Hunting is undoubtedly among the most rewarding outdoor activities. As you get a good dose of adrenaline-filled adventure, you are also exercising your body and brain. You also get to bond with Mother Nature while at it, plus you can put food on the table for days from just a single kill.
If you are a modern hunter, higher chances are that you are using a hunting rifle. On that note, precision will depend on your ability to view your target from a distance despite the weather conditions, target size, or time of day. When aiming, you will also need to consider other variants such as the wind. The wind could slightly alter the line of progression of your bullet from the time it is launched to the time it gets to your target. With all these factors in mind, this is where hunting scopes and other optics come in handy for a hunter. But as asked by most gun users, does scope quality really impact your shooting ability? Well, this piece seeks to shed some light on the matter.
It Certainly Does!
Simply put, rifle scopes come in handy when aiming at targets from far distances. Since the gadget is designed to improve your shooting accuracy, the quality of your scope could actually matter more than the quality of the rifle you are using. The chances of missing your target with a good rifle and a bad scope are higher than when using a mediocre rifle with a superb scope. All the same, different scopes are designed for different types of shooting. So it is best to be informed about the various factors that matter before choosing your rifle scope. Some of these include:
1. The Greater the Magnification the Better Your Shot
The magnification powers of different rifle scopes vary. Most people who know how rifle scopes work will prefer a more powerful scope depending on their demands because it provides a sharper aim, which improves the shot they take. Scopes as low as those with fixed magnification are slowly being phased out of the market since they do not satisfy the needs of today’s hunters. Most people, however, desire to be in charge of their aim. The emergence of scopes with adjustable magnification has made that possible. Nonetheless, others say that low-power scopes provide a wider field of view than high-power scopes, making it easier to acquire a target.
2. Higher Quality Scopes Have Higher Quality Lenses
The quality of the lenses is one of the reasons why persons with similar talents and scopes of different qualities will always differ in terms of shooting abilities. Higher-quality scopes feature higher-quality lenses, resulting in higher-quality aims and significantly better shots. As a novice shooter looking to improve their shooting skills, you should invest in scope with powerful lenses. These lenses can be fine-tuned for a more detailed and clearer picture of the target.
3. Higher Quality Scopes Take Less Time to Get a Clear Aim
When you see a buck as a hunter, you know you’ve found your target. It will be easier to get the buck in target with a low-power scope. However, if you are a beginner in rifle shooting, you may find it difficult to acquire a clear target. This could stem from the lack of a clear aim with the scope or the scope taking longer to acquire a clear target. It takes longer to acquire a target with a higher power scope, but once you do, getting a clear shot is straightforward. However, keep in mind that, while the scope’s quality is important, it’s the quantity of practice you put in that actually improves your shooting skills.
4. An Experienced Shooter Will Take a Clean Shot Even with a Low Power Scope
As previously stated, getting proficient at the shooting range needs additional practice. Even if you have the best rifle and the most powerful scope, unless you practice aiming at targets and taking clean shots, your shooting skills will be poor. While it is true that a superior scope improves your shooting skills, it does so by complementing what you already know. If you are determined to improve your shooting prowess, spending extra time practicing at the shooting range can help. It is from this moment that you will become a better shooter with a superior scope.
Scopes are incredible accessories for any long-distance shooter. Especially for hunters, they make it easier to hit the target with precision in the first shot you take. The quality of your scope could be the difference between taking home a kill and coming back empty-handed.
