Field Notes

Premium riflescope on a dark steel workbench
How to Choose a Rifle Scope: A Practical Buyer's Guide
Magnification, objective size, focal plane and reticle are the four decisions that matter most. Here is how to match a scope to the way you actually shoot. Read more...
Close-up of a riflescope elevation turret and click markings
MOA vs MIL: Which Rifle Scope Turret Is Right for You?
Both measure angles, both work, and neither is 'more accurate'. The real rule is simpler: keep your reticle and turrets in the same unit. Here's why. Read more...
View through a riflescope eyepiece showing a fine crosshair reticle
First Focal Plane vs Second Focal Plane (FFP vs SFP)
In an FFP scope the reticle grows and shrinks with magnification; in an SFP scope it stays the same size. That one difference changes how you hold and dial. Read more...
A low-power variable optic riflescope with illuminated magnification ring
The LPVO Buyer's Guide: 1-6x, 1-8x and 1-10x Explained
A low-power variable gives you red-dot speed at 1x and magnified precision up top. Here's how to choose between 1-6x, 1-8x and 1-10x and why true 1x matters. Read more...
Scope rings, mounting bases and a torque wrench on a workbench
Scope Mounting Guide: Rings, Bases, Height and Torque
A great scope on a poor mount will never hold zero. Here's how to choose rings, set the right height, level the reticle and torque it correctly. Read more...
A riflescope in a bench vise beside a paper target with a tight group
How to Zero a Rifle Scope: A Simple Step-by-Step
Boresight, pick a distance, fire a group, adjust off the center of that group, confirm. Here is the whole process without the guesswork. Read more...
Macro of magnification and objective numbers engraved on a riflescope
How to Read Riflescope Numbers (Like 3-9x40)
3-9x40 isn't code once you know the pattern. Here's what every number on a scope actually tells you before you buy. Read more...
A slim hunting riflescope beside a larger tactical riflescope
Leupold VX vs Mark Series: Hunting vs Tactical
Leupold's two main scope families solve different problems. Here's how the VX hunting line and the Mark tactical line actually differ. Read more...
Close-up of a riflescope side parallax adjustment knob
What Is Parallax on a Rifle Scope, and How to Adjust It
If your reticle seems to float over the target when you move your head, that's parallax. Here's what it is and how to dial it out. Read more...
A slim hunting riflescope on a weathered log at dawn
How to Choose a Hunting Riflescope
A hunting scope has a different job than a target scope. Here's how to pick magnification, reticle and glass for the game you actually chase. Read more...
View through a scope showing a mil-dot and holdover tree reticle
Understanding Reticles: Duplex, BDC, Mil-Dot and Trees
Duplex, BDC, mil-dot, Christmas tree — the aiming pattern inside your scope should match how you shoot. Here's what each one does. Read more...
Three riflescopes of increasing size arranged in a row
Athlon Ares vs Midas vs Cronus: Which Line?
Athlon stacks its riflescopes in clear tiers. Here's how Midas, Ares and Cronus differ in glass and price so you buy the right level. Read more...
Macro of a coated optical lens showing anti-reflective coatings
Understanding Lens Coatings and Optical Glass
Two scopes with the same magnification can look completely different. The reason is usually the glass and its coatings. Here's what to look for. Read more...
A set of scope rings of different heights with a torque driver
How to Choose Scope Rings: Height and Diameter
Rings look simple, but the wrong diameter or height ruins an otherwise great scope. Here's how to get both right. Read more...
A fixed-power scope beside a variable-power scope
Fixed vs Variable Magnification Scopes
A variable scope does more, but a fixed-power optic does less and does it simply. Here's when each is the smarter choice. Read more...
From the Journal

Field Notes

Product guides, equipment care and buyer education from the D&R team.

Buyer's Guides

How to Choose a Hunting Riflescope

A hunting scope has a different job than a target scope. Here's how to pick magnification, reticle and glass for the game you actually...

Read Article

Buyer's Guides

Athlon Ares vs Midas vs Cronus: Which Line?

Athlon stacks its riflescopes in clear tiers. Here's how Midas, Ares and Cronus differ in glass and price so you buy the right level.

Read Article
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