Thinking about buying a new scope? Confused by all the offerings?
You're not alone, with over 2800 listings for scopes and their accessories, there is an abundance of choice.
But it begs the bigger question — what do I actually need?
Well, it depends what you are doing.
Backyard Shooting or Informal Shooting on Private Land
Backyard plinking is all about kicking back and having fun at close range, and you don’t need to spend a fortune on glass to enjoy it. Scopes from brands like Vector, Hawke, and Optisan offer good clarity and dependable performance for well under £300, making them great companions for casual range days or informal targets.
With this type of shooting, you don’t need additional high-end features because you simply won’t make use of them at these distances.
Competition and Small Bore Shooting
Air rifle and small-calibre target shooting demands consistency and accuracy. When the targets shrink, clarity and fine adjustment matter more. Scopes from Falcon, Arken, and higher-end Hawke models (around £1,000 or less) offer better turret tracking, cleaner glass, and adjustable parallax.
Hunting
Deer and fox hunting introduces real-world challenges — low light, awkward shooting positions, rough terrain, and moving targets. Higher-quality optics reward you here with rugged construction and brighter glass.
Long-Range Hunting & Long-Range Target
Long-range shooting requires the very best: precise turrets, world-class glass, zero stops, and refined reticles. Small errors at 100m become major misses at 1,000m.
In summary, choosing the right scope means understanding your shooting style and matching an optic to it. The best scope is not always the biggest — it’s the one that suits the task.
If you have any questions, please contact the Optics Warehouse sales team on 01803 611895.
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