Many people mistake rifle scopes with gun sights. So what’s really the difference between the two? Basically, a rifle scope gives off magnification power while a gun sight doesn’t. These two instruments assist the shooter in aiming a target. Usually the sights are made without complexities but there are some that imitates the lenses of the scope. The following are common types of sights:

* Open sights – In order to aim a shot, the shooter must line up two sights on a rifle. The front sight is vertically inclined while the rear sight is shaped like a U or V.

* Aperture sights – Similar to open sights but makes use of a ring for the rear sight. When aiming at your target, the front sight within a ring should be aligned.

* Red dot sights – sheds off a red dot of light when aimed at the target.

* Laser sights – emits laser beams on targets.

When you are a newbie and not familiar with the scope’s specifications, this article will help you understand. For example, a certain scope is labeled 5-12x42. The first two numbers which are 15 and 12 indicates the magnification setting of the scope. This implies that the image viewed from the ocular lens can appear five to 12 times larger than perceived by the naked eye. Since this is a variable scope, you can easily adjust the magnification to your desired setting. Nevertheless, some available scopes are fixed and their magnification settings cannot be controlled.

The number 42 pertains to the size of the objective lens which is 42 millimeters. The amount of light transmitted to the ocular lens depends upon the size of the objective lens. Naturally, more light will be transmitted if you have a larger objective lens. It’s not necessary to purchase a large objective lens though. Hunters don’t need very large objective lenses like in military sniper scopes. A 40mm lens is usually enough for most shooters. Larger lens is required only for higher magnification levels in 14x to 36x range.

You must first identify your target before choosing a scope. A high-power rifle scope is recommended for shooting in great distances. You’ll need 12x magnification range if you are situated 200 yards (182.9m) away from the target. On the contrary, a 7-8x magnification setting will do just fine when used within 100 yards.

The kind of scope you will use also depends upon the hunting ground you are in. Powerful Kahles rifle scopes won’t be needed in a condensed forest while in a bigger open field, it is necessary to use one to help you see as far as you could.

Infrared illuminator is an added feature that special night vision scopes possess. This is best suited when hunting for night animals. Unfortunately you won't find night vision features on cheap Kahles rifle scopes, but some of the more expensive brands and models offer this add-on.