• Nikon Scopes
• BSA Scopes
• Leupold Scopes
• ATN Scopes
• Bushnell Scope
• Burris Scopes
• Weaver Scopes
• Swift Scopes
• Simmons Scopes
• Redfield Scopes
• Tasco Scopes
• Adirondack Scopes
• The Malcolm Scope
• Swarovski Scopes
• Mueller Optics
• Sightron Scopes
• Millett Scopes
• Other Riflescopes
• Nightforce Scopes
• Sniper Scopes
  • Sniping Scopes
  • Sniper Scope Purchase
• Night Vision
• Rifle Scopes Basics
• Rifle and Pistol Scopes
• Binoculars
• Accessories
• Firearms

An Overview of Sniper Scopes

If you love hunting, or have a sniper rifle for some other purpose, it is very important to know about sniper scopes as well.  Sniper scopes are scopes that are specifically made to cater to sniper rifles and to increase the accuracy of your shooting.  They help the shooter to focus on the target more clearly and accurately, and can easily be adjusted for wind and elevations.  The basic rule of thumb when purchasing a sniper scope is that the scope should cost half as much as the rifle you own or intend to purchase.

How A Sniper Scope Works

A sniper scope is really a specialized telescope that has components to amplify the target you are looking at.  When a sniper is aiming at a target, the point of aim is not usually the same as the point of impact.  There are many things that factor into this difference including the range or distance the bullet must travel, the heat and the wind.  A sniper scope allows the shooter to adjust for all of these variables and to attempt to line up the aim with the impact, for a more accurate shot.

General Scope Components

In general, sniper scopes are used by the military and by law enforcement personnel.  These sniper scopes include optics in steel tubes that the shooter mounts to a bracket on the top of the rifle.  They weight a few pounds and are about 10 inches long.  These scopes have various magnifying abilities, from 5 times, to 10 times and more.  This means that a given scope would be capable of magnifying an image to 5 or 10 times its size.  When the sniper is getting ready to shoot, he uses the wire reticule with mil dots to find his range and to sight the target.  This tool allows the sniper to estimate how much distance there is between him and the object, and to make adjustments for the wind and for moving targets.

Is a Sniper Scope the Same as a Rifle Scope?

Sniper scopes, and sniper rifles, have specific features that set them apart from rifle scopes and rifles.  A sniper rifle is intended to be used a great distances and the sniper scope helps the shooter to aim more accurately at these distances.  Sniper rifles often have their wood stock replaced with fiberglass or other materials that help to prevent warping in heat and moisture.  In addition, a sniper rifle is only attached to the stock in a few places, thus reducing the vibration that the shot produces.  The sniper scope also has tools that allow the shooter to take into account the bullet's path, the wind and other factors.  For these reasons, sniper scopes should only be used with sniper rifles and regular rifle scopes should remain on hunting rifles.