How much magnification for precision shooting?

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Shadow9mm

New member
So I test most of my reloads at 100yds, as its the closest range I have. in the past I have generally had 12 to 14 power scopes which seemed to do well for the work in general.

On my last outing I was shooting my 223 AR with a 2-7x33 scope on it. I had a poor choice of targets 1in black squares that were intended for use at 25yds. the reticle in the scope was thick enough to completely cover the squares at that distance.

I plan to make some better targets for use next time.

I am also considering getting a dedicated scope to keep around for testing so I can just swap between guns as needed. but I am unsure of how much magnification I will really want or need. Also I am 36 and my eyes are still good, but I am always trying to future proof. so I am thinking a good piece of glass will las a life time, and I want the proper power so I can still use it as I get older and my eyes start not being what they used to.

Size and weight are not huge concerns as this will only be used for load development or target practice, not carried around. Generally shooting at 100yds, occasionally out to 500yds. all recreational.

How much magnification do I need, or should I get?
 
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44 AMP

Staff
For varmint hunting I have used scopes with upper end of 18x and one with 24x. I use the higher power to get a "close" look, but for actual shooting I turn down to about 9x.

The reason being, I'm steadier there. Field rests, bipod, mirage and heartbeat are not too bad at 9x but get increasingly less steady the higher the magnification goes.

I had a poor choice of targets 1in black squares that were intended for use at 25yds. the reticle in the scope was thick enough to completely cover the squares at that distance.
Click to expand...

In that case, I'd say it wasn't a poor choice of target, or scope reticle, but a poor choice of aiming point.

When your aiming point is a black square covered by the reticle, or a black square where you can't easily see the center of the crosshairs, (because of black on black) the answer is simple, aim someplace else.

The point is to choose a spot which allows you to consistantly and repeatedly put the crosshairs in the same spot, relative to your reference point.

can't see the + in the center of a black square? Aim for the corner of the black square. Put the center of your + on the corner of the square. its an easily found, and repeatable point of reference you can see and see where the + of your crosshairs are, in relation to it.

Think of the "6 O'clock" hold in pistol shooting. You put the top of the front sight just underneath the bullseye, to avoid having to try and find the black sight on the black target bullseye.

If its important for the bullet to hit the target center, the sight is adjusted to do that, while being held on the white part so you can see the sight.

Scopes can work the same way.

High power magnification lets you SEE better but it doesn't let you SHOOT better, and can, in fact have the opposite effect.
 
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stagpanther

New member
It may be a gross generalization--but I've found truly outstanding scopes I end up dialing them down to find the best magnification level--whereas inferior scopes I generally end up dialing them up to near or at max magnification.
 
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jpx2rk

New member
I've got "bad" eyes, so I want or need more magnification on my rifles to shoot varmints at 200-400 yds. I have several scopes in the 6-24 power range, and one 10-40. I usually have them set in the high teens or 20, seldom on max, whether it's at the range for load development, or out in the field. I also prefer a thin CX in SFP, just my preference.
 
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Nathan

New member
It reall6 depends on the type of shooting. For shooting smallest groups at 100yds, I really like my 45x Sightron.

….but for hunting, I would likely take the shot on 6-8x. This is because I want to see what the grass is doing around the animal as well as the animals reaction to the shot.

For load development, I’m always maxed out. 15x, 25x, 20x.
 
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std7mag

New member
Most of my scopes are in the 4-12, 4-14 power range for my hunting rifles.

I got a Sightron STAC 4-20X50 for target shooting. And it worked, to a degree.
I could finally observe the mirage that everyone was talking about.
But when i started shooting matches with my wife's 223 Rem, i quickly figured out that i was lacking magnification.

Ended up buying a used Sightron SIII 10-50X60 LRTD.
Now i can really see the mirage!
But i can see those tiny holes at 300 yards.
I only use 50 power before the shooting starts. I sit & observe the mirage for a while.
During shooting i'm usually dialed back to 25-32 power.

Just because it can go to 50 power, doesn't mean you have to use it!
But it's good to be able to dial it back when you need to.

Most of the scopes i see at the matches are Sightron SIII & SV. (If you can afford the ED glass, get it! ), Vortex Golden Eagle, and a smattering of Nightforce.
 
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MarkCO

New member
What "kind" of precision shooting always matters. My highest mag precision scope is a 5-25 on my .22LR that I shoot out to about 350. My precision match rifles for NRLHunter/PRS have 3-15 or 4-20s on them. Hunting rifles are 3-9, 2-10 or 3-15. The scopes on the set of rifles (a bolt 6.5CM and a Carbine .223) for the Sniper Adventure Challenge are 2-10s.

Most people use way too much magnification for the task. Casual precision shooting to 500 yards, fine with no more than 10x. If you want to move out to 1000 yards, a 15 to 20X on the top end might be beneficial.

Yes, quality of glass matters. I RO with a 10x spotter and I can see trace, holes in targets and have a wide field of view. A heavier, more expensive variable spotter at 30x, I can't see the same hole in paper as the 10x. Quality glass at a lower mag beats cheaper glass at a higher mag.
 
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zeke

New member
Would seriously consider balancing the effort of using same scope for different rifles, as compared to the benefits for ya. For my purposes, am not wanting to take the time to sight in and readjust. Especially with cost of everything now a days. Like others have said, depends on your purpose or target.

Some like shooting at little dots or targets at short or long range. You will likely need enough magnification to see the targets. Have gone to "bracketing" the target with hashmarks, but am only shooting out to 600 yds, and not at little dots. Am yet another believer to use as little magnification as practical to limit the bobble effect, but am not a rail gun shooter.

Don't believe there is a "right" answer, but only alternatives for your own purpose.
 
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ed308

New member
I like 5x25 in good glass for precision, but dialed down to what gives clearest view of the target.
 
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Rob228

New member
It may do you well to go to one of the bigger stores that has a display case full of scopes and browse different brands and models for a reticle (both pattern and thickness) that meets your needs. The pictures shown on most websites doesn't really compare to looking through it and determining if it is going to be what you want, I've found that out the hard way a few times, most recently on a Leupold Mk3HD that is an awesome scope but the reticle is just a bit thicker/heavier than I'd like for the rifle I put it on.
 
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Shadow9mm

New member
So im looking at the vortex diamondback tactical 6-24x50. Seems reasonably priced for what it is. And have heard good things about the tactical line.
 
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MarkCO

New member
Shadow9mm said:
So im looking at the vortex diamondback tactical 6-24x50. Seems reasonably priced for what it is. And have heard good things about the tactical line.
Click to expand...

Hard NO for precision. The edge effects and the parallax relegate it to short range use only. Vortex, the PST line on up for precision. There are several better choices in the same range.
 
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Bart B.

New member
Fixed power scopes are best for precision shooting.

If you use a variable power scope, set it to maximum then tape it so it minimizes loose lens tubes moving from recoil that moves the LOS angle.
 
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Shadow9mm

New member
MarkCO said:
Hard NO for precision. The edge effects and the parallax relegate it to short range use only. Vortex, the PST line on up for precision. There are several better choices in the same range.
Click to expand...
Not sure what you are meaning by edge effects, and the tactical line has an adjustable parallax.
 
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Shadow9mm

New member
Bart B. said:
Fixed power scopes are best for precision shooting.

If you use a variable power scope, set it to maximum then tape it so it minimizes loose lens tubes moving from recoil that moves the LOS angle.
Click to expand...
I was considering the fixed power SWFA 20x42 but I'm not a huge fan of mils. they have 2 offerings, one has moa clicks, the other mils, but both use a mil reticle.
 
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mikejonestkd

New member
So im looking at the vortex diamondback tactical 6-24x50
Click to expand...

I am with MarkCO, hard pass.
I got that exact model already mounted on a used rifle last year.
One trip to the range was all I needed to know about the diamondback line.
I traded it away for a used set of snow tires, and feel like I got the better end of the deal
 
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ocharry

New member
I just got a Arken 4-16.....glass is great, turrets are spot on. The only thing is the retical is pretty fine...just so ya know

I think it hits way above its price range...I do get 30% coupons from them after I bought this scope....BUT if you use the code Cyclops as per Joe the Cyclops you can get their accessory pack for $170 off......lots of stuff in the accessory pack

Check out Joe the cyclops on YouTube

I got everything, scope and a accessories for $435 I think it was shipped

I put it on my new build 6.5 Grendel

I am very happy with this scope......you should check them out

Ocharry
 
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