What Do Scope Numbers Mean?

Have you ever wondered why there are those numbers on a rifle scope? If you are new, it can be confusing for you to comprehend.

Don’t worry. These are easy to understand. These are the numbers to set your shooting range and adjust while aiming. The magnification and the lens size in millimeters are the key numbers. You can find it in the form of numbers with the letter “X.”

This guide will discuss the common numbers on the rifle scopes and what they mean.

What is a Rifle Scope?

A rifle scope is like a telescope that helps you correctly aim at the target. Scopes are of two major types: Variable power scope and Fixed power scope. The variable power scope has various magnifications, while the Fixed power scope has only one magnification.

What is the Scope Number in a Rifle?

The naked eye is not enough when you use specific rifles to shoot. Such as using the air rifle and the sniper rifle. So, the numbers on the scope indicate some features you need to understand before shooting.

Three factors characterize rifle scope numbers: lower magnification, higher magnification, and objective lens diameter.

Let’s see what those numbers determine:

Power and Magnification

The one thing every shooter prioritizes before buying a scope is magnification. Every scope comprises some numbers on it. The common numbers usually define the magnification level.

A rifle magnification is the scope’s power that determines the ratio while shooting. The ratio is between your target’s exact size and your scope’s generated size using the numbers.

To make it easy, suppose your scope magnification is in the 4-8 range. Depending on the target you choose to zoom, it will appear 4-8 times bigger than the existing size. So, if an object is 400 yards away, it will appear 100 or 50 yards away (4 or 8 times closer).

Read also: How to Sight a Rifle Scope?

Diameter of the objective lens

The number behind the “X” determines your objective lens’s diameter. It is generally measured in millimeters. It is very close to the target but far from the rifle’s stock.

If the lens is larger, it will help capture more light, making it easy for you to focus. In darker places and weather, this is effective because big lenses make your target images clearer and more intense.

For example, a specific ratio can seem clearer in the zoom setting but can get dim when you magnify it. The lens scopes generally have sizes from 32mm-44mm, but some models give more. Also, some exclusive resizable lenses are available that you can adjust according to your needs.

Eye relief

Eye relief determines the space between your eye and the lens scope so you can have a complete view. If the scope power is lower, it will give you a broader eye relief space, while you have to get closer to the higher power scope.

A low-power rifle can list an object of 4”, which means it’s possible to have a 4” space between the eye and the scope. These are important to determine because there’s a hesitation to put your eye closer to something with massive recoil. Extreme eye relief is also a significant issue, as there’s a chance of missing the target’s field of vision.

Learn More: How to Fix a Foggy Rifle Scope?

Exit Pupil

The exit pupil is to see the light’s diameter that exits from your rifle scopes lens. A smaller exit pupil is not enough for proper lighting, making the image hazy and darker. But an exit pupil with a wider size will diffuse the light.

In normal lighting, our iris can expand between 5mm to 8mm based on the lighting.

Well, all the scopes don’t have this feature. If the diameter of the exit pupil is more than 7mm, it will have excessive light for your eye. To measure your scope’s exit pupil, separate the objective lens size based on the magnification.

Field of View

The FOV is the space ratio through which you can see in your rifle scope. It gets affected when you zoom in and out with variable rifle scope. The FOV gets narrower when you extend the magnification but gets wider if you reduce it.

Broader FOV is always the best choice as it helps you efficiently follow your targets. A spotting scope has better FOV compared to a rifle scope because they are made to spot objects before targeting and taking a shot.

Glass quality

You can’t replace the glass, so you can’t change the quality of it in a rifle scope, no matter what. Good magnification, FFP reticles, and other features are useless if your scope has hazy glass. Popular brands are concerned about the glass quality but never reveal their procedure.

However, light transmission gets more convenient with the standard glass coating. Each of the providers should maintain their glass quality. If your eyes are aging, consider other numbers and features.

Weight

It is important to determine your scope weight so that you don’t put extra weight on it. Some models are really heavy to carry, so there should be balance in the weight. You can find it mentioned in kilograms or ounces, which depends on the provider.

Parallax

If the picture isn’t properly displayed by the time it reaches the back lens, you’ll suffer parallax. As a result, you’ll experience efficiency problems.

How can you tell whether you’re seeing parallax? Simply focus on your crosshairs. You will know the solution if they continue to circle the objective.

Many scopes include a function that allows you to modify them till they keep moving the least amount possible. A scope range of 10-15 yards allows you to modify parallax to such distances.

You may also like: How to Get Moisture Out of a Scope?

MOA

A bullet’s specific point of contact is measured using the minute of angle, or MOA. It measures the amount of deviation your bullet experiences above a particular range in millimeters or inches. It is especially important when firing at extremely long ranges.

Let’s say you fire your rifle five times at a target at a distance of 100 yards, and each shot lands inside the one-inch circle you’ve put on the objective. Your gun is in a 1 MOA.

Your weapon would continue to be within 1 MOA if you fired at a point 200 yards distant and bullets hit inside a 2-inch diameter. At 500 yards, a 10-inch group could be struck with a 2 MOA accuracy.

Final Words

Scope numbers may initially seem difficult, but once you know the usage, they are easy to get. We prepared this easy instruction to understand it and the process of buying a new scope simpler and clearer. Hope the article makes it easy for you to comprehend the numbers.​