What's the right rifle scope for you?

The first step is to understand what all the numbers mean.  We can then look which options best suit some common hunting scenarios.  

A typical scope description will be expressed in two sets of numbers, one before an ‘x’ and one after,   for example: 3-12 x 50.  The initial numbers are the magnification range, in this example running from 3 to 12 times magnification.  Depending on what time of hunting you are doing, you will want either more or less magnification.  Historically, most scopes had fixed magnification, most commonly as 4x, 6x or 8x.  The development of variable magnifications has been a big step forward, enabling you to use the same scope in a number of situations.

The second number, after the ‘x’, is known as the objective.  This is essentially the size of the lens at the far end of the scope.  The larger the number, the larger the lens.  This is important. The larger the lens, the more light it can gather.  As hunting is often best at dawn and dusk, the ability to see further during the twilight hours can be critical.  Weight is the trade off; while a larger objective lens lets in more light, it is also heavier.

Lowland stalking

Much of the hunting in Britain involves creeping through woodlands and along field edges or sitting in high seats.  The deer in this environment are generally more active at dawn and dusk.  Shots are rarely long – most being below 200 metres.  The focus for anyone choosing a scope for lowland stalking should therefore be its light gathering ability: the size of the objective lens.  A scope with a large objective and good quality glass could give you as much as 30 minutes additional shooting time as the sun rises and sets.  This is the witching hour, and if your scope allows you to confidently identify and assess deer during the twilight you will be considerably more successful in the field.  

An objective of 50 or higher preferable.  You are generally not walking huge distances so weight is less of a factor.  This type of hunting is also where high quality glass comes into its own.  The higher end scopes, by the likes of Swarovski, have glass that allows a higher light transmission than more budget options.  In low light this can be the difference between success and failure.  The mantra of ‘buy the best you can afford’ applies in this situation more than any other.

If your budget allows you should certainly also consider an illuminated reticle (IR).  This is a little red dot that you can switch on, right in the centre of the cross hairs.  Many a time I’ve been able to identify an animal at last light, but have been unable to work out the black cross hairs against the black, silhouetted body of the deer.  An IR provides an accurate aim point during those vital final moments. 

Hill stalking & the mountains

Stalking on the open hill, in particular for red deer, is the iconic vision of British hunting.  It is a landscape of rugged and heather clad hills, roaring stags and isolated sporting lodges.  Ever since the Victorians developed a love of Scotland, deer stalking in the highlands has been considered the apogee of British sport.  

This is a very different world to lowland stalking. Climbing hills and traipsing through bogs will test the very fittest.  Scope weight will definitely be a factor.  The hunting generally takes place throughout the day, with getting off the hill before dark a priority, so an extra large objective lens that gathers the last moments of light is unnecessary.  In such an open landscape the shooting distances can be long, so a scope with high variable magnification can be useful.  You should also consider ballistic turrets if you have a rangefinder.  

Modern scopes have much simpler ballistic systems than in the past.  No longer do you have to calculate ‘minutes of angle’ or other confusing technical terms , but can pre-set your turret rings so it is easy to dial in any distance without wasting valuable time.  This is an essential piece of kit if you are regularly shooting over 250 yards.

If fiddling with turrets sounds like too much hassle, there are options for technology to do it for you.  The ground-breaking Swarovski dS was released to much fanfare last year, and having used one, I can confirm that it is an extraordinary tool.  It’s inbuilt range finder also calculates angle, air temperature and pressure, and wind speed – every minute aspect that effects bullet path.  It then automatically adjusts the reticle so you can aim as usual.  All this is under a second!

A further benefit of a high magnification scope is that it can double as a spotting scope to ensure the animal you want to take fits the cull plan.  The new 3.5 – 28 x 50 z8i from Swarovski promises to be a game changer in this regard.  Such scopes are not just for Scottish hill stalking.  The same principles are key if you are doing any mountain hunt around the world.

Driven hunting

Shooting running game with a rifle can lead to askance looks in Britain.  It is not something we’ve grown up with, and runs contrary to our approach to precision.  On the continent though, shooting running deer and boar is the order of the day.   It is exhilarating and challenging sport, and is an increasingly popular trip for British hunters.

My first trip to shoot driven boar was to Germany.  I borrowed a gun from my host, with a 3.5 – 16 x 50 scope on – not the ideal set up.  Late in the second drive a sounder of boar came hurtling through the forest towards me.   At about 20 metres they crossed the narrow ride I was standing on.  Shouldering my rifle I couldn’t even find them in my scope.  My only chance of the trip was missed.  

For driven hunting of this style, you need as little magnification as possible.  If all the action is going to be a very close quarters, many Europeans opt for a zero magnification red dot sight.  These are small and lend themselves to the intuitive swinging of the rifle, akin to shotgun shooting.  The red dot is parallax free, meaning that you don’t have to get the perfect gun mount either: wherever the red dot is pointing, the bullet will go.

An alternative, and my preferred option, is to get a variable scope with something like 1 – 6 x 24. Anything up to 1.5 x magnification is ideal for shooting driven game at close range.  If your stand overlooks a meadow where a longer shot at a stationary animal is possible, then having the option to crank up the magnification is helpful.  The smaller objective lens means less weight to interrupt the natural swing of the rifle.   An IR is also incredibly helpful when driven hunting.  It is much clearer than crosshairs, and speeds up target acquisition.  When boar are running across narrow rides, every half second is critical.