Today’s riflescopes are not very different from the refracting telescopes that first gained practical use in 1608 in the Netherlands. By the nineteenth century, several companies in the United States were producing their sights meaning that they had full-blown industries for gun optics. Rumors of the Civil War say that telescopic shots result in hits from 1000 yards, which by any standard is quite impressive. Today’s gun owners and enthusiast need to take care of their optics to ensure that they are benefiting from the full capabilities of this simple and yet very useful technology and part of the modern-day shooting experiences. Here are some great gun optics tips to consider.
Understand how the X magnification/power works
Many people start by confusing the power and magnification specifications of their optics. These are the same. The power is merely another way of describing the capabilities of the magnification. Thus, you only need to understand that x5 implies a five times magnification capability, and x10 implies a ten times magnification capability. The knowledge then sets you for recognizing the capacity of the scope you fit on the rifle. Anyone looking to beat something several yards away must also check into the magnifying capability of the scope. The higher the power or magnification, the nearer and clearer things can get.
Only use effective cleaning kits
Optics require proper care and protection. There should be no abrasion in the cleaning kit. The materials used must not deteriorate the glass and covers used for the gun optics. The manner of cleaning must also be in a way that improves the overall functionality of the scope. Unfortunately, some cleaning kits are generic. They cater to the ordinary glass but fail to address some considerations for gun optics. Thus continued use of such poor cleaning kits leads to a gradual worsening of the visibility of the lenses used in the scope.
Calibrate the windage and elevation adjusters when necessary
Failure to calibrate windage and elevation adjustment options may lead to erroneous measures of the magnification, and cause the gun user several missed shots. Most gun scopes will not need additional calibration other than the initial one done during manufacturing. However, in case there was any mishandling that might lead to physical abrasion, then the owner must take it back to a dealer for maintenance. Furthermore, users must be gentle with their handling of the scope to avoid brutalizing the optical lenses inside during the horizontal movement (windage) of the reticle as they shoot in their scope to the rifle.
Keep the objective lens clear and exposed to light
You need light through the objective lens, which is the one closest to the viewed object because the light makes the refraction possible so that magnification can occur. Going for a large objective lens eases your zooming and focusing tasks. If you are selecting new optics, then put in mind the function of the objective lens and buy accordingly. The magnification of a scope is usually a measure of the objective lens, and you can tell by looking at the number after the X in the magnification details. The other lens in the scope will be the ocular one that is closest to the eye.
Follow these great gun optics tips when buying, using and caring for your gun optics. They will allow you to derive maximum use from the prized possession. You may also find your shots improving with time as you take heed the advice.
