Top end power?

[TheFishBox]

Hey guys I am looking to get a new scope. It is going on a gun that will be carried around in the woods but also for out in the open stuff so essentially it could see shots from 0- 1000 yards. I am debating on the 5-25 atacr, 4-16 atacr or going with the 3.5-15 nxs. In your guys experience is 16 power enough for shooting a mule deer buck at 1000 yards? I imaging the majority of shots will be in the 700 yard range though.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Only you can make the call on magnification, some guys shoot great with fixed 10x , others like all the mag they can get . Keep in mind that higher mag will reduce the exit pupil of the optic , reducing low light capabilities. With a high mag optic , you can use the max when suitable, and use lower mag when called for .

 

[jpd676]

This all comes down to preference. I find 10x is enough but 15 to 16 is what I like at 1000 yards for hunting. I rarely go over 16x when shooting long but some people use double that.

 

[Rick Richard]

If you go with NXS, why not the 5.5 X 22 since it weighs about the same as the one you mentioned.

Also, I prefer the higher magnifications since that "hunting" rifle will more than likely be used more at the range than taking game. I believe in "you can't hit what you can't see" school of thought...thus, more magnification.

 

[Rich Coyle]

If you go with NXS, why not the 5.5 X 22 since it weighs about the same as the one you mentioned.

Also, I prefer the higher magnifications since that "hunting" rifle will more than likely be used more at the range than taking game. I believe in "you can't hit what you can't see" school of thought...thus, more magnification.

I really like the 5.5-22X. But I prefer the Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50.

 

[Idahoallen]

I had Dallas Lane build me a 1000 yard rifle last year....decided to take a 6x7 elk opening day at 25 yards. Couldn't be happier with my vx6 3-18 leupold with 2 turns of elevation!

 

[FEENIX]

This all comes down to preference. I find 10x is enough but 15 to 16 is what I like at 1000 yards for hunting. I rarely go over 16x when shooting long but some people use double that.

It don't get no simpler than that!

 

[jimbires]

I was out shooting today , I took two rifles . one has a 5.5-22x50 NXS the other has a 8-32x56 NXS . I was able to make out my target well with the 5.5-22 on 22 power . with the 8-32 I had to turn the power down a little to get a clearer look at the target . I think I was about 25 or 28 power . with the scope set on 32 I could see the mirage and the target was not as clear . I'm shooting prone and I'm looking through some dead weed , high grass or golden rod , that is also be hindering my view . I was shooting at a target with about an 6" center , a 10" ring , and a 14" outer ring from 1300yards .
probably 10 years ago I got with a few guys shooting milk jugs at 1000 yards . I had a 14 max power scope . I could not see the milk jugs we were shooting . I shot one of the other guys rifles that day . I really think I'd want something around 20 power max , or more, to be shooting to 1000 yards .

 

[TheFishBox]

I know a lot of it is personal but I am just trying to get an idea what guys find effective. I know I need to go up and compare what I already have but there is to much snow to get up to the spots where I have targets.

 

[goblism]

I find much over 20x to be difficult to use when hunting. I like how the newer scopes have a much wider range of power. I have used 6x24 and found the 6x to be too much power for close shots. I am going to go with a 3-15x this year and highly considered one of the 3x-18 models. If you know for certain that you that close shots will be rare, such as within 200 yards, one of the high power options will make a little more sense.
I have a hunting buddy that missed his shot opportunity as he had a 8x-32 and the deer was at 50 yards!

 

[Rich Coyle]

Here is a little tid bit of practice info. If you plan to hunt with your high powered scope and there is any chance at all of a close encounter one should practice dry fire drills with the scope set on say 20X. Throw the rifle up like something jumped up and practice getting the 20X on the target. If one does this often they discover 6X or 8X is like a wide screen TV.

"I have a hunting buddy that missed his shot opportunity as he had a 8x-32 and the deer was at 50 yards!" This reminded me I once killed a rattlesnake with a rifle carrying an 8-32X. It was a few feet from the end of the barrel. Normally the snake would be safe, but I was planning to sleep right there without a tent.

 

[StanB]

.....considered one of the 3x-18 models.....

I've been shooting the VX6 3-18 the B&C reticle for 2 seasons now, love the versatility. I wish the reticle was a bit thinner, but it's still very accurate at distance, and clear.

 

[Rich Coyle]

Anyone have a VX-6 3-18X and a VX-6 4-24X? I'm curious if Leupold made both the same quality.

I have some Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50's that are great. So I tried the 6500 2 1/2-16X. After buying four of them and discovering none have glass as good as their big brother, they are all gone.

 

[Greyfox]

While I have used mid power scopes, I have found that a good 5x20 scope works best. While you can hit a clean 10" target at 1000 yards at lower power, I have found that game shots at 500-1200 yards are many times positioned such that you need the extra magnification to see brush and other obstacles that would be otherwise difficult to discern at the lower powers. I rarely drop below 5 or 6x on the low end. The size and weight of the higher power scopes similar to the lower magnification versions, with lower cost being the only benefit. I'm very partial to my Huskemaw 5x20 and NXS 5.5x22 scopes, and I am excited about my recently acquired 5x25x52 March which has the best glass I have yet to use. It is also compact and lightweight. My 5x25X56 ATAC-R, while a nice scope, is too big and heavy for my taste.