Why Do We Need to Know about Rifle Scope Parts
Rifle scope parts are as important as the scope itself. It’s best to familiarize yourself with basic parts of long range or tactical riflescope before making any purchases.
Apart from it being a tube with the lens fixed at each end, it is also a complex device that one needs to understand parts that make it function
Lets now go through the part to part that comprises a riflescope.
Does the Tactical Rifle Scope Have any Special Parts?
Tactical rifle scopes have special features and components that differentiate them from basic rifle scopes.
These include tactical turrets for quick and precise adjustments, specialized reticles for range estimation and holdovers, illumination options for low-light conditions, different focal plane options, rugged construction for durability, and quick-adjustment features for rapid target acquisition. These features enhance the usability and effectiveness of tactical scopes in challenging shooting scenarios.
If you want to choose the best tactical rifle scope, we have compiled it in the article Best Tactical Rifle Scope
Are Long Range Rifle Scopes Any Parts Different From the Rest?
Long-range rifle scopes have specific components and features that set them apart from scopes designed for shorter distances.
They typically offer higher magnification, larger objective lenses for improved brightness, adjustable turrets for precise adjustments, specialized reticle designs for holdovers and ranging, parallax adjustment for eliminating parallax error, and durability features for reliable performance in various conditions. These components and features enable shooters to engage targets accurately at extended ranges.
If you need more recommendations on the best long range rifle, then the article Best Long Range Rifle Scopes is for you
9 Critical Rifle Scope Parts
1. Ocular Lens
When the shooter aims, the lens that faces him is what we call the ocular Len, this lens is much smaller when compared to the objective lens. What this lens does is it focuses the gathered light from the objective lens into the viewer’s eyes.
2. Eyepiece
This is the part of scope where we find the ocular lens are held. In many models, we find that the eyepiece features dials. That will allow for focus adjustment of the reticles so as to provide pristine clarity when viewing the target.
3. Objective Lens.
This is the lens at the other end of the scope tasked with gathering light into the scope back to the ocular lens. They are of different sizes and the larger it is, the heavier your scope will be. Depending on the quality and brand of the objective lens on the scope, they will be coated with different finishes that will help in maximizing light transmission.
4. Power ring
Many consider this as the mother of all features when it comes to scope, this is because it allows for the adjustment of magnification. When the power ring is dialed up and down, the shooter is able to zoom in and out of the target. It’s important to note that scopes having one set of magnification or fixed magnification doesn’t have power ring since they can’t be adjusted.
5. Scope Tube
This is a solid tube piece of metal that bridges the ocular lens and objective lens and only comes in either of these two sizes, that is one inch and 30mm.the bases or scope rings are then fixed on the body of the scope tube so as to attach the scope to the firearm and make it stay in place.
6. Windage Turrets.
This is found on the right side of the scope and it’s used for horizontal adjustment of the reticle called clicks. This can be done in two different way, some scopes will require the use of a screwdriver or a small coin, while others will simply work by just use of hands.
7. Elevation Turrets
This one sits at the top of the scope and allows for vertical adjustments of the reticles. Typically, the elevation turrets and windage operate on the same increment in any scope. They are also measured in either MRAD (milliradian) or MOA (minutes of angle).
8. Parallax Error Adjustment.
This is a very important feature that one should consider in case he will be shooting over a long distance. We find that when you dial up the magnification to a certain level, it creates what we call parallax error. This is a situation where the images or reticle appear to shift.
It happens when you look through a rifle scope and move your eyes side to side. The parallax is said to be corrected when the target appears focused with no reticle movement as the eyes change position.
9. Objective Bell
This is positioned at the furthest end from the observer and it holds the objective lens, this basically can be called an aid of an objective lens. This is because it is a light gathering apparatus providing extra light to the large objective lens.
Know Them Before Buying A Rifle Scope
The above information should be useful to familiarize yourself with before purchasing any scope. Understand that your ideal kind of scope will depend on several factors.
To help you make the best choice, we’ve got a guide How to Choose a Rifle Scope here
Namely, your personal preference on features, shooting conditions and the gun you are using.