Rifle Scopes how much is too much?

Duff

Duff

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 29, 2010
230
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Laramie, Wyoming
#1
ive been debating over fixed or variable powers for a while now and finally setteled on a variable. now the question is how much magnification is too much? im deciding between 4-16x50 or 6-25X50. i want to be able to get out to 1000 fairly easily but also anywhere down to 75
 
#2
Re: how much is too much?

Either will be fine.

I have a 5.5-22on my NF, and my mates Bushnell has 6-24 or 25 cant remember.

Both are great.

The only thing that would suck about 16 power is you lose that ability to spot holes at distances... but in saying that even on 22 power its hard to sometimes see hole.

I enjoy the higher mag and find that I use it often, so will sacrifice the 4-6 power range and opt for higher mag.

You could also easily shoot to 1000 with 16 power... easy
 
#3
Re: how much is too much?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Either will be fine.

I have a 5.5-22on my NF, and my mates Bushnell has 6-24 or 25 cant remember.

Both are great.

The only thing that would suck about 16 power is you lose that ability to spot holes at distances... but in saying that even on 22 power its hard to sometimes see hole.

I enjoy the higher mag and find that I use it often, so will sacrifice the 4-6 power range and opt for higher mag.

You could also easily shoot to 1000 with 16 power... easy</div></div>

+1 on what vman said.
 
#4
Re: how much is too much?

I can't speak for others but from shooting 200 to 1000 yard steel plate matches last year I've come to like anything between 12 and 16 power. Easy to quarter even small targets at 1000 but not too much to have mirage problems.

We use a spotting scope to spot for each other so trying to see bullet holes at distance isn't a problem.

Just my opinion but everyone knows I do things different.

Topstrap
 
#5
Re: how much is too much?

I prefer lower powers (max 18x).

I started with a 6-24x50, then a NF 5.5-22x56 and discovered that I simply didn't like using them at ranges any higher than about 18x. Too much heart beat interaction with the reticle, and even small targets seem big at 15x.

Mirage will also be an issue to deal with at higher magnification.
 
#6
Re: how much is too much?

The only thing about the lower max mag is that you can never dial it up. I would suggest you make your decision based more on the minimum magnification than the maximum.

With a 6-24 you are only losing 2x on the bottom end, but you are gaining 8x on the top end...you can ALWAYS dial that 24x down to 16x (unless its SFP and accurate on max mag).

So decide if you will ever use 4x for your particular situation (ie close range brush hunting etc). For me, Ive never had the need to use my heavy 308 close range, so I opt for higher magnifications.
 
#7
Re: how much is too much?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jonaddis84</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With a 6-24 you are only losing 2x on the bottom end, but you are gaining 8x on the top end...you can ALWAYS dial that 24x down to 16x (unless its SFP and accurate on max mag). </div></div>

+1 on "depending on the application"
smile.gif


But to really compare magnifications, the eye sees it like a ratio:

6X is a 50% increase in perceived size compared to 4X; and 24X is also a 50% increase in perceived size compared to 16X.

And conversely (there minor variations depending on the particular scope):

4X is a 50% increase in field of view compared to 6X; and 16X is also a 50% increase in field of view compared to 24X.
 
#9
Re: how much is too much?

I used to think I needed a scope with a lot of magnification......I've slowly been coming around to believe it's not necessary. Especially at distance when the atmospheric conditions are less than desirable.
Yesterday I shot steel at 1k on 8 power, because of the mirage......and it was a lot easier to make accurate hits at low power than I thought.
 
#10
Re: how much is too much?

I've seen guys shoot a mile on 10x, I've hit at almost 1300 on 10x and I could still see bullet splashes at that distance.

I routinely use a 15x NXS to reach well in excess of 1000yd, so having 25x is not necessary to get there unless you're digging for paper punching records. Even then, the mirage at higher powers can still screw you up.

A 4-16 makes a very useful range for a lot of shooting at long ranges.
 
#11
Re: how much is too much?

I use nightforce and for field guns the 5.5x22 is what I perfer. The 3.5x 15 is also a good choice and is what I am getting next. I have and 8x32 and a 12x42 but they are for BR. If its not a bench gun then I would say 5 to 25ish would be as high as I would go and I don't think you would really suffer at all with a little less. Good luck
 
#12
Re: how much is too much?

Unless you are shooting ELR and even then the lower mag is a plus due to the more adjustment. Inside 1300yds on a tacticle rifle. the 5 to 25ish scopes are fine
 
#13
Re: how much is too much?

Clarity means far more then power I have shot clays at 8 power due to mirage. 4-16 seems to be a good choice others swear by 3-12 also remember more magnification means less light trans, and objective plays in. For instance to get the most out of a 6-24 you may need a 72 mm bell. IMHO do not get caught up in the magnification hipe
 
#14
Re: how much is too much?

agree with bama110, I used to think a $500 dollar scope was "it" and the reason i couldn't see stuff was because I needed more magnification. well after being baptised by the fine people at snipershide I can say I have seen the light, and so much more.

With a clear scope you will be amazed at what you can see at 4x,6x,8x or 10x. Clarity is everything, magnification is just a marketing tool.
 
#16
Re: how much is too much?

I say this every time someone asks this question. With more mag you can always dial up, but with less you can't it's really that simple. In the end it's your personal choice and what suits your eyes. I don't enjoy straining and for me the joy in a scope is to be able to see my target fully & very clearly. Spend the dough and get the best glass you can afford, 3-20 / 5-22 / 5-25 would be my choices.

Someone above me mentioned magnification being a "marketing tool", not sure how seeing targets farther away than other lower mag scopes is a marketing tool, but to each his own.
 
#18
Re: how much is too much?

camaroguy,

I knew that the "marketing tool" statement might ruffle some feathers. I believe that the first thing most "shooters" look at is the magnification numbers. Not the quality of the glass/mechanics of the scope. Sure a clear 20x could be more desirable than a clear 10x but I would take a clear 10x over a not so clear 20x.

you can buy a 4x16 at Wal-fart for $70.00. That is all I am saying. The magnification numbers only tell a very small part of the story.
 
#19
Re: how much is too much?

ok so here comes the next question. what is a good budget scope i can buy for preferably at or under 400 while still getting a decent magnification range? (sorry guys i dont have 2 grand to throw at a nightforce or US optic. im only 16 and fairly new to the sport. if i did ild snag one up in a minute)
 
#21
Re: how much is too much?

i really liked those as a fixed power but i decided on a variable. i just think variables have more versatility. the new 3-9 isnt enough magnification for me either. hopefully when the time comes to actually buy the scope theyll come out with at least a 4-16
 
#22
Re: how much is too much?

For that price range either a Falcon Menace 4-14x, Super Sniper 10x or Bushnell 10x Mildot.

Variables are nice but they add to the price tag and variables under $400 are hit and miss and usually not very good. Getting a fixed 10x in that range would be a better bet unless you go with a Falcon. They are a good scope that is pretty much the exception to the cheap variable rule.
 
#23
Re: how much is too much?

I've posted this before, but perhaps it can be instructive again:

Place a target @ 1000 yds, and look at it through a scope set at various powers.

It will appear the same as viewed with your naked eye at:

10X - 100 yds
12x - 83 yds
15x - 67 yds
16x - 63 yds
18x - 56 yds
20x - 50 yds
22x - 45 yds
24x - 42 yds
25x - 40 yds

So if that 1000 yd target was say 2 MOA in diameter (21") a shooter would have no problem identifying it, and then shooting at it with any scope, from 10x or greater. So if the target is large enough, adding more scope power does not increase the changes of a hit.

Make the target smaller than 2 MOA, or make the criteria that the smallest multi shot grouping becomes important , then scope power becomes very much a factor.

So adequate scope power is a function of size, distance and what your trying to accomplish.

Bob
 
#24
Re: how much is too much?

SS 3X9 and easily engage clays at 500 yrds, it has good clarity and tracks very well. There is no free lunch when it comes to optics I will take a clear small image or a magnified blur any day. For long range shooting a scope that tracks is key. buy quality once or buy cheap multiple times. I chose the cheap route and bought many times.
 
#25
Re: how much is too much?

how is konus? ive been reading reviews of their new M-30 most of the morning most of them claiming optics quality better than Supersnipers and even better than nikons and bushnells. one review said it was near the quality of Zeiss when compared side by side.
 
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