I'm primarily a handgun and shotgun shooter, though I own an SKS, SAR-1 (with a Kobra red dot), and a Ruger 10/22 (walnut stock, 20" stainless). The 10/22 had a cheap bushnell scope on it until recently when said scope opted to fail completely. I have also taken to shooting a friend's Remington 700 in .30-06 with a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x and have enjoyed that a great deal.
I will clearly have to replace the scope for the 10/22. I am also apparently proceeding toward eventually picking up some sort of well ranged plinker. Having said all that, in my current quest for a replacement scope for my 10/22 and what will likely eventually become shopping for a scope for more potent plinker, I'm discovering I know nothing about optics and can't seem to find a good resource for learning about them.
I understand 3x-9x, but honestly, that's about it. Now, a list of things I don't understand:
1. I don't understand why smaller magnification is better for some rounds.
2. I don't understand what the x30mm or x40mm and what is preferrable.
3. I don't understand what the measurement is for regarding "exit pupil," why it is relevant, and what is preferrable.
4. I know what eye relief in general is, I don't understand what the measurements of eye relief mean.
5. I don't understand the tiers of brands. I believe Leupold is very good, and that Tasco is cheap. But is Tasco inappropriate for an inexpensive gun? How about Redfield, Weaver, Burris, and so on?
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide for me.
I will clearly have to replace the scope for the 10/22. I am also apparently proceeding toward eventually picking up some sort of well ranged plinker. Having said all that, in my current quest for a replacement scope for my 10/22 and what will likely eventually become shopping for a scope for more potent plinker, I'm discovering I know nothing about optics and can't seem to find a good resource for learning about them.
I understand 3x-9x, but honestly, that's about it. Now, a list of things I don't understand:
1. I don't understand why smaller magnification is better for some rounds.
2. I don't understand what the x30mm or x40mm and what is preferrable.
3. I don't understand what the measurement is for regarding "exit pupil," why it is relevant, and what is preferrable.
4. I know what eye relief in general is, I don't understand what the measurements of eye relief mean.
5. I don't understand the tiers of brands. I believe Leupold is very good, and that Tasco is cheap. But is Tasco inappropriate for an inexpensive gun? How about Redfield, Weaver, Burris, and so on?
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide for me.