I feel incredibly stupid, but what do the numbers on the scope mean, and what do you look for in a good scope?

I' d like to explain about your question but if Woodseye get on, he' ll do a better job. You have the word scope in your post. It' ll catch his attention.o

If its a variable scope the ring with power numbers are to change the power(X) up or down in the scope.The smaller the number or lower the power and the larger the field of view will be and the easier to hold the scope steady.The higher the number the closer an object will appear in the scope while the field of view will shrink and the scope will get harder to hold steady as the power magnifies the slightest little movements and even heartbeat.The X or power is how many times closer the scope will bring an object to you,IE - at 8X an object 800yds away will appear the size it would be to the normal eye at 100yds.The power is expressed as the type of scope as in 3X9 meaning 3 power up to 9 power.Hope this was what you meant and were asking.

woods

One thing I would like to mention about the numbers on a scope is for example. (3-9 x 32mm) The number 3-9 is the power of the scope as woodseye mentioned, but the last number is the size of the front lens called the objective lens. The higher the number the larger diameter the objective lens is. The larger the objective lens is the more light enters the scope and the brighter the image. This is where there is always a debate with the size of the objective lens, quality of scope and amount of light for low light conditions. This is where I stop before I start something. Hope we helped g