Do you want to have an adjustable turret on the scope or will you be relying on a BDC type reticle to compensate for distance?

There are a variety of ways to solve the same problem when it comes to ballistics, so it really ends up being a matter of preference. Some folks prefer a simple reticle to keep their view of the target unobstructed at full magnification. A custom ballistic turret would be ideal for someone with this preference. For those who prefer to hold for windage or elevation adjustments, bullet drop compensating or BDC reticles are the clear winner.

If you are going with an adjustable turret make sure to decide on the type of distance you want to achieve. Remember to take into consideration the type of rifle you will be using. A .30-378 will require much less adjustment to hit 800 yards than a 6.5 Creedmoor.

Here's an in-depth look at elevation adjustments.

Most riflescopes have the option for an illuminated reticle. This can be an extremely helpful feature if you find yourself taking shots early in the morning or later in the evening. Though most would say the difference is negligible, it is worth mentioning illumination options typically add to the weight of the riflescope.

More thoughts on Illuminated Reticles

Is the scope going on a light-weight mountain rifle or a bench rest competition rig? When shooting from a bench or not far from a vehicle, the weight and size of a rifle or scope are not as big a concern. Contrarily, with a rifle you’ll be bringing into the backcountry, the size and weight are of the utmost concern.

For more thoughts on weight check out this post.

Using the system you’re most familiar with is typically the best option unless you’ve made a deliberate decision to switch. Regardless of the unit of measurement, try to consider the mental gymnastics of making your ballistics calculations in the field. Will you be hunting with a buddy? What units is he/she using? Are you ranging in yards or meters?

A more detailed look at Mils or MOA.

Most riflescopes designed for hunting feature second focal plane reticles – meaning the reticle is etched on a static lens such that it does not change in scale at any magnification. The marks on a second focal plane reticle are typically calibrated for the highest magnification on a variable power scope (ex. on a 5-25 power riflescope, the reticle would be calibrated for 25 power). This means that at half-power (15 power on a 5-25 scope) the reticle measurements will be twice what they are at full power. For example, if each mark is measured in .25 MOA increments, the same marks at half-power will be .5 MOA.

On the contrary, first focal plane reticles increase in scale as the magnification is increased. As a result, the reticle marks represent the same measurements at any magnification. A .25 MOA reticle marker is a true .25 MOA at 5 power, 6 power, 7 power, and so on.

Here's a more detailed look at FFP vs SFP