Rifle Scopes magnification needed at longer ranges

[chillindrdude]

i'm currently running a leupy mark 4 10x (max) scope on my .308 bolt gun i was shooting at 250yds at about 50% IDPA steel plate. even at max zoom (10X), that target looked pretty small.

i am pretty green with long range marksmanship. its clear that my rifle/scope setup outshoots me. but i'd like to work up to shooting (accurately) at 800-1000yds. I noticed that many are using higher magnification scopes. I understand that often times target size are larger at further ranges so people can see them. What do you think is the optimum magnification for 600+ yards engaging a man-sized target?

 

[Topstrap]

Re: magnification needed at longer ranges

On my one gun I use a Vortex Viper PST 4-16 and another a SWFA SS 5-20. At 16X it's plenty big enough to shoot all targets at our 1000 yard matches including the tiny little ones but.... it nearly does cover up an 8" circle at 1000 yards. With 20X there is plenty of room to move around on all targets for slight adjustments.

After looking thru lots of various brands, reticles and magnifications I think 20X or near that is about perfect for most all long range applications at least out to 1000 yards. Some like a bit more but then you start to deal with darkness in some scopes and mirage starts to factor in on some days.

Topstrap

 

[stel67]

Re: magnification needed at longer ranges

I was going to pose this same question. I am not sure if a 4-16 or a 6-24 would be the better glass for long range shooting. I am leaning towards the 6-24 however there is a 4-16 for sale here used and I am just not sure if I should hold off for a 6-24

 

[Texar2]

Re: magnification needed at longer ranges

I really like my swfa 5-20. I had a 4-16 but wanted more.

 

[sawman556]

Re: magnification needed at longer ranges

3-21 would be about perfect, IMO.

 

[hamstur]

Re: magnification needed at longer ranges

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sawman556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">3-21 would be about perfect, IMO.</div></div>

+1 for a 600-yard man sized target. I run all 4-16 scopes on my 308s and easily see targets past 1000 yards. Some people shoot better with more mag, some people shoot worse.

 

[KeithR41]

Re: magnification needed at longer ranges

I have 25X on my main gun. I rarely shoot at anything higher that 15x or so out to 1500.

41

 

[dieselgeek]

Re: magnification needed at longer ranges

For dot drills and small lil targets way out far I prefer a 20x + I had a 15x F1 and could still hit clays at 1K, but it was hard to see.