What scope magnification primarily do you find yourself using when shooting ELR?

[DIBBS]

I know the power you crank your scope up to depends on a lot of environmental conditions, as well as what you have available. That being said, I plan to develop some loads for a 7mm RM with the 162 amax or 168 berger to experiment past 1000 yards (wont be used in competion, and may double as a hunting rifle). Since my eyes are suspect (mid 50's) I like more magnification for clarity, and my tac rifle has a 5.5x22 NXS. However, funds are not available for another NF scope, and I've been looking at the SS line (3.5x15 ffp) as well as the vortex PST. Would 15-16X be enough magnification for most shooting situations? (tried to search on this topic with poor results)

 

[Playerz1337]

Sounds similar to my setup, I shoot a 7mm RM with 162 Amax @ 2840 fps. Holds good groups at 1,100 yards on 66% IPSC steel target. More to the point, I use a SWFA fixed 12x mil/mil scope which has the same glass as the 3-15x FFP. The only problem you would have past like 1,200 yards is it gets blurry past that; if shooting longer you would definitely want the 5-20 with the HD glass.

My load for the 162 Amax is 70.0 gr Retumbo at 3.405 OAL, CCI magnum primers, 2840 fps out of 24" barrel. Hope this helps...

 

[Bigwheels]

I guess it really depends on how far you really want to take it. I have used my old Leupold 6.5-20 out to 1400yd but the crosshairs virtually covered the milk jugs I was shooting. My NXS 5.5-22x56 will virtually cover the full size silhouette @ 1950yd. So I think it really depends on what you want to do. If your ELR targets are big enough you could get away with 20x or less. Also do you want to see your hits with the scope or are you comfortable seeing the results after with a spotter.

 

[DIBBS]

I guess it really depends on how far you really want to take it. If your ELR targets are big enough you could get away with 20x or less. Also do you want to see your hits with the scope or are you comfortable seeing the results after with a spotter.

Jeff, I like your optimism, as far as seeing the results with a spotter. Last winter my son and I were shooting a rock face @ about 1400 yards with the X47's, and we could hear the report of our hits, but just couldnt spot pock marks with the 105/130 grain bullets. Also the day was grey and overcast. Mainly for "experimenting" at this stage, But i would like to shoot at and hit a target at a mile- thats my current initial goal anyway.

 

[Bigwheels]

If that's the case you might consider swapping your NXS from your comp rifle to the ELR rig, & put the 16x scope on that one where you probably don't need the extra magnification. Then I'd probably run the new 190's in the 7mm over Retumbo. The bigger pill will fly farther, retain more velocity, & make a bigger splash.
You going to Chris' match on the 2nd?

 

[Kiwi Greg]

I generally use the maximum power on the scope, 25 on the ATACR, 25 on the MK4, 22 on the NSX & 14 on my VX3s, the VX3s don't get used past 1000 often being hunting rifles.

 

[Tango down]

I know the power you crank your scope up to depends on a lot of environmental conditions, as well as what you have available. That being said, I plan to develop some loads for a 7mm RM with the 162 amax or 168 berger to experiment past 1000 yards (wont be used in competion, and may double as a hunting rifle). Since my eyes are suspect (mid 50's) I like more magnification for clarity, and my tac rifle has a 5.5x22 NXS. However, funds are not available for another NF scope, and I've been looking at the SS line (3.5x15 ffp) as well as the vortex PST. Would 15-16X be enough magnification for most shooting situations? (tried to search on this topic with poor results)

DIBBS

Depends on your vision + weather condition, IMHO; was shooting a mile on 17 power (by choice) with a S&B 5-25x56 PMII, as well with a NF 5.5-22x50 NXS, other shooters also using the same NF were at max magnification, targets were from 15"x24" to 2'x3'.
15-16 power is GTG at 1000 yards but how much further than 1000 yards do you want to go?
In doubt, it would be best if you could try the scopes you are looking at, from a 1000 up; may be some shooters have these in some of your local ranges and wouldn't mind letting you behind their rifles.

 

[Bigwheels]

Exactly. If you're going to be @ Chris' match you can take a poke or two with my rig @ ELR to see what you think.

 

[CANNONMAN]

I usually shoot around 16 pwr out to 1k yds, but that Vortex PST 6-24 FFP is the way to go for a scope on a budget. Optics Planet has them usually for a good price, plus the unconditional warranty.... awesome

 

[LastShot300]

For LR and ELR work, my 5-25x56 PM II is always set on 25x

 

[DIBBS]

Thanks for your feedback. More magnification is the answer for these old eyes!

 

[tylerw02]

Under 600 I'm usually at 10x. At the local range on 600+ I've taken it 12-16x. The longest shot I've taken was 1200 yards and was at 18x. My scope is a 5-25x.

For ranging, I crank it as high as the mirage will let me.


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[flylo]

Those old guys shooting steel @ 1000 yards with iron sights with 45/70 SF trapdoors & Sharps. They must think we're the big sissies.

 

[tylerw02]

Everybody watched quigly and thinks that they can do that. I'm yet to actually see a guy show up and do it.


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[JC Steel]

I like around 25x for shooting 1000 plus yards. Sometime you really don't need it. But when you do it sure is nice!

 

[Xtremegunnr]

I have mostly 5-20 or 3.5-25 power scopes that only get used on 20-25 for spotting hits on steel at 1000 plus. I like around 15 for most shooting.

If you go higher up in the magnification and it is at all warm, the target seems to get washed out from mirage.

I have a few ten powers and those are good to 1000+ but you have to have clear glass....otherwise it sucks

 

[VKC]

Seeing a target is one thing, and reading mirage and wind is a different factor. From the scopes that I've used 10x is adequate to see a man-sized target at 1000 yards and hit it if the wind isn't a big factor. However, unless it is a really hot day with lots of mirage, I find myself cranking up my scopes to over 20x to read mirage. At least for me a scope with 20-25x upper limit is the most ideal for long-range shooting.

 

[Tempest 455]

I would also add light or angle of light as well as a factor. I took my longest iron sights shot last fall at 1050 yards. In the morning, there was no way I would have attempted it and wondered why I even brought the rifle. So I shot with my son mostly at 1,000 and 1,100 with another rifle and scope at 25X power.

Later in the day, the sun was behind us and lit up the target pretty good. I ended up shooting iron sights as now I could actually see the target.