Kiväärisähtäin

Kiväärisähtäin, meaning rifle sight in Finnish, refers to the aiming device attached to a rifle. These sights are crucial for accurately hitting targets at various distances. Historically, simple iron sights were the standard. These consist of a rear sight, often a notch or aperture, and a front sight, usually a post or bead. The shooter aligns the front sight within the rear sight and then superimposes this assembly onto the target.

Modern rifles can also be equipped with optical sights, commonly known as scopes. These magnify the target and provide an illuminated reticle (crosshairs) for aiming. Scopes offer advantages in low light conditions and for engaging targets at longer ranges due to their magnification. Red dot sights are another popular type of optical sight. They project a single red dot onto a lens, which the shooter sees superimposed on the target, allowing for very rapid target acquisition without the need for precise eye positioning.

Various adjustments are possible with most rifle sights, allowing the shooter to compensate for factors like wind and distance. These adjustments are typically made using turrets on the sight itself, which move the point of impact relative to the point of aim. Proper zeroing of the sights, which involves adjusting them so the bullet strikes the intended point of aim at a specific distance, is a fundamental step before using a rifle for any serious purpose. The type of sight chosen often depends on the intended use of the rifle, such as hunting, sport shooting, or tactical applications.