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Rifle Scopes How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
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Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
You had it right the first time; 10x is GTG!
You had it right the first time; 10x is GTG!
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
If you are looking to buy a scope....the more mag. the better. You might find yourself at 1000....you can always dial it down. I have problems focusing on targets when they are small at long distances so I have mine on 20x.
If you are looking to buy a scope....the more mag. the better. You might find yourself at 1000....you can always dial it down. I have problems focusing on targets when they are small at long distances so I have mine on 20x.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
One day we'll get a 1-100x300mm with Gen-7 mildot that plays DVDs.
One day we'll get a 1-100x300mm with Gen-7 mildot that plays DVDs.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
I like 10X much better for me.
I use to have a 3.8-22 that looked like I had a baseball bat on top of my rifle , I always had it at @ 10x anyways.
I like 10X much better for me.
I use to have a 3.8-22 that looked like I had a baseball bat on top of my rifle , I always had it at @ 10x anyways.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
I have a 6-24x50 and though I tend to keep it at 12x or smaller, having the option to dial it up to 24x is a nice one.
Unless funding is an issue, I'd say go with a variable up to 18 or 20x+. You can always dial a 6-24x down to 10x, but you can never dial a 2.5-10x up.
I have a 6-24x50 and though I tend to keep it at 12x or smaller, having the option to dial it up to 24x is a nice one.
Unless funding is an issue, I'd say go with a variable up to 18 or 20x+. You can always dial a 6-24x down to 10x, but you can never dial a 2.5-10x up.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
I like the compactness of my 1.8-10X
does everything I need it to do.
I like the compactness of my 1.8-10X
does everything I need it to do.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
What you are shooting at and what you want to be able to see should guide your decision, not an age old internet opinion contest.
10X can get the job done, but I usually run around 15-17X, and like to have 20+ if needed.
What you are shooting at and what you want to be able to see should guide your decision, not an age old internet opinion contest.
10X can get the job done, but I usually run around 15-17X, and like to have 20+ if needed.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
i agree with sobr, every person is different, i prefer a 20x just because of how well i want to see my target at distance, some are okay with a 10x
i agree with sobr, every person is different, i prefer a 20x just because of how well i want to see my target at distance, some are okay with a 10x
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
Most days I shoot you cant use 20x the mirage makes it impossible.
Most days I shoot you cant use 20x the mirage makes it impossible.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
Ahhhh, Arizona's nice, hot enough that mirage can usually be seen at target distance but dry enough to keep barrel mirage down...
Ahhhh, Arizona's nice, hot enough that mirage can usually be seen at target distance but dry enough to keep barrel mirage down...
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
Depends on what you're shooting at.
Banging MOA steel 10X is entirely adequate. Shooting F-Class, you'd probably what a little more magnification.
Depends on what you're shooting at.
Banging MOA steel 10X is entirely adequate. Shooting F-Class, you'd probably what a little more magnification.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
Gosh you guys must have good eyes. I currently have my scope set at 32x, and are saving up for a 42x NF.
I like to have eye-to-eye contact with what I'm shooting at
Plus it can double up as a spotting scope at the range.
Gosh you guys must have good eyes. I currently have my scope set at 32x, and are saving up for a 42x NF.
I like to have eye-to-eye contact with what I'm shooting at
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
18x will be good at 800, I'd say. I don't have that much experience though.
In my experience, I know that by 1000, I'll have my scope turned down to ~14 because of mirage.
18x will be good at 800, I'd say. I don't have that much experience though.
In my experience, I know that by 1000, I'll have my scope turned down to ~14 because of mirage.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
10x will work just fine. With that said, I bought the 8-32x NF NXS and use 32x quite frequently. To me, its like comparing a picture in a playboy to the centerfold. The normal pages are good, but I like to see the big picture.
10x will work just fine. With that said, I bought the 8-32x NF NXS and use 32x quite frequently. To me, its like comparing a picture in a playboy to the centerfold. The normal pages are good, but I like to see the big picture.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
10X should be fine out to 1000. Really depends on what you are doing. If you are shooting paper you may want more magnification, if you are shooting steal or people 10X works fine.
10X should be fine out to 1000. Really depends on what you are doing. If you are shooting paper you may want more magnification, if you are shooting steal or people 10X works fine.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
If it helps I was shooting 800 yards today with my M40a1 (with MST 100) and was making hits so it's more than possible, but it felt a whole lot further than when I shoot with my 17x power USO match rifle.
If it helps I was shooting 800 yards today with my M40a1 (with MST 100) and was making hits so it's more than possible, but it felt a whole lot further than when I shoot with my 17x power USO match rifle.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
10X is enough but why limit yourself, if mirage is not an issue i like punching paper at higher mag, just make sure its good glass
10X is enough but why limit yourself, if mirage is not an issue i like punching paper at higher mag, just make sure its good glass
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
Lets just say I like my 12x42-56mm Nightforce.
Lets just say I like my 12x42-56mm Nightforce.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: user</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is 10x enough or is the concensus that more is better, say 18x?</div></div>
It depends. I run a 3.2-17x SN-3. When I am shooting 800+ I usually have the magnification dialed up to 17x when I am shooting steel, paper or anything else that doesn't move and shoot back.
Now I have another scope that goes to 24x, but the glass is crap and it's almost useless at that magnification.
If you are looking at fixed magnification I would go 10x. It's a good compromise unless you are shooting really close or shooting movers.
The glass quality will make a big difference.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: user</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is 10x enough or is the concensus that more is better, say 18x?</div></div>
It depends. I run a 3.2-17x SN-3. When I am shooting 800+ I usually have the magnification dialed up to 17x when I am shooting steel, paper or anything else that doesn't move and shoot back.
Now I have another scope that goes to 24x, but the glass is crap and it's almost useless at that magnification.
If you are looking at fixed magnification I would go 10x. It's a good compromise unless you are shooting really close or shooting movers.
The glass quality will make a big difference.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
Usher,
The old school thinking is that you multiply the yard line you plan to shoot to, by 1 to get what you need. 10x is plenty to get you out to 1000 yards. I recently started shooting a Hensdolt 4-16 and love it, beautiful glass. I found that without looking I was consistently running it on 10x as that is what I am used to with my Unertl. More magnification is nice to check for detail and with the FFP reticle subtending distant targets for me is easier. At higher magnifications I have found that I chase the reticle and fight my heart rate and breathing as it is exponentially compounded by increasing the magnification. I would suggest get the highest quality glass you can afford in the range of 4-16 and if you really need to see more detail use your spotting scope.
Good luck on the quest for the scope that is right for you.
Danel
Usher,
The old school thinking is that you multiply the yard line you plan to shoot to, by 1 to get what you need. 10x is plenty to get you out to 1000 yards. I recently started shooting a Hensdolt 4-16 and love it, beautiful glass. I found that without looking I was consistently running it on 10x as that is what I am used to with my Unertl. More magnification is nice to check for detail and with the FFP reticle subtending distant targets for me is easier. At higher magnifications I have found that I chase the reticle and fight my heart rate and breathing as it is exponentially compounded by increasing the magnification. I would suggest get the highest quality glass you can afford in the range of 4-16 and if you really need to see more detail use your spotting scope.
Good luck on the quest for the scope that is right for you.
Danel
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: platypus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Usher,
The old school thinking is that you multiply the yard line you plan to shoot to, by 1 to get what you need. 10x is plenty to get you out to 1000 yards. I recently started shooting a Hensdolt 4-16 and love it, beautiful glass. I found that without looking I was consistently running it on 10x as that is what I am used to with my Unertl. More magnification is nice to check for detail and with the FFP reticle subtending distant targets for me is easier. <span style="font-weight: bold">At higher magnifications I have found that I chase the reticle and fight my heart rate and breathing as it is exponentially compounded by increasing the magnification. I would suggest get the highest quality glass you can afford in the range of 4-16 and if you really need to see more detail use your spotting scope. </span>
Good luck on the quest for the scope that is right for you.
Danel
</div></div>
Ditto for me too. That is good advice. I have a NF 5.5-22. I run at 11x a lot out to 1,000.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: platypus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Usher,
The old school thinking is that you multiply the yard line you plan to shoot to, by 1 to get what you need. 10x is plenty to get you out to 1000 yards. I recently started shooting a Hensdolt 4-16 and love it, beautiful glass. I found that without looking I was consistently running it on 10x as that is what I am used to with my Unertl. More magnification is nice to check for detail and with the FFP reticle subtending distant targets for me is easier. <span style="font-weight: bold">At higher magnifications I have found that I chase the reticle and fight my heart rate and breathing as it is exponentially compounded by increasing the magnification. I would suggest get the highest quality glass you can afford in the range of 4-16 and if you really need to see more detail use your spotting scope. </span>
Good luck on the quest for the scope that is right for you.
Danel
</div></div>
Ditto for me too. That is good advice. I have a NF 5.5-22. I run at 11x a lot out to 1,000.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
I like the high magnification glass. The Leupold on one of my heavy rifles is 6.5 - 20x. My brother Slickrick likes even more magnification. He is currently fielding a KMW .308 with a USO that maxes out at 17x(I think). He wants more magnification.
On the other hand, Banshee has MK 4 that maxes out at 8x and can kick my behind at any range with it.
Use what you have and you will learn to use it well.
I like the high magnification glass. The Leupold on one of my heavy rifles is 6.5 - 20x. My brother Slickrick likes even more magnification. He is currently fielding a KMW .308 with a USO that maxes out at 17x(I think). He wants more magnification.
On the other hand, Banshee has MK 4 that maxes out at 8x and can kick my behind at any range with it.
Use what you have and you will learn to use it well.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
Can't go wrong with a 8-32 or 12-42 NF. Can always turn it down if mirage gets to bad but still have the high end for those clear calm days.
Can't go wrong with a 8-32 or 12-42 NF. Can always turn it down if mirage gets to bad but still have the high end for those clear calm days.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
10x will serve you well in just about any application. It blends the balance well between magnification, and field of view. In the summer time it won't have so much magnification as to make the mirage unmanageable. If you have aging eyes, you may need more power, but if you have good vision, and are still fairly young then i would stick to around 10. I'm wanting to get my 10x scope upgraded to max out at 14-18 just for a little extra for my long range shots. I can still hold good groups at 700 yards with 10x, but I want just a little more for the 1000+ yard shots.
I would say 4.5-14x is in the range of ideal IMO. I dial down as low as possible when hunting so I don't have to dial down when the shot opportunity presents itself. If it's the type of shot that requires more magnification, you usually have more time to dial up to make it.
Branden
10x will serve you well in just about any application. It blends the balance well between magnification, and field of view. In the summer time it won't have so much magnification as to make the mirage unmanageable. If you have aging eyes, you may need more power, but if you have good vision, and are still fairly young then i would stick to around 10. I'm wanting to get my 10x scope upgraded to max out at 14-18 just for a little extra for my long range shots. I can still hold good groups at 700 yards with 10x, but I want just a little more for the 1000+ yard shots.
I would say 4.5-14x is in the range of ideal IMO. I dial down as low as possible when hunting so I don't have to dial down when the shot opportunity presents itself. If it's the type of shot that requires more magnification, you usually have more time to dial up to make it.
Branden
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
I'm not sure how it is that people find the higher magnifications useful; mirage is the limiting factor for me. (Is it time of day they are shooting or are they shooting on nice green grassy ranges or over canyons and ravines?)
Mirage almost always limits me to around 10X when shooting beyond 500 yards. I have a 3-15X PH and find it to be about right. At 800 yards a 10X scope will allow you to "aim small" on 10" by 10" targets.
I'm not sure how it is that people find the higher magnifications useful; mirage is the limiting factor for me. (Is it time of day they are shooting or are they shooting on nice green grassy ranges or over canyons and ravines?)
Mirage almost always limits me to around 10X when shooting beyond 500 yards. I have a 3-15X PH and find it to be about right. At 800 yards a 10X scope will allow you to "aim small" on 10" by 10" targets.
Re: How much magnification is enough for 308 to 800?
I always use the highest magnification I have available, but mirage has never been a problem, since in New Zealand we hunt in the mountains "Nice green grassy ranges/canyons/ravines" where target identification and tracking is only possible with scopes of higher magnification.
Once you're used to it, using a 10x scope just don't feel right. I get nervous if I can't see my heart beat through the scope.
I always use the highest magnification I have available, but mirage has never been a problem, since in New Zealand we hunt in the mountains "Nice green grassy ranges/canyons/ravines" where target identification and tracking is only possible with scopes of higher magnification.
Once you're used to it, using a 10x scope just don't feel right. I get nervous if I can't see my heart beat through the scope.
