You’ve made the right choice in choosing a rifle scope. But to get the clearest shot in the field, you now have to learn HOW to use a rifle scope!
I’ll guide you through the process of how to use a scope properly with a few simple steps.
I’ll also discuss how you should store and clean your rifle scope, as well as WHY it’s important for you to use a rifle scope properly out on the hunt.
By the end of this article, you’ll be confident to start hunting big game first thing in the morning!
Contents
Step-by-Step Process of Using a Rifle Scope
Learning how to use a rifle scope involves the steps below.
Read through every step and proceed with caution. We always want to operate our rifles and scopes as safely as possible!
Let’s get started with the first step.
1. Mount Your Scope
Mounting your rifle scope safely secures it on top of your rifle.
Sometimes, you would need to purchase mounting scope rings to support your specific scope.
Should this happen, make sure that the hardware of the scope rings matches both your device and accessory perfectly.
Most rifle scopes, however, already come with pre-drilled grooves for mounting attachments. Whichever the case, this first step considers the following:
- Match your hardware to your scope design.
- Attach the scope to your rifle barrel.
- Tighten any screws to keep the scope intact. Make sure that the pressure on all screws is even.
Keep in mind that your rifle scope might be damaged if you tighten it too much! Always try to find the right balance for you.
To help you get started, here are the different types of scope mounts to choose from!
If you want to delve deeper into how to mount a rifle scope, we also have a full guide on how to do so!
2. Align the Reticle
The reticle of your rifle scope is vital to indicate the direction you will aim your scope.
Depending on what your reticles look like, make sure to follow the cross figure on your lens. This helps make sure you are correctly fixed on the target.
Sometimes, reticles appear as red dot sights that you have to fix through bore sighting.
But generally, to align the reticle of your rifle scope:
- Loosen the mounting scope rings.
- Rotate the scope until the reticle is correctly positioned.
- Make sure that the horizontal and vertical lines should intersect right at the center and form crosshairs.
Sometimes, a good rifle scope may make use of lasers to boresight. Should this be the case, the same process may be followed.
Check out this guide on how to sight your rifle scope to learn more!
3. Adjust the Eye Relief
After aligning the reticle location, the next step would be to account for eye relief.
To do this, you would have to adjust the distance of the scope’s lens to avoid rifle recoil or point of impact.
With high magnification power, you will usually have the tendency to move closer to the scope. This results in less eye relief and higher chances of eyesores.
The thing is, you have to be conscious of yourself when accomplishing this step. After all, this is all about doing constant readjustments to find a comfortable position for you.
To achieve this, simply do the following:
- Place the scope as far away as possible while it is still mounted on your hardware.
- Slowly move the scope towards your eye until you can see the entire field. Make sure that your vision remains the same and is no less blurry than before.
- To ensure eye relief, remember to keep the scope at a distance of 1 inch away. Scope adjustments should be made while keeping this as a check for possible recoils and bullet impact.
- Once satisfied, tighten the ring screws with again the same pressure as before.
4. Test the Scope
Remember the parts of your rifle scope: the body or tube, the rifle scope reticle, the elevation and windage knobs, and the sites.
More than these, remember that to use a rifle scope, you also have to consider its power.
This step is all about ensuring that your vision is appropriate for the purpose and setting of your hunt for big game.
For you to determine the appropriate type of your scope:
- Know if your scope is fixed or variable. The latter allows you to choose the magnification.
- If you have a variable lens, choose the magnification level that gives you the clearest view of your target.
- Look through your lens.
- If uncomfortable, repeat Steps 1-3 from the mounting of the scope.
5. Aim the Shot
Now that your scopes are ready, you are now ready to aim the shot.
Divided into three important subcategories, make sure that you don’t skip anything important to get that perfect shot!
Establish the Sight Picture
To get a precise shot, it is important to get a good sight of the range before doing anything else.
- Center the reticle in your field of view.
- Position the reticle right over your target.
- Make sure that the picture within your sight forms a perfect circle at the end of the scope.