Here are the CAFTA rules:
https://www.ftcentral.com/viewtopic.php?t=475You are allowed to set your scope to a maximum of 16X for Hunter class. Nothing says you can't reduce the power to a lower level and then bring it back to 16X. Parallax markings must be covered and you are not allowed to adjust your turrets in Hunter once the match has started. There are rumblings about possible rule changes/clarifications regarding scopes.
My considerations for a scope:
- must parallax to a minimum of 10yd, go to the manufacturer's site to confirm this if the vendor doesn't advertise it. There are a lot of scopes out there that only parallax down to 25/50/100 yards
- must be capable of 16X or greater (16X should be marked on the magnification ring)
- manufacturer must warranty the scope for spring guns (pcp guns aren't as hard on the scope)
- illuminated reticle is nice but not mandatory, I have used mine once in a forest course where shadows made some shots difficult
- a reticle with .5 mildot increments or better, in Hunter we have to hold over/under depending on the scope zero and the range. You will develop a dope card telling you what you need to do at any given range.
- reticle matches the turret i.e. mildot reticle with mildot/ mrad turrets
- FFP scope, my personal preference and there is a whole internet full of the pros/cons of FFP vs SFP
- have a good look thru any potential scope. Some are clearer than others. Some scopes get a bit fuzzy around the edges at their max power level.
- talk to other shooters at a match and ask to look thru their scopes. They will give you their opinions of their scopes good or bad.
- a whole range of prices and qualities available out there.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK