How To Choose A Rifle Scope For Deer Hunting (Helpful Tips)

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There are a lot of rifle scopes out there, and you might be a little confused about which ones are best for deer hunting. Here’s everything you need to consider when choosing a deer hunting rifle scope, including how to figure out what you really need and the things you can’t live without.

What are your requirements in a hunting scope?

When choosing the best rifle scope, you have to consider both your wants and your needs. Wants are those things that you can live without but that is still really nice to have. Needs, on the other hand, are the things you can’t live without.

Before considering your wants, it’s important to determine your requirements. What do you need your scope to do? To figure it out, here are a few things to ask yourself.

How do you hunt? Do you spot and stalk your game, or do you prefer to sit in a tree stand? Do you hunt in the mountains, forests, or flatlands? What do you hunt?

If you’re in a tree stand hunting whitetail deer, you’re likely hunting in areas where the forest is pretty dense. In this case, you want a scope that gives you a wider field of view as opposed to high magnification.

On the other hand, if you’re hunting western mule deer and spend a lot of time on open terrain, something with a wide magnification range is ideal. This way, you can have a wider field of view when you need it then increase the magnification when taking your shot.

Where and what you hunt are the two main factors that determine what type of scope you need. After you work that out, you can take some time to think about what extra features you want.

What’s the best scope magnification for deer hunting?

It’s important to understand your scope numbers. As you probably know by now, the highest magnification isn’t always the best, which is why you have to consider where and what you’re hunting.

For example, if you’re in a heavily wooded area, you probably only have about 150 to 250 yards between you and the deer. Ideally, you’d wait until you were as close as possible to take your shot to give yourself the best chance of hitting your target. You’re probably not going to try to hit a deer that’s, say, 350 yards or so away because there are so many trees and other obstacles in the way.

If you’re hunting in dense woods, a scope with 3-9x magnification is pretty good. It’s not ideal for long-range shots, but in a heavily wooded area, you’re probably not going to be trying too many long-range shots anyway.

If you like a little more variety and the flexibility to take a long range shot with your scope when you need to, go with a scope that has a magnification range of 3-12 or 4-12. This range gives you what you need for just about any deer hunting scenario.

Any magnification over 12 is overkill unless you’re planning to use the scope for other things, like target shooting or big game hunting.

Does objective lens size matter?

Yes, objective lens size matters because it determines the amount of light that gets into the scope. A large objective lens lets in more light, making the image brighter. Objective lens size is always something to think about, but it’s especially important at dusk and dawn, or in any poor lighting conditions when you want to let in as much light as possible.

That said, if you get a scope with an objective lens that’s too big, it’s likely going to also be too bulky and heavy. So, you really need to find a happy medium that lets in enough light without adding too much weight. A good size for deer hunting is about 40mm.

Should you get a fixed or variable power scope?

There are pros and cons to each, so it really comes down to personal preference. Magnification is important because it directly affects your accuracy, but it has some costs, too.

Many hunters prefer variable power scopes because they provide so much flexibility. You have the power to tailor the magnification to your needs in different situations, and you can easily use the scope to hunt other types of game.

That said, variable magnification requires frequent adjustments. They’re bulkier and heavier, and you’re more likely to experience parallax with them.

Fixed power scopes are cheaper, easier to use, and have a preset parallax. You simply look through the scope, line up your aim, and take your shot, without any fuss. They’re much better for beginners.

The downside to a fixed power scope is that they lack the versatility of a variable power scope. Ultimately, each hunter needs to decide which is the right fit for them.

Is a Duplex Reticle the best for hunting?

Many people don’t put much thought into the reticle because they assume that other specs are more important. But reticle is something you should consider when choosing the right scope for you.

A duplex reticle is a good choice for deer hunting. It features bold outer lines and a fine inner cross. You can see it against the background more easily and line up your shot precisely. This reticle is a good choice for new hunters or those who have a hard time seeing finer lines.

Advanced hunters might prefer something more sophisticated with holding marks, hash marks, or dots, but a duplex reticle will get the job done.

MOA vs MRAD – Which one should you use?

When you look through the scope, you adjust your view and consequently the reticle by adjusting the turret. Turrets and reticles are measured in either MOA or MRAD.

MRAD stands for milliradian, which is an angular unit of measurement. There’s a lot of math involved in explaining a milliradian, but here’s the short version. Every circle has 360 degrees. You can also divide every circle into 6.283 radians with each containing 57.3 degrees. Each radian contains 1,000 milliradians. So, a circle with 360 degrees contains 6,280 milliradians. NATO rounds this up to 6,400 for military scopes.

MOA stands for minute of angle, another unit of measurement. The math on this one is a little more straightforward. Again, every circle has 360 degrees, and you can divide every degree into 60 minutes. So, there are 21,600 minutes of angle in every circle or 21,600 MOA.

If you have an MOA turret and an MRAD reticle or vice versa, it means you have to do more math. This calculation is called the MRAD to MOA conversion, and it’s important for accurate long-range shooting. One milliradian equals 3.38 minutes of angle, and you’ll have to account for this when adjusting the scope. It’s not necessary to choose between MOA and MRAD. Both of them are effective. But if you don’t want to worry about calculations, it’s easier to make sure your turret and reticles use the same unit of measurement.

Which focal plane is best for hunting?

Scopes that have adjustable magnification have the reticle or crosshairs on either the first or second focal plane. Which one you choose affects how the reticle appears when you change the magnification as well as the cost and construction of the scope.

The second focal plane is the most common option and has been around longer. When your reticle is on the second focal plane, it means that the reticle stays the same size when you adjust the magnification.

This setup is very popular for a few reasons. First, it’s cheaper to make, which means it’s less expensive for you. There are fewer moving parts to worry about, and it’s easier to use. Reticles on the second focal plane are usually thinner, which many hunters like because it doesn’t block the target and allow for more precise aiming.

First focal plane scopes are newer and becoming more popular. With this type of scope, the reticle changes size as you adjust the magnification. So, as you increase the magnification, the reticle gets larger and vice versa. The reticle tends to be pretty thick when the magnification is high, which can obscure your target. On the flip side, they are relatively thin at low magnification power and can be difficult to see.

These scopes are more difficult to make and are consequently more expensive. Some hunters might prefer them, and they can come in handy, but first focal plane scopes are generally not necessary for deer hunting. If you’re experienced and want to account for things like elevation, distance, and wind, a first focal point scope does come in handy.

Does parallax matter on a hunting scope?

Parallax is an optical illusion that can significantly affect your aim, especially at long distances. Generally, though, if you’re hunting deer at close range, it’s not going to be that much of an issue. Parallax is more of a problem at magnifications greater than 12 and at around 650 yards or so. These long-range rifle scopes have a parallax adjustment to correct any issues.

What is a good scope eye relief?

Eye relief is the distance between the shooter’s eye and the full image of the target when the shooter is looking through the ocular lens. If eye relief is too far, the image will be fuzzy; too short, and there will be a dot in the center.

Three and a half inches is the industry standard for scope eye relief, and it usually works well with up to 9x magnification. That said, many people believe that bigger is better, so many hunters prefer a larger scope and an eye relief of about 4.5 inches.

You also have to consider your recoil with the rifle you’re using the scope on. You want to make sure you have enough eye relief to prevent the scope from biting you in the face when you take your shot. Scope eye is not a good thing.

Which lens coating options are best?

All scope lenses are made of glass because glass is clear and gives you a good image. One issue with glass, though, is that it reflects light. This, in turn, affects the brightness and quality of what you see through the lens.

An anti reflective coating is often applied to the lenses to reduce glare and loss of light. Magnesium fluoride was one of the first coatings ever used, and it’s still quite popular today. There are many other coatings, too, including aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, and titanium oxide. Some brands have proprietary coatings as well.

Another thing to consider with coatings is what surfaces are coated. Generally, the more coatings in a scope, the better the picture is going to be, and there are specific terms to determine the types of coatings.

A coated scope has a single-layer coating on at least one surface of one lens, while fully coated means that there’s a single layer on all lens surfaces. A multi-coated lens means that at least one lens has more than one coating, while fully multicoated means that all lens surfaces have multiple layers of coating.

It will affect the cost of the scope but for the best image, choose something that’s fully multi-coated. If you want to know more, check out our article on the best lens coating option for your hunting scope.

How will you mount the scope on your firearm?

To mount your scope, you first have to mount the bases. To do this, remove the plug screws from the top of the rifle, then attach your base using the supplied hardware. Bases vary in shape, size, and design of the rifle, so make sure the one you choose is made for your particular firearm.

After your bases are locked down, it’s time to move into the scope rings. Rings also come in different designs and sizes, but the most important thing to consider is height. The height determines how the scope lines up with your eye, so you have to consider the ring height, the scope diameter, and the base system to choose the one that’s right for you.

When the base and rings are mounted to the rifle, place your firearm in a gun vise and use a leveling kit to make sure it’s perfectly level. After you know your firearm is perfectly level, it’s time to level the scope. Unscrew the rings and insert the scope into them. Screw the rings back in place, leaving a little bit of slack.

Place the level on the firearm again, ensuring that everything is level before tightening the screws completely. Start in one corner, then move diagonally across the scope. Repeat this process until all the screws are tightened equally.

What are some of the scope features you would like to have?

Here are a few of the main features to consider when choosing a scope.

Fixed or Variable

Fixed scopes have a set magnification, while variable scopes have a magnification range you can choose from, as we mentioned earlier. There are pros and cons to each. If you like a little variety and want to have more control, go for a variable scope. On the other hand, if you want something straightforward and easy to use that’s a little more limited in magnification, a fixed scope is fine.

Magnification

Generally, a scope with 4x or 3-9x magnification is all you need. Anything more powerful than that isn’t necessary for deer hunting but comes in very useful if you’re doing any long-range shooting.

Reticle Types

There are a few types of reticles. We mentioned duplex reticles earlier, which are the most common and simplest type. But there are other options to choose from, too.

A mildot reticle has dots to help you estimate how far away your target is based on its size. This type of reticle is best for law enforcement and military use. You don’t really need it for deer hunting, but it’s ultimately up to you.

Bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticles have hash marks so you can estimate where the bullet will land at a certain distance. Again, this isn’t something you need for deer hunting, but it’s a great option if you’re doing any long-range shooting.

Tube Size

Scopes come in various sizes, like 25mm, 30mm, and 34mm. Larger tubes have more room inside, so they often have a better range of adjustment. The downside to this is that they’re heavier, have bigger housing, and are more expensive. Again, this is not something you necessarily need for deer hunting, but it’s ultimately up to you.

Focal Plane

I mentioned this earlier, but the focal plane is something to think about when choosing a variable scope. Remember, first focal plane (FFP) means the reticle changes size as you adjust magnification. Second focal plane (SFP) means that the reticle stays the same size. An SFP is all you need for deer hunting. FFPs are better for long range shooting.

Turrets

Turrets are how you adjust the windage and elevation for your scope or the horizontal and vertical changes you need to line up your shot. Most people prefer a scope with audible turrets so that you can hear the changes you’re making without looking at them. Remember, when it comes to turrets, you also have to think about MOA and MRAD. MOA is great for deer hunting while MRAD is more beneficial for long-range shooters.

What’s your budget for a hunting scope?

Scopes can cost anywhere from $30 to upwards of $4,000 or more. In fact, the best Thermal Scopes can be even more. Now, you don’t need to spend a few grand to get a decent scope, but you should definitely consider investing more than $30 in my opinion.

Every scope is different and quality varies, but generally, the more you spend, the better the materials are and the longer the scope will last. If you want a decent deer hunting scope that performs well with quality glass and isn’t going to break easily, expect to spend about $200 to $300. Most hunters will tell you not to spend more than half the cost of your rifle when buying a scope, and that’s generally a good guideline to follow.