Searching for the Perfect Rifle Scope

While this sounds great, it's actually much harder than you would think, and here's why: There really isn't a "perfect" rifle scope for every shooting or hunting application. Read through the blog and see if you agree?

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Leupold Rifle Scopes - The Best on the Market?

Being the owner of a web site about rifle scopes, I get quite a bit of e-mail dealing with various rifle scopes. Throughout those e-mails, the one rifle scope maker that is constantly misspelled is Leupold. I've seen it written in a variety of variations including Leopold, Lewpold, Lupold, and Lupolt. The company was founded in 1907 by Fred Leupold so "Leupold" is the right well to spell it.

leupold rifle scope

Originally known as Leupold & Voelpel, in 1942 the company changed the name to Leupold & Stevens Instruments Co. In 1947, Leupold decides to enter the sports optics markets and offers it's first scope, called the Plainsmen.

In 1947 Leupold entered into a contract with the military where Leupold was supplying with the Plainsman scope. That contract lasted from 1947 to 1948. Rifle scopes produced during this time suffered from an issue where the scope would fog up during changes in temperature, climate, or elevation. In 1949, Leupold was able to solve this problem by introducing scopes that were filled with nitrogen instead of the traditional oxygen.

This new technology was an instant success and Leupold immediately saw a major increase in sales. Based on the success of their riflescope line, Leupold decided to go further into the sports optics market. Over the next 10 years, they introduced new optical products like binoculars and spotting scopes, as well as a number of scopes designed for specialized uses.

Leupold has quickly become one of the most successful US based optical manufacturers and continues to be a force in the riflescope market.

Unlike most rifle scope makers in the USA, Leupold is one of the few that only utilizes parts and labor from the U.S. While this process drives the parts and productions costs up for Leupold, it also means that you as the buyer get a truly high quality scope that will absolutely work when you need it.

Leupold also has one of the strongest warranty's in the business. All their scopes come with a lifetime guarantee. If the scope that you have breaks and they can't fix it, you get a brand new at no charge. I had a Leupold Golden Ring spotting scope that started having problems as soon I purchased it. It went back to Leupold one time under the lifetime warranty. A Leupold rep called and said that they couldn't fix it to their satisfaction so they sent me a brand new replacement.

I personally own 3 Leupold scopes in various configurations and I would buy each of them all over again in a minute. Leupold scopes aren't inexpensive, but they are worth the money. If you are on the fence about purchasing one, give it some thought.

If you are in the market for a high performance riflescope and want the best that you can afford, then consider a Leupold. Here's a site that has a good Leupold selesction at reasonable prices: Leupold Rifle Scopes.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Overview of Swift Rifle Scopes

Founded in 1926, Swift Optical Instruments was based in Lakewood, CO. Swift had a vision that involved high quality optical devices that were good performers, yet still affordable. Like most optical companies, they offer a wide variety of optical products like rifle scopes, microscopes, and spotting scopes. In terms of rifle scopes, Swift has a full line of products that will cover just about everything except muzzleloaders.

Swift sells riflescopes under two different versions: the SwiftReliant series and the SwiftPremier series.The SwiftReliant series is their entry level series that consists of a few fixed power models and a few 3X9 models. The SwiftReliant is designed for the budget minded or occasional hunter that wants a scope that performs without breaking the bank.

The SwiftPremier is considered their top of the line models. Only available in variable powered models, the SwiftPremier series offers 24 different models to consider. In terms of magnification, this series ranges from a short range 2.5 all the way up to a long range 8X32 version. Featuring higher quality glass, the Premier series offers more light gathering and a better picture compared to the SwiftReliant models.One of the top selling Premier models is the 659M. This model features a 3.5X10X44 power and a rapid focus feature. The 44mm objective lets in plenty of light, while the 3.5X10 power has enough range to cover most shooting big game shooting situations.If you happen to need either higher magnification or are shooting at longer distances (200+ yards), you might want to take a look at the SwiftPremier 669M. This model has a 44mm objective along with a 6X18 adjustable power. The 44mm objective will gather plenty of light when you need to make that difficult shot.

There are some other differences between the two different scope levels. The Reliant series come with a limited 2 year warranty, while the Premier series has a lifetime warranty. The Premier series utilizes better quality components so it features a higher quality, more crisp picture.

Although Swift currently doesn't have any scopes targeted at blackpower shooters, they do offer a relatively new line of pistol scopes. They offer six models that include 5 fixed power models and one low powered 2X6 adjustable.

If you are in the market for a nice scope and don't want to pay $200 or more, then the Swift series might be a good fit for you. Here's a great place to find discounted Swift Scopes.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Reviewing BSA Rifle Scopes

The BSA company was actually founded in 1861 in Birmingham, England. The company was started by 14 local gunsmiths who were members of the Birmingham Small Arms Trade Association. These 14 gunsmiths formed the BSA company (which stands for Birmingham Small Arms Company) in order to supply the English government with arms. Throughout history, BSA has been involved in the manufacture and sale of a number of various products including firearms, air guns, military vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and civilian vehicles. Several of these product lines have now been sold off and BSA formed the optics side of their business in 1996.

Since 1996, BSA has been expanding it's product offering in their rifle scope line. They have engineered models that are targeted towards the more cost minded, as well as some that are specifically designed for specialized applications like harsh weather and shooting at dusk or early morning under poor or limited lighting. Currently, BSA has scope styles for the following specific needs:

* Air rifles
* Rimfires
* Centerfire
* Tactical
* BDC models (Sweet series)

While BSA is somewhat better recognized as "budget brand", they have made excellent improvements in both quality and product offerings in the last 5 years. They are best recognized for their BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation) models, which offer built-in bullet drop compensation with specific rifle calibers and bullet weights. These scopes are somewhat unique to the industry as they allow the hunter to choose a range and the scope automatically compensates for the bullet drop.

Pricewise, BSA features rifle scopes that will fit most any budget. They have a good reputation in the rifle scope industry, and offer a reasonable warranty. If you are searching for a nice scope with fairly good optics for under $150, then BSA is an option. Is it a Leupold? No, but it performs exceptionally well for it's lower price point.

If you are shopping for a BSA scope, try here: BSA Rifle Scopes.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Understanding Rifle Scope Basics

Hunting season approaches once again (nicely, firearms deer season anyway) and our attention turns to our weapon of selection. For several, that selection is a rifle and most of those rifles will want to be equipped with a scope. Just before you run out to the store and get the very first rifle scope you see, it's important to understand the fundamentals.

A rifle scope is piece of hunting optics that magnifies a target. This is crucial for accurate shot placement. It magnifies an object by bending light rays and directing them by means of a series of lenses inside the scope. The lower the magnification power of the scope, the shorter that scope is going to be. All this is excellent information, but how do you know how to choose the proper scope?

Very first, identify the sort of hunting you will be performing. Clearly, if you hunt where your target will be 50 to 75 yards away most of the time, a lower power rifle scope is in order. Nevertheless, if you strategy to shoot over lengthy distances like 200 yards or much more, you will need a high power scope. The magnification power of the scope brings the target closer to your aiming eye.

For numerous hunting applications, a well-liked rifle scope is a 3x-9x scope. This indicates that if the scope is set at the lowest power (3x), the target will appear 3 times as big as it would to your naked eyeball. So, if you see a target that looks like it is 3 inches tall with just your eyes, the scope will make it look to be 9 inches tall. Set the scope to the highest power (9x) and that exact same target now appears to be 27 inches tall in the scope.

Some of the parts of a scope are:

  • The reticle - This generally resembles a plus sign (+), the center of which is where you need the shot to hit. Some have mil dots to permit the shooter to adjust manually for high winds or other conditions.
  • Eye piece - This holds the ocular lens
  • Ocular lens - The lens that is closest to your eye.
  • Eye relief - The distance in between your eye and the ocular lens as you see a full field of view in the scope. The further away this is, the much better the scope.
  • Eye bell - Holds the eye piece.
  • The objective lens - The lens at the end of the rifle scope furthest from your eye.
  • Power ring (adjusts the magnification)
  • Adjustments for elevation (up/down) and windage (left/correct).

These are all the basic functions that "most" rifle scope has. By understanding the differences and what the fundamentals are for rifle scopes, you can make a much better informed decision on what to purchase. Combine the functions you require with the kind of hunting you will be performing to buy the optimum efficiency out of a rifle scope.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Burris Rifle Scopes - Are They Worth The Money?

The outstanding quality optics in Burris rifle scopes provide a wide range of possibilities for the hunters who prefer lengthy distance hunting and those whose shots are limited to shorter range shooting. Optics is essential in either kind and the clarity of vision as nicely as the ease of adjustment makes these scopes favorites amongst hunters of either kind.

Nevertheless the exact same scope will not do for each and every condition or range, and Burris rifle scopes fairly a lot cover about each distance and visibility condition feasible. Whether or not the newest in high tech scopes is the ultimate for a shooter, or Regardless of whether a clear short-range scope that is lightweight and spending budget friendly is.

A new and well-liked high tech scope is the Burris Eliminator Laser scope. The super low Burris mounting makes it less difficult to use the laser. The nicely identified Burris rifle scopes optics supply the most different visual feasible and the days of winging it are over as the program helps adjust for wind speed.

The Black Diamond rifle scope by Burris may possibly be the best scope for the hunter who prefers tramping around in the woods right after game. This lightweight scope makes the most of all light and gives an superb lengthy range scope that can take significantly of typical and less than regular wear and tear.

The spending budget hunters are shooters who are not forgotten by the makers of Burris rifle scopes. The Fullfield II is an superb scope for the cost and outstanding for shorter range hunting and shooting. The clear optics and fully multicoated lenses is pure signature Burris, but the cost is far a lot more cost-effective than most of their other item lines and out performs other scopes with a comparable cost.

Not each and every hunter is willing or even wants to go hunting at night but some actually locate a unique thrill in night hunting. In that case, the Burris night scope could be the answer. Nevertheless with a night scope, anticipate the cost to be greater because it takes much a lot more technologies to work successfully. There are four various qualities of night scopes, which work by collecting all obtainable light to supply a significantly clearer picture of the surroundings than even a individual with superior night vision would have. Nevertheless to get the ideal high quality of Burris night vision scopes, the fourth generation, darkness is no longer an problem and a high high quality clear vision is effortlessly obtained via this scope. Nevertheless, it is going to be far much more than most individuals will be willing to pay, even for Burris rifle scopes. On the other hand, it is only cash, whilst hunting is pure pleasure.

The shopper in the marketplace for a high top quality scope for nearly any shooting conditions will locate the Burris rifle scopes supply an answer for nearly any require. Besides becoming very nicely constructed, they are covered from even avoidable accidents by a full lifetime manufacturer's warranty. That means if you lose component of it out in the woods you ought to call customer service; it most likely will be replaced under the warranty.