Optical Coatings

by
posted on March 18, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
qa_ah2015_fs.jpg (10)

Q: What is the difference in binocular and scope lens coatings, and how can you tell if the glass is coated?

A: One way to check a riflescope, spotting scope or binocular for coated lenses is to hold it under a common ceiling light, objective lens up, and look at the reflections of the light bouncing off the various lens surfaces inside. Each reflection (usually three to seven) represents one air-to-glass surface. If this lens surface has been coated, its reflection should be colored, usually purple, green or yellow, depending on the proprietary coating recipe the manufacturer used. White reflections indicate an uncoated lens or, in a binocular, the prism.

Unfortunately, colored reflections don't tell you how many layers have been applied or how effective they are. Determine effectiveness by comparing scopes side-by-side in low light. The best test is to look at some type of lettering or a series of black-and-white bars set in shadows with the sun setting behind.

Latest

CZ 600+ ST3 American 2
CZ 600+ ST3 American 2

#SundayGunday: CZ 600+ ST3 American

On this week's #SundayGunday, we are taking a look at the new-for-2026 design of the CZ 600+ ST3 American, the ST3 being the long- and magnum-action model. Built by the legendary Czech company for the American market, this is a rifle adapted perfectly to hunting on this continent.

How Can Hunters Travel Out of State With Suppressed Firearms?

Getting federal and state agencies out of the way of the citizens who wish to use suppressors to make their guns more polite to their ears and to their neighbors’ is an ongoing, complex and multifaceted effort. There is, however, progress being made thanks to the Trump administration.

A Shared Memory Between Life’s Chapters

Check out this memorable hunting story from member William Scott Aldridge.

Hardware Review: Browning BAR MK 4 Hunter

First, the Browning Automatic Rifle addressed in this article is not the renowned 1918 BAR of military fame. I’ve actually seen an American Rifleman editor hunt hogs with a reproduction 1918 BAR. While it was a spectacle to behold, it’s probably not the optimal choice for the deer woods, but hey, who am I to judge? The Browning BAR we’re talking about in this article is the iconic hunting rifle.

Choice Ammunition—Montana’s Handloaded Factory Ammunition.

Today, we have many more projectile options than we’ve ever had. However, there are still some combinations that aren’t readily available, and some of our older cartridges have become all but unobtainable. Enter a boutique ammunition shop from Montana, the brainchild of Mr. Jon Wemple: meet Choice Ammunition.

Improving Buckshot Performance

Buckshot’s downrange effectiveness varies greatly, from stellar to lackluster, depending on the shotgun/choke configuration and specifics of the load. Here is what you need to know to extract its greatness.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.