Brands of Rifle Scopes

Good rifle scopes are harder to come by than you think. A surprising amount of money can be spent on an inferior product, as with any other area of commerce. And, of course, a salesman may try to sell you a bit more rifle scope than you need, leaving you not only short on cash but also long on a bunch of useless bells and whistles.

Whether it's Burris rifle scopes, Leupold rifle scopes, Nikon rifle scopes, or Bushnell rifle scopes, we're going to give you a few pointers on how to discern a solid rifle scope.

Duplex reticle - The reticle is simply the crosshairs of a rifle scope, seen through the viewing lens. The lines in a duplex reticle are thick toward the outside and thin in the center, providing a clear, bold view of the crosshairs and a precise point at the intersection. Ideally, there will be enough light to see the center of the reticles, but if not, you'll always be able to find the outer points and aim from there.

Light gathering and magnification - It is a misconception to think that greater magnification provides a greater view. Since the magnification actually takes what is seen through the objective lens and makes it bigger, it is the first lens that provides the view. Simultaneously, the act of magnifying actually decreases the field of view and reduces the amount of reflected light. Therefore, if you are looking for maximum magnification, it is in your best interest to fork it over for a good scope with a large objective lens, too.