Riflescopes and Scope Accessories

Aimpoint have led the way with rugged, parallax free red dot sights since 1975. All Aimpoint sights have a single red dot aiming mark - any sight claimed to be an Aimpoint that has a differently colored dot or another shaped reticle is a fake. The US Army was so impressed that they are now purchasing their second generation of Aimpoint Close Combat Optic. The reason for this is that Aimpoints are fast, accurate and very, very tough.  They are also pressure proof down to 45 meters or 125 feet. The CompM3 is supplied with a rubber cover, available in Black or dark earth to further protect it, but this is really just to protect the finish as the sight itself is practically indestructible. Replacement covers can be purchased.

The Aimpoint CompM3 is an upgrade of the CompM2 which had been adopted by the US Army as its M68 CCO. The main improvement is use of ACET circuitry that gets over 50,000 hours out of an N-cell battery - 500,000 on NV setting. The CompM3 is compatible with all generations of night vision, but is particularly suitable for 3rd Generation night vision units. Six day and four night brightness settings are provided. For those not needing a night vision compatible sight, Aimpoint produce the less expensive CompML3 red dot sight.

A huge array of mounts are available for these 30mm tube sights. They can also be used in conjunction with the Aimpoint 3XMag 3X magnifier or its Eotech G23.FTS 3X magnifier equivalent to provide a longer range capability. 2 and 4 MOA models are available catering for shooter preference and anticipated engagement ranges.

All the Aimpoints are virtually parallax free and the CompM3 is considered completely so beyond 50 meters. The brightest setting is very bright and the sight can be used in all light conditions. This sight projects no energy and will not give away your position or harm your eyesight Aimpoint have their own patented coating that only reflects the exact frequency of the dot and letting other light frequencies straight through. This prevents the blue background color seen in some other red dot sights. At 7.8 oz or 220 g. this is a very light sight for its bulk and will not overly encumber your rifle. Unlimited eye relief means the sight can be mounted anywhere on your rail, enabling you to place other items on your rail with great flexibility.

This is an amazingly versatile sight that can be used on static and moving targets on the ground or in the air. The Comps make great sights for hunting under a canopy or in thick brush and are excellent choices for wild turkey. These sights have a great following in Northern Europe on running wild boar and moose. These sights are ideally suited to law enforcement or close protection applications.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on March 29th, 2011 | No Comments »

The Magpul GEN 1 back up iron sights have become very popular on AR15 based platforms, but are also used on many other rifles and carbines with sufficiently long rails. They are inexpensive, incredibly light, very tough, hard to scratch and almost rust free. They did have the disadvantage, however of being quite bulky and would somtimes partially obstruct optical sights. The old front sight could swing back slightly and thus offer inconsistent elevation. Both were largely theoretical disadvantages, but Magpul listen to their customers and are keen to innovate - hence the GEN 2 MBUS which will ship in Feb ‘11.

The MBUS GEN 2 consists of a pair of flip up aperture and post sights. The foresight is adjusted with a tool (supplied) and mounting hardware for both sights is provided. WARNING! If you mount the foresight on the gas block, bad things WILL happen. The polymer construction, however, makes it very, very tough and you won’t worry about its finish being marred by scuffs and scratches. You can configure your weapon to its theatre of operation by choosing from black, dark earth, OD green and foliage green. Unlike the GEN 1, the new MBUS GEN 2 front sight is locked in elevation by its spring - an important psychological advantage if nothing else as the minor differences in height were unlikely to exceed Minute of Insurgent.

The MBUS GEN 2 rearsight is dual aperture with one hole for bright sunlight and one for use at dawn and dusk or in other poor light conditions. It is windage adjustable via a knob on the right hand side. It can be used as a ‘no aperture window sight’ or NAWS by folding down both apertures and framing the target between the protective rearsight wings for very fast close range target acquisition and engagement.

When ounces matter, the Magpul MBUS GEN 2 flip up sights provide a back up without the weight penalty. If mounted on a direct gas AR15 they are match the height of A2 irons and will thus be instantly familiar to a whole generation of US fighting men and women. Unless you use an old style Singlepoint or Armson OEG, you will be able to co-witness with your suitably mounted unitary optical sight.

Copyright: Dirk H. Takamoto 2011

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on March 7th, 2011 | No Comments »

Burris has built a name for quality optics over the years. A lot of folks select Burris rifle scopes basically since of the name and their high standard of top quality. However, high quality seldom comes without a price and some shoppers have shied away from the Burris scopes due to the fact they don’t feel they can afford a product by a name like Burris.

It might be that they are mistaken in this especially when it comes to a scope such as the Fullfield II. This rifle scope retains the fine artisanship and high standards of other scopes by Burris but the price remains amazingly low. That can undoubtedly turn the shopper’s head at least lengthy enough for a second look.

The Fullfield II has evolved from the well-received light FullField original with some design improvements to create sighting and mounting less complicated as well as improve its durability. The scope has full multi-coated optics and performs amazingly well in low light conditions, a feature for which Burris is well known.

With Burris rifle scopes optics are one of the greatest selling points as well as the Fullfield is no exception. The barrel is now in a single piece that makes adjusting the scope a simple single-handed matter. Mounting on mid-range rifles isn’t typically a difficulty but it may possibly have issues having a lengthy action rifle because of the fixed mounting points.

The eyepiece is adjustable and with these Burris rifle scopes there is no will need for a locking mechanism. Most of the changes have been well received from fans of this surprisingly inexpensive rifle scope along with the improvements in weight and durability may well well make new fans for the Fullfield. Naturally, Burris rifle scopes are durable simply because every comes with a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty and it is in their greatest interest to be certain the scopes can take difficult use.

What’s interesting to note is that once a hunter buys a Burris scope rifle they tend to repeat those purchases. The very best in optics made by a U.S. firm with quality construction and built for “real world hunting” is a lot to pack into a single rifle scope and well it is bound to convert some people.

Even though the Fullfield II is on the lower end in price range for Burris rifle scopes, none of the quality or practicality has been sacrificed. Some models of the Fullfield II rifle scope give the ballistic plex reticle that for most hunters is very effortless to make use of. It does need sighting in but a single session need to do that quickly.

When the budget is an issue then expensive European scopes are most likely out of the question and in some cases may possibly not even perform well for the purpose. Even the top of the line Burris scopes might be too rich for some budgets when it comes to a spare rifle or just a replacement scope. Nevertheless, the Fullfield II can give the hunter an edge at a price that can not blow the budget out of the water.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on March 6th, 2011 | No Comments »

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last ten years, you can’t have missed the growing trend among the world’s armies and police forces to put optical sights on rifles. The USMC, once doggedly committed to the use of iron sights, now issues Trijicon ACOG variants for all its shoulder weapons, up to and including the M240. The US Army now issues everyone with a red dot sight - currently the Aimpoint CompM4s (M68CCO) and is providing everyone issued with an M16A4  rifle with a TA31RCO-M150 ACOG.The M145 is the US Army’s equivalent to the ACOGs on USMC M249s and M240s and is a rubber armored 3.4×28 unit with a reticle calibrated to 1200 meters, doing away with the problematic external range adjusting mount of the original employed by Canada.

The development of the sights used by the US military has been almost entirely a private initiative of companies based in the USA, Canada and Sweden. The civil market drove much of the development of these scopes, armed citizenry being a huge force for progress in this sector. This trend will doubtless continue as shooters seek the best in sighting equipment for their firearms.

Aimpoint claims to have 70,000,000 of its sights in service world-wide and has brought a new Micro range of red dot sights with 4 MOA red dots. The Aimpoint Micro T-1 red dot sight is only 2.4 inches long and weighs in at only 3.7 ounces with its thumb nut Picatinny rail mount and battery. That is not a lot more than some back up iron sights and the unit is small enough to serve on 9mm pistols.  No matter what weapon you have or mounting configuration you want, Aimpoint or aftermarket suppliers like La Rue Tactical or GG&G will have mounts to match it. Aimpoint’s revolutionary ACET technology gives these units a life of approximately 5 years of continuous operation on one battery. In conjunction with flip-to-side or twist off magnifiers like the Eotech G23.FTS 3x magnifier it makes an ultra compact and versatile package covering targets out to perhaps 400 meters. Beyond these ranges the 4 MOA dot will tend to obscure too much of the target.

The new XPS and EXPS holographic weapon sight ranges represent Eotech’s bid for the compact weapon sight market. These use a single transversely mounted CR123 battery to achieve battery lives in the order of 600 hours of continuous operation - a huge improvement on their old ‘N’ battery powered units. Lasers use a lot more battery power than the LEDs used in Aimpoints, but result in a totally parallax free sight picture that can be used should it appear anywhere in the sighting window - even if the rest of the window is obscured by mud or snow or completely shattered. The 1 MOA center dot also allows for finer aiming, particularly at longer ranges than the Aimpoint. The XPS-2 XPS-3 and EXPS-3 series are inevitably bulkier and heavier than the Aimpoint Micros at 3.5 inches long and 8 to 11 ounces and are possbily less robust, although a new, tethered screw cap with an O-ring makes battery housings popping off a thing of the past.  The XPS-3 and EXPS-3 models are NV compatible and the EXPS-3 series transfers its buttons to the side to allow very close mounting of NV. Its QR mount (unique to the EXPS - other models have thumb nuts) also places it 7mm higher to enable co witnessing of BIUS in the bottom 1:3 of the aiming window.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on February 26th, 2011 | No Comments »

The US military took a long time to adopt optical sights as standard on their rifles, following the lead set by Austria in the mid 1970s with their Steyr AUG and its 1.5x carrying handle optic. Since 911, many units from Division level downward have purchased these sights in considerable numbers as have private individuals - this has lead to confusion as to which red dot sights have been officially adopted.

SOCOM started the trend by adopting both the Trijicon reflex sight and the ECOS-N -a variant of Aimpoint’s CompM2 for their SOPMOD programme. Both are being replaced by the Eotech SU231/PEQ (see below).

The first reflex sight adopted for widespread use by the US Army and USAF was the Aimpoint CompM2 red dot sight, adopted as the M68 Close Combat Optic. This unit is still in service but is being replaced by the CompM4s (low battery housing model of the CompM4), confusingly also called the M68 CCO. Some of the original CompM4 sights are also in service but these may well be private purchases.. The tiny Aimpoint T-1 and the 3X flip to side magnifier are now being deployed by the Assymetric Warfare Group.

The US Army M145 is a variant of the Canadian Elcan, a rubber armored 3.4×28 scope, called the ELCM145C by the manufacturer. This sight uses the torque knob mount with range compensation on via the reticle out to 1200 meters as opposed to the manually operated range cam in the mount on the original version. There is an 800 meter M4 carbine version but it is not clear if this is in service with US Forces. The Block II SOPMOD kit now includes the Elcan SpecterDR; a sight which flips from 1X to 4X and is designated the SU230/PVS Articulated Telescope. The SU-230/PVS has seen service in Iraq and Afghanistan with SOCOM and is replacing the SU-237 ACOG. For short range engagements the SU-230 also mounts a small red dot sight which can serve as a backup.

SOCOM adopted a version of the Eotech Holographic Weapon Sight - the Model 553 - to replace the original Aimpoint ECOS-N and Trijicon reflex sight on the BlockII version of the M4 SOPMOD kit. SU-231/PEQ (Model 553 is the military designation for this unit. The 553 is powerd by two CR123 batteries and uses twin ARMS throw levers for quick release from the Mil Std 1913 rail. It is rated to 66ft submersion depth - twice the rating of previous Eotech models. Many Eotechs have been privately purchased or adopted by units such as the 1st Stryker Brigade, 3rd Infantry and 10th Mountain Divisions and USMC Force Recon. The 552.A65 and 552.XR308 have proven popular. Eotech recently won a US NSWC competition with their Enhanced Combat Optical Gunsight - Heavy. $6.6M worth of these units are to be purchased to mount on support weapons including those mounted on SOCOM’s surface craft.

The Trijicon ACOG TA01NSN was adopted by SOCOM at the turn of the century for their SOPMOD kit. The TA01NSN came with peep and post battlesights, but was replaced circa 2006/7 by a version with a top mounted red dot CQB sight, designated TA01NSN-RMR by the Trijicon and SU-237 by SOCOM.

The problem of correctly identifying targets became acute early in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq - as a stop-gap the US Marines gave ‘designated marksmen’ Trijicon TA31 ACOGs. They then decided to go to universal issue of magnifying optical sights, specifying a Rifle Caliber Optic, or RCO in two versions. Eotech designate these the TA31RCO-A4CP (military designation AN/PVQ-31A) and the TA31RCO-M4CP (military designation AN/PVQ-31B) for the M16A4 rifle and M4 carbine respectively. The US Army soon adopted its own version for its own M16A4s as the M150. The Marines went on to purchase their Squad Day Optic for use on their M249s and M27s. This is a 3.5X ACOG variant with a top mounted RMR reflex sight. The Marines also adopted a 6x ACOG designated the Medium Day Sight for use on their M240s.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on February 17th, 2011 | No Comments »

No other rifle has lent itself to customization like the AR15. An entire industry has developed to answer the needs of AR15 owners. Troy Industries are prominent in this industry. Troy has won a large slice of the AR15 OEM part and accessory market too as well as supplying manufacturers of other weapon systems.

Troy are best known for their range of back up iron sights. Machined from aluminium and secured with stainless steel fixings, Troy sights are designed to withstand use in harsh environments. The entire range of Troy Battle Sights is produced in a Type III black or matte earth anodized finish. They have an A1 type L-shaped flip aperture to offer a large/small option. The large aperture is set to 300 meters and the small to 500. The sights user the A1 adjustment system. The rear uses a coin or a bullet tip and the front the GI adjuster tool or Troy’s own variant thereof. The clicks use the familiar 0.5 MoA value.

For those who want an instant transition between optical and iron sights, Troy make non folding fore and rear sight units. Like the rest of the range the front sight is available with either M16 style wings or an HK/AK style open topped ring that is itself very easy to center on a target for rapid engagement. The next step-up in price is the basic folding version which folds down to 0.460″ high and is available in the standard GI height and a reduced height version for use on gas piston rifles. Gas block versions of the front sights are also available. The rearsights are held down or up by two spring detent mechanisms and do not need levers or other protrusions which could foul on gear etc.. The rearsights come with either a conventional round aperture or ‘Di-optic’ Aperture (DOA) which features a diamond shaped aperture with a white line extending from each point for long range engagement and a broken topped aperture with a single white crossbar for short range. It is claimed that this results in faster and more precise shooting. All of the folding sights can be supplied with tritium dots - two on the rear and one on the front - for battery and electronic free night shooting.

Troy set out to make a quad rail system that would be free-floating, easy to mount and would provide an unbroken length of MIL STD 1913 Picatinny rail incorporating the rifles existing receiver rail and avoiding the use of a heavy cantilever set-up. Whilst non free floating versions are available and can be mounted in seconds, the free floating versions clamp around the barrel nut, making the joint even stronger and enhancing accuracy. The Troy AR quad rail is available in various lengths for various length gas systems. Both low profile gas blocks and the conventional GI foresight are catered for by different models. Two piece design makes fitting easy and the clamping arrangement is very solid. The units and their covers are available in either black or earth to match other troy accessories and typical AR15 coloration. Replacement of accessories is facilitatied by alphanumerically coded slots and large holes facilitate the dispersion of heat and reduce the weight of the units.

The world’s militaries have rediscovered fore-grips over the last decade. Vertical grips lend themselves to control in dynamic situations. The Troy Combat Grip is a very robust and versatile unit. Movement is prevented by a stainless steel locking bar and front and back cross slot locking bars. It can be configured in full length and ’stubby’ configurations and provides an o-ring slealed storage compartment for batteries etc. It is also offered in black or earth finish. A knurled surface provides for good grip in the wet.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on February 16th, 2011 | No Comments »

Zeroing in a holographic or red dot sight has much in common with zeroing a scope. Anyone can zero a scope by trial and error, but without doing so methodically you may waste a lot of ammunition. This method assumes you don’t have limitless ammunition or own a boresighter and don’t have access to a formal centerfire rifle range.

It is vital to first ensure your firearm is safe. Rifles are most often made safe by pointing the muzzle in a safe direction, detaching the magazine (if present), drawing back the bolt and manually inspecting the chamber and feed ramp. The red dot sight must be mounted level on the rifle or the rifle will be canted, ensuring your rifle will only be zeroed at one distance and will shoot wide at others. Many sights, for example the Eotech 553 (United States Special Operations Command’s SU-231/PEQ (Model 553)), have mounts that do this automatically. Tube format sights can be turned in their rings so either adjuster can alter elevation or windage, making the sight ambidextrous. It can be difficult to get such sights vertical, but the adjusters can serve as a visual reference. You first need to attach the mount and lower half of the ring(s) (which are usually integral) to the rifle. In deciding where to place the mounts you also need to consider other items you may want to mount there including a magnifier or night vision system. If you then wedge the rifle between sandbags or secure it in a padded vise and level it, you can drop the scope into the open mounting rings and screw down the top rings so they exert a very light pressure of the sight. Eye relief (important with magnifying reflex sights) can also be fine tuned at this stage by pushing the scope through the rings if clearance allows. Rotate the sight until it looks perpendicular, then tighten diagonally opposed screws one turn at a time to ensure even distribution of pressure on the sight. Turn the elevation adjuster all the way down, being careful not to turn once resistance is met, then rotate it all the way up, counting all the clicks as you go. Now wind the adjustment back by half that number and perform the same procedure with the windage adjuster. The sights adjusters are now centered. If the sight is now pointing way off target, it is either broken or, more likely there is something wrong with the way it is mounted.

You now need to find somewhere to shoot with a safe backstop and at least 100, and preferably 200 yards/meters distance. It will be beneficial if you can also shoot at a closer distance - 25 yards/meters is ideal.

If you have a spotting scope it really cuts down on walking if you have a calibrated target.  All you need to do is draw a grid of known dimensions on a piece of card.. A one inch grid will work well for sights calibrated in inches or centimetres. The lines need to be drawn thick enough to be seen at 100 yards through your spotting scope. The aiming marks should not be obscured by the dot of your sight. For the 2 MoA dot of an Aimpoint, your aiming marks should be 4 inch diameter at 100 yards and 1 inch diameter at 25 yards. Whilst you should get by with one such target with five to ten aiming marks, it is best to have a few spare. It’s best if you go to the range on a still day and avoid the hottest part of the day to stop mirage causing problems. Take some binoculars, pen and paper and a pocket calculator to the range with you!

You start by getting the rifle to put its shots on the card There are a few ways of doing this. If you have a bolt action rifle, you can take out the bolt, put the rifle in a padded vise or between sandbags and look down the bore to align the rifle at a distinct point 25 yards/meters distant. You can now use the adjusters to get the red dot superimposed on the target. With an AR15 you can do this by removing the bolt carrier from the upper and clamping the barrel in a padded vise. This works well with many military semiautos, but will not work with Garands, M1As etc. or with most lever or pump actions.

The next best alternative is to put a card out at 25 yards/meters and fire a single shots from a rested position - shooting from sandbags is best. Do not use a bipod or rest the rifle directly on anything solid. Your shots should be on the card or close to it.  Once you have a shot on the card you can fire a 3 shot group.. Take the difference in height of each of the three shots from the target center, add them up and divide the result by 3, then do the same with the windage. To be more certain, shoot a few more groups and average their results. This will enable you to calculate the adjustment to zero your red dot sight.

Many red dot sights are calibrated in a non traditional way (i.e. not the 1/4 or 1/8 inch at a hundred yards most sportsmen are familiar with). The Trijicon TA31RCO (the USMC’s AN/PVQ-31B Rifle Combat Optic for the M4 carbine) for example has clicks that are one third of an inch at 100 yards and the Aimpoint CompM4s (the new US Army M68 CCO) has clicks that shift the mean point of impact by 16mm at 100 meters. To compound the problem, you could only have access to a range that makes use of natural terrain features and is thus some odd distance. Lets say you need to zero your M68 on a range that is 30 meters long. Take the mm that one click will move your point of impact by at 100 meters and divide that by 100, then multiply the result by the distance you will actually shoot from, i.e. 30 meters. 16 divided by 100 is .16 and .16 multiplied by 30 is 4.8 which is your click’s value in mm at 30 meters. Let’s say your groups are 87mm off to the left. You divide 87 by 4.8 which gives you 18.125. Disregard the .125 and round down to 18. You now wind the windage dial 18 clicks to the right and you are on target in azimuth. Repeat the process with the elevation and you’re zeroed.  Shoot another three round group to check your zero. This may sound tiresome but it will soon become second nature and it will save you a lot of ammunition and frustration.

You may have iron sights to co-witness. Do not bother trying to get them in line with your red dot - both sights can be perfectly zeroed on the target but appear misaligned relative to each other. If you can, you should now check the zero at a greater distance. With a low mounted red dot sight and a rifle chambered for a typical high powered rifle chambering like the .223 or .308, a 25 yard zero will have put you somewhere near the target at 200 yards, two inches high at 100 and 6 to 8 inches low at 300. If your range only goes out to 100 yards/meters, zero your scope to be two inches high at that distance. Do so by firing three three shot groups and again taking their mean variation and using the calculation. At 200 yards each click will move the point of impact twice as far as it does at 100. Manufacturers often publish the ballistics for their loads in tables giving their trajectory with a 200 yard zero and wind deflection values in m.p.h. at 90 degrees. These figures are sometimes a tad optimistic, but will give you a good idea of what you can expect from your catridge in a rifle of similar barrel length.

Once you have zeroed your rifle you should check the zero regularly - certainly before any hunting trip or competition and after the rifle takes any hard knock or is in storage for over six months.

Copyright Chris Pieterman 2010

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on January 26th, 2011 | No Comments »

A range finder is a focusing device that enables the viewer to measure the subject distance although fine tuning it to a crystal clear focus.  Right now, the range finder is pretty a versatile device.  Not merely is it utilized for military and law enforcement use, but also for photographers, surveyors, 3D modelling, and sports.  To make it a lot easier for you to know what type of device is appropriate for you, let’s take a look at some range finder reviews.

A rangefinder will be of much use to military personnel because it supplies precise distance measurement to targets.  Moreover, it can also be employed in military engineering and reconciliation.  Also, these military rangefinders can at times be integrated in binoculars or monoculars, with the former being probably the most popular.  Some range finders are also equipped having a range finder laser. This range finder laser will make it even more accurate in quite lengthy distances.  Night-vision goggles can also be utilised as an add-on to the device.

Probably the most advanced range finders are incorporated with computers.  With this technologies, military snipers can figure out the exact coordinates of the distance and location of the target.  This is really beneficial in these scenarios where a laser range finder could not be appropriate since it gives away their position.

Photographers use the range finder to establish focus on a distinct photograph.  Meanwhile, surveyors use them to arrive at an exact measurement.  If you are a 3D modeller, then this device is also suitable for you.  A range finder reviews buildings and scans virtually all rock formations which will then convert them into 3D images through a really powerful laser beam which can cover a wide span of land.

If you’re into sports that require much more accuracy and precision like hunting, golf, and archery, then a range finder may well just do the trick.  Most of the range finders applied in sports are very technologically advanced and have quite technical functions.  For instance, a range finder’s hunting capabilities can surpass even probably the most advanced hunting technical gear.  Instant speed/distance measurement of as much as 4000 yards, selective target settings, compass-like functions, internal recticles, multi-coated optics and single-button operation are just a number of the numerous wonderful functions of the sporty range finder.  Moreover, the device is practically constructed to last and can endure any harsh climate and weather problem.

A corporation referred to as Newcon Optik manufactures affordable, dependable, and stylish rangefinders for the distinct needs.  Presently, they are offering seven monocular models.  On the other hand, they have six models of top quality binoculars which provide range measuring capabilities.  For the moment, three models of the Newcon Laser LRF have been released.  These state-of-the-art range finders have a built-in computer system interface and they can also be modified to equip with thermal imagery, 24-hour surveillance and airborne optical systems.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on December 8th, 2010 | No Comments »

You might be considering taking up hunting and/or shooting for the first time but you’re not necessarily aware of the various protection that you might need for your eyes.  You might in fact think that it’s perfectly appropriate for you to wear your standard eyeglasses (if you currently wear them) or even your contact lenses. You couldn’t be more mistaken!  It’s critical if you’re taking up hunting or shooting that you properly protect your eyes not only from debris but from the elements.  Let’s talk about the various types of %LINK1% that might be appropriate.

For Women and Children

Everyone, women and children included, should have good eye protection if they’re hunting or shooting. For example, carbon shooting glasses will offer good protection. They come in many sizes to fit smaller framed faces and are available in lighter weights, making them a perfect choice for women and children. Usually, you can find glasses for women or children in silver or black frame with amber-colored lenses, which will guard the eye against the sun’s ray and glare and helps you see clearer so that you can get a good look at your target.

When you are purchasing shooting glasses for a woman or a child, take into consideration whether they already wear glasses (or contact lenses).  If they do wear them normally, you might want to consider a pair of prescription hunting/shooting glasses which will offer additional comfort.

Why Amber Lenses?

When you hunt or shoot, the glare from the sun may not give you a clear view of your target. Opt for an amber lens to remove glare for a better view of your target. And because amber lenses are usually carbon, they are very durable and will deflect debris which can cause lens damage. An amber lens is typically designed to help block out glare – the glare can make a difference to you when you’re hunting or shooting since it can distort your target. The amber lenses in hunting glasses are typically carbon – this also allows for protection from debris potentially damaging the lens.

Different from eyeglasses

These protective hunting and shooting glasses are different from normal corrective eyewear.  They are designed to fit more closely to the head, to offer better protection, and are not necessarily designed for all-day use, as normal eye wear is.  They are usually “wrap around” to give maximum protection to the sides, above, and below your eyes, unlike typical glasses.

Approved Lenses

According to the North American Hunting Club, you should opt for orange or amber eyeglasses for hunting or shooting for a few reasons. For one, your eyes will be protected against debris which may fly into your eyes, and secondly, amber lenses will block out sunlight so that you can clearly see your target. One of the best features of hunting or shooting glasses is that they are usually lightweight, which offers comfort. And because they fit snugly and stay put, you may find yourself preferring your hunting or shooting glasses to normal eyeglasses. Try an IntraSPX pair of eyeglasses, a system which most hunting or shooting glasses are made of.

Summary

It’s very important whether you are a man, a woman or a child if you’re taking up hunting for sport or even target shooting that you take into consideration the protection of your eyes.  You don’t want any accidents to occur that could impair your vision temporarily or permanently.  Taking precautions and purchasing the right glasses when you get started can save you trouble further down the line.

Other helpful supplies when you are our hunting also include hunting dog supplies for your hunting dogs. So when you are purchasing some extra supplies for yourself don’t forget them too.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on November 9th, 2010 | No Comments »

One of the most important decisions for you to make in your hunting career is what deer hunting rifle you should purchase. Picking a firearm that has the ballistics, style, action, sighting and size to match your hunting terrain and personal abilities is the key to completing your mission once a suitable prey in hunted and found. If you have a deer hunting rifle that meets your needs, you’ll have a more successful season.

The Significance of the Location You will Hunt

When you go deer hunting, you’ll typically either hunt in open range country or dense brush country, like deep woods. There are certain places that are a little bit of both. Every hunting environment has different styles of shooting and require rifles with different characteristics.

Deer Hunting Rifles For Dense Brush and Deep Woods

Deer hunting rifles with short to medium range shooting characteristics are needed for situations when you’re in the woods. The average distance you will be shooting in this environment  runs from twenty-five to two hundred yards. It is to your advantage that your deep woods deer hunting rifle be relatively light (less than nine pounds with the scope), and be relatively short in length with a barrel length of twenty two inches or shorter. It’s important to be able to move quickly and easily through densely wooded areas. Deer hunting rifles that offer the ability to reload quickly, such as automatics and lever actions are recommended in rough country deer hunting as quick follow shots are often required. I would recommend using heavy bullet cartridges, .270 caliber or greater, with at least a 120 grain bullet, in order to penetrate any brush that might be in the way of your intended target. In order to prevent the bullet from getting deflected by brush, don’t get too fast of a cartridge, more than 2,200 feet/second is not needed. I would recommend a scope that goes down to three power with variable power, and you may prefer an open sight if you can only shoot within fifty years of your position, Practice at the rifle range to determine if you can become comfortable with open site shooting.

Open Range Deer Hunting Rifles

Deer hunting rifles which are good performers in open areas are those designed for longer range shooting, up to three hundred yards or farther. Rifle portability is not as important as accuracy and velocity in long shot situations and the rifles will be heavier and with longer barrel lengths than deep woods rifles. You need cartridges and calibers that are high velocity and shoot flat. Calibers in the 6MM (.243) range or higher will be satisfactory and bullets from 100 grain up will perform well. When shooting larger caliber rifles, heavier bullets are generally best for accurate shooting. Typically, you’ll need at least a 6×9 variable power scope in order to shoot accurately.

Personal Preferences

When choosing a deer hunting rifle, follow the recommendations above as they best suit your hunting situation and consider your degree of comfort in using high caliber or magnum powered rifles. How willing are you to lug around ten to twelve pounds long rifle across your hunting terrain.

Visit a nearby hunting rifle dealer and test out various models, kinds, and sizes from different makers of deer hunting rifles to see what feels good. Whenever you have the chance, ask successful hunters what they use and why. If you’re really interested in learning about their firearms, you could ask your friends to let you hold and handle their rifles, and ask if there are any things that they don’t like about them

I invite you to learn much more about deer hunting rifles and other advanced deer hunting tips by visiting our website here: Deer-HuntingTips.com. And I also invite you to learn about deer calls and grunts here: Deer Grunts and Calls.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on November 2nd, 2010 | No Comments »

Accuracy and Stability – These are two of the most significant components of any hunting equipment.  The chance to strike the target lasts for a split second and it’s significant that you can depend on the efficiency of your gun in making the kill.

Among the factors that determine the performance of a gun is its sighting system.  If you are looking at shotguns for sale, this is one characteristic you must keep an eye out for.  A range of sighting systems is typically made available to consumers to make certain that they obtain the pistols for sale with the best sighting systems available.

1.  Telescopic Sight – This is one of many sighting systems which is quite famous.  Telescopic Sight is also identified as scope.  Scopes come in a large variety of sizes and styles nevertheless they all work in a similar manner.  They offer crystal clear visibility, the contributing factor they’re the top selection of men and women planning to purchase shotguns and ammunitions for sale.  Another thing to take into account while considering scopes is that they’re prepared with respect to the optical magnification and the objective lens diameter.

2.  Iron Sight – Several guns have iron sights.  This sight is less heavy but less accurate than scopes.  Iron sight is consists of notches – both at the beginning and at the end of the barrel.  This sight is most useful when swift response is required, just like when shooting game birds.

3.  Red Dot Sight – Like in scopes, the shooter also views his target by means of the lens in red dot sights.  The system also casts an image on the target which is a red dot.  This sort of sighting system is all too often employed by military groups since it is fast and effortless to aim and works well in low light situations when the target is less noticeable.

For an amateur hunter it truly is suggested to acquire and make the most of shotguns for sale from the guns stores near your area depending on the sight system that you’re most comfortable with.  Getting shotguns for sale is the least expensive way to possess a gun.  Similar to other guns, these guns have been put to stringent tests prior to being made available to the general population.  Hence it truly is confident that any gun you obtain from reputable stores is of great quality and provides the performance that often matches and even meets your expectations.

When hunting is considered one of your favorite pastimes, then make the most of the pistols for sale in a trustworthy gun store.  These are such great offers that you should grab while supplies lasts.  Combination of high quality and low price is a rare discover so commence your online search now.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on October 31st, 2010 | No Comments »

What would you give for a pair of binoculars that has all the features that you want? If you have been constantly disappointed with your old binoculars, you would be very excited to get this very promising pair of binoculars. Good thing that the Leica Geovid HD 10 x 24 is already available, you do not have to look far anymore.

One of the many things that the makers of Leica binoculars pride themselves is their impressive lenses. The lenses have always been the reason why they are popular among customers. With the release of the Leica Geovid 10 x 24 , Leica’s competitors were caught off guard thinking Leica could not outdo itself anymore. With this kind of glass, it makes images much better in terms of brilliance, contrast and high definition. Aside from this, the glass allows the lenses to be completely stain free all the time. Being outdoors means you would always be in constant exposure to mud, dirt, rain, moist, fog, and the likes. Everything that you bring along with you, including your equipment and your gadgets, has high possibilities of getting all soaked up. If before you always get irritated with constantly cleaning the lenses of your binoculars, with the Flouride glass made lenses, you will never have to worry about this problem anymore as the lenses are specifically designed to seemingly clean on its own. Yes! The lenses are capable of repelling anything that makes viewing your binoculars problematic, from water, dirt to moisture. Because of the ingenious design of the Leica Geovid 10 x 24 binoculars, dust, fog and even your own fingerprints will not be able to stain its lenses.

Even if the light is not enough, the binoculars make it a point that you could still see images clearly. With your old binoculars, using it becomes difficult especially at dusk as the lighting condition is very poor. If you are using Leica Geovid binoculars, you could still see images clearly even if there is not much light as it has been designed to increase light transmission in cases when light become scarce. Thus, you never have to worry about the availability of the sun since you do not need much lighting to use your binoculars.

Since the binoculars have been made to withstand the challenges of certain conditions, you would not have to worry about its durability. The makers of these binoculars understand how harsh the conditions are in the wild. Quite naturally, they made it a point that the binoculars can be very dependable especially at times when you need it the most. In fact, sudden shifting of temperature does not bother this equipment. The binoculars remain dependable even in extreme cold or heat. It is still pretty much possible to use the binoculars even in -25 degrees temperature. The frame is made of a metal alloy that is stronger and thicker than what most binoculars use and the chassis is also made of metal aluminum. This makes the binoculars sturdy and at the same time still light weight to easily carry around wherever you go. Considering its metal aluminum chassis, it is very much light weight.

Another reason why this new Leica Geovid binoculars is surely a great buy is its laser range finder. This feature allows the gadget to measure images within the 1400 yards range. Knowing the distance between a certain location from where you are standing has become much easier with this feature. You do not have to make rough estimations anymore as your binoculars will be the one to do the calculating for you. To top this, the distance that the binoculars give you come much faster and more accurate than any estimation that you could make.

Once in a while, your adventurous heart calls you for an outdoor escapade and when this happens, you should make sure that you are well equipped with nothing but the best to keep you safe in the harshest of conditions in the wilds. You should have the best gadgets and equipment to help you achieve this. That is why the Leica Geovid binocular is just the perfect pair of binoculars for you.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on October 28th, 2010 | No Comments »

The only thing more important than a telescopic scope that works with a deer hunting rifle, the chosen hunting environment, and the shooting style of the hunter, is the actual rifle itself.

For the deer hunter who is needing to make long range shots it is important to get the very best scope that he or she can afford. If you want a scope that will allow you to observe, as well as shoot accurately from all ranges, get adjustable magnification scopes. Theses adjustable rifle scopes for deer hunting rifles will be listed with the magnification variance from the minimum distance to the maximum, as well as the objective lens diameter. If your scope is 3×9x42, it’ll magnify at a minimum of 3x and a maximum of 9x, and the lens diameter will be around 40 millimeters in size.

Scope Mounting

To get the scope on your deer rifle set-up properly read these deer hunting tips.

The place where many mistakes are made is in the scope mount. Your scope, and therefore your deer hunting rifle, will wind up being absolutely useless to you in the field if the mounting is not a good quality. Many times, the mounting is not seen as a problem and will result in a miss, or, unfortunately, a wounded animal. Countless rounds have been wasted due to the improper installation of rings and bases, and the frustration that results from missed easy targets takes the fun out of informal plinking and target shooting.

There’s more at stake than your accuracy if you install your base and ring poorly. Damage to both rifle and scope can occur, often leading to the shooter getting hurt as well. Having a gunsmith install these critical links between your gun and scope is always a good idea, and the peace of mind from a professional installation is well worth the small fee. Even when amateurs get the mounting secured safely, they still often wind up wasting expensive ammunition as they get the scope sighted in. This can be frustrating as well as expensive. Isn’t shooting supposed to be a fun and pleasurable experience.

An ideal mounting system secures your optical device to your firearm as low as comfortably possible, with the fewest parts necessary. They realize that more parts only equate to more chances for something to fail or go wrong. Solid steel mounts are the strongest, but in many cases, aluminum will serve perfectly well. Don’t trust clear rings, as they’ll shift too much as you carry or bump the weapon. In most hunting situations, using the minimum power on your scope should prevent you from having to rely on the iron sights on your gun anyway.

Using the proper scope to fit your rifle, meet your hunting environment, and meet your shooting style will make or break any effort you put into hunting. This article was condensed from Deer Rifle Scopes and you can review the original at that site to be sure you are choosing the best scope for your rifle and needs.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on October 28th, 2010 | No Comments »

For all those requirements, Bushnell scopes are one of, if not THE first choice of sportsmen everywhere. When it comes to hunting scopes, Bushnell has the bull by the horns. From their patented Firefly reticle to their Rainguard technology, these scopes perform the best in the field.

Bushnell knows that hunters rely on their equipment for more than just magnification. Built in to every Bushnell Riflescope is a big way of measuring durability and rugged building. Hey, even the best hunters can trip over a fallen limb or just stumble. You can bounce back from that treatment and so should your equipment.

Boasting a range of products from simple accessories to the most advanced hunting scopes available, Bushnell has the unique position of being affordable to anybody. Prices are within every budget imaginable.

As an example, the Bushnell HOLOsight projects an illuminated crosshair 50 yards in front of your weapon. Mainly for bird hunters, this technology allows you to sight in while swinging to target. Add the unlimited eye relief (there’s no optical lens) and the benefit is easy to see. No pun intended.

There are even Bushnell scopes designated for certain types of firearms. Like the .22 Rimfire series that are specifically designed for .22 caliber rimfire weaponry. These scopes are known to be very effective for small game and varmint hunting.

Then there is the wide range of Bushnell Riflescopes for high-powered rifles. These can range from the Elite 3200 all the way to the extremely high power DOA (Dead On Accurate) models. Just about all featuring Bushnell’s incredible zoom technology along with magazine power ranging from a 1.5-6X32 to the massive 9-40X50 high power model.
For early morning or evening hunters, fading light has been a problem for many a year. Bushnell has tackled that one in the Banner low light series. These low power, light magnifying scopes feature Bushnell’s patented DDB (Dusk & Dawn Brightness) breakthrough technology. These scopes allow more light to be used than the norm and they absolutely excel in low light conditions.

Now the good folks at Bushnell Riflescopes know that the average hunter isn’t a rich man. So if money is really the main issue, Bushnell has a scope that fits your wallet with the Sportsman series of rifle scopes. Now these are NOT cheap scopes, guys. These are genuine Bushnell quality and are loaded with features you will never find in another scope for the price tag.

What can you expect from a Bushnell Sportsman scope? Try optics that are multi-coated, completely fog proof, waterproof and shockproof. Add a quick focus optical lens and fingertip elevation and windage adjustments. Really a must see for the budget hunter.

In short, Bushnell Riflescopes are a quality, affordable piece of hunting gear. Improve your tag limits with Bushnell scopes and become the big time bagger a person always understood you had been.

Related website : www.guideandinformations.com/bushnell-optics.html | New: Deer Hunting Secrets Exposed - Expert Deer Hunting For Big Bucks | Deer Hunting Secrets

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on October 23rd, 2010 | No Comments »

Do you find yourself basically fed up with most rifle scopes? Well, there are lots of rifle scopes to choose from but the real question is, which are the best rifle scopes out there?

Rifle scopes are serious equipment for our hunting and sighting tasks. And one of the best at both of these functions is the ATN MK410, a first-generation night vision scope that has just been released. One manufacturer, ATN, is known for producing night vision weapon sights that are both high quality and durable.

Their amazing gadget, the ATM MK410, is superb for night hunting or photo shoots. The main features of this rifle scope are a high-powered, 5X magnification in conjunction with an optical configuration that’s been improved for night vision. More light can enter directly into the lens tube because of an increased optics resolution and a lower F-stop factor in the design. The precision of Red on Green gives this rifle scope a superior aiming system.

Other improvements in this product are the push-button operation, reticle brightness adjustment, and 450m detachable long-range infrared illuminator with dedicated elevation adjustments. The ATN MK410 rifle scope is amazing and easier to use in the dark because of the ergonomically applied design. Besides it’s two-year warranty, you also will have resistance to any moisture, a high resolution Gen 1+  image intensifier tube, and a strong multi-coated glass optic.

The ATN Aries MK410 rifle scope specification is perfect for someone who loves hunting at day or night. With an IR system for complete darkness, it also has a range focus that zooms from 5m to infinity. This rifle scope’s power system, which can last from 20-40 hours, runs on a single 3v CR123A battery. It’s a rifle scope that is not hard to carry at a weight of just 1.68 kg or 3.7 lbs.

When it’s time to select a rifle scope, you want to be sure that you pick the one that will meet your needs and last a good long while. Don’t just pick something that is cheaper; choose the higher quality product. And many people agree that the best rifle scope you’ll find anywhere is the ATN Corp MK410.

Filed under: Rifles and Shotguns on October 23rd, 2010 | No Comments »