More and more of us are thinking about sustainability when we make purchases these days and we’re also looking to make purchases for longevity of use. Such requirements are exemplified by the ZEISS Conquest V4. Something that probably comes as no surprise. After all, the precision of German manufacturing is…
Scopes
Scopes are an essential shooting accessory for any stalker or target shooter who wants to achieve a more accurate shot.
Scopes work by magnifying an image and they put your eye on the same optic plane as the image you are viewing. A scope helps a rifle or target shooter to focus on the target, align the centre reference point where you want your bullet and pull the trigger!
Here we round up the best on the market for a variety of budgets, writing reviews and helpful articles including how best to lubricate a scope and using scopes for deer stalking.
The technology is changing all the time, with different capabilities being offered for different types of shooting, locations and quarry. We keep you informed about what you need to know with expert comment from our team of reviewers who have solid experience. All shoot regularly and so know the issues and problems that are likely to arise and how scopes can help to solve them.
See the field like never before with thermal technology from ATN Fieldsports
The hunter of 50 years ago would be astounded at the technology the modern stalker has at his or her disposal. Whilst optics have been a part of the hunter’s kit for over a century, today’s thermal technology has changed the landscape forever. Thermal rifle scopes and binoculars allow the…
Scopes on test: two of the best for around £1000 and under
While some shooters are happy to spend thousands of pounds on high-end optics, you can still buy an extremely good telescopic sight for around £1,000. In fact, once you pass through that price barrier, improvements in optical performance and features only go up by small increments in relation to the…
Stalking kit chosen by Chris Dalton for Shooting Times
Early spring is a crucial time for deer managers, and I spend a lot of time on the ground monitoring deer movement and activity. Both sexes are becoming more active as the days lengthen, with the does feeding longer as embryos develop and the bucks thinking about territories and starting…
Scopes for pest control on test
Digital day and night riflescopes combine the stealth of infrared imaging for after-dark concealment with full-colour viewing for shooting in the daytime. That means they provide a sighting solution for round-the-clock pest control, covering everything from long-range rabbit and fox shooting to farmyard ratting with an airgun. Owing to their…
How can you stop a scope fogging up?
Q: When I travel to my stalking grounds in a warm car I get scope fogging on my lenses in the cold weather. What, if anything, can I do to stop this? It’s a real nuisance and very irritating when I want to get out in the field. (Read deer…
The best telescopic sights: scoping out a bargain
You don’t have to bankrupt yourself to own decent telescopic sights. Modern production processes mean that a comparatively modest outlay will now buy you an optic that would have been considered as high-end glass not so long ago. The three sub-£500 telescopic sights in this round- up are extremely versatile…
Add on-devices for scopes: reviewing three of the best
Add-on devices for scopes So why are add-on devices for scopes so useful? One of the biggest inconveniences when using a night-vision or thermal scope is that their performance during the day is never going to be as good as a traditional glass optic. Although several night-vision scopes now offer…
How to choose a riflescope
You don’t actually need much kit to go deerstalking. Binoculars to spot a beast and a rifle to bring it down are essential, but I would argue that a telescopic riflescope is the most important part of the set-up. There’s a reason why most stalkers advise spending more on a…
The PANTHER PQ50L thermal riflescope from HikMicro
For several years now HikMicro have been a leading manufacturer of CCTV cameras and equipment and over the past few years have become a recognised name in the thermal market with their range of thermal spotters and with a good reputation for prompt customer service and reasonably priced products. An…
Thermal imagers: Mat Manning puts three popular models through their paces
Thermal imagers are fast becoming a key piece of kit for numerous shooting applications, from foxing on open fields to ratting around the farmyard. The ability to see an animal’s heat signature, even when it is partially obscured by undergrowth, provides a massive edge when trying to catch up with…
A V8 riflescope revolution with Chris Parkin
Optics expert Chris Parkin gets hold of the new V8 riflescope from ZEISS. After a thorough field test, we find out if this new scope is ready to revolutionise the ways stalkers and pest controllers shoot. Full kit list Optics: ZEISS 2.8-20×56 V8 riflescope – ZEISS ZEISS Victory LRF 8×42…
Thermal imagers for hunting – our top riflescope picks
Over the past few years, there has been an ever-increasing use of observation units and thermal imagers for hunting in the shooting world. An array of well-known and not-so-well-known manufacturers are dipping their toes into the market and releasing models. As the landscape of the shooting industry changes, the need…
Choosing riflescopes: what you should look out for
You don’t actually need much kit to go deerstalking. Binoculars to spot a beast and a rifle to bring it down are essential, but I would argue that choosing riflescopes is the most important part of the set-up. There’s a reason why most stalkers advise spending more on a scope…
Parallax adjustment – how much does it affect rifle accuracy?
Parallax problems may not be due to a scope.
Enlarged field of view: it’s just one of the features that is going to make the new ZEISS DTI 3/25 VERY sought-after
Stalkers and hunters know – and have been frequently frustrated by – the difficulties of hunting at night in woodland. The ZEISS DTI 3/25 thermal imaging camera is set to change all that by offering some long-needed features. Here’s why it’s going to be welcomed. It permits an enlarged field…
Tips for night vision shooting
Night vision shooting has seen tremendous technological advances in recent years, such as equipment becoming smaller and lighter. Although the equipment works in any weather, cold nights give the best results for night vision shooting; rainy nights can make the image seem pixellated or indistinct. (Read our review of the…
The InfiRay Eye II Series V3 – a compact and cost-effective thermal imaging monocular
Pocket-Sized Thermal Vision Monocular The InfiRayEye Ⅱ Series V3 is a pocket-sized thermal vision monocular with≤500g for exploring the outdoors. It helps to reveal your surroundings and see targets over 2000 meters away with ease. Simple to use, low learning cost. EYEⅡV3 is the perfect companion for thermal imaging hunting…
Best airgun scopes – our top picks for airgun-friendly optics
When it comes to selecting the best airgun scopes, there are many fantastic options on the market from some of the biggest names in the gun trade. But it can be tricky to find the right one for your specific needs. Thankfully, many of the very best scopes on the…
How to avoid getting a bruised face when shooting
Q: I really hope you can help me. I am tired of getting a bruised cheek from a shotgun. I am a regular clayshooter but find it very uncomfortable to shoot any more than 50 clay targets due to a very sore face. I have tried lots of different cartridge…