The quality of hunting optics continues to get better, and sportsmen aren’t afraid to open their wallets to put a new scope on a rifle or upgrade their binoculars. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, in 2013 (the latest year for which stats are available), the average scope purchase was $274.14 and the average binocular purchase was $303.48.

Not surprisingly, the most frequently purchase optic was a scope. Of hunters and shooters who reported buying optics in 2013, their purchases broke down like this (totals are more than 100% due to counting multiple purchases).

Also not surprisingly, the majority of scope purchases were for use with rifles, at 84.3%. Scopes for handguns, shotguns, crossbows and air rifles made up the remainder of purchases.

Interestingly, nearly two-thirds (64.6%) of scopes were purchased at the same time a rifle was purchased. Crossbow purchases included a scope 14.3% of the time, and 9.4% of air rifle purchases includes a scope.

For more insight into purchasing habits of sportsmen and women, as well as additional research data, visit the Outdoor Market and Research category of our Business Blog series.