The purpose of this page is to help you pick the right riflescope.  It will answer questions like:
Rifle Scope Terminology
What is a rifle scope?
What is Coated Optics?
What is Exit Pupil?
What is eye relief?
What is Field of View (FOV)?
What is Magnification?
What is Objective Lens size?
Where is the Ocular Lens?
What is Parallax?
What are the Precision Adjustments?
What is resolution?
What is the reticle?
What are the types of reticles?

1) Eye Piece        
2) Exit Pupil
3)  Ocular Lens
4) Power Ring      
5) Windage Adjustment
6) Elevation Adjustment
7) Objective Bell
8) Eye Bell
9) Objective Lens

What is a riflescope?
A rifle scope indicates a bullet's point of impact and makes distant targets and surrounding objects appear closer. A riflescope is recommended for safer, more accurate shooting in the field and on the range.

What is Coated Optics?
Coatings on lens surfaces reduce light loss and glare due to reflection for a brighter, higher-contrast image with reduced eyestrain. BushnellŪ riflescopes are coated with a microscopic film of magnesium fluoride. More coatings lead to better light transmission.
TYPES OF COATING
Coated - A single layer on at least one lens.
Fully-Coated - A single layer on all air-to-glass surfaces.
Multi-Coated - Multiple layers on at least one lens and all surfaces are coated at least once.
Fully Multi-Coated - Multiple layers on all air-to-glass surfaces.

What is Exit Pupil?
The size of the column of light that leaves the eyepiece of a scope. The larger the exit pupil, the brighter the image. To determine the size, divide the objective lens diameter by the power (a 4x40 model has an exit pupil of 10mm).

What is eye relief?
The distance a scope can be held away from the eye and still present the full field of view. Bushnell riflescopes provide an extra margin of comfort and recoil safety with extended eye relief and soft neoprene eyepiece guards.

What is Field of View (FOV)?
The side-to-side measurement of the circular viewing field or subject area. It is defined by the width in feet or meters of the area visible at 100 yards or meters. A wide field of view makes it easier to spot game and track moving targets. Generally, the higher the magnification, the narrower the field of view.

What is Magnification?
Riflescopes are often referred to by two numbers separated by an "x". For example: 4x40. The first number is the power or magnification of the scope. With a "4x", the object being viewed appears to be four times closer than when seen with the unaided eye.
 
Low power - (example: 1.5-6x32, 2-7x32) These riflescopes are ideal at close range and for shooting moving targets. They provide the most effective light management and produce a brighter sight picture and wider field of view-even in low-light conditions and thick brush.
 
Medium power - (example: 3-9x40, 2.5-10x50) Select these riflescopes for hunting big game at medium range.
 
High power - (example: 6-18x40, 6-24x40) These riflescopes are best for target shooting, when the target is motionless and for varmints and other small game.

What is Objective Lens size?
The second number in the formula (4x40) is the diameter of the objective or front lens. The larger the objective lens, the more light that enters the scope, and the brighter the image.

Where is the Ocular Lens?
The lens closest to your eye.

What is Parallax?
A condition that occurs when the image of the target is not focused precisely on the reticle plane. Parallax is visible as an apparent movement between the reticle and the target when the shooter moves his head or, in extreme cases, as an out-of-focus image.

What are the Precision Adjustments?
The windage and elevation adjustments affect accuracy. Windage is the horizontal (left-to-right) adjustment, usually the side turret of the scope. Elevation is the vertical (up-and-down) adjustment, usually the top turret of the scope.  Riflescopes feature 1/4 M.O.A. (1/4" at 100 yards) or finer windage and elevation adjustments with audible clicks for greater precision.

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What is the reticle?
A reticle is the crosshair or pattern placed in the eyepiece of the scope which establishes the gun's position on the target.

Types of Reticles
The Reticles Shown on this page or for LEUPOLD SCOPES.

What is resolution?
Resolution, or definition, is the ability of a scope to distinguish fine detail and retain clarity.
 
For optimum image quality, it is important that the optical system of a riflescope deliver as much light as possible to the eye of the shooter. The lighter or brighter the image, the sharper the resolution, and the clearer the shot. The quality of the glass, lens design and optical coatings all contribute to a riflescope's ability to manage light effectively. When selecting your scope, consider magnification, objective lens size, exit pupil, resolution, field of view and eye relief.