Scopes variable magnification

[The Raven]

Most of us generally have scopes with variable magnification.

Here's the $64K question. How often do you really use the lower end magnification on your scopes?

I suspect most of us tend to use the upper range of magnification and rarely adjust down to the lower end of the scale. For example, most common 3-9's probably spend 90% of their time at 9 and rarely ever get set to 3.

Just interested to know how often you do go to the low end magnification on your scopes. Yes, I know it'll depend on specific application so feel free to explain when you'd use that low end mag.

[mick_762]

Raven,
I have a 2-7x32 on my 9.3x62 it actually spends most of its time on 4x as too low magnification and I can see front sight hood, the few times it has been wound up to 7x is to glass a prospective area when I dint have my binos with me.

Plus a 6-24x50 on my .243, that one actually gets a fair bit of use in the magnification adjustments, as a close target is just too distracting / hard / magnify's the wobble at the higher end so gets adjusted to suit the distances shot, and the size of the target. Its actually pretty rare to get used at 24x and spends most "longer distance - out past 200 yards) on 20x.

Mick

[Waldo]

I always carry mine on the lowest mag and shoot most of my game (deer predominately) on that, I may occasionally wind it up to mid range for a longer shot if I have time but generally see deer, shoot deer and it's all over before I give scope mag a second thought.

The 5.6 with the 6x18 on it may be used differently though?

Cheers,
Waldo

[Tezza]

I always carry mine on the lowest mag and shoot most of my game (deer predominately) on that, I may occasionally wind it up to mid range for a longer shot if I have time but generally see deer, shoot deer and it's all over before I give scope mag a second thought.

The 5.6 with the 6x18 on it may be used differently though?

Cheers,
Waldo

I've always subscribed to the theory that if your game is close enought that you need to be on the lower power settings on your scope, then you're not going to have the time to wind it down if it's set too high. I always keep my scopes on the lower/lowest power setting figuring that if you need higher magnification, then the game's far enough away to allow you the time to wind it up. I guess also it depends on where and what you hunt, for example, Victorian Sambar hunters would without doubt pretty much all have there scopes wound down to the lower/lowest setting as the country is pretty scrubby and shots are usually all fairly close

[macca]

Horses for courses. Low mag in bush. Middle 8 or10x under lights and top end for the lr and elr work.
Cheers

[The Raven]

I ask the question as I did wonder how many people left their scopes at the upper half of the magnification range. Sure, I could understand that for LR and ELR.

Another reason is that I'm looking at getting a new scope and the lower end magnification options range from 3 or 4, and I wondered if it would be worth trading off the 3 in order to get a slightly higher top end magnification.

Yes, I agree that most hunting/varminting would see us all using the lower magnification. But is 4 too much for 'close' work?

Any thoughts?

[Camel]

I've got all variables, one Leupold on the 338 the rest are Conquests, some get moved around a bit, but on hunting rifles 308, 7/08, and 338/06 they will be set on the lowest and changed as the distance changes.

I don't think 4 power is too high for close in stuff, you don't shoot much stuff at the end of your boots, ranges up from 10 mts you will still be able to get a good sight picture.

[adamjp]

I ask the question as I did wonder how many people left their scopes at the upper half of the magnification range. Sure, I could understand that for LR and ELR.

Another reason is that I'm looking at getting a new scope and the lower end magnification options range from 3 or 4, and I wondered if it would be worth trading off the 3 in order to get a slightly higher top end magnification.

Yes, I agree that most hunting/varminting would see us all using the lower magnification. But is 4 too much for 'close' work?

Any thoughts?

It is not the magnification at close range, but field of view that is important. I can shoot a quality fixed 4x scope at most anything from 20m outwards (just try a good fixed power 4x and you will be surprised). But a variable 4-16 has a terrible field of view at 4x and is difficult to use.

With rifle scopes quality = $$$ = flexibility. That flexibility might be twilight power, clarity of image, light weight, large variable range (3x and 4x are old school, 5x and up to 10x are the new cool) or good field of view or eye relief.

FWIW my hunting rifles live on the low magnification whilst tramping through the bush. As has been said, if they are a ways away I have time to wind the scope up to a higher magnification.

This deer shot with my longrange varmiter at 8m (yes I know, I know) with the scope set on 6x (goes down to 3x).

This group shot with the same rifle at 500m with the scope set on 24x.

That is flexibility.

[big G]

Scrub work with marlin 444 2-7x36 tasco elit.Always on 2 power,up to 7x if needed.

Scrub work n a bit of distance 2.5-8 x36 VX3 for Tikka t3 lite 270 Win,ATM have a Zeiss 3.5-10 x 50 Conquest.both on lowest power in case something jumps up close.Reckon I'll have time to crank up to higher mag for distance shots.

Spotlighting for HC, Sako 223 with 3-12x50 Zeiss Dura lit,always set on 12 power for Mellon shots.

Spotlighting with Sako 17rem for fox's n such, same Zeiss Dura Lit on 12 power.

Mixed shooting with Brno ZKW K-Hornet , Zeiss 4.5-14 x50 nearly always set on 14 power for sniping.Back to lower power if a rabbits in a squat .

Yep, I like my Zeiss scopes.Like the low power for bigger field of view and clarity..Looking for may be 6-20 for 6.5x47 Lapua project .

Cheers George

[DSD]

Just be careful with cheap scopes as the POI can change as you change the magnification. As long as it returns to the same spot when you crank it up to shoot long distance it should not be a problem if you are shooting large animals at close distance but I would still be annoyed beyond belief by it.
To each their own and some would be ok with small POI shifts but I would not.

[stinkitup]

Like others mine varies.

I like the ability to test loads in the hugher setting checking poi is the same on the actual hunting power. I have recently gone to thinking lower is fine. 2-7 on.my air rifle 2x is enough for most of its work but 7 great for targets. Same with 3-9 and 4-12. Usually hunt with them on 4. Pain though when the shot presents and you left it wound up.

[The Raven]

I've been running a 4-12 for some time and as I mostly use it for range work it spends most of it's time at 12.

However, looking at another rifle and considering scope choices has presented the options of a 3-12 or a 4-16. Price wise there isn't much difference in scopes so IF/WHEN I purchase the next rifle I was thinking of 3-12.....but 4-16 is just a bit more tempting as I will do far more long range shooting than I'll ever do hunting.

With 4-16, what would you consider the minimum calibre that could make effective use of that range? I don't want to bias any suggestions by stating which calibres or scopes I'm considering

[mn1863]

Most of my scopes spend their time on lower or the mid range of their variable powers. Its only when get to sit down and set up in a spot for particular bit of longer range shooting that i wind them up.

[DSD]

How long is a piece of string.

[The Raven]

How long is a piece of string.

about this long.

Yeah, I know it was a vague question...