I'm seeing more and more scopes with high magnification ranges. I'm talking about the ratio of the lowest power to the highest power magnification. It used to be that most scopes had a 3x range (like a 3-9x) or a 4x (4-16x). Now we're seeing 5x or even 10x range like the Bushnell Elite 6500 (2.5-16x for example), or the March scopes. Can't remember who made it, but I saw one that was an 8-80x. (Yikes!)
It seems like these newer scopes would make awesome "all-around" scopes for everything from beating the brush to 800 yard shots. My question is: what's the downside? Seems like you never get something for nothing. Do they really have good optics quality at all ranges or are you trading quality for flexibility? What changed to allow the greater magnification ranges? I'm all for options, but there's something to be said for the optical quality of a good fixed power scope.
I've got a AR-style 308 that shoots really well with it's current low-power ACOG (holes often overlap at my 170 yard range), and I'd like something with higher magnification without sacrificing short range speed, but I'm not sure it's worth it.
Thoughts?
It seems like these newer scopes would make awesome "all-around" scopes for everything from beating the brush to 800 yard shots. My question is: what's the downside? Seems like you never get something for nothing. Do they really have good optics quality at all ranges or are you trading quality for flexibility? What changed to allow the greater magnification ranges? I'm all for options, but there's something to be said for the optical quality of a good fixed power scope.
I've got a AR-style 308 that shoots really well with it's current low-power ACOG (holes often overlap at my 170 yard range), and I'd like something with higher magnification without sacrificing short range speed, but I'm not sure it's worth it.
Thoughts?