Max magnification for hunting

M

mrbooks10

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Minuteman
May 30, 2012
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indiana
#1
Hey gun nuts,
Im thinking about getting a swfa ss x16 scope for my 17 hmr and was wondering if that would be way over kill for hunting. But i also want to try to shoot long range with it so i want that magnification, any opinions of a good magnification level?
 
#2
Re: Max magnification for hunting

Im running the 16x on my .22lr it works sweet. for hunting i would go with a 10 or 12x finding a target that moves around at 25-75 yards 16x is to much IMO. but 100 yards and out should be sweet on a 17hmr
 
#3
Re: Max magnification for hunting

I have the SWFA SS 10x. It has a wide enough field to pick up game at fairly close range, but enough power for some long range shots. On one of my .22LRs, I have the Tasco 2.5-10x Varmint/Target mil dot scope with AO. I regularly use it beyond 100 yards for targets, and dial it down to the 4x range to hunt. You can get them for under $70 at Midway, I think.
 
#4
Re: Max magnification for hunting

Thanks guys, i was looking at the falcon menace line of scopes, but the swfa ss series looked tried and true so i thought i might give them a look, but the variable powers are a Lot of money for a rimfire scope (my budget atleast )
smile.gif
 
#9
Re: Max magnification for hunting

i like a 4-16x variable. low enough not to "lose" whatever i'm hunting in the FOV at short range, yet powerful enough to use to spot or size up whatever i'm hunting at longer ranges.

like picking out the "better" gobbler out of a group, i'll 16x 'em, then back it off a bit (depending on range) to 4 through 10 (depending on range) to take the shot. plus being able to back off the power gives me the ability to see how the birds are acting as a group. if they're a little nervous, gotta hurry it up, if relaxed i have some more time.
 
#10
Re: Max magnification for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TOP PREDATOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i like a 4-16x variable. low enough not to "lose" whatever i'm hunting in the FOV at short range, yet powerful enough to use to spot or size up whatever i'm hunting at longer ranges.

like picking out the "better" gobbler out of a group, i'll 16x 'em, then back it off a bit (depending on range) to 4 through 10 (depending on range) to take the shot. plus being able to back off the power gives me the ability to see how the birds are acting as a group. if they're a little nervous, gotta hurry it up, if relaxed i have some more time.

</div></div>
Do you have a scope in mind then?
 
#11
Re: Max magnification for hunting

i'm just running a cheap assed centerpoint, but as cheap as it is it's clear, repeatable, and hasn't falied me in the last 3 years.

of course for hunting the usual critters with a rimfire, i'm not going with nice glass like an SS, too many bad things happen to "good glass" when chasing squirrels and such.

but i do use the same setup for silhouette hunter class (lots of turret cranking) and regular plinking, it's holding up remarkably well.

even a bushnell trophy or banner 3-12 or 4-16 will suit the woods well on a hunting rifle.

don't get me wrong, if you have the $ to put into a good glass for critters, go with something considered better, but on a walk about rifle, i don't see the need.
 
#12
Re: Max magnification for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TOP PREDATOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i'm just running a cheap assed centerpoint, but as cheap as it is it's clear, repeatable, and hasn't falied me in the last 3 years.

of course for hunting the usual critters with a rimfire, i'm not going with nice glass like an SS, too many bad things happen to "good glass" when chasing squirrels and such.

but i do use the same setup for silhouette hunter class (lots of turret cranking) and regular plinking, it's holding up remarkably well.

even a bushnell trophy or banner 3-12 or 4-16 will suit the woods well on a hunting rifle.

don't get me wrong, if you have the $ to put into a good glass for critters, go with something considered better, but on a walk about rifle, i don't see the need.


</div></div>
The only hunting i would do would be coyotes and even then i would be still, i have the same centerpoint on an old 22 and love it, but for what i want in my 17 (benchrest, long range etc,) i think the ss is my dream scope.
 
#13
Re: Max magnification for hunting

On a rimfire?
4X fixed. My first rimfire was a Remington Speedmaster with a Bushnell 4x. I made some really long shots that looking back I shouldn't have made. When I was 12 I had about as much knowledge of MiniMag bullet drop, as I did how to please a woman. Luckily I did finally find out after a few years how much drop a MiniMag has, I am still working on that other thing after all this time.
 
#14
Re: Max magnification for hunting

The Tasco 2.5-10x42 Varmint/Target MilDot is a good inexpensive entry-level scope that should eclipse the Centerpoint's performance.

Or not; that end of the pool may not be very deep, but it's wide enough for a lot of simpler choices. I have two of them and four more of the 6-24x42's, and they've worked long and reliably enough to make the energizer bunny look positively geriatric.

Greg
 
#15
Re: Max magnification for hunting

"The SS glass is noticeably better, but the Tasco still gets the job done for those on a more limited budget."

I have a SS 16 x 42. The box has the chicken decal on it, but the instructions and other paperwork all say Tasco. At least it was made in Japan and not China.

Had the 16 x 42 on a 22 lr CZ 453 and used it for squirrel hunting. Too much magnification for me at 22 ranges. Your 17 HMR will reach a lot further so might be a good fit.


OFG
 
#16
Re: Max magnification for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Tasco 2.5-10x42 Varmint/Target MilDot is a good inexpensive entry-level scope that should eclipse the Centerpoint's performance.

Or not; that end of the pool may not be very deep, but it's wide enough for a lot of simpler choices. I have two of them and four more of the 6-24x42's, and they've worked long and reliably enough to make the energizer bunny look positively geriatric.

Greg </div></div>
Sounds like a good scope but im replacing a nikon so i dont really want to go back down the food chain if you know what i mean
 
#20
Re: Max magnification for hunting

I have 6-18x44 on my cz 452 varmint .22 and my 17HMR. I squirrel hunt so it was a must in my mind for having the ability to zoom in and out. Hard to get hairs on a moving limb chicken at 25 yards on 16x.
 
#23
Re: Max magnification for hunting

4-16x would be ideal under most conditions, 2.5-16x would be better under certain circumstances like scanning at shorter ranges that require a larger FOV. The 16x on the top end for zooming up, most times on a hot day any higher magnification will give you more mirage. Then again the 2.5-10x and 4-12x do pretty good as well, the best part of variables is the ability to adjust it to your purpose, and leave it. (Just make sure it is parallax adjustable down to at least 50 yards, maybe less.)

I have a 3-9x32 Weaver Rimfire mounted on a CZ452 in .22lr and the glass quality was disappointing. I ordered a 4-16x Viper PST recently for a .22lr/.17hmr build, more mag than the 2.5-10x and available lower magnification available compared to the 6-24x.
 
#24
Re: Max magnification for hunting

Just got back from the range and tried out a Millet TRS-1 4-16X. I have to say it changed my mind because it has parallax adj. from 10 yards on out. It worked very well on my Savage MII and I think it will be awesome on squirrels . . . and skunks.
 
#25
Re: Max magnification for hunting

Just got back from the range and tried out a Millet TRS-1 4-16X. I have to say it changed my mind because it has parallax adj. from 10 yards on out. It worked very well on my Savage MII and I think it will be awesome on squirrels . . . and skunks.
 
#27
Re: Max magnification for hunting

I started out with 3-9 and realized I needed more, so I bought a 4-16 and thought I was set. Now I use 8.5-25 and that is about right. The other option for me was 6-20, but the 8.5-25 blew it out of the water. I have no problem using it from 10 yards to 300 yards. It took some getting used to, but is no harder than anything else. Of course, I only have one rifle and know where it points. I like to practice shooting things from the hip, so this helps with finding your target.
 
#28
Re: Max magnification for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Swedish guy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got a <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Nxs NF 2,5-10x24 mil dot</span></span> for my .17,

it has yet to prove it self however I do belive it will work out great.

still the advice above for a 4-16 scope, a Veaver V16 is a great scope and has a lot to offer for very little money.

/Chris </div></div>
Chris,
That's a terrible scope for a rimfire! Let me save you from it. Send it to me and I'll send a real nice tasco or a Chinese counterfeit Leupold to replace it with. You'll like one of those much more. Trust me ....
wink.gif
 
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