How to Choose Crossbow Scopes that will Enhance your Hunt
Crossbows are hot right now as laws allowing their use broaden throughout the country. They are even more deadly with the right accessories so let’s take a few minutes and look at crossbow scopes – how to choose the right one for your weapon. Matching the right scope to your crossbow will improve your enjoyment out in the field and help you harvest more and nicer animals every season.
Before you peruse the crossbow scopes on the market consider your needs and what a scope can do for you. While you don’t need a scope to be effective from 10-30 yards, a scope does more than just help you bring your target’s vital zone into better view. And besides, your eyesight may not be what it once was and a quality scope will be of great help. Since big deer usually appear just after dawn or near dusk you’ll appreciate any help you can get in those low-light conditions.
1. Choose a crossbow scope that replicates a rifle scope. This is especially important for those hunters who also gun hunt. Familiarity is essential and will lead to quicker, more accurate aim which is vital when you’ve only got a few seconds to get set up and release the arrow toward that large buck.
2. Choose a light-gathering scope. As we’ve said, early and late in the light-period is when most trophy animals are taken. Therefore, when considering crossbow scopes – how to choose the right one should include this feature. In those last legal moments of shooting a deer’s flank blends into the dull autumn landscape remarkably well. Put a light gathering crossbow scope to your eye and you’ll be amazed at the level of detail differentiation that is possible.
3. Durability is vital. The recoil action of a crossbow is both forward and backward and can wreak havoc on cheap equipment. Therefore, answering the question of how to choose a crossbow scope must take this into consideration. Look for scopes that are designed and rated specifically for use with crossbows.
4. Magnification is good; too much magnification is bad. If you’ve ever put high-powered field glasses to your eyes and then tried to pick up something close you know it can be a challenge. Too much magnification means that your field of vision is reduced – and the scope also will not grab as much light. Therefore, look for a scope that offers 2.5x to 5x magnification.
5. Eye relief should be 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Most rifles sport eye relief – the distance from the scope to your eye – in the 4-5 inch range. Since the rearward coil of crossbows isn’t as great, the shorter distance is sufficient and offers proper sighting.
For crossbow scopes—how to choose the one you need should take into consideration these factors. Familiarity, good field of view, durability and light gathering will make using the scope a pleasure and will help you achieve greater success in the field or woods or at the range. Look for top quality scopes from Hawke, Truglo, Browning, Barnett, Stryker, TenPoint, PSE and more.
