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What Scope Do I Need for 300 Yards? 3 Points to Consider!

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The average distance from which most rifle users shoot at their target is 100-150 yards approximately. A 300 yard distance is considered long for normal hunting/shooting activities. This is why the scope you use for 300 yards will need some special features to enable you to take that long range shot perfectly.

3 Basic Components for a Long Range Scope to Consider

Here are basic components which you need to look for while shooting from 300 Yards:

1. Optimal Magnification

First, long range scopes have greater magnification than others. Optimal magnification is essential for a good shot as it gives you a clear image of the target. “Greater magnification”, however, does not mean too much magnification as the latter comes with problems of is own. It narrows the field of vision for the shooter and decreases the exit pupil making it hard to spot your target in the dark. The best magnification is that which gives you a good solid view of your target. On average a 4x-6x magnification is best for long ranger shooting, depending on how big or small your target is and what the lighting conditions are.

Got a scope for AR15? Learn How to Mount it!

2. Diameter of Objective Lens

Secondly, the diameter of the objective lens on your scope matters. The objective lens is the bigger lens placed at the end of your scope. Its job is to gather light and redirect it to the ocular lens (at the start of the scope, from where the hunter sees) so that you can see your target in plenty of light. Objective lenses are quite useful in low-light conditions where the shooter needs to see their target clearly, e.g. when shooting deer in the woods at dawn or dusk.  Larger objective lenses attract more light and are better for shooting targets at a distance. However, too much light can also be a hindrance as it will too much for the eye to take in during good natural light such as in the morning. It also entails a bigger objective lens which adds to the weight of the overall scope. A 32mm-40mm objective lens is best for long range shooting such as at 300 yards. It provides you with ample light and a wide enough field of view.

Also Read: Distance you need to keep between your eye and the scope.

3. Glass Quality of Lens and Its Coating

Lastly, you should focus on the glass quality of the lens and the lens coating. High density, low dispersion glass gives the best image. Investing in a scope with good quality glass lenses will take you further than a cheaper, low-quality scope would. Next, the lens coating is just as important as the quality of the ends. When the objective lens gathers light from the surroundings, some of it reflects off of its surface resulting in a loss of light. This is why most manufacturers put a thin chemical coat on the lens which helps reduce the loss of light. Fully multi-coated lenses are great for long range shooting as they minimize the loss of light up to 92% approximately.

You might want to check out: What do Numbers Mean on a Rifle Scope?

These are some of the key points you should keep in mind when choosing a scope for 300 yards. It is beneficial to note that in such cases bigger and greater is not always better. The best scopes are those that fit the need of the individual user.

How Far Should a Scope be From Your Eye?

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If you are planning to get a scope for your rifle or you already have a scope and you are wondering how far should a scope be from your eye while using. Either way, you are at the right place. This guide will help you find exactly what you are looking for.

Eye relief is something very important to be considered when buying a rifle scope.

What is Eye Relief?

The distance of the eye and the scope eyepiece is decided by eye relief. Eye relief is the distance that you need to achieve and hold by your shooting eye from the scope eyepiece, in order to get the full image being produced by the rifle scope.

What does “Short Eye Relief” mean?

A short eye relief would mean your eye needs to be closer and a large eye relief would mean your eye needs to be farther. If you’re too close than the proper eye relief, the image becomes blurry; if you’re too far, it becomes a tiny object in the center of the scope lens. A health hazard related to eye relief is that if your eye gets closer than the proper level, a rifle or firearm with greater recoil could make the scope slide back explosively when its shot, resulting in an injury to the shooter’s eye.

If you are wondering how to mount a scope on your AR 15, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the complete guide on How to mount a scope on AR15.

How to Measure Eye Relief?

Eye relief is measured in inches or millimeters, and it’s mostly found in product descriptions and/or packages, unlike power and objective diameters and any other essential information found on the scope itself. A common low power rifle scope’s eye relief distance is 4 inches or 101.6 mm, which means that loss of image clarity will occur if one moves in closer or farther from it. The distance can vary between different brands and models of scopes. In general, more eye relief is considered to be better in scopes. For example, magnum rifles have large recoils and therefore, require more eye relief for safe shooting.

Keeping in mind the need and requirement of the shooter, eye reliefs vary from scope to scope. For instance, spotting scopes have short eye relief; their eye reliefs are always precise and close. This is due to the fact that they are only used for spotting and not for actually shooting, so short eye relief doesn’t cause trouble for the shooter.

ALSO SEE: What do Numbers Mean on a Rifle Scope?

As mentioned above, the distance of the eye and the scope eyepiece depends on the eye relief given by the product creator. However, the practical execution isn’t as simple as said. One cannot simply pre-decide an eye relief distance for a rifle scope. Before mounting a scope, you need to check its different models for different rifles, as the shoulder support for various stocks changes.

Once you decide your rifle and scope and have checked all possible bracing positions, only then you will know the eye relief for your rifle scope eyepiece. It is always recommended to loosely attach the scope to the rifle and check all positions for maximum scope efficiency and also to ensure proper usage of the scope. Adjustments can also be made to the scope rings while mounting to help achieve the required optimum eye relief because once the scope is securely attached, there is no way to change it.

Into Long-Range Shooting? Here’s a guide for you “What Scope Do I Need for 300 Yards?“

What do Numbers Mean on a Rifle Scope?

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Whenever you see rifle scopes, they have numbers that give us information about them. The typical format is (power – power x objective diameter). The first power number, to the left of the hyphen, is the minimum magnification limit or level; the second power number, to the right of the hyphen, is the maximum magnification limit or level; the third and last number is the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters.

Numbers on a Rifle Scope Explanation:

1st Number (left of the hyphen):

Let’s start with the power range first. Power range is also known as magnification levels, which gives us a fair idea of what it is. A magnification level is simply the level at which the object would be magnified compared to the naked eye. For example, 2x scope or “2 power” would mean it is magnified 2 times the size of the naked eye. Similarly 3x scope would be three times, 7x scope would be 7 times and so on.

Second Number (right of the hyphen):

The second number is the upper limit of the magnification level. For example 4-10×50. The two numbers show that it is a zoom lens or scope. The shooter can set any number between the two limits according to the need. Most scopes today have variable range. However, sometimes there is only one number. In that case, the scope stays fixed at the specific level of magnification and is unchangeable.

Third Number (the diameter):

The third number is the diameter of the objective lens; the end closest to the barrel. According to the principles of lenses and light, a bigger objective lens allows more light to pass through the lens, helping increase low light performance and clarity of the scope. So a 50 mm scope would have better brightness and clarity than a 20 mm lens.

Learn how far your scope needs to be from your eye!

Tube Diameter:

Next up is tube diameter. It is also a variable that needs to be considered when buying rifle scopes. The tube diameter is measured from the central part of the scope tube. The two common sizes are 1 inch and 30 mm diameters. The former is most commonly found, with the latter being found in some European products, is increasing with time too. Contrary to popular belief, the diameter doesn’t have anything to do with the allowance of light in the tube. It is helpful in giving more strength and rigidity to the rifle scope, due to the greater cross-sectional area. It also helps in having better windage and elevation adjustments.

Wanna learn How to mount a scope on AR15?

Field of View (FOV):

Field of view (FOV) is another important aspect in scope buying. As the name implies, it is the extent of the observable world from the human eye or any optical device. In the case of rifle scopes, it is measured in feet or degrees at specific yardage. The power of the scope has an inverse relationship with FOV; as the magnification increases, the FOV decreases. One has to trade off one for the other. A bigger FOV is better for acquiring targets or following moving targets. An example of FOV is 100-150 ft @ 1000 yards and 1.5-3.1 degrees @ 1000 yards

Into Long-Range Shooting? Here’s a guide for you “What Scope Do I Need for 300 Yards?“

How to Mount a Scope on AR 15?

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Mounting a scope on your AR-15 for the first time is a difficult task. It takes a lot of time and patience, and sometimes a few tries, to nail it perfectly. But don’t worry, we got your back covered.

Here’s How You Can Mount a Scope on AR 15

This guide will help you mount your rifle scope in the first attempt.

Items you need:

  • Torque wrench – used to attach the rifle scope mount to your AR-15
  • Scope mount – the link between the gun and scope; the part which attaches the scope to the gun
  • Hex bit screwdriver– used for tightening the screws on the scope
  • Bubble level – used to level all the parts for complete accuracy during installation
  • Riflescope – the scope you have chosen to your AR-15
  • Gun or shooting rest – used to hold your AR-15 rifle in place for the installation.

Step 1 – Preparation:

You need to prepare your rifle and tools for the installation. Make sure that your rifle is empty, unloaded and the safety is on. Gun safety is vital not only during storage but also in processes such as accessory attachment/detachment, cleaning, etc. Fix it in the shooting rest so that it’s stable and tight for being worked on. Use the bubble level to check level. Checking the level on every step is key to successfully mounting your scope in the first attempt, as a mistake on any level could lead to wrong installation of the scope, ruining all your hard work.

Learn how far your scope needs to be from your eye!

Step 2 – Attaching the mount:

Attach your ar scope mount to the rifle. Place the mount on the top of the AR-15 and tighten its screws by hand so that it holds its place properly. Take the torque wrench and tighten the screws to secure it in place. Be careful about the torque limit on the screws as given by the scope mount instructions. Tightening it more could result in the mount being spoiled. Use the bubble level again to check for the level of the mount. Check both parallel and perpendicular levels to make sure it’s leveled. Adjust by tightening or loosening the screws to achieve proper level so that you’re able to go ahead.

Planning to buy a shotgun scope? check out the best shotgun scopes available on the market currently.

Step 3 – Attaching the scope:

Your scope mount is now secure and ready for the rifle scope to be attached. Place the scope carefully on the mount rings, on equal and flat surfaces on both sides. Place the top of the scope rings and tighten the screws with the hex bit screwdriver to about 80%, in an X pattern. This helps keep the scope even. This is the final time where you can adjust eye relief of the scope.

ALSO SEE: What do Numbers Mean on a Rifle Scope?

Step 4 – Finalizing and leveling:

Level your scope by placing the bubble level on some flat knob or adjustment of the scope to check parallel and perpendicular levels. Once satisfied, tighten the screws of the mount rings in the same X pattern for proper tightening. Re-check the AR-15 for the last time for levels. Check the alignment of the reticle. This can be done by aligning the reticle to an object that it already been verified vertically by the bubble level.

Your AR-15 is ready to use with the rifle scope. Safe and happy shooting!

Into Long-Range Shooting? Here’s a guide for you “What Scope Do I Need for 300 Yards?“