Scope "Lingo"

NeonLeon · January 7, 2011, 09:22 AM

Ladies and gentlemen I am way out of my league in this forum. I started collecting guns as an investment 35 years ago ... then never sold one cause I like them all. I just started shooting hand guns maybe 10 years ago and I'm just now shooting / buying a few rifles. I want to put a decent scope on my S&W MP 15/22 that will serve me well at 50 - 100 yards. Teach me something .... when a scope is listed as "3-9x32" ... what do the numbers represent? Does 3-9x mean it adjusts from 3 to 9 power??? and is 32 the size of the opening??? and for shooting targets at 50 to 100 yards what would be best??? Told ya I'm a big dummy about these and most other things here.

.284 · January 7, 2011, 09:37 AM

JK, You're right on the money 3-9x32 indicates a variable scope from 3 power to 9 power with an objective lense that is 32mm. I can't give you a specific recommendation on which brand to purchase but, for the range you wish to shoot a 3-9 variable would be overkill. I would suggest a fixed 2 or 4 power scope would do anything and more than what you want. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get some good information from other posters.

4runnerman · January 7, 2011, 09:45 AM

Im with .284 3-9 is kinda big for a 22,but i have that same scope on both my 10/22. You just leave power setting on lower. A straight power and a 3 -9 are going to almost wash out in price anyhow. Being the recoil on a 22 is unbearable

Just about any brand scope would be good enough.Barring the real cheap ones tasco,Barska.ect,ect. Wallmart has a brand name of Centerpoint. Had one on my 223 for a year,very good scope for the money. Clarity was clean and crisp. Held zero very well. I actually had no complaints on this scope i just needed more power. And Welcome to a very fun sport

DiscoRacing · January 7, 2011, 09:52 AM

Variable power scopes are for variable ranges... if you plan to hunt or shoot..and your going to shoot 40yards...then at 200 yards... that is what the variable power is for.... for only shooting 50 to 100yards... you wouldnt actually have to get a variable power scope... 3-9 variable is the most popular/available nowdays tho... I believe. They will do everything that you need to do for shooting up to 100yards..and in many cases...further out than that.

..Big scopes are like large caliber guns.... Alot of people just THINK that they have to get em... or need em...

(I have many of the large guns...and a couple of the large scopes too)

silvercorvette · January 8, 2011, 12:22 AM

I agree with the others and want to add that generally speaking (there can be exceptions) the larger the second number the wider the field of view and the brighter the image will be. If you are in low light the the higher number will give you a better brighter image.

January 7, 2011, 09:22 AM	#1
NeonLeon Junior Member Join Date: January 4, 2011 Location: Uniontown, PA Posts: 4	Scope "Lingo" Ladies and gentlemen I am way out of my league in this forum. I started collecting guns as an investment 35 years ago ... then never sold one cause I like them all. I just started shooting hand guns maybe 10 years ago and I'm just now shooting / buying a few rifles. I want to put a decent scope on my S&W MP 15/22 that will serve me well at 50 - 100 yards. Teach me something .... when a scope is listed as "3-9x32" ... what do the numbers represent? Does 3-9x mean it adjusts from 3 to 9 power??? and is 32 the size of the opening??? and for shooting targets at 50 to 100 yards what would be best??? Told ya I'm a big dummy about these and most other things here. __________________ Honest Officer ... that midget was on fire when I got here!

January 7, 2011, 09:37 AM	#2
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	I doubt you're that big...... JK, You're right on the money 3-9x32 indicates a variable scope from 3 power to 9 power with an objective lense that is 32mm. I can't give you a specific recommendation on which brand to purchase but, for the range you wish to shoot a 3-9 variable would be overkill. I would suggest a fixed 2 or 4 power scope would do anything and more than what you want. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get some good information from other posters. __________________ Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you.

January 7, 2011, 09:45 AM	#3
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Im with .284 3-9 is kinda big for a 22,but i have that same scope on both my 10/22. You just leave power setting on lower. A straight power and a 3 -9 are going to almost wash out in price anyhow. Being the recoil on a 22 is unbearable Just about any brand scope would be good enough.Barring the real cheap ones tasco,Barska.ect,ect. Wallmart has a brand name of Centerpoint. Had one on my 223 for a year,very good scope for the money. Clarity was clean and crisp. Held zero very well. I actually had no complaints on this scope i just needed more power. And Welcome to a very fun sport __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

January 7, 2011, 09:52 AM	#4
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	Variable power scopes are for variable ranges... if you plan to hunt or shoot..and your going to shoot 40yards...then at 200 yards... that is what the variable power is for.... for only shooting 50 to 100yards... you wouldnt actually have to get a variable power scope... 3-9 variable is the most popular/available nowdays tho... I believe. They will do everything that you need to do for shooting up to 100yards..and in many cases...further out than that. ..Big scopes are like large caliber guns.... Alot of people just THINK that they have to get em... or need em... (I have many of the large guns...and a couple of the large scopes too) __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

January 8, 2011, 12:22 AM	#5
silvercorvette Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2010 Location: Anderson SC Posts: 466	I agree with the others and want to add that generally speaking (there can be exceptions) the larger the second number the wider the field of view and the brighter the image will be. If you are in low light the the higher number will give you a better brighter image. __________________ I am broke, I spent my money on fast cars, guns, reloading equipment and ammo, the rest my money was wasted on nonessential stuff