Help with power choice

I am going to build my wife a rifle for target shooting. I am wanting to know what fixed power would work best for 100 yards out to a mile. This will be on either a 243 winchester or 243AI. The power choices I have are 10x, 12x, 16x, or 20x. This will also be a bench or prone rifle due to weight. Thanks for your help.

What bullet? 103-115 H1000
Lighter bullets would dictate H4831 Rl16 IMR4955 100V and 4350. H1000 will help make the throat last longer than the faster powders with the heavier 103+ bullets. The lighter bullets are going to run better with the faster burn rate powders. If you stay off the top they will shoot longer than if you run them for maximum red mist effect

Capt RB said:

What bullet? 103-115 H1000
Lighter bullets would dictate H4831 Rl16 IMR4955 100V and 4350. H1000 will help make the throat last longer than the faster powders with the heavier 103+ bullets. The lighter bullets are going to run better with the faster burn rate powders. If you stay off the top they will shoot longer than if you run them for maximum red mist effect

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I think he's asking about fixed power on a scope, not powder.

Capt RB said:

What bullet? 103-115 H1000
Lighter bullets would dictate H4831 Rl16 IMR4955 100V and 4350. H1000 will help make the throat last longer than the faster powders with the heavier 103+ bullets. The lighter bullets are going to run better with the faster burn rate powders. If you stay off the top they will shoot longer than if you run them for maximum red mist effect

Click to expand...

Going to start with the 110 SMK's. Looking at a 1:7 Shilon. Most shooting will be done at 5500 feet or higher.

Out to a mile on targets I would want the 20x (or something around 25x ideally). For hunting dictances on deer/pronghorn with either of those cartridges a 16x would be plenty IMO.

If you have one of your list start low and work up. If your buying I'd look at a fixed 24,36 and 42 also if it is just target shooting. I have a 36x weaver that is a very good compromise of power and ability to get through the mirage. They come up on sale in the 400's and track well turret wise but 1/8moa(pita) If it is a summer shooting only 20-24 will be an easier optic to use.

How old is your wife? Serious question though, or perhaps more directly, how's her eye sight?

Based on your magnification choices, I'll wager a guess that you're looking at the SWFA Super Sniper series. If it's going to be used primarily on a bench or prone shooting mainly at targets, I'd recommend the 16x. The 10x and 12x are excellent, and in my opinion, the best on the bunch, but perhaps a little low on mag for a mile. The 20x has a darker image and less forgiving eyebox. That leaves the 16x as the best option, in my opinion, for what you're looking to do. If her eyes are good and the targets are generous, then a 12x will gain you a little brighter image and more forgiving eyebox to work with.

Or, if you're patient and can save a little longer, you can find the 3-15x42 FFP models for around $500-550, which would be the best option all around.

I agree the 16 is likely your best bet. The 20 will give issues with mirage and more power make mirage worse.

Why would anyone want a FFF for shooting a target at a mile? The reticle will cover half the landscape.

Rich Coyle said:

Why would anyone want a FFF for shooting a target at a mile? The reticle will cover half the landscape.

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Because when you turn down the power to beat the mirage your point of impact doesn't change. There are floating dots and in the ebr2c you have a open intersection for a totally obscured view. I completely understand what your saying I've always used a fixed power for elr(which is 12-1400 not long by today's standards)

I didn't know modern scopes change impact with a change of magnification. I have not checked my 6500 but I did my Tasco 4-16X. It doesn't change.

` Rich ue meant the reticle markings change impact point in a sfp scope. Not that if your are dialing range the cenyer will change impact on different power settings.

I almost exclusively use FFP optics, and don't have any issue hitting what I'm aiming it. I'm not a benchrest shooter, so I'm not trying to stack every round in the same hole at 500 yards. But with a Bushnell LRTSi 4.5-18x44, I've had no problem hitting an 18" plate at 1000 yards. Good enough for my uses.

Also, FFP optics subtend the same at all powers. So it covers the exact same amount of the target at 4.5x as it does at 18x. No problems whatsoever on my end. Use what you like and be happy.

WildBillG said:

` Rich ue meant the reticle markings change impact point in a sfp scope. Not that if your are dialing range the cenyer will change impact on different power settings.

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The cross-hair intersection of the Tasco does not move off the aiming point when changing magnification with it set in an optical testing unit. The guy didn't have 30mm rings yet, so didn't check the Bushnell.