How to Mount a Rifle Scope (Video)

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Mounting a scope properly is a vital first step to ensure that you get the most possible accuracy out of your rifle. In this article, we will breakdown a video showing you the proper way to mount a scope.
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3 Top Rated Nightforce Rifle Scopes

Nightforce is one of the US optics companies that have a major presence in the military optics and sniping field. They are extremely well known as high end scope maker and have been used in many competitions, including extremely demanding shooting competition styles, such as benchrest shooting. They have also been torture tested by Nightforce. They beat it on the ground, and even threw it on concrete, and it still retained it’s original point of impact. That can be seen here. The main downside to this fact is the price you have to pay. The cheapest scope we are giving an overview of has an MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) of 1,345.00. So to get this world class product, you’re going to need to pay a world class price, unfortunately. However, not many people will regret this purchase if they deem they need a scope of this caliber. Enjoy!

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Top 3 Rated Vortex Rifle Scopes

Vortex is a  a great choice of optic. This company offers scopes in a wide variety of product lines in many different price ranges. The tree scopes we’re discussing are from three different price tiers. The first scope is from the high end price range, and offers many premium features that justify that price, including a first focal plane precision etched reticle. The second scope’s price is a middle to high price scope and has many features to it that make it great for tactical shooting, and has a first focal plane optic, which makes it great for long range shooting and range finding. The final scope is a great entry level scope by vortex that still offers many great features that make it an amazing choice for the first time hunter and is well worth your look if you have a limited budget. All of these amazing scopes also feature illuminated reticles, making them great for shooting at targets that have less than optimal contrast compared to their background, and compared to a non-illuminated reticle.

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Trijicon Red Dot Sights Comparison

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Trijicon makes five different types of red dots; they are the ACOG, the MRO, the RMR, the SRS, and the Reflex. Each of these sights has it’s own unique features and has it’s own ideal POU that it can be used for. This article will help you decide which sight is optimal for you and your philosophy of use (POU). All of these have an aluminum alloy casing that is extremely durable, and have fixed magnification. [Read more…]

Top 3 Rated Leupold Rifle Scopes

Leupold is a well known maker of scopes, and offers a wide variety of products. The three we have chosen to give you an overview of come from three of the different price ranges that Leupold offers, though all are lower power scopes which makes them very useful for close range shooting. The first scope is from one of their more affordable lines of centerfire scopes, and is a fixed 4 power magnification. The second scope is from one the more middle of the road price range, and is also a low power scope, with a variable zoom that’s from 1.25 to 4 times. The final scope is from the higher end of Leupold’s scopes, and has a 1-6 times magnification, making extremely valuable for close to medium range shooting. This should hopefully help get you pointed in the right direction as you look for a great scope for your rifle.
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Top 3 Rated Zeiss Rifle Scopes

The Carl Zeiss company is known as a maker of many high end optical instruments, among other things. One of their product lines is rifle scopes, and they are amazing scopes, as on would expect from a German company that specializes in high end optics. Two of optics that we found to be top rated are from their middle of the road price range Conquest line, which offers many features of the high end scopes, while being affordable enough for the average middle class hunter to be able to afford. The last one is from the Terra product line, which is the entry level Zeiss scope, though it still retains all of the most important Zeiss features. This list of the three top rated Zeiss scopes will help you find what you are looking for quickly and efficiently!
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Rifle Scope Basics (Video)

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A scope should be the second most expensive part of your firearm purchase, after the rifle itself. In fact, many target shooters recommend you spend at least as much on your scope as you did on your rifle, if not more! As such, it is important that you know the basics about scopes before you make a decision on what scope best fits your rifle and intended philosophy of use (POU). This is why Midway USA goes over the basics parts of a scope and how it works in the first half of their video “Gunsmithing – How to Chooses A Rifle Scope Presented by Larry Potterfield of MidwayUSA.”

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Choosing the Best Rifle Scope For You (Video)

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Now that we’ve covered the basics of scope components, it’s time to go into comparing some features on the scope that you will have to decide on, such as whether or not you want variable magnification, and what reticle you want, as well as several other features that can make a difference in your experience of the scope’s purchase and use. This is part two of a two part series about the YouTube video  “Gunsmithing – How to Chooses A Rifle Scope Presented by Larry Potterfield of MidwayUSA.” Part one of the series can be found here.

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Top 3 Rated Nikon Rifle Scopes

If you’re searching for a good rifle scope, Nikon has some great ones to choose from. We’ve reviewed all of the popular Nikon rifles scopes and put together a list of the top 3 best-rated ones, so you can cut your research time in half. Check out our detailed overviews below, and enjoy the research time we have saved you. Enjoy!
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Top 10 Long Range Shooting Tips for Success

As a huntsman, you must have stability to adopt skills in order to bring in a well-placed shot on your target. Long range shooting means paying attention to detail, and overlooking details may result in a miss.  Most shooters use the same approaches to assure accuracy. Below are some feasible long range shooting tips to help you make the best shot.

1. Buy a Fine Scope

The most important of all long range shooting tips is the importance of purchasing great optics. A good quality scope aids you in low-light shooting scenes and has a precise windage as well as elevation adjustments. Here are a few considerations when buying a rifle scope:

  • Zoom power. Optical magnification is a subjective matter but keep in mind that you’ll generally need a magnification of at least 18x to shoot long range.
  • Glass quality. You need clear, sharp glass. The best way to ensure you’re buying quality glass is to look through the scopes you’re planning to purchase and pick the one offering the closest viewing quality as what you see with your own eyes. Some of the most renowned manufacturers known to use great glass include Swarovski, Premier Reticles, U.S. Optics, and Schmidt & Bender.
  • Elevation adjustment range. When shooting long range, the more elevation adjustment the better. Look for a scope with at least 100 MOA.
  • Objective size. The larger the objective lens, the more capable it is to gather light. Some of the most popular sizes for long range shooters include 50mm and 56mm.
Vortex Viper PST 1 4x24

Our suggestion: Vortex Viper PST 1 4×24

2. Buy Quality Rings as well as Mounts

Take into consideration that the distant your scope gets adjusted off from its optical center, the larger its latent for a distorted and even darker picture. This scenario most likely to appear if the scope is adjusted beyond its maximum range. You can purchase a lapping kit at any supply houses for gunsmithing, reloading or target shooting.

3. Snug the Rifle Screws

Check your rifle screws as often as possible. Bedding screws must be tightened accordingly as referred to manufacturer’s specifications. You may read your manual or talk with the manufacturers in order to make sure the accurate amount of torque to be applied in each bedding screw.

4. Clean Your Rifle Barrel

After verifying the rifle is not loaded by simply removing its bolt, check out the muzzle of your rifle under the sunlight. If you see a shining copper back at you, good cleansing is in order. When a barrel accumulates any powder residue as well as copper fouling, its accuracy lessens.

There are a lot of hunters that purchase cheap gun cleaning kits thinking they’re enough for the job. However, purchasing a quality cleaning kits can also improve your accuracy. You should also buy a rifle cleaning cradle to hold your rifle securely when cleaning process occurs as well as cleaning rod guide.

5. Break in Your Rifle Barrel

Properly breaking in a rifle barrel is significant for target and hunting rifles. It is a very essential step in order to optimize the accuracy capability of your hunting rifle.

Break-in process takes time when it comes to the range. Take into consideration using a cheap ammo that you can find. Using your clean barrel, try to fire one shot and clean the barrel afterwards. All copper must be taken out. Remember that cleaning the barrel is much more easier and copper fouling must be minimal.

6. Check the Trigger Pull as well as the Action Fit

Trigger pull is very essential in making an accurate shot. There are a lot of hunting rifles with trigger pulls that ranges from excellent to awful. Proceed to your gunsmith if your hunting trigger has a excessive creep, and a trigger job will cost you for about 100.

7. Find the Right Bullet Suited for Your Rifle

Each rifle found in a gun store varies differently, and the rifle of your choice will tell you which bullets it does not fit in. Your job therefore is to find the one that suits. Equally important is to use the right ammo depending on the game you’re planning to shoot.

ammo buying guide

8. Prone Like a Pro

Shooters prone at a notable angle to the rifle. If you draw up your knee this will lift the abdomen off the ground, minimizing the heartbeat’s effect on your stability. To minimize crosshair throb you can also place a folded jacket under your chest.

If you’re shooting with a bipod, the best way would be to lay straight behind the rifle. Use your toes to move forward and load the bipod. This position will minimize muzzle jump during recoil.

9. You Must Learn Wind

Professional shooters say that “Rifle shooting is a science, but shooting in wind is an art.” When you are in the range, you must learn to read the wind in order to make a shot quickly. You might wonder how to to this? There is only one technique, shoot often while wind is blowing. Take into account that you must don’t get hung up on one location but consider the terrain as well as the distance and weather conditions present.

10. Use a Level Bubble

Moving on to the last of our long range shooting tips, we’re discussing the important of keeping everything level. Your eyes can’t level the scope in the field even though it may be level to the axis of the rifle. You need a level bubble to mount to the body of the scope; level it up to the crosshairs.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, these long range shooting tips will help you master this skill. In order to learn new techniques, you might consider taking a gun class from experts. But if ever you do not have enough time nor money, you may attend local matches within your area and learn from professionals.

Therefore, if something is not working well according to your plan, don’t get stuck; instead keep going and repeat the process. If you miss a shot, then continue trying until you hit your target. Try shooting to the left, right, high or low until you master it.