How to Read Scope NumbersĪ fixed power scope will have two numbers and look like this: 4×32. Today, variable powered scopes have almost become the industry standard as there are only a few fixed powered scope models that are still being produced.īy far, the most popular variable power scope configuration is the 3x to 9x models as they offer a magnification range that will work for most shooting and hunting needs. The eye piece is marked with numbers that corresponds to the power magnification.Įarly variable power scope models featured a very low range of magnification, while modern models feature a range of magnification that averages 8 magnifications but can go up as high as 25 magnifications. The magnification adjustment is done via a power adjustment ring, located on eye piece, that rotates. Variable power scopes feature a magnification range that can be adjusted from one power to another. When adjustable power scopes hit the market and became more affordable, the fixed power scopes started to fall out of popularity. The most popular fixed power models were the 4x, 6x, and 8x models. Fixed power scopes are generally fairly simple to operate as most don’t have an adjustable objective and most have a fixed parallax.Īnd when I say simplistic, I mean that they were basically look through the scope and shoot as they did not offer any adjustment of any kind.įixed powered scopes featured a magnification that ranged from as low as 2.5x all the way up to a fixed 20x power.
I grew up shooting rifles (and shotguns for deer) with fixed power scopes so I’ve got quite a bit of experience with them.
This style was the first rifle optic on the market and was very popular in the 60’s and 70’s as it was the most cost-effective way to put optics on a rifle or shotgun. Adjustable powered scopes (which are also called variable power scopes)Ī fixed power scope is a scope that has a fixed or non-adjustable magnification setting.Rifle scopes are loosely grouped into two different categories: By that, I mean that scopes from every country or geography use the power magnification as compared to the naked eye approach. This magnification against the naked eye assumes a person with a vision of 20/20, and this magnification approach is universal in the scope world. A scope adjusted to 24 power would magnify 24 times what the naked eye can see. So, a scope adjusted to 4 power would magnify to 4 times what the naked eye can see. Without getting overly technical, rifle scope magnification is measured against what the naked eye sees. Scope Magnification Explainedįirst, it’s important to understand the context of scope magnification. One that I often asked about rifle scope numbers is this one: what does 4 12×50 mean on a scope?īefore I get into the answer, let me provide some basic background information about rifle scopes so my answer makes more sense. I try to make note of the more commonly asked questions, in an effort to put the answer (at least my interpretation of the answer) down on paper.īy far the most common questions I hear in person and am asked via email off this web site are focused on rifle scope magnification and how to read scope numbers. While some of the questions are unique or different, a great many of those questions are asked repeatedly. I spend a significant part of my day job talking about scopes and answering questions about scopes. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of, Inc, or its affiliates.
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