Actually it serves several purposes. 1. This is my son's first deer rifle, the scope teaches him about a much more powerful rifle with a scope. 2. The scope is mounted in front of the action which prevents any contact with his eye. 3. It does provide for a more reliable sight picture. 4. It is removable on this mount which makes it much easier to go to the ghost ring sights I want to put on it later to make it a true scout type setup.