Hunting Scopes

TRENDS INTRIGUE ME. What is it that compels the human race to follow trends? Marketing managers are continually reminding designers that people don’t buy what is practical or sensible; they buy according to trends. Why? I suspect it’s the illusion that, if lots of people are doing it, it must be the right thing to do. But in a great many cases it’s not, which is why trends are seldom long-lasting.

This article follows the theme triggered by Phillip Hayes in his October Trail Talk when he pondered the practicality of the ‘equipment race’ adding, “The latest trend seems to be buying the biggest scope with the highest magnification… around 20X”. I too, question this trend. Not that I’m criticizing – I have always said, the whole idea of guns and shooting is fun and games; if high-magnification does it for you, more power to you (pardon the pun).

Please note: the title of this article is “Hunting Scopes”. What follows does not apply to optics for competitive long-range target shooting which has its own requirements, nor does it apply to lowlight or night shooting. This is about scopes for