The days of looking down iron sights on your rifle are a thing of the past. For young and beginning hunters who want to maximize their potential, a riflescope can enable a shooter to gain better control of shot placement, obtain better results, and improve overall proficiency.Companies like Leupold® provide superior entry-level scopes with a number of features and options. To select the right scope, it is important to know what factors to consider.

Advancements in technology and manufacturing have led to an increase inaffordable, reliable rifles that make hunting more accessible to a growing number of people. With this expanding audience, hunting optics companies have also found new opportunities. Leupold manufactures high-quality, entry-level riflescopes to help hunters improve their accuracy and consistency. However, finding the best scope to fit your needs has a significant impact on the success you will have with it.

Which riflescope is right for you? If you decide to use a scope, consider whether it needs to be fixed magnification or variable magnification. Fixed magnification scopes have their uses, but for general purpose hunting rifles, a variable magnification model is typically the best choice. It allows you to adjust the magnification level down for shots at close range or up for longer shots.Overall, it is a more versatile scope.

What magnification should you choose?Remember that while very high magnification scopes might be fun to shoot on the range, they are not always the right scope to use in the field. Scopes with higher magnification can limit your field of view and make targets difficult to locate due to over magnification. They are also difficult to shoot in off-hand positions. Stick with a scope magnification range that is well suited for general purpose shooting, something between 2x or 3x and 7x to 9x, or 12x at the absolute most. Higher-powered scopes are best when hunting varmint or for long-distance shots in the wide-open terrain of the West.

What will a scope cost?You don’t have to spend a thousand dollars on your scope, but it is important to invest in a scope with which you are happy. Alow-cost scope can come at a major “price” if it lets you down when you have a shot at a big buck, so it is always best to rely on proven brands. For example, the Leupold VX®-I gives you great features and reliability at a very reasonable cost—around $200. At that price point, you can get everything you need in a riflescope.

Who has the best quality scope?Brands that have been around for generations typically produce the best products year after year. Leupold started in the optics business in 1907, and has been a leader in the riflescope industry since 1947. The company has used its century-plus of experience to innovate and perfect features that are now industry standards, which is why Leupold is known as “America’s Optics Authority®.” The combination of exceptional craftsmanship and adoption of the latest technology to make outstanding products demonstrates Leupold’s commitment to meeting hunters’ evolving needs. Known for making some of the best high-end riflescopes on the market, Leupold applies the same quality control to its lower-priced models. That is the type of reputation you should look for when choosing your scope.

Riflescopes are meant to withstand recoil, inclement weather, and other unfavorable conditions. Companies that make high-quality shooting equipment should stand behind their products and replace them if anything goes wrong. Leupold provides a lifetime warranty on its scopes, which demonstrates extraordinary trust in their quality. Such guarantees let you buy your riflescope with complete confidence—something that should not be taken lightly. There are a number of low-priced scopes that are not guaranteed (at least not without some type of catch or condition). This is a warning sign that the manufacturer is not confident in the quality of its products.

What else should you consider?When it comes to buying an entry-level riflescope, getting the best value is key. You should look for a variable magnification scope that is waterproof, true to its adjustments, provides a clear image, and has an easy-to-use reticle. Additionally, if you are investing hundreds of dollars into your first scope, you don’t want to mount it with a cheap, unreliable mounting system. Leupold makes superior mounting products for nearly any firearm, giving as much attention to rings and bases as it does scopes. It is well worth the few extra bucks to buy a rugged, durable mounting system.

In conclusion, choose a reliable riflescope from a leading brand you can count on; one who backs it up with a good guarantee. There is no substitute for practice and experience, but the right riflescope can help you on your way to becoming a more successful shooter.

LEUPOLD® RINGS AND BASES

Available in a black matte or silver finish, machined steel mounts from Leupold are made in the USA, and will securely and reliably hold your scope atop your rifle. The company’s rings and bases undergo the same scrutiny and quality control as its riflescopes, giving them unmatched performance.