When I first got into long distance shooting, I came across a common piece of advice, spend as much on your scope as you do on your rifle. At the time, it seemed excessive, especially when my bank account strongly disagreed. However, as my experience grew, I realised just how true that statement was.
As the years passed, I found myself spending even more on optics than on the rifle itself. For hunting, I wanted a scope with the most durable construction and the best quality glass I could afford. In low light conditions, when game movement is highest, good glass makes a world of difference. A high quality scope allows you to pick up targets faster, see finer details, and make confident shot placements, something a cheap scope has issues delivering.
When I started hitting steel at extended ranges, I quickly ran into a frustrating issue, running out of elevation adjustment on my scope. No matter how much I dialled up, I could not get enough hold to compensate for bullet drop at distance.
This is a common downfall for many new long range shooters. The problem is not just magnification or clarity, it is how much internal elevation adjustment your scope has. If your scope lacks the necessary adjustment range, you will be forced to use all the elevation plus holdovers in the reticle, which is far from ideal when precision matters.
When researching a scope purchase, there are a few key considerations beyond just brand and price:
- Internal elevation adjustment – This determines how far you can dial for long range shots. Some scopes have limited adjustment, which can be restrictive, especially when shooting at extreme distances.
- Rail and scope ring options – Some rifles come with built in inclined rails (such as a 20 MOA rail) to provide extra elevation. Likewise, canted scope rings can help extend adjustment range.
- Glass quality – Superior optics allow you to see mirage, wind calls, and target details better, which is valuable for making shots at distance.
- Durability and tracking – A good scope needs to hold zero and track reliable, if your adjustments do not move the reticle precisely as intended, your impacts will not be where they should be.
A high quality scope is just as important as a high quality rifle, and often more so for long range shooting. The amount of internal elevation adjustment is crucial, without enough, you will struggle at extended ranges. A well designed rifle and scope system should account for elevation limitations, whether through rails, rings, or scope selection.
Investing in quality optics pays off in the long run, especially for hunting in low light and precision shooting at extreme distances. The lesson I learned dont cheap out on glass, its often the biggest factor in whether you can make the shot when it really counts.
PRECISIONRIFLE