Rifle Scope Descriptions

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What does it mean if it says 3-12X44 on the rifle scope's description?

[panzergrenadier]

it's the magnification scale I'm pretty sure...

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Yeah I know that, but what do the numbers mean?

[ShelledPants]

3-12 is the range of magnification. 44 is the eye relief.

[panzergrenadier]

yeah what he said.... I had it wrong... ha ha

[LyquidFyre]

3-12x magnification with a 44mm objective

http://www.pyramydair.com/site/articles/scopes-part1/

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Ahh okay, it's all starting to make sense now. Thanks!

[m102404]

It means that the scope's magnification power is variable from 3x to 12x.

Most variable scopes have a 4 times range...e.g. 6-24, 3-12, 2-8, etc...because of the mechanics and adjustment range inside the scope. Most scopes have a "sweet spot" where the focus/clarity/resolution is optimized...and it's rarely at either end of their min-max magnification.

The last number refers to the size of the Objective lense (the big one furthest away from your face). Typically, and all things such as lense material/coatings/etc.. being equal, the larger the lense the better it's light gathering ability. The more light that the scope can gather, the brighter and clearer the image will be. Large objective lenses may necessitate using high/raised scope rings...which can adversely affect ballistics compensation for flat shooting rounds (i.e. it's best if the aiming line is as close to the bore line as possible).

Each lense within the scope minutely degrades the quality of the image transmission. Really, really good scopes have inert gas injected and lense coatings that transmit as much light as possible. Really, really, really good scopes have all of that and the ability to take rugged abuse (both field usage and repeated high-powered recoil).

Exit pupil is a factor determined by the combination of the magnification and the objective lense. The closer the exit pupil diameter is to your eye...the "nicer/clearer/crisper" the image will be.

Eye relief is a result of several combinations and relates the amount of space between the rear of the scope to your eye. Pistol scopes have very long eye relief...whereas rifle scopes typically have just a few inches (which is all that is needed). Crappy clone scopes often suffer from only an inch or just a bit more eye relief, which makes them difficult to use with goggles.

No matter what the price and what the specs are...there is no substitute for eyeballing a scope and trying it out (even just holding it up by hand) before you buy it.

Hope that helps.

Tys

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Yeah, that help a lot.

Maybe I should just go over to the BassPro Shop and see if they got any good scopes over there so that I can look at them directly.

Thanks!