{"id":4989,"date":"2021-02-24T21:51:23","date_gmt":"2021-02-24T21:51:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/?p=4989"},"modified":"2023-03-15T14:17:22","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T14:17:22","slug":"scope-magnifications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/scope-magnifications\/","title":{"rendered":"Scope Magnification – What the Numbers Mean and How to Use Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are a hunter, you probably want to top your rifle with a quality optic. However, you don\u2019t want to settle for just any old scope. When that once-in-a-lifetime buck steps out at the edge of the bean field just before dark, you want a scope that isn\u2019t going to fail you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sure there are cheap options out there, but your optic isn\u2019t where you want to pinch pennies. No matter what the salesman at the brightly-lit sporting goods store tries to sell you (Has he ever hunted the edge of a bean field?), you don\u2019t want to invest major moola into a hunting rifle only to top it with a low-quality scope. That fancy expensive rifle can\u2019t hit what you can\u2019t see, so take buying a scope as seriously as you take purchasing a rifle. We realize the process of picking out a scope, deciphering the scope magnification and abbreviations can be a bit daunting.<\/span><\/p>\n

What The Letters & Numbers Mean<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re new to rifle scopes, you might not know where to start. All the acronyms, numbers, and technical specs make the world of optics look like a complicated algebra problem. It\u2019s enough to trigger some major math anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily, it looks far more complicated than it actually is. Once you have a basic understanding of what all those letters and numbers actually mean, choosing a quality optic will be a heck of a lot easier.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scope Magnification<\/span><\/h2>\n

In most cases, the first one or two numbers on a scope\u2019s label indicate magnification. These are the numbers that precede the X. If you are looking through a 4x scope, the image will appear 4 times larger than what you see with the naked eye.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking at a fixed power scope, there will be a single number representing the fixed magnification.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dashed Numbers for Scope Magnification<\/h3>\n

When the label has two numbers with a dash between them, this indicates the scope has an adjustable magnification. A scope with adjustable magnification gives you the ability to zoom in or out for different shooting conditions. A 3-9x scope has a magnification of 3 times at its lowest setting, and the image will appear 9 times larger at full magnification.<\/span><\/p>\n

Objective Lens<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"AThe objective lens is located on the front of the scope (the end closest to your target). This lens gathers light and focuses it to create the image you see when you look through the scope.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The objective lens is usually larger than the rest of the scope, because its job is to let light in. Just like large windows help light a room, a large objective lens lights up the image you see when you look through the scope.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The number that follows the X indicates the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters. Generally speaking, the larger the objective lens, the brighter the viewed image.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Letters on Scopes Mean<\/span><\/h3>\n

Depending on the scope, the box may also include a bunch of letters. These letters look an awful lot like alphabet soup if you don\u2019t know what they mean.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Usually, the letters simply indicate the model name. (For example, the Leupold VX-3i.)<\/span><\/p>\n

If the letters come immediately before the scope magnification numbers or immediately after the objective lens number, they can indicate an important piece of information about the scope you\u2019re looking at.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is a list of some common letters and their meaning:<\/span><\/p>\n

What is AO?<\/h4>\n

\"\"AO stands for adjustable objective. Contrary to what you might think, AO has nothing to do with focusing the image. Instead, it adjusts for parallax. \u0420\u0430r\u0430ll\u0430\u0445 refers to the optical effect that makes the reticle appear to shift or float when you move your head. \u0422h\u0456\u0455 \u043e\u0441\u0441ur\u0455 wh\u0435n th\u0435 \u0456m\u0430g\u0435 \u0456\u0455 n\u043et \u043en th\u0435 \u0455\u0430m\u0435 \u043e\u0440t\u0456\u0441\u0430l \u0440l\u0430n\u0435 \u0430\u0455 th\u0435 r\u0435t\u0456\u0441l\u0435.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The average deer hunter doesn\u2019t need to be too concerned about parallax. Most rifle scopes are set to be parallax free at typical hunting ranges (usually between 100 and 150 yards). If you\u2019re hunting within that range, you really don\u2019t need massive magnification (where parallax becomes more of an issue).<\/span><\/p>\n

However, small inconsistencies in cheek and eye placement can have a huge effect on long-range accuracy, especially when you\u2019re using a scope with 10x (or more) magnification. At these higher magnifications, an adjustable objective lens will help you get those pesky crosshairs to sit still and stay on target.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FFP <\/span><\/h4>\n

FFP indicates the scope\u2019s reticle is located on the first focal plane. First focal plane optics have the reticle placed near the front of the scope. When you increase magnification on an FFP scope, the size of the reticle increases with the image. FFP scopes tend to be more expensive, but are helpful for achieving accuracy at extreme ranges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most hunters prefer an FFP scope because they offer greater shooting versatility. When you\u2019re hunting, you never know if that big buck is going to walk out at 50 yards or 500. An FFP scope allows you to make simple accurate adjustments to match the range you\u2019re shooting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SFP<\/span><\/h4>\n

SFP stands for \u201csecond focal plane.\u201d An SFP scope has its reticle placed close to the rear of the optic. When you adjust the magnification on an SFP scope, the reticle does not change in size. If most of your hunting shots fall within the same general range, an SFP scope should do the job.<\/span><\/p>\n

MIL (or MRAD) <\/span><\/h4>\n

You might be surprised to learn than MIL has nothing to do with the military. Instead, MIL refers to a scope that adjusts elevation and windage in milliradians. A milliradian is an angular measurement. If you see MIL on a scope label, don\u2019t let the math anxiety kick in. Instead, remain calm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

MIL scopes have small dots on the horizontal and vertical crosshairs. You can use these measurements to compensate for crosswinds or bullet drop over distance. This style of reticle is useful for long-range shooting, although they also benefit crossbow and muzzleloader hunters who have to deal with more drastic drop over distance.<\/span><\/p>\n

MOA<\/span><\/h4>\n

MOA is an acronym that stands for \u201cminute of angle.\u201d<\/a> In this context a \u201cminute\u201d has nothing to do with time. Instead, a \u201cminute\u201d is a tiny portion of an angle. There\u2019s no reason to get overly bogged down in the geometry. If you purchase an MOA scope, this means the crosshairs will have hash marks that serve a similar purpose to the dots on a MIL-dot scope. Basically, MOA uses American measurements (think inches and yards), while MIL-dot uses the metric system.<\/span><\/p>\n

FOV<\/span><\/h4>\n

Field of View is the amount of area from left to right that you can see when looking through the scope. FOV is usually measured at 100 hundred yards. As magnification of the scope increases, FOV narrows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you hunt thick woods or regularly shoot game on the move, a scope with a wide field of view (and a lower magnification) will help you acquire targets more effectively. A wide FOV is not as necessary for lining up long-range targets, although it can come in handy when shooting smaller targets.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IER<\/span><\/h4>\n

Short for \u201cintermediate eye relief,\u201d IER scopes have a much longer eye relief than conventional scopes. These scopes are usually designed for scout type rifle setups. Mounted forward of the receiver, these scopes are ideal for older lever action rifles that eject upward from the top of the action.<\/span><\/p>\n

EER<\/span><\/h4>\n

EER stands for \u201cextended eye relief.\u201d As the name implies, EER scopes have an extra lengthy eye relief. These scopes are designed specifically for handguns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Scope Variables to Consider<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"close<\/p>\n

Once you have deciphered the numbers and letters on the box, there are some other important qualities to look for in a good optic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glass Quality<\/span><\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t be lulled by how those cheap budget scopes look under the bright lights of the sales floor. Everything looks good there. As far as I know, no mule deer or bull elk have ever waltzed through the middle of showroom floor. No, those boogers slink into view when there\u2019s barely enough light for humans to see. You want a scope that performs in low light, not one that looks pretty t the store.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to the quality of your optic glass, you definitely get what you pay for. Good quality glass is going to cost you, but it earns its keep by minimizing color fringing to provide razor sharp images with true colors and clear contrast. Look for an optic that features extra-low-dispersion glass (or some other premium variation).<\/span><\/p>\n

A scope with quality glass is also going to coat that glass to maximize brightness and minimize glare. There are four standard terms used in the optics industry to indicate different levels of glass coating. They are:<\/span><\/p>\n