One thing is certain here. There is no shooting over irons in the world of extreme long-range rifle shooting. This is one discipline in which optics are not just a nicety, they are a necessity.
However, not all scopes are created equal, but at the same time, it’s probably the case that there isn’t a single “best” scope for your extreme long-range rifle. Many might do the trick, so you just need to know a little bit about how to decipher the details.
This post should help with that.
Scope Ratings (Magnification)
First, we need to understand scope ratings, which tell you two things: the magnification (or magnification range) of the scope, paired with the objective lens diameter.
So, for instance, a 4x50mm scope means that the scope magnifies the sight picture by a factor of four, and that the objective lens aperture (diameter) is 50mm. A 4-16x50mm scope rating means that the scope offers variable magnification between 4 and 16x, and that the scope’s objective diameter is 50mm.
Scopes on the lower ends of these ratings are not suitable for extreme long-range rifle shooting. Anything below 7x is generally not considered suitable, and most extreme long-range rifle shooters would tell you that the place to start with ELR rifle shooting is with a variable mag scope that offers 7-35x magnification and at least an objective lens diameter of 56mm if not greater.
While greater magnification is necessary at extreme ranges, it is also important to note that variable magnification can be a benefit if the rifle is used at a wide variety of ranges, and not just in the area of 1000 yards or so. The ability to “dial down” the magnification can be a huge benefit when shooting at targets that are relatively close.
Objective Lens Diameter (Aperture)
While magnification is important in long-range rifle optics, so is the aperture of the objective lens.
This is critical at extreme ranges for several different reasons. For one, the more light the scope lets in, the sharper the sight picture will be. This is important when the scope is used at its highest magnification settings because the sight picture will get dimmer and fuzzier in proportion to magnification. A wider objective lens will let in more light and keep the sight picture clearer.
With that said, you don’t necessarily need a massive objective lens aperture, even on a scope used for an extreme long-range rifle. As long as you’re north of 50mm, the scope will likely perform well in all but the dimmest, darkest conditions.
Other Things to Consider
Variable magnification and objective lens diameter are likely the two most important things to consider in extreme long-range rifle scopes, but they are not the only things to weigh. Here are some of the other features you should consider before you buy.
Field of view
Field of view, otherwise known as FOV, refers to how much linear distance you can see across the sight picture through the scope. It is governed by the magnification setting of the scope, the objective lens diameter and also the range. A scope may, for instance, show a 20 foot FOV at 100 yards, just as an example.
As the magnification setting goes up, if you hold all else equal, the FOV will go down.
Lenses and coatings
Extreme long-range rifle scopes are made with all sorts of lenses and coatings, such as single coated lenses, in which only one surface of one lens is treated with a coating, fully-coated, in which all air-to-glass lens surfaces have been treated with a coating, and multicoated, in which one or more lenses have been treated with multiple coatings.
Coatings generally reduce glare and reflections, resulting in better light transmission for a sharper, clearer sight picture, so as a general rule, fully-coated scopes tend to perform better, not just in bright light but in low-light conditions.
MOA vs. MRADs
Most rifle scopes either feature MOA or MRAD controls. MOA stands for Minute of Angle and is equivalent to one inch at 100 yards. Most scopes feature ¼ adjustments, so if you adjust the scope’s windage or elevation by one click, that will move the reticle ¼” at 100 yards,
MRAD stands for MilliRadian, and is a metric unit system, which makes MRAD scopes the preferred choice by the military. Either can be effective for extreme long-range rifle shooting.
Rings and mounts
One, you need rings that will fit your scope’s tube, and two, you need rings with mounts that are compatible with whatever type of rail you have over your rifle’s receiver.
Recoil rating
You will need a scope with a recoil rating that at minimum can handle the caliber you are shooting.
IP rating
IP rating stands for ingress protection and measures a scope’s ability to resist moisture and particulate ingress, and is important because scopes that allow moisture into the tube will be heavily affected by fog and other problems. The higher the IP rating the better.
Reticle style and features
Extreme long-range rifle scopes have all different sorts of reticle styles and features. Some are illuminated with red or green light settings to improve performance in low-light conditions. Others feature hashes for shooting at different ranges in pre-specified increments, and some scopes even have quick return-to-zero functions. Get what works for you given your caliber and the ranges at which you intend to shoot.
Windage and elevation adjustments
Some scopes require you to take off a protective cap before the windage and elevation turrets can be adjusted, whereas others allow you to make toolless adjustments in the field. Neither is necessarily better than the other, just be aware of what you’re getting because the last thing you want is to get to the range only to realize you don’t have the tool necessary to adjust the scope.
Choosing the Best Scope for Your Extreme Long Range Rifle
The truth is that extreme long-range rifle scopes can be extremely expensive; several thousand dollars or more, and in some cases may even rival the price of the rifle itself.
That being the case, don’t gamble on your optics. You’re only as good as the rifle you’re shooting, and in part, that comes down to the fitness of the optic for the discipline.
If you have any questions about the extreme long-range rifles we sell, about optics in general, or you would like a specific recommendation for a scope based on your rifle and chambering, feel free to get in touch with us and we would be more than happy to help.
