guidescopes-blog

[guidescopes-blog]

There are a multitude of Choices for Rifle Scopes for Hunting White-Tailed Deer

When is the last time you saw a deer rifle without a scope on it? I am betting it has been quite a few deer seasons ago. I think it has been 1970 since I saw a deer rifle in the woods using only open sights. I remember this because it was my first deer rifle, a Winchester Model 94 in 30-30. I bought the rifle at J.C. Penney for $66.

I killed my first buck with that rifle at a whopping range of 20 yards. I hardly needed an optical scope to make that shot. Truth is though in those days not one deer rifle in camp had a glass lens scope on it. That was long ago.

rifle scope cleaning kit

Those early deer hunting days were in Missouri when I was in college. By the time I moved to Mississippi in 1983, virtually every deer rifle I saw sported an optical scope of some description. Today a riflescope is considered essential, not a custom accessory or a luxury item. Everybody uses them.

One question arises though. Are most of the scopes on rifles used by deer hunters these days the right ones or the best choices? Is there really such a practical thing as an ideal scope for a deer rifle? Let’s examine these parameters to profile what the best recommendations are for an optical scope to mount on your deer rifle.

Keep in perspective too that the factory offerings and options for today’s riflescopes can be mind boggling and are getting more confusing all the time. The market is congested with many high quality scopes at some fairly reasonable prices, but there are also plenty of low quality scopes out there with dubious reputations for long lasting quality, optical clarity, waterproofing, and over all reliability. Check around and shop your local retailers to inspect their stocks and see what is available. Be careful what you buy.

Modern riflescopes are indeed a dynamic optical engineering marvel from what was available just a couple of decades ago. American, European, and Asian optical manufacturers have reached new levels of perfection in riflescopes for hunting. One cannot really go wrong in terms of optical quality with any recognized brand from the upper tier of scope makers. As always with optics, you get what you pay for.

These optical devices, when correctly mounted on a rifle and sighted in properly at appropriate ranges, offers a number of advantages mostly obvious to the end user. First and foremost is the projected or magnified optical view of the intended target at ranges beyond what the average human eye can normally focus on. Optical clarity and quality of the observational vision is the first scope characteristic to look for.

Next, the most obvious function of a riflescope is to mate the shooting accuracy inherent in the rifle to the desired delivery of the ammunition projectile to the point or near about to the target at estimated ranges in the field. In plain language, the scope aids the shooter to place the bullet into the killing zone of the game animal hunted, the white-tailed deer in our case of discussion here. At this mission today’s scopes are first rate.

Without getting too technical to be confusing, riflescopes come in a number of configurations, fixed magnification powers, adjustable power ranges, reticle types, objective lens sizes, and tube diameters among other characteristics like metal finishes, turret adjustments types for windage and elevation as well as focus rings.

If there were a standard riflescope for a deer rifle, it would probably be the traditional one-inch tube scope either in a fixed power of 4x or maybe 6x. An adjustable power version would most likely be the 3-9x power range. The scope’s objective lens or the lens at the front end of the scope would be 40mm. Its exterior finish could be a matte blue or black, silver matte, or stainless. The standard reticle these days is the 4-Plex crosshair. That’s a fairly standard configuration for a classic deer rifle.

Popular variations on the standard theme include first a front objective lens of 50mm on a one-inch tube. This permits additional light gathering capabilities to extend a range of quality vision under more low light conditions. A step up to higher adjustable power ranges can go up to 3.5-10x, 4-12x, 4-16x, 4.5-14x, and some other combinations.

Scopes with larger 30mm tubes are increasing in use, too. These also deliver extra gains in light transmission. Keep in mind these larger tubes also require larger scope rings to accommodate the scope. These scopes and rings are quite expensive.

My own personal preference is a 3-9x power usually set on 6x in a stand or 3x in the woods. I prefer the 50mm objective and the 4-Plex reticle in a black matte finish. That’s my ideal riflescope. What’s yours?

[guidescopes-blog]

America’s Rifle: To Build Guide

The spike in popularity of the AR-pattern rifle can likely be attributed to a variety of factors, but one undeniable reason these lightweight semi-autos are so celebrated is their incredible modularity. One visit to a gun shop or online outdoor retailer will show the endless array of aftermarket parts, with upgrades available down to the smallest detent spring or magazine release button.

rifle bore guide america

This modularity allows owners to trick out their rifles however they please, turning conventional carbines into refined rifles. Moreso, those seeking a completely custom rifle from the ground up can build the AR of their dreams piece by piece, as opposed to buying a stock, out-of-the-box rifle.

We’ll take a look at some of the pros and cons of the (sometimes heated) built vs. bought discussion.

Build it

With so many parts options readily available, would-be AR owners can configure their AR from scratch, purchasing each component individually and assembling their rifle at home.

Advantages:

No compromise: You get the rifle you want, with nothing you don’t need. Rather than buy a manufacturer-stock rifle and spending more on the parts you truly want to add on later, building your rifle gives you the features you’re looking for, and you’ll likely be stuck with fewer unnecessary extra parts when you’re done.

Armoring experience: One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with your AR is to disassemble and reassemble, learning the intricacies and minutiae of the system. Building an AR gives owners an education in how the rifles are constructed and how they operate, which can come in handy when it comes time to replace parts or help a fellow AR owner in need with quick fixes. It’s no replacement for skilled gunsmithing, but it’s definitely a valuable set of skills to have. Even if you’re not quite ready to buy a stripped lower receiver and break out the roll pin punches, options exist to get a more customized setup than an off-the-rack rifle may offer. Many manufacturers and retailers offer separate complete lower and upper receivers, so buyers can mix and match brands, barrel configurations, and even calibers (depending on compatibility) to produce a unique AR without needing to dig into advanced armoring techniques.

Special delivery: If you purchase a new rifle online, you’ll need to have the firearm shipped to a local Federal Firearms License, or FFL, holder for them to run the appropriate background check before releasing the firearm to you. If you decide to build a rifle from the ground up, the parts, from the barrel to the buffer tube, fire control group to the upper receiver itself, can be shipped directly to you. However, to obtain the lower receiver, it must be cleared through an FFL dealer before you take ownership. The same is true at a gun shop; many shops offer a variety of rifle components you can purchase in-store and take home to work on your rifle, but the lower receiver – stripped or complete – requires transfer through an FFL.

Disadvantages:

Watch your wallet: While building your AR can sometimes produce a capable rifle for less money than a factory stock gun, it can also wind up becoming a money pit if you’re not clear on what you want, keep opting for add-ons, premium or competition-grade components, or changing your mind mid-build. It’s great to be able to selectively upgrade components as your requirements demand, but what could’ve been a $600 project can turn into a $1,500 behemoth if unplanned.

It’s not a toy: Building an AR provides a fun, educational and rewarding experience for those who commit to the craft. However, always remember that these are powerful firearms and require serious attention to detail and patience during assembly. Barrels need to be properly headspaced, barrel nuts need to be torqued accurately, gas blocks require precise fitment, gas tubes must be aligned with gas ports and fit cleanly into bolt carrier gas keys, etc. If you’re not completely sure how to safely and correctly assemble your components into a functioning AR, definitely visit a gunsmith. Haphazardly slopping an AR together could result in injury or worse – you need to know what you’re doing. Worth keeping in mind, those seeking to learn gunsmithing from certified instructors can do so through NRA Gunsmithing Schools, for which more information is available at

Tool time: As assembling ARs requires precise measurements and tolerances, you’ll need specialized tools to properly get your rifle together, something you’ll need to factor in when pricing your setup. To properly build your rifle from stripped receivers, you’ll need an armorer’s wrench, a set of roll pin punches, a level, a vise and receiver vise blocks, a torque wrench, screwdrivers and more. While you’ll benefit from having these tools around regardless whether you build or buy and get tremendous value from them in the future, the initial investment of collecting these essentials can add a significant amount to the bill for a first-time builder.

Buy it

While building gives license to construct a custom creation to turn heads at the range, modern manufacturers offer more options than ever, and through their diverse product lines can often deliver a rifle that meets or far exceeds the demands of the customer, right off the bench.

Advantages:

No hassle: Buying a stock AR-pattern rifle that meets your needs is the easiest, quickest way to get into modern sporting rifles. Manufacturers offer hundreds of configurations, and with solid research and advice, most shooters will be able to find a rifle they want and get it on the range without having to take the time to piece their firearm together.

Trust the experts: Buying an AR rather than building gives owners peace of mind that as long as the operator follow instructions (read your manuals!) when using their new firearm, it’s going to work as advertised. Manufacturers are in the business of gunsmithing, and know what they’re doing when designing and assembling rifles. They have the tools, equipment, processes and expertise to construct a safe, functional firearm, so you can focus on shooting. For those with no armoring experience, this is certainly a consideration when it comes to safety.

Fitment and compatibility: When building, you have the option of picking components from different manufacturers. However, that assumed flexibility may not always come through, as some components have varying tolerances and dimensions, and may not fit or work properly with all parts. While AR systems generally share interchangeable pieces, you may wind up with parts that just don’t work together. Buying a complete rifle ensures the components fit together properly and work as advertised, taking out the guesswork and potential of making costly mistakes for prospective buyers.

Disadvantages:

Plain Jane: Buying off the shelf will give you a functioning, ready-to-shoot rifle, but depending on what you choose, you may feel underwhelmed at the features it offers. You can always upgrade parts as you go to give you the custom gun you want, but that costs more money and time, and could potentially wind up being more expensive than if you had built from scratch in the first place.

Not all ARs are created equal: While buying manufacturer-complete rifles ensure you’ll get a firearm that’s designed to fit and fire correctly, you may find some stock guns won’t accept aftermarket upgrades or replacement parts. Some manufacturers use proprietary components, like barrel nuts, handguards and gas system elements. If you want to be able to add on extras or swap out gear as you go along, do your research before settling on a complete rifle.

Cashed out: As discussed, manufacturers offer endless options in the AR market, offering models complete with modern rail systems, drop-in trigger assemblies, bundled optics and advanced stock systems to create high-end, performance-driven firearms. While this is an easy way to get a top-shelf rifle without picking components piecemeal, it also is just as easy to dig your way into a hefty bill. Building allows users to construct similarly capable weapons where they have complete control over which components and brands they opt for, allowing them to also choose where and what to spend extra on to get the desired result. Also, if time isn’t a factor but cash flow is, building allows users to spread out their purchases over time and patiently construct their gun, which may be a better option for aspiring AR owners on a budget.

Every AR buyer and owner is different, and has a variety of factors that will drive their decision to build or buy and AR, be it budget, time, experience, demands or other reasons. Regardless of whether you go for a reliable stock gun, or roll up your sleeves and start building a masterpiece, always keep safety first, and consult a professional gunsmith if you run into any issues or problems. As always, NRA Certified Instructors are available to provide world-class training and education to shooters of all disciplines.

Need more information about training with your AR? Interested in shooting in a match? The NRA America’s Rifle Challenge, presented by Daniel Defense, lets owners of America’s most popular new rifle platform develop and showcase their AR skills. Visit for more information about training courses and matches.