Scope power

[JMack]

I switched out a scope recently from a 4-16 to a 5-25 and at 3,4,500 yards I feel like it's too much scope set on 25.

Seem like 16 and 18 power scopes are a sweet spot and I actually shoot better groups and better hits on steel.

Maybe it's me.

 

[dogbuster0006]

Not being a smart *** here but, dial back to whatever power you like and shoot. I've shot out to 1000yd with 10x back when I was military, use the extra power to identify targets and read mirage for wind call then dial back and send it. I don't want anything more than 4x on the bottom end, never fails I'll have a coyote or some other vermin come out at 30yd giving me a split second shot opportunity.

 

[JMack]

Not being a smart *** here but, dial back to whatever power you like and shoot. I've shot out to 1000yd with 10x back when I was military, use the extra power to identify targets and read mirage for wind call then dial back and send it. I don't want anything more than 4x on the bottom end, never fails I'll have a coyote or some other vermin come out at 30yd giving me a split second shot opportunity.

Good point. I was tinkering with just that but I need to load more bullets to mess around some more

 

[Rick Richard]

I switched out a scope recently from a 4-16 to a 5-25 and at 3,4,500 yards I feel like it's too much scope set on 25.

Seem like 16 and 18 power scopes are a sweet spot and I actually shoot better groups and better hits on steel.

Maybe it's me.

I certainly agree. Anything in the higher numbers past the low to mid 20X becomes very difficult to stabilize in a hunting scenario. Those higher numbers may be good for looking at an animal, but either the mirage and/or my unsteadiness makes it impossible to make an accurate shot.

 

[pdog shooter]

After buying a 24 power, it would have been great for p doging. I had a 12 and at 5 to 600 yards it was usable but this first focal 24 would have been the cats meow.
for me anyway.

 

[Rich Coyle]

I certainly agree. Anything in the higher numbers past the low to mid 20X becomes very difficult to stabilize in a hunting scenario. Those higher numbers may be good for looking at an animal, but either the mirage and/or my unsteadiness makes it impossible to make an accurate shot.

You have the same amount of unsteadiness on the lower settings. You just don't see it.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

I think a high quality 3-15 is almost perfect for hunting

 

[Rick Richard]

You have the same amount of unsteadiness on the lower settings. You just don't see it.

Very true, but I forgot to mention too that I am not having to move my head around trying to see through the scope because of the "eye box" issues when at higher magnification.

 

[Beluebow]

It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.......Shoot the magnification that is most comfortable for you as an individual.

 

[Hugnot]

My ideal scope would be a 16X50 SF with a 30mm tube, mil rad reticle & .1 mil rad clicks. High quality glass & coatings & tough internals. Long tube mounting area for long action rifles.

 

[Willys]

You want to spot your shots and that means about 20 power max typically at 1000 yards, less closer. A 3-18 is fine. 4-24 as all you need hunting. For load development only the 50-60 are great.

The ZCO 4-20 is so clear it would be perfect if not so heavy.

 

[Greyfox]

You want to spot your shots and that means about 20 power max typically at 1000 yards, less closer. A 3-18 is fine. 4-24 as all you need hunting. For load development only the 50-60 are great.

The ZCO 4-20 is so clear it would be perfect if not so heavy.

The ZCO 420 is so perfect that I found the weight to be an afterthought…..My shooting/hunting can run from a couple of hundred yards to 1200 yards. It's superb for mirage management as well.

 

[Rich Coyle]

It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.......Shoot the magnification that is most comfortable for you as an individual.

Exactly! One year I decided to "trophy" hunt. I wanted a blacktail with horns wider than the ears and four points on both sides. I found one with my 8X binocular that was wider than the ears, but could not count the points in the early low light. I switched to my 5-25X52 and slowly turned up the magnification until I could clearly see. BANG!

 

[Doom2]

I switched out a scope recently from a 4-16 to a 5-25 and at 3,4,500 yards I feel like it's too much scope set on 25.

Seem like 16 and 18 power scopes are a sweet spot and I actually shoot better groups and better hits on steel.

Maybe it's me.

I have found that more magnification often seems to cause larger groups for me. I believe that with the higher magnification the eye/mind start concentrating on the target and I tend to chase the crosshair on the target. I also think the mind sees the previous shot(s) and that plays into having more than one "target". I am most accurate with my rifles with target dot scopes when the dot is equal to or larger than the bullseye. I often adjust the dot to cover the bull and this forces me to concentrate on the dot. Kinda a reverse aperture sighting system. I often find I'm around 12x inside 300yds on a 6-24x scope.

Or maybe I'm just weird!