• Magnificaton Power - The magnification power is the driving force behing the rifle scope. It is ultimately what determines how far you will see through your scope. Different rifle scopes have different powers.
  

Rifle scopes are labeled with a number, followed by an x, followed by another number. The first number before the x is the magnification power of the rifle scope. For example, a rifle scope that is labeled 10x30, would mean that the rifle scope has a magnification power of ten.

Some rifle scopes have what is called an "adjustable maginification power", meaning you can increase, or decrease the power to a certain extent. A rifle scope labeled 5-15x30, would mean it can magnify anywhere between 5 to 15 times.

It is important to know that the magnification power of the rifle scope will affect the amount of light that is gathered by the scope. A general rule of thumb is, the greater the power, the less the light. So if you plan on doing some shortrange shooting, stick with a rifle scope with a lower power. That way you will not only get a better view, but a brighter one too.

• Aiming Reticle - The aiming reticle, or crosshairs, is usually a vertical and horizontal line intersecting printed on a thin piece of glass or plastic in the rifle scope. However, in todays age there are many different variations of it. Choosing one is more of a personal decision, but you may shoot better with a reticle you prefer.

The choice by many is the duplex reticle. This is the standard intersecting crosshairs, except the lines are thiner as they go toward the intersection. When you look through the rifle scope, this allows you focus more on the target itself, and not around it.

Some of the other reticles available in rifle scopes are the German reticle, target dot, mil-dot, circle, rangefinding, and SVD type. Be sure to check them all out to find out which one you prefer on your rifle scope.

• Objective Lens Size - The size of the objective lens (the lens on the opposite side you look through) can affect how much you see, as well as how much light the rifle scope gathers. Generally, the larger the objective lens on the rifle scope, the more light it can gather.
  

Rifle scopes are made with a variety of different objective lens sizes. The sizes are given in millimeters after the magnifiction power. A rifle scope labeled 5-15x30 would mean it has an objective lens is 30 millimeters in diameter.

It is important to remember that the larger the objective lens size, the heavier the rifle scope will be, and the higher you will have mount it.