How To Shoot With A Scope

Many new to shooting think that shooting with a scope is fairly straightforward. All they have to do is line up the crosshairs with the target and pull the trigger. In reality, however, using a riflescope requires some precise adjustments for the round to hit the spot marked by the crosshair.

Even if you Get a cheap scope in the $100 range, it will make a world of difference to your shooting.  It makes targets large and easy to see.

The crosshairs assist in aiming and help you fire quickly. But it is important at the outset that your scope is properly mounted and sighted in. If done properly, your scope can wring out the full potential of your rifle.

Beginners to shooting must learn to set up a scope and use it properly. This article will tell you how to easily set up your scope and shoot with it accurately.

Adjust the eyepiece diopter

The eye-piece diopter is either the outermost ring around the eyepiece, the end you look into, or the bell itself. You need to turn it in or out until the reticle looks its sharpest. When the reticle is sharp, the image will be sharp at 100 to 200 yards in most scopes. This is because it is pre-focused at 75 yards by the manufacturer.

When you power it down to about 6X and below, you’ll not notice the focus differences because your eyes make up for them. At higher magnifications, however, you’ll see that objects within 100 yards look pretty fuzzy.

You can turn down the magnification to fix that. If your scope has a Parallax Adjustment dial, you can use it like a camera lens to focus precisely at various distances until the target looks sharp.

Carry your scope set in low power

When a deer jumps close by, say 20 yards, you’ll have little time to dial down the power of the scope. If your scope’s at 10X magnification, all you’ll see is a blur of hair. If your target is further away, say 300 yards, you can easily and quickly dial up the magnification without your prey spotting you.

Moreover, a scope set on low power will have a larger field of view. You can see the target without having to point at it. You can easily make the necessary adjustments to your scope to align with the target. It makes sense to carry your scope set on low power.

Keep both eyes locked on the target

While readying your rifle to fire, don’t look at the scope. Many beginners tend to do this mistake. Raise the rifle until the scope covers the target. The trick is in training yourself to raise your rifle into the correct position so that you see right down the center of the scope without looking to adjust things.

If your scope is on a low power setting (as it is recommended to be) the large field of view will let you spot the prey. You can make the necessary adjustments to align the scope to the target and bring it in sharp focus.

Must Read This Article: How To Select The Best Rifle Scope For Long Range Shooting.

Shoot with your head up

Raise the rifle to your face. Do not bend your neck to meet the stock. Keeping your head level makes it easier to keep the game in view. If your head is lying on its side or canted at an odd angle, you are bound to get confused about how the world looks.

Finding your prey becomes much more difficult. You need to practice this “eyes-open” target acquisition regularly with an empty gun to develop muscle memory.

Storage and maintenance

• Keep your lenses covered when not in use. Your lens can become damaged by scratches or abrasions. Sleeves and replacements can be bought from any firearms store.
• Clean your lens from time to time. Use a lens cloth to remove dust and grime from the lens. Using a non-optical cleaning cloth will damage your lens. You can use any cloth meant for cleaning glasses. You can also use a lens cleaning fluid.
• Store your scope in a dark and cool area. Sunlight and heat can render the permanent lubrication in your scope ineffective in the long run. A gun cabinet or a closet will not let in light and has a constant temperature. While traveling, store it in the boot. The passenger compartment can become hot on a sunny day.
• Clean your scope when required. Your scope’s internals is sealed and require no maintenance. However, the scope’s exterior may have a build-up of dirt, grime, and fingerprints. You can use a soft dry cloth to wipe away the dirt. Never use a wet cloth or dunk the scope in water. Be careful not to adjust the windage or elevation settings while cleaning.

Final Thoughts

You will get to finetune your scope as you get to understand it better. With practice, you will train your muscles to perfectly align the scope with the target. Once you become better at using your scope, your shooting will improve by several notches.

To Know More About Devices For Night Hunting : 4 Great Devices Useful For Night Hunting.