Scopes used on precision made varmint rifles need to be equally as precise and come equipped with features to aid the long range varminter in making accurate shots on small sized targets like prairie dogs out to 300, 400 or even 500 yards and beyond. Here are 3 tips on what to look for in a varmint scope.
Tip 1 – Magnification
Scopes designed for long range varmint shooting must have high magnification power. A typical varmint scope, like a variable 6-18x or 8-25x power, is normal on varmint rifles for accurate shooting out to 500 yards on targets no bigger than a foot in height. You’ll want to buy a varmint scope with magnification in this range for maximum shooting distance.
Tip 2 – Adjustable Objective
This is super important in a varmint scope. Why? Scopes with magnification greater than 10x require an adjustable objective (the objective lens is the front part of the scope) because of parallax error.
What is parallax error? Most regular variable hunting scopes, like a 3-9x, are parallax adjusted to 100-150 yards. If you were to clamp the scope in a vise at the highest scope power (i.e. 9x) then look through the scope at an object 25 yards away all looks fine. However, while looking through the scope begin to move your head slightly off centre and you’ll see the scope’s reticle move. This is parallax error. This also occurs at distances beyond 150 yards.
Your varmint scope must have an adjustable objective to cancel this error otherwise you’ll miss your small targets at extreme shooting distances.
Tip 3 – Varmint Scope Reviews, Articles, etc
Read review, articles, etc on all the available varmint scopes in the marketplace. This will give you a good idea as to what most shooters use on their varmint rifles. Good quality varmint scopes will show up in articles, online forums, etc time and time again. These are the scope you want to be using because they have been proven in the field.
