Rifle Scopes Too much glass?

[Joey Dean]

For long shots the more the better, but is 6x too much on the low end?

Where I hunt at I can have shots from knife range to 600 yds. We'll call 200 yds. About the average. I know I am giving up field of view. The question is would you be willing to make the trade off for higher top end power for that extra field of view?

Let's call this more of a poll. However, maybe I'm needing an excuse for another scope.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Too much glass?

A good 2.5-10x scope will take game out beyond any ethical distance unless you're talking p-dogs.

Quality trumps quantity.

 

[Longshot38]

Re: Too much glass?

Scope like our firearms are tools. And you need the appropriate tool for the job. And more is not always better when speaking of magnification. Nor does magnification directly correlate to FOV, many other variables in scope construction come into play here. With that being said given you description of how you hunt then a 1-4 type scope seems to fit the bill perfectly.

 

[longguntoter]

Re: Too much glass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sneaky Gun Runner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For long shots the more the better, but is 6x too much on the low end?

Where I hunt at I can have shots from knife range to 600 yds. We'll call 200 yds. About the average. I know I am giving up field of view. The question is would you be willing to make the trade off for higher top end power for that extra field of view?

Let's call this more of a poll. However, maybe I'm needing an excuse for another scope. </div></div>If I had too much magnification, I would tend to go for shots that I normally would not allow myself to take. I know, sounds lame, but I try to use lower magnification so that I am going to force myself to make a clean kill and not try to shoot beyond my skill range. Works for me.

 

[LocoGringo]

Re: Too much glass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A good 2.5-10x scope will take game out beyond any ethical distance unless you're talking p-dogs.

Quality trumps quantity. </div></div>I agree with this. 2.5-10 is good for the ranges listed for hunting. Won't make you feel invincible at 400 yards for a hunting shot, but is sufficient magnification to get an ethical kill while giving you enough FOV for closer shots.

Does this give you enough of an excuse to get another scope?

 

[wvlapua]

Re: Too much glass?

6x low is a lot of power for hunting my area. You'd be better off going with 4x or under on the low side.

 

[Strykervet]

Re: Too much glass?

I agree with a 2.5-10x or thereabouts. I, for one, do not like lots of magnification in general. But the 1-10x range is good for most stuff in general, the "one size fits all" as it were.

I just put a 2.5-8x Leupold on a 6.5G I intend on shooting out past 600m, sometimes 1000m. Others prefer 5.5-22x for the same thing, so I guess it all depends on the shooter's preference.

When I get that .338LM or a .50BMG, I may go with the big, big glass then...

I also agree, quality vs. quantity. A really good 1-4x is better than a cheap 2.5-10x.

 

[Joey Dean]

Re: Too much glass?

You know I am really itching to hunt with this new Sightron. Hmmm.... Maybe prairie dogs? I mean a .308 is a bit of overkill, but then again.

I have plenty of time to save up for another one before November. Yep, I guess I do need another scope.

Sad thing is I have a nice collection. But, the better the glass you get the worse the glass you have seems to be. Sorta like everything else I have bought over the years.

 

[oldfatguy]

Re: Too much glass?

Had a 6.5-20x50 on my Rem 5R 308 season before last. Don't know about 6 being too much magnification, but 6.5 sure is when the deer is almost under your stand. Now I use a 2.5-8, much better.

OFG

 

[sawman556]

Re: Too much glass?

The Bushnell HDMR would be a great scope for hunting, IMO. 3x on the low end and 21x on the high end. I use a 5.5-22x50 NF and have no problems using the 5.5x for 50yds and out. I have thought about getting some sort of MRDS, like the RMR, to piggyback for 50 yards and in.

 

[wdebo]

Re: Too much glass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strykervet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree with a 2.5-10x or thereabouts. I, for one, do not like lots of magnification in general. But the 1-10x range is good for most stuff in general, the "one size fits all" as it were.

I just put a 2.5-8x Leupold on a 6.5G I intend on shooting out past 600m, sometimes 1000m. Others prefer 5.5-22x for the same thing, so I guess it all depends on the shooter's preference.

When I get that .338LM or a .50BMG, I may go with the big, big glass then...

I like more magnification for target shooting and less for hunting. My go to hunting scope are Swarovski Z6 2-12. And 5-25 premiers for target shooting.
8 power for a 1000 meters I would really struggle. You must have good vision!!

I also agree, quality vs. quantity. A really good 1-4x is better than a cheap 2.5-10x. </div></div>

 

[997/2man]

Re: Too much glass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A good 2.5-10x scope will take game out beyond any ethical distance unless you're talking p-dogs.

Quality trumps quantity. </div></div>


1st post nails it.

 

[wdhigh]

Re: Too much glass?

Also depending on laws where you hunt, the higher power low end can hinder your low light performance. Here in SC we can hunt whitetail 1 hour before and after legal sunrise/sunset. For this reason alone I value decent glass and big exit pupil. I vote 2.5-10 also for pure hunting of big game. I also shoot game on low power due to buck fever.