Scope magnification

[fishonnw]

I am shooting a VX3 3.5-10 on a 30-378 and really like the set up I am shooting. However I have noticed that I am having a harder time when target shooting to 500 yards because of the magnification. I know many people hear use the 4.5-14 or should a guy just step up to the higher powers. Can higher magnification be a disadvantage to a guy?

Just looking for some opinions on the subject.

[AJ Peacock]

I use a 4.5x14 on my light rifle 7mm Rem Mag. I use a 3.5x15 Nightforce on my heavy rifles (338Edge and 338Allen Mag). Never had a problem or felt it was a disadvantage for shooting big-game. I'd feel confident out to 1200yds or so with it.

The only advantage I can see with higher magnification is the ability to judge horns (make sure the animal is legal) at a greater distance. I almost always carry a spotting scope 20-60x and tripod when I'm hunting long range, so it just costs me a little weight.

I use a ballistic reticle on my nightforces (NP-R1) that is only accurate for hold over at the highest magnification (15x), if I had the 22x scope, it would only be accurate at 22x. I like the greater field of view from the 15x scope (for spotting my own shots). Also, generally, the higher magnification will be more troublesome when mirage is bad.

Hope this helps,
AJ

[fishonnw]

Thanks for the help. I have always just been a hunter and never shoot an animal over 400 yards. Reading about things here on this site has sparked an interest in greater yardage. Thanks again, and I look forward to reading and learning more about the longer ranges.

[kcebcj]

I think to use a 30-378 to its full potential you need a scope with more power. With that said I am putting a 1.8-10X44 US Optics scope on a 300 Win Mag mainly because of the weight issue of the larger scopes and I want a large field at the low end and with the good glass it will work well out to 800 yards on game.

[johnnyk]

"If ya can't see it, ya can't hit it"

I like to know exactly where my bullet is going to hit. Not in the neighbor hood of, but exactly. I like magnification. My lowest variable is a 4.5-14x40 Vari-X III on my 7Mag. I have a 6-18X40 Nikon on my .300WM and a 6.5-20X44 Nikon on my .243. You can always turn it down. JohnnyK.

[fishonnw]

Sorry for my lack of knowledge on powers. However an earlier post says the scope will only be accurate on the highest setting. As powers increase will point of impact change with higher powers. If I bought a 6.5 - 20 and I used the scope in a hunting application on 10 power would the point of impact be different on 20 power? In my opinion hunting situations will not always allow for the higher powers. Sounds like this topic can open a can of worms.

Thanks.

[squirrelduster]

You are correct about the can of worms.

I hunt Blacktail deer in California and these deer like the brush and nasty cover. If you want to shoot a big buck here you are most likely shooting over 300 yards into brush.
I have a Sightron 8-32x56 on my 7WSM and a Nightforce 8-32x56 on my 300 win mag. The high magnification allows me to see the branches and if I can thread the shot through the opening. It also allows you to judge the animal better to see if there is a problem or if it big enough.

The bad point is the extra weight but I believe it is worth it.