Going on a backcountry hunting adventure? Here’s the gear you need for a successful trip

#2  SCOPE

In order to keep the pairing of your rifle and scope to less than 7½ pounds, look for a scope weighing no more than a pound. For most backcountry hunts, a magnification range of 3-9x or 4.5-14x with an objective lens of 40mm is ideal. You also want multi-coated lenses that provide bright, crisp images and protection from all types of weather. The scope must be shock-, fog- and waterproof, with plenty of eye relief, as shooting positions can dictate odd-angle rifle holds.

I also prefer a low-profile scope with an elevation dial that offers ballistic calibration tuned to your specific ammunition, such as Leupold’s Custom Dial System. The lower profile makes it easier to handle, and the calibrated dial offers very quick elevation adjustments for dead-on holds out to more than enough distance.