Scope magnification powers
- Thread starter denny2
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LouBoyd
Well-Known Member
Adjust your scope to 6x and find out by hunting at that setting. There are many variables.
What's the game you might hunt at 50 yards?
Do you expect to need 24x? More than 10x? For what?
Would the Vortex 3.5-10x50 be a better choice?
What's the game you might hunt at 50 yards?
Do you expect to need 24x? More than 10x? For what?
Would the Vortex 3.5-10x50 be a better choice?
D.ID
Well-Known Member
I switched main hunting rifles from one that was running 3-9x40 to one sporting 4-12x40 and then to one that sports a 6-24x50 and worried it might be to much but after using it for one year, I now feel it's benefits outweigh it's negatives. It will be slower to acquire targets at 50 yards but I do not believe it will be by much. I do not believe 6x is to much. My only complaint is that I never feel over scoped with my 6-24x50 but now I feel under scoped with all the others. My long range groups that I have shot since moving to the higher magnification are leaps and bounds improved. It's like cheating but in a good way.
I hunt both the eastern and western part of the country. In the heavier wooded areas of the east, and the west for that matter, I definitely find that 3 or 4 power for the shots you describe gives faster acquisition, particularly when a second can make a difference, or with moving targets or low light. I use a 5x20 in the more open areas.
bruce_ventura
Well-Known Member
Field of view at 6X is 4.5 feet at 25 yds and 9 ft at 50 yds. If you don't see fur when you first raise the scope to your eye, you will loose critical seconds. I agree with a previous poster that you should try this for yourself before buying.
Also, cost, weight, transmission and glare performance tend to get worse as you go up in magnification range. In particular, a 6-24X scope usually has worse glare at 6X than a 3-12X scope at 6X, all other things being equal. The Vortex Viper PST line doesn't have good glare performance to begin with.
I think you're better off buying only as much magnification as you really need. Backing off to 20X max should give you sufficient magnification for coyotes at 700 yds.
Also, cost, weight, transmission and glare performance tend to get worse as you go up in magnification range. In particular, a 6-24X scope usually has worse glare at 6X than a 3-12X scope at 6X, all other things being equal. The Vortex Viper PST line doesn't have good glare performance to begin with.
I think you're better off buying only as much magnification as you really need. Backing off to 20X max should give you sufficient magnification for coyotes at 700 yds.
Broz
Well-Known Member
Denny I think you will be fine with a 6 x 24. I use to hunt Iowa timbers for both cototes and deer. I carried my scopes on 5 or 6 X. Now out here I carry my ar15 on 10 x for fast shots on yotes. For a long shot on a yote out there at 700 15 x will certainly do the job, but if I had a choice it would be on 24 for that shot. Take the hair off a yote and that target gets pretty small, 1 moa or less in height.
Jeff
Jeff
I picked up the Vortex PST 6x24x50 FFP ebr-1 Moa. That was a mouthful. It is Amazing! This is my first Nice scope. My last one was a 3.5x10x50 Diamondback and I thought it was nice but not enough power. But this PST is so sharp and the reticle is 10 times better. I will get used to the power on the low end.Thanks for all the replies.
silvertip44
Well-Known Member
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- Aug 20, 2011
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I hunt the southeast woods predominately and keep my scope on the lowest setting 3.5X. As far as I can remember, I have only increased magnification a few times simply to get a better look at something. My upper range is 15X and it is only used for target shooting at long range.
clamb4
Well-Known Member
I have always wanted the higher magnification without sacrificing the low end. So why compromise there are scopes that have both. On my mid range rifles, say out to 600-700 yards I have 4 x 16 x 44 scopes. On my long range 338 RUM I have a 4.5 x 22.5 x 50 scope.
While hunting my scopes are always on the lowest power setting even in open country. I shot a cow elk in Wyoming this last December with my 338 RUM. The cow surprised me and it was a running shot at 275 yards. I missed with the first shot (I think I led her to much) then dropped to the ground and hit her with the second shot. I don't want to compromise on the low end and the more I use my 22.5 power scope, the more I see a need for the upper end. Especially when long range practicing or load development. Maybe you can have your cake and eat it too.
While hunting my scopes are always on the lowest power setting even in open country. I shot a cow elk in Wyoming this last December with my 338 RUM. The cow surprised me and it was a running shot at 275 yards. I missed with the first shot (I think I led her to much) then dropped to the ground and hit her with the second shot. I don't want to compromise on the low end and the more I use my 22.5 power scope, the more I see a need for the upper end. Especially when long range practicing or load development. Maybe you can have your cake and eat it too.
Hunter12
Member
I was in the same boat as you not knowing if 6 was to much for the thick stuff. I was looking at the same scope as you. I ended up going with the 4x16. I would have hated it if 6x was the reason I missed a big buck.
Sami
Well-Known Member
6x is too much for even a quick 100 yard shot IMHO. As with a caliber, I feel you should pick the right scope for the job. Big/medium game 100 yards and under, I usually take a 1-4x but a 2-10x is a decent compromise. 100 yards and up something like 3-12x or 3-15x. 4-20x is the most I would go if you are concerned about quick shots around 100 yards or so.
MHO
Well-Known Member
I have the two PST 6-24x50 and have had shots at 40 yards without any problem. Just keep in mind to keep them turned down when your in the thick stuff and you will be happy.
