on my Anschutz 22 target rifle but meant to shoot small groups, but never use more than 20x. Most my guns only have 4x on them.
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So the Burris probably wouldn't be good on a Ruger Ranch, because the mounting rail is right over the receiver, correct?
 
paz said:
So the Burris probably wouldn't be good on a Ruger Ranch, because the mounting rail is right over the receiver, correct?
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No it wouldn't be a good choice, because it's not a Scout rifle. Let's just say I run one on a pistol.

Higher the magnification, smaller the FOV will be, but you'll see every movement, every twitch, and you'll feel less stable. 3-9 or 4x12 be all you need. But if you are shooting under 100, you might want one with adjustable parellax. As it might not focus.
 
paz said:
So the Burris probably wouldn't be good on a Ruger Ranch, because the mounting rail is right over the receiver, correct?
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Correct. The image would be out of focus by design at short eye relief distance.

The fixed low-power scopes (not scout types with long eye relief) have their purpose: light weight - quick target acquisition - wide field of view. They also work better for people with astigmatism who can't use red-dot sights (blurry dots) or whose vision is so compromised that they can't use iron sights well (blurry rear sight).
 
Great. Thanks for the input.

Any suggestions on a decent scope for the Ruger, $400 to $700 budget? Doesn't need to have crazy magnification but useful under 100 yards if necessary.
 
vp6111 said:
Correct. The image would be out of focus by design at short eye relief distance.

The fixed low-power scopes (not scout types with long eye relief) have their purpose: light weight - quick target acquisition - wide field of view. They also work better for people with astigmatism who can't use red-dot sights (blurry dots) or whose vision is so compromised that they can't use iron sights well (blurry rear sight).
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I wouldn't say it has anything to do with poor vision, why people run fixed power. Just some people don't need high power optics. Also they can be more aesthetic pleasing, than a variable optic. I got an astigmatism and I run apetures, iron sights, red dot sights and fix 4x on some guns.

I would say it is opposite. People run higher mag because of poor vision.
 
paz said:
Great. Thanks for the input.

Any suggestions on a decent scope for the Ruger, $400 to $700 budget? Doesn't need to have crazy magnification but useful under 100 yards if necessary.
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Too many options. Stick with brand names. Leupold and Vortex are regular starting points.
 
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OkayShooter said:
I wouldn't say it has anything to do with poor vision, why people run fixed power. Just some people don't need high power optics. Also they can be more aesthetic pleasing, than a variable optic. I got an astigmatism and I run apetures, iron sights, red dot sights and fix 4x on some guns.

I would say it is opposite. People run higher mag because of poor vision.
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It is a matter of individual tastes/preferences and individual vision problems.
 
paz said:
Great. Thanks for the input.

Any suggestions on a decent scope for the Ruger, $400 to $700 budget? Doesn't need to have crazy magnification but useful under 100 yards if necessary.
Click to expand...
Burris Fullfield, bdc reticle, 3-9 or 4-12. You can find them on the ee fairly often for reasonable money, and they're good scopes. - dan
 
In recent half decade I bought (and sold) at least a dozen scopes until I figure what suits my needs or interests... and finally I am set now with all the games I am playing with my airguns also firearms.
You need to try many scopes (borrowed or purchased) to get a feel what is what in scopes, build up some personal preferences.
But for this exercise need a lot of homework looking around for best prices also buying smart as well, in order to balance the cost.
Nobody will do this job for you, either you listen what other people saying or do your own elbow greasing.
Unfortunately like with everything there are tons of advise "this what the sales person offered me"....
 
OP - your post title actually raises a very good question, I think - a LOT has to do with the shooter - their skill level (which will be a function of certain physical parameters like visual acuity), the amount of practice (or lack of that), or training (or lack that). As per United States Marine Corps - they learned to shoot aperture rear sight with both eyes open - train the brain to accept two different images from left eye and right eye - if you do not think that works or is wrong, I am sure you can take that up with them. Over the years, I have noticed "modern" buyer's fascination with "variable" or "adjustable" - I was never a target shooter - I do not expect to put five bullets through same hole at 100 yards - but is very possible and I have witnessed other people do so - never done it myself though. I suspect if objective is tiny groups, then probably need higher magnification. To kill a deer, you need to be able to hit circa 12" (30 cm) on that deer - do not need really high power magnification to do that - first shot, cold barrel.

As mentioned above - a fixed power scope typically is more robust, typically fewer moving parts, typically lighter weight for the same build quality compared to a variable power scope - even within the same brand. You do not need a scope built for a 416 Rigby on a .22 Long Rifle. As I have shown young fellows in my shop - the outfit has to FIT - what clothes that you will be wearing (influences length of pull) - focal length of scope (influences where your retina has to be to see full image of that scope), and so on. Some of us have spent decades - fired thousands of rounds - mounted a dozen or more scopes - and still consider ourselves to be mediocre shooters, compared to what "world class" shooters can do.
 
OP - maybe some basic optics physics - divide magnification into objective diameter lens (in mm) - that will give you the scope's exit pupil - the amount of light can go into your eye - when you are a teenager - likely you can dilate the pupil in your eye to be circa 7 mm - when you are old fart like me is probably 4 mm - just a function of aging. So that 14 power x 40 mm front lens is going to give you an exit pupil of 40/14=2.867 mm or so. On my "fighting rifle" I have an 3x20 scope - 20/3=6.667 mm or so. Which one do you think is brighter (to me) or faster to get crosshair on target? For me, it is not about shooting bug hole sized groups into paper targets at 100 yards - is about stopping something, with the first shot, at 10 meters.
 
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I ended up purchasing a used Leupold and it's on the way, got a tracking number today. I decided to look at some VXII in different sizes and a couple of 33mm and a 40mm popped up. I ended up with a VXII 3-9x40mm. I now need to mount it and this is all new to me. The rifle has a Picatinny scope base from factory so I assume I only need rings, right? So what kind if I want to keep it easy and simple?

Preferably would like to order from Tenda as I need to fill a small order to get free shipping.

Suggestions?
https://www.gotenda.com/product-cat...stock=instock&really_curr_tax=141-product_cat
 
paz said:
I ended up purchasing a used Leupold and it's on the way, got a tracking number today. I decided to look at some VXII in different sizes and a couple of 33mm and a 40mm popped up. I ended up with a VXII 3-9x40mm. I now need to mount it and this is all new to me. The rifle has a Picatinny scope base from factory so I assume I only need rings, right? So what kind if I want to keep it easy and simple?

Preferably would like to order from Tenda as I need to fill a small order to get free shipping.

Suggestions?
https://www.gotenda.com/product-cat...stock=instock&really_curr_tax=141-product_cat
Click to expand...
Best is what style rings you like ( Tactical with multiple clamp screws, double strap, only 2 screws, see thru ) Then ask of theyre good based on what you like. You cannot go wrong with Luepold rings. You'll need to get the scope to determine what you like for scope height.
 
OkayShooter said:
Best is what style rings you like ( Tactical with multiple clamp screws, double strap, only 2 screws, see thru ) Then ask of theyre good based on what you like. You cannot go wrong with Luepold rings. You'll need to get the scope to determine what you like for scope height.
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I thought height might come up. I've read that height is important and using proper torque to mount the scope is important.

That being said, is there something I can measure or read/watch that will help me determine the proper sizing for the rings? And. What kind of rings might these be? I only own one other rifle with a scope and it came set up like this, I'd like to buy the same as these seem to work well enough. (no markings on them that I can see and it's a Leupold scope and I don't want to take things apart)

IMG_8734.jpeg
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