A rifle scope, also known as a “telescopic sight,” is an indispensable tool for accurate shooting.
When I was a beginner, I didn’t really care to know about the inner workings of a scope, but I eventually learned to appreciate everything about it!
Understanding the scope and its functions may be difficult if you use it for the first time.
However, there’s no need to worry because I’m here to help! You won’t ask yourself, “How does a rifle scope work?” after reading my guide.
Contents
Rifle Scopes at a Glance
Simply put, a rifle scope is a telescope that sits on top of your rifle. It’s an aluminum tube with a lens assembly or a collection of glass inside it.
Just like any other optical tool, scopes usually house the following components:
- Magnification lens: enlarge your target
- The reticle or fine lines: reference your target.
Scopes differ from iron sights, usually used in crossbows or machine guns. These tools are only good for focusing on a target, meaning they don’t offer magnification.
The rifle scope helps you see FARTHER than your naked eye because it is an optical tool.
Learning how it works can help you use your rifle more effectively.
How Does a Rifle Scope Work?
A rifle scope works by enlarging your target area so you can aim more accurately.
This is especially useful if you’re hunting or encountering fast-moving subjects, like running deer or flying birds.
Scopes use MAGNIFICATION to help you zoom in on your target. Basically, scopes are just a collection of lenses inside a tube.
However, the lens assembly, as well as the materials used, affects your scope’s optics.
That’s why it’s important to choose a scope that fits your needs, whether you’re a hunter or a sniper.
Best Riflescope Materials
Body/Housing Materials
Because you’ll attach your scope to a rifle, it must be nature-ready and protected against the elements.
That’s why most manufacturers choose AIRCRAFT ALUMINUM for a scope’s housing.
Aircraft-grade aluminum has two major advantages over other materials.
- Durability: it can withstand the elements
- Lightweight features: it doesn’t add extra weight to your rifle.
Some manufacturers make scopes using other materials, like durable titanium or steel construction. These can outlast dust, dirt, and rain.
The only disadvantage with these materials is they’re quite heavy to bring around.
For weather-proofing, a common tube scope would also use waterproof o rings for reinforcing joints.
I prefer scopes with this feature for all-around use, and I don’t have to worry about damage due to rain or snow.
Lens Materials
The glasses are the most important part of your main tube.
Optic quality is one thing you should NOT skimp out on – and there are plenty of quality options even at lower price points.
I made the mistake of prioritizing other features over the glass. As a result, my images looked poor and blurry.
Don’t make the same mistake because you’ll lose out in the end! The best ones are multi-coated and protected from weather disturbances.
But why are coated materials better than uncoated glasses?
Coated optics are very good for maintaining the amount of light that makes it to your scope.
Uncoated optics reduce light transmission by 5%. More uncoated glasses inside your scope will transmit less light to you.
If you mostly hunt in darker conditions, coated materials are the best.
I recommend checking the materials to see if they’re also fog-proof and water-resistant.
If you wear glasses, you would know how annoying condensation buildup is. It is NOT something you want in your scope.
TIP: Choose fixed power scopes when possible. The optics are usually better than they would be with a variable power scope.
Are There Differences Between a Rifle Scope and Other Optical Devices?
A rifle scope isn’t too different from a camera, a microscope, or a telescope.
If you’ve ever encountered a DSLR or your science lab’s microscope before, it won’t be too difficult to wrap your head around a rifle scope.
Optical devices like cameras, telescopes, and rifle scopes are made the same way: a glass optic collects light and beams it to a focal plane.
Another piece of glass inside the lens assembly tube reorients the image to appear according to the angle you want.
The image passes through magnifying glasses. The light and color of that image transmit to your eyepiece, where you can finally look at it.
The Anatomy of a Rifle Scope
There are some specific differences with rifle scopes that you can’t find in other optical tools. A camera doesn’t have a reticle, for example.
Below, I’ll run you through the anatomy of a rifle scope so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
Optics
Scopes are optical devices, so it uses a series of lenses to improve your view of the target, much more than the human eye could give you.
Lenses are the most important part of scopes, and understanding how each lens works can help you figure out how all the knobs in your scope work.
Most optical devices work the same way: a lens close to the subject collects light and transmits it to the one closest to your eyes.
But what makes a rifle scope from a microscope or telescope is all the stuff in between.
I’ll walk you through the different lenses that make your rifle scope tick.
Scope Sections
The basic anatomy of a scope will show three major sections:
- Objective bell
- Erector tube
- Eyepiece
Each section houses different lenses and adjustment knobs for various purposes.
Manufacturers often make scope housing with aircraft aluminum material for durability.
This material is best for housing since it’s lighter than traditional steel housing.
To help you with your own scope, I’ll move through the different parts of the scope, starting with your target, then toward your eyes.
Objective Bell
The objective bell holds the objective lens in place.
It’s the largest and heaviest part of a scope, usually measuring around 40 or 50mm.
Objective Lens
The objective lens gathers light from the object being observed and transmits the light to the ocular eyepiece. It’s usually the farthest piece from your eyes.
The objective lens is the most important glass in your set-up because it gathers light.
A poorer quality scope with a subpar objective may not be ideal in low-light conditions.
With a good-quality objective lens, you’ll be able to see more clearly and sight in your riflescope more accurately.
Take note that a LARGER objective lens gathers MORE light and results in a brighter image.
Modern rifle scopes almost exclusively use coated lenses to make their objective lenses. A coated objective lens glass does the following:
- Reduces light loss
- Improves image quality
- Retains vibrant colors from natural surroundings
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