7 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Long Range Rifle Scopes

Let’s explore the top seven mistakes to avoid when using long range rifle scopes and how to fix them.

Long-range shooting demands precision, skill, and the right gear – but even the best long range rifle scopes won’t save you from user errors. For competition and precision shooters, small mistakes can mean big misses. To help you tighten your groups and hit more consistently, we’ll cover the top mistakes shooters make with long-range rifle scopes and how to fix them.

1. Table of Contents

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   Improper Scope Mounting and Positioning – Long Range Rifle Scopes

Getting long range rifle scopes mounted correctly is non-negotiable. Mounting a scope too far forward or backward can result in uncomfortable viewing, scope shadow, or worse – scope bite under recoil. Loose rings and mounts will also cause your scope to shift during recoil, throwing off your accuracy and forcing constant readjustments. But even if you attach your scope securely to your rifle, a reticle that isn’t perfectly level will introduce cant into your shots, forcing your point of impact to drift at long ranges. 

Start by investing in high-quality rings and mounts. Use a torque wrench to secure them to the rifle according to the manufacturer’s specifications. A bubble level is a vital tool for aligning your reticle properly, and you can use a plumb line to verify everything is perfectly straight. Most importantly, take your time. Properly mounting long range rifle scopes might seem meticulous, but it’s a worthwhile effort that pays off with every well-placed shot.

2. Skipping the Zeroing Process – Long Range Rifle Scopes

This is one of the most common errors among shooters, but you can’t hit targets reliably without a properly zeroed scope. Many shooters make the mistake of relying solely on factory settings or setting their zero at a distance that doesn’t match their typical shooting scenarios, both of which will lead to major inaccuracies in real-world conditions.

Environmental factors like wind, altitude, and temperature are also often overlooked. These elements play a significant role in where your shots land and must be accounted for to maintain accuracy.

Zeroing your rifle at a distance that matches your most common shooting situations is the first step to avoiding these errors. Use a stable rest to minimize movement, shoot consistent groups to confirm zero, double-check your adjustments, and re-confirm if any environmental conditions change.

Jon LaCorte tests the tracking and return to zero on the TORIC 34mm 4.5-30×56 FFP Extreme Long Range Riflescope using a Box to Bench Target

3. Failing to Dial or Hold Correctly – Long Range Rifle Scopes

Dialing in long range rifle scopes correctly is crucial for accuracy, but it’s easy to make mistakes if you’re not familiar with your system. One common error is dialing in the wrong direction, which can happen if you aren’t fully comfortable with how your scope’s adjustments work. Some shooters confuse MOA (Minute of Angle) and MIL (Milliradian) adjustments, which can lead to over- or under-compensation. Misreading reticle holds is another frequent issue, especially if you accidentally use the wrong hash mark to account for windage or elevation.

Spend time practicing with your turrets and reticle, and familiarize yourself with your scope’s adjustment system (MOA vs. MIL). Use tools like ballistic calculators or dope charts to guide your adjustments, and label your turrets if needed.

Impact Ballistics App -Take the Guesswork out of Long-Range Shooting

4. Neglecting Parallax Adjustment

Parallax is often ignored by newer shooters who may not fully understand its impact on accuracy. Failing to adjust for it can cause your reticle to shift against the target, leading to inconsistent groups. You should also avoid setting the parallax to “infinity” and leaving it there. While this might seem logical for long range shots where you aren’t adjusting as frequently, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution and will lead to inaccuracies at closer ranges or varied distances.

Just like with other common scope problems, don’t rush through the adjustment process. Use your scope’s side or objective parallax adjustment to eliminate reticle movement when shifting your head position. Then take a few extra moments to be completely sure that your target and reticle are aligned on the same focal plane.

James at Barbour Creek Long Range Shooting school shows how he prepares his school guns for high performance shooting.

5. Failing to Track Scope Performance

High-end long range rifle scopes can still suffer from tracking issues, where turret adjustments don’t translate to precise movements on target. And for shooters who rely on pinpoint accuracy, these problems can affect performance in the field or on the range.

The good news is that tracking issues can often be identified and resolved with a tall target test. To perform a tall target test, shoot a group at a specific point on a target, then make a precise elevation adjustment using your scope’s turret. Fire another group to verify if the point of impact moves exactly as expected. If the adjustments are off, it’s an indication that the scope needs further attention.

6. Inconsistent Shooting Technique

Even the best optics can’t make up for poor fundamentals. Inconsistencies in your shooting position, grip, or trigger pull will lead to missed shots and wasted adjustments.

A common problem is improper cheek weld; slightly shifting your head position will alter your sight picture and throw off your aim. Similarly, relying on an unstable rest will compromise the consistency of your shots. Jerking the trigger also disrupts precision, even when your reticle is perfectly aligned.

Focus on consistency in your shooting position and routine. Practice maintaining a firm cheek weld and proper shooting position. Use a quality bipod, tripod, or shooting bag for a stable rest. Dry fire regularly to build muscle memory and smooth out your trigger pull.

7. Ignoring Environmental Factors

Ignoring environmental factors can negatively affect long-range shooters of all skill levels and create significant deviations from your target. Wind will easily push a shot off course if you don’t account for speed and direction, especially over longer distances. Density altitude, which is a way of describing how “thin” or “thick” the air feels based on a combination of altitude and temperature, demands attention when shooting in varying elevations.

To improve accuracy, train yourself to read the wind using natural indicators, such as vegetation movement, or a wind meter. Additionally, learn how altitude and temperature affect your ballistics. A drop in air density at higher elevations, for instance, reduces drag on your bullet, while denser air at lower altitudes creates more resistance. Simplify your process by using a ballistic app to calculate corrections based on real-world conditions.

Will Ormes takes the TORIC 34mm FFP 4.5-30X56 MRAD Rifle Scope out to a mile

Key Takeaways

If you’re looking to master using long range rifle scopes, it isn’t enough to buy the best equipment. Top-of-the-line long range rifle scopes will still lead to inconsistent groups if you haven’t built good habits and eliminated errors including improper mounting, skipping zeroing, or failing to account for wind. By addressing these issues head-on and practicing consistently, you’ll see measurable improvements in your performance.