Sometimes, the image that you are targeting is amplified. That means that you may be having a false target to hit. It, therefore, becomes a challenge to aim at is successful.
In this case, you will have to use a sniper scope to aim at it. Many people do not have an idea as to how this product works. Though it works the same way as a rangefinder, its operation might be a little complicated.
It is against this backdrop that I am writing this article to guide you on how to use it. Please read on for more information.
How does one use this tool?
A scope has several marks. These marks are not for beauty, but it has several functions. To complement it are the different reticles that the scope comes with.
Before you learn how to use this tool, it is important to note that it has different reticles. The functionality may differ with the one that the sniper has. To understand how to use it, we shall break it down depending on the reticle that it has.
The night vision reticle.
Just as the name says, this reticle enables the use of sniper scope at night. It comes in different types, and others even have the capability to change from day to night vision. M110 and VSS have this capability.
The sniper has a control key “N” that you can use to toggle between the two settings. You can do this while looking through the scope.
P4 reticle.
The reticle has tick marks instead of mil-dots. You can use it the same way as others to adjust to zero range using the same keys. However, you will have to understand the distance of each of the marks.
The reticle has more harsh marks in the scope if you compare it to the mil-dot reticle. That is even more helpful when doing the adjustments or even fine-tuning the scope.
The mil-dot reticle.
Most of the rifle scope use this reticle. It is the most famous type. The mil-dot is a versatile tool in the sniper and they are useful for making precise adjustments to the scope. What happens when you are shooting in between or past the riffle’s zeroing range.
Different types of snipers may have different zeroing range and mil-dot settings. That means you have to study you riffle well before adjusting the scope.
The thermal weapon system.
The product also known as TWS in its short form adds a new form of a layer to the sniper’s scope. A sniper’s scope with this reticle can see clearly through the night and the day visions without any impairment.
The scope displays thermal signatures of the objects in view. Such a display will not give you an accurate resolution, but at least you will benefit from a decreased target acquisition time.
Read More About : Best Thermal Hunting Scope Reviews
The scope comes with two different flavors, and these are the white-hot and the black hot. You can easily switch between the two using the default “N” key. Both the views have equal clarity and none is better than the other. Either of the two will help you see the target even over a very wide territory.
The PSO-1 reticle.
The weapons that use this reticle are mostly the SVD and KSVK riffles. They are unique in that you cannot adjust your zero with these weapons.
These riffles have a built-in estimator that is an added function to this reticle. If you fit the height of the target within the slopes of the line, then you can easily approximate the range.
The scope does not allow one to adjust the zeroing range. That means that you must use the chevron (˄) symbol that aligns vertically as the point of aim in adjusting of ranges.
The PSO-1 reticle is one of the oldest types which is fun to use.
What reticle do snipers use?
Snipers use a number of reticles. Among them are the five shown in this article. The most important thing to note is that different riffles use different types of reticles. Each sniper’s rifle has its own special type of reticle. That is not to mean that they cannot share them.
The PSO-1 reticle, for example, is used by more than one riffle. The only thing that might differ is how to set it to achieve the optimum view of the target.
The mil-dot reticle is a standard type of reticle and is useful across the board. Most of the riffles use it when they do not have any other type in them. We can, therefore, say that this reticle is universal and can be used by several types of riffles.
They are also quite easy to use and to interpret its readings.
How to adjust a sniper scope?
There are a few steps to follow when adjusting the snipers’ scope. They are:
Check the adjustment knobs.
You cannot make the adjustments before you confirm if these are working. Most of the scopes have two adjusting knobs. One is usually on top and the other on the side.
The top knob adjusts the cross-hairs up and down. On the other hand, the side knob adjusts the scope either to the left or the right.
Some scopes, especially the old ones, will require you to have a small key or even a penny to turn the knobs gently. If you do not have them, you can still adjust by the use of your fingers.
Move the sight towards the misses.
If it does not work on a high setting, then you will need to adjust it even higher. On the other hand, if you miss the adjustment to the left, then you will need to adjust it more towards that direction.
Continue to make those adjustments until when the rifle aims directly at the target.
If that works well, then you can try to move to another destination and try another distance.
Make the necessary but small adjustments.
The target might keep on changing the position but in the same region. You will, then, need to make small adjustments to get it correctly.
On most scopes, whenever you turn the dial, it moves the zero by a quarter of an inch. That means if you do four clicks, you will move it about an inch. The user manual should be able to guide you appropriately on the same.
The boresight.
If you still need to make more adjustments, then you will need to use the boresight. However, that can happen if you have access to the laser bore sight. The use of this feature will save you from body strains, especially on the back and the shoulder.
If your rifle does not have one and you would like to install, then you can take it to your local dealer for installation. The process is fast and cheap. Bore sights enhance the accuracy of the rifle whenever it is in use.
Test the riffle after installing the boresight and make the necessary adjustments, if any.
How does a sniper scope work?
It works on the same principle as a telescope. However, it contains components that lay a targeting reticule, commonly known as the cross-hairs over an amplified image.
The snipers compare a point of aim to that of the impact whenever you are sighting an object through the scope. It is only possible to sight on a target that is in range.
The target has to be visible but not clear, and hence the use of a reticle. You should only pull the trigger when the object or the target is perfectly on the bull’s eye of the scope’s reticle.
Conclusion.
The use of a sniper’s scope is not a complicated process. However, it is advisable to have some training on the same. The scope works with the reticle that provides an accurate view of the target.
You will, then, have to make some necessary adjustments to the scope until when it is on the target. The next step is to pull the trigger to release the bullet and hit the object with a lot of precision.