Rifle Scope question

S

Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
Messages
5,250
Deer season starts next saturday so I'm thinking about it a bit. Are there rifle scopes that are better for someone with glasses? I have a severe astigmatism and wear pretty thick glasses. I often times have a hard time seeing through the scope well. Its probably more that I don't have good form; if I take my time on the bench I can get a good picture. Otherwise, there is a lot of black!

But I was wondering if there was anything particular to take into consideration for a rifle scope for someone that wears thick glasses. I've had similar problems with binoculors, but to a lesser extent.
 
I would look for a scope with a slightly longer eye relief. That should solve your field of vision problem and also ensure that it won't tag your eyeglasses when you shoot.

Most places that carry a large selection of scopes have a stock available for checking scopes on. Try a few on and see what works for you. Also, optics are one of those items where you get what you pay for... spend the extra $ for a quality brand. I like Burris and Leupold, but there are several other good ones out there as well. Good luck!
 
Yes, Burris and Leupold. The Burris Compact series has longer than usual eye relief. I think all Leupold scopes have longer than usual eye relief. Burris is my personal best buy for the money scope, but I'd have only Leupolds if money were no object.

The other option is some kind of red dot type sight. Eye relief isn't critical. Most have no magnification, but at woods ranges that might not be a problem. Place red dot on deer and squeeze trigger. Think Aimpoint here if quality is important.

Good luck to you. Wish I were hunting in northern Michigan again this year.

Jeff
 
I have a Burris Fullfield on my Ruger 77 and I like it.

I have a cheapie long eye relief NC Star 2 to 7 on my Mosin Nagant in the Scout type setup and it's real nice as far as bringing the gun up and you are there.

Generally I think the low power scopes are easier if you have bad eyes.
 
Shann, I am a big fan of fixed power scopes, 4X and 6X. I like the Leupold matte finish ones best. I think many people buy too much scope for their application, and most people shouldn't be shooting beyond about 200 yards anyway in my opinion, at least at game.

I think the lower power fixed scopes give good eye relief and are easier on folks who are already correcting their vision. A big variable would give you more trouble with your prescription and be more to deal with.

But again, that's just my opinion; I could be wrong...;)

Norm
 
hollowdweller said:
Generally I think the low power scopes are easier if you have bad eyes.
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Yep, gotta agree with that.;)

Svashtar said:
I think many people buy too much scope for their application, and most people shouldn't be shooting beyond about 200 yards anyway in my opinion, at least at game.
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Yep, can't disagree with that either.;)

Svashtar said:
I think the lower power fixed scopes give good eye relief and are easier on folks who are already correcting their vision. A big variable would give you more trouble with your prescription and be more to deal with.

But again, that's just my opinion; I could be wrong...;)

Norm
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The only rifle I have scoped is my Ruger 10/22 in stainless steel.
I've only had it out a couple of times for target shooting and never for tree rat hunting, yet.;)

I probably bought too much scope for what I really need but it works very well for me and especially in low light.
The scope is a 2X9 Simonds in brushed chrome with large reticles, don't recall the mm size of the top of my head.
It's easy to acquire a sight picture with the 2 power and then up it if I need to about 6 power.
I really like my 2X9 Simonds even if it is one of the less expensive scopes, works fine for a .22 caliber.;) :p

I had just shot through it enough to start getting used to it and I imagine when I get to take it out again that it will be a whole 'nother learning experience for me.
Practice, Practice, Practice means just that and not just for one thing but anything you do if you want to get good and stay good at it.:thumbup:
I like ta shoot mi squirrels right trou dere widdle punkin headens.;) :cool:

Barbie has a scope on her Winchester .30-30 but I don't know what it is except it's a 4 power. It's a decent enough scope for Oklahoma and the distances we have here.:)
 
I have been using Leupold scopes for 45 years without complaint of any kind, and I used to use glasses. I strongly suggest a lower fixed power (2.5X, 3X or 4X) or a low power variable no larger than 2.5-8X. Leupold's lifetime guarantee makes it unnecessary to buy new, so don't shy away fron used Leupolds as the factory will fix most anything, and quickly. I currently have over a dozen and a half, and my sons 10 to 12 more. All work perfectly.
 
jurassicnarc44 said:
I have been using Leupold scopes for 45 years without complaint of any kind, and I used to use glasses.
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Well Mac made it back finally!!!! How'd you do it Mac, did the last email I sent help you out?

Anyway however you did it I'm sure glad to see you made it back in!!!!:thumbup: :D :cool:
 
I concur with Norm on the magnification... all of our hunting rifles get 4x fixed power scopes. Keeps me from taking longer shots than I practice for and doubles as a rangefinder.
 
jurassicnarc44 said:
I have been using Leupold scopes for 45 years without complaint of any kind, and I used to use glasses. I strongly suggest a lower fixed power (2.5X, 3X or 4X) or a low power variable no larger than 2.5-8X. Leupold's lifetime guarantee makes it unnecessary to buy new, so don't shy away fron used Leupolds as the factory will fix most anything, and quickly. I currently have over a dozen and a half, and my sons 10 to 12 more. All work perfectly.
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18 just for your own collection!? That is way beyond anything I have or probably ever would have. Sounds like a nice set of rifles and scopes. If I can do it with receiver or regular iron sights that is much more satisfying to me, but obviously you need a scope sometimes. A Garand and many others I shoot just wear the standard military sights.

I love the quality of Leupolds. I did not know that they would honor their warranty for anyone but the original owner, so that is good to know. Next time I can make it to a gun show that hasn't been shut down here in the PRK I'll look for a used one.

Other than the fixed Leupolds the only other scopes I have are a very old Weaver K4X that I inherited from my Dad that is still in great shape and wonderfully accurate, and a Trijicon 4X32 ACOG on my Bushmaster. Practically indestructible and easy to use.

Despite a preference for the strength of fixed power scopes, if I can ever keep enough money away from Yangdu, I hope to someday get a varmint rifle in 22-250 or similar with a large objective Leupold variable, but I am not sure in what magnification range yet. Need to do more research on that.

Regards,

Norm
 
I got a Leupold Vari X 3? I think it is? it's like a 2 to 5 or something?? Got it on my .35 Marlin and it has really great light gathering ability. It replaced a Weaver K2.5 and the difference in early morning and night is amazing.

While we are on scopes may I RANT??

One thing I liked about the Weaver was it just had regular fine crosshairs. I like them better and the thick on the sides and thin in the middle crosshairs bug me. It's like they clutter up the field too much.:mad:

However except in very expensive models it seems virtually impossible these days to get a scope with regular crosshairs. There is every sort of sick gimmick there is but a good old fashioned plain crosshair is almost nonexsistant as far as I have been able to find.:rolleyes:
 
I gots two scopes for the one .308 rifle I have. I don't trust ME not to screw them up.

The mounts can serve as peep-holes and I put the front blade sight back on.

Iron sights is good sights.

Hope you have a fun hunt.
 
Lower power scopes are nice and easy on the eyes, things are just less ciritical like alignment etc. You may also want to look at what part of your lenses you are looking thru when you are shooting. My wife has very thick lenses with multiple types of correction cranked in, and the closer to the edge of the lens, the worse the distortion is.

http://www.hansenseagleeye.com/index.html
 
hollowdweller said:
One thing I liked about the Weaver was it just had regular fine crosshairs. I like them better and the thick on the sides and thin in the middle crosshairs bug me. It's like they clutter up the field too much.:mad:
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But the beauty of that style of reticle is that it doubles as a range finder. ;)
 
I also vote for maximum eye relief, low power or low power variable. Buy the best you can afford and you will be happy that you did. I use Leupolds, but there are a lot of other good scopes out there. The new Redfields that are just now coming out are supposed to be fantastic, with the first real advancements in optics and adjustments for quite sometime.
 
hollowdweller said:
One thing I liked about the Weaver was it just had regular fine crosshairs. I like them better and the thick on the sides and thin in the middle crosshairs bug me. It's like they clutter up the field too much.:mad:

However except in very expensive models it seems virtually impossible these days to get a scope with regular crosshairs. There is every sort of sick gimmick there is but a good old fashioned plain crosshair is almost nonexsistant as far as I have been able to find.:rolleyes:
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It is my pleasure to direct you to Premier Reticles, formerly of West Virginia, and now operating out of Winchester,VA. Dick Thomas and his son will put any reticle in any scope you have (as long as it is a Leupold). I have two Leupold 6.5-20X 50's on my long range bolts, a couple fixed power 12X, and most of the rest are 2.5-8X VXIII's on various deer rifles. Dick has been putting post and crosshair reticles in mine for years, where the tapered verticle post extends very slighty above a fine horizontal. He also furnishes several thicknesses of plain crosshairs.
 
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