Rifle Scopes will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

H

haptoshoot

Guest
#1
All my experience has been under 400 yards. I am planning to to stretch my legs and begin shooting longer.

I've looked seriously at my budget and can only afford $900 for a scope so I am looking at the SWFA SS10x HD or the SWFA SS3x-9x.

Will I regret not having more magnification for shooting longer distance?
 
#3
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: haptoshoot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Will I regret not having more magnification for shooting longer distance? </div></div>

Depending on target size, probably. Man sized targets are easy to hit with 10x. MOA sized targets will be easier to hit if you can see them better. A 4-16x scope will be a better option. In that price range there are some scopes like the Vortex that will give you a little more power.
 
#5
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

Thanks for the input

I am thinking 2-3 moa targets.

Opinions on SS 16x vs a 4-16 vortex or nikon tactical
 
#6
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

I don't know about the vortex, but the nikon tactical 4-16 is kinda light on erector travel.

SS16X is not a bad scope for long range, but at close ranges, your field of view is rather small, only about 6' at 100 yards.
 
#9
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: haptoshoot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All my experience has been under 400 yards. I am planning to to stretch my legs and begin shooting longer.

I've looked seriously at my budget and can only afford $900 for a scope so I am looking at the SWFA SS10x HD or the SWFA SS3x-9x.

Will I regret not having more magnification for shooting longer distance? </div></div>

Look in the for sale section! There are a few optics in there that are better for $900.
 
#11
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

Top photo: M1A NM with SWFA SS 3-9X42 at 600 yards.
Second photo: Yellow steel 500 yards (3.75" 5 shot group), white steel 300 yards rapid fire. Paper target 100 yards. Rifle LMT MWS with SWFA SS 3-9X42.
Bottem photo: 700 yards five shots. Rifle LMT MWS with <span style="font-weight: bold"> </span> <span style="text-decoration: underline"> </span> SWFA 1-4 HD scope. Group measures about 7.5".

The scopes you are looking at are fine for steel, don't forget the discount code.
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#12
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

I have the 16x on my rig. When it was still a 308 I hit at 930yrds with it on a 12" plate at Rayner's range in SE ohio 2 out of 3 shots. Buy the 16x and thank me later. You can't go wrong with any of the SS products.

Good luck,
Merritt
 
#13
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Enough, yes. Most desireable, no. </div></div>

Amen brother, amen.
I'm gonna need to remember to notice how many of the 66 shooters coming to TPRC11 next weekend choose to run 10X scopes......

You AI drivers are so smart!
 
#15
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

At 500 yards you can shoot steel all day on 3 power. I started my son on 3 power at 600 yards. After a month I let him go to 10 power. Now he has a 5x 22 NF and 90 percent of the time he shoots on 18 power. I shot my best string on 12 power in a match at 600. I think it help him with shooting long range. You can shoot 1000 with 10 power.
 
#18
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

I don't think that anyone will disagree that 10 power is enough to shoot 500 meter steel. 3 power is enough. I know we can do it with iron sights. So the initial question is yes, 10 power is enough for 500 meter steel.
Now lets ask our self what is optimum. If you aren't humping that rifle long distances then get the most magnification that you can afford. It will allow you to shoot past what you are now, help target ID, increase your probability of a good mil, read wind or spot for your buddy and you can always dial your scope down if you deem it necessary.
If you hump this gun all over the place then get a smaller scope if you need to. But leave yourself room to progress to longer ranges if that is what you plan on doing.
 
#19
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Blackops_2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hopefully vortex will come out with the 10x PST in FFP. I will jump on that.</div></div>

FFP fixed power? Hmmmmmmm!
 
#20
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dantrom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
FFP fixed power? Hmmmmmmm!</div></div>

Hehe ment the 2.5-10x44mm. Not literally a fixed 10x, considering they're FFP anyway..
 
#21
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

I have a 2.5 to 10 as my primary. I really like the optic, but wish I had more on the high end. Then, you loose on the low end. I think next I will get a 3-12 or a 3-15 if I can. Best of both worlds IMO. I use the low end too much in heavy cover, I don't want to sacrifice on the low end too much. If I were you, next time you goto the range or whatever, ask to look through somebody's rig that has more on the high end. Then, go from there.
 
#22
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

I'm finding that anything between 12 and 16 power is plenty for 1000 yards and beyond even on small targets. Some like more but is not necessary.

Topstrap
 
#24
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

I REALLY appreciate the input, opinions and photos. Chris thanks for the PM.

Today I shot the short range 22 sniperhides tacical target with a 10x and it was real tough to see the 'Know your limits" small target. then looked through a 14x and it was easy. That dot is roughly 1/3 moa.

I now know that I want to go FFP & Mil-Mil. After looking at pics I realize that I want 14x-16x so that I can shoot moa targets at 500-900 yards with some level of prescion.

Guess Ill be lurking in the 'for sale section' looking for a nightforce or IOR.
 
#26
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

<span style="font-weight: bold">will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?</span>

Hell, no! The Marine snipers weren't hitting squat at 500-1000 yards with their 10X Unertls.
 
#27
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: haptoshoot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I REALLY appreciate the input, opinions and photos. Chris thanks for the PM.

Today I shot the short range 22 sniperhides tacical target with a 10x and it was real tough to see the 'Know your limits" small target. then looked through a 14x and it was easy. That dot is roughly 1/3 moa.

I now know that I want to go FFP & Mil-Mil. After looking at pics I realize that I want 14x-16x so that I can shoot moa targets at 500-900 yards with some level of prescion.

Guess Ill be lurking in the 'for sale section' looking for a nightforce or IOR. </div></div>

I would go with quality over magnification.. I was shooting steel at almost 500 this weekend for a match with a borrowed Leupold 10X, and I could have dialed back quite a ways. I would be happy with 10x all the way out to 800-1000...
 
#28
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

On some forums, you'll have people ribbing you because you want more than 10X. I'll admit that 10X is more than enough for banging steel out at the ranges that I've gotten to play at. The problems start to show up when you aren't banging steel and start to play "can you hit this?" where you're shooting at MOA or smaller targets.

What I shoot at is pretty much determined by the amount of distance that I have at my disposal. If I'm shooting at a 100 yard range, then I'm shooting at stuff like paintballs or other targets that run about 3/4" in diameter. If I'm shooting at 300 yards, I like to do clay pigeons and stuff like that. I just usually like to stay around MOA.

I'm running a 5.5-22X on my rifle right now. The longest distance that I can get to is 600 yards, so I think thath I might have been better served by a 3-18X. Maybe you should look at this from a backwards point of view. Consider what the shortest distance is that you will be shooting at and get a scope with a low end of magnification that will allow your rifle to remain useful (in terms of field of view). If 100 yards is the closest you will shoot, a 3-18X will probably do you nicely.
 
#30
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TexasReaperM40</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have shot a fixed powered 10x at 1000M with no problems seeing impacts on Minute Man Targets. </div></div>

You either have the best vision in the world or you're shooting 2" bullets.

To the OP here's a test to see if you'll like your power. You want to shoot 500 yrd so take out a target to 50yrds and look at it through a toilet paper tube with your naked eye this will give you an idea of whether or not it's enough for you. In Texasreaper's case he is saying he can see his bullet holes at 100m though a tube and his naked eye, possible yes but not for my or most peoples eyes.
 
#31
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

It will work. Like stated above not the best option but it will work. I shot my deer last year at 905yds with my NXS set to 5.5 power. Not the smoothest thing I have ever done but after the shot my brother just said “I cannot believe you shot that deer at 5.5 power." When I looked at the setting I was surprised to see it there. That darn deer stuck out like a sore thumb. I guess the aim small miss small thing works some days.
 
#32
Re: will 10x be enough glass for shoot steel at 500+?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: haptoshoot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All my experience has been under 400 yards. I am planning to to stretch my legs and begin shooting longer.

I've looked seriously at my budget and can only afford $900 for a scope so I am looking at the SWFA SS10x HD or the SWFA SS3x-9x.

Will I regret not having more magnification for shooting longer distance? </div></div>

i have the SS10X42HD and have engaged steel out to 800 yards so far with no feeling of lack of magnification. i recommend this scope. i have no experience with the 3-9 but it dosent have HD glass and if your shootin 500+ then it will likely be on 9X all the time so you lost better glass for adjustment in magnification you dont need.

At 800 yds on freshly painted orange steel i can make out marks on the target from hits when also being told where by my spotter.

at 625 yds i can see hits easily on steel. and i dont mean the swinging steel i mean i can see the mark made by the bullet.
 
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