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How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2016 2:35 pm
by DavidABQ
I am considering a new scope, FX-3 in 25x or 30x.

How do you know when it is time to move up to more magnification?

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2016 6:57 pm
by cedestech
Maybe you don't? I went up to 36 and then back down to 25.... I shoot a lot of iron sight though. :)

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2016 7:04 pm
by Doodaddy
DavidABQ wrote:I am considering a new scope, FX-3 in 25x or 30x.

How do you know when it is time to move up to more magnification?
I think the easy answer is when you feel like you need it. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule otherwise. Most shooters land somewhere between 24 and 30, but I know someone that shoots up to 50 so your mileage may vary.

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2016 7:54 pm
by DavidABQ
Doodaddy wrote:
DavidABQ wrote:I am considering a new scope, FX-3 in 25x or 30x.

How do you know when it is time to move up to more magnification?
I think the easy answer is when you feel like you need it. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule otherwise. Most shooters land somewhere between 24 and 30, but I know someone that shoots up to 50 so your mileage may vary.
When I feel like I need it? Hmmmmm, now that is the real question here.

Thanks Doodaddy.

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2016 10:01 pm
by BCloninger
The most magnification I've ever used was a Leupold FX3 25x40, although I tried a friends an FX3 30x40 and thought that was too much. More recently I've been happier with 18-20x, but last week I put a better scope on my favorite rifle, and during sight in the targets looked huge with the scope set on just 12x! Because the new scope had better glass, less magnification was plenty.

Better shooters than me have sworn by 12x, so just buy the best glass you can with the magnification you're most comfortable with. And experiment, just try out another shooter's rig - I usually learn something through borrowing and loaning.

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 5:30 am
by DavidABQ
Thank you gentlemen for answering my question. I currently use a Leupold FX-3 in a straight 12x. To be honest I would like the turkeys and rams to appear larger; the same goes for the chickens.

Maybe it is time to move up to a 25x scope.

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 5:42 am
by SteveD
The first match I shot this year was with a loaner rifle wearing a 3 - 9 X. Having used only a 24X previously the animals seemed quite small.

I am now using a 25X with a 1/2 min dot and like it a lot.

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 5:50 am
by Doodaddy
DavidABQ wrote:Thank you gentlemen for answering my question. I currently use a Leupold FX-3 in a straight 12x. To be honest I would like the turkeys and rams to appear larger; the same goes for the chickens.

Maybe it is time to move up to a 25x scope.
What might be a good option for you is finding a variable powered scope. I see those boosted EFR scopes pop up from time to time. You'd have the option of increasing magnification at which animals you prefer or not using the higher magnifications at all if you don't like it. The only real downside to a variable scope for silhouette is that they're heavier. Does your rifle allow a weight increase in scope?

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 6:32 am
by DavidABQ
I am running a stock Anschutz 1722 that has been bedded and a rubber rifle pad installed. I have some room regarding weight but not too much.

To be honest I REALLY like fixed power scopes. I have noticed the eye relief changes as the magnification is changed. Member Kd5zjtsbogvbkjddxjobw, I know him as Mark has a Leupold 25x scope. Maybe I can bribe him into letting me try it out.

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:29 am
by kd5zmg
DavidABQ wrote:I am running a stock Anschutz 1722 that has been bedded and a rubber rifle pad installed. I have some room regarding weight but not too much.

To be honest I REALLY like fixed power scopes. I have noticed the eye relief changes as the magnification is changed. Member Kd5zjtsbogvbkjddxjobw, I know him as Mark has a Leupold 25x scope. Maybe I can bribe him into letting me try it out.
Hey what is a 1722? You should shoot my Frankenshutz... =)) =)) =))

You need a fiberglass stock. ;)

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:32 am
by kd5zmg
Doodaddy wrote:
DavidABQ wrote:Thank you gentlemen for answering my question. I currently use a Leupold FX-3 in a straight 12x. To be honest I would like the turkeys and rams to appear larger; the same goes for the chickens.

Maybe it is time to move up to a 25x scope.
What might be a good option for you is finding a variable powered scope. I see those boosted EFR scopes pop up from time to time. You'd have the option of increasing magnification at which animals you prefer or not using the higher magnifications at all if you don't like it. The only real downside to a variable scope for silhouette is that they're heavier. Does your rifle allow a weight increase in scope?
I have thought about those scopes that go up to 20Xish, so I can see the line better. The size of the target is nice at 25X, but sometimes I wish it was a little smaller. Also, the eye relief seems shorter than the variables.

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:39 am
by acorneau
I think the suggestion of temporarily trying a variable-mag scope to find your desired magnification is a good one. Once you figure out what you like you can either stick with that variable-mag scope or find a fixed-mag scope in that range.


At present I'm using a T-16 for smallbore but I'm slowly creeping up to the idea of getting a T-24 for smallbore and then putting the T-16 on my new-to-me TX200, but I'm not there yet. I have a V-16 with Weaver's "Varminter" reticle (fine duplex) that I'm going to put on the TX200 for the time being until I decide I'm ready to change things around.

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 11:35 am
by BCloninger
Allen, some years ago I also liked the T16, and borrowing a friends T24 persuaded me that more was better. Then I made the mistake of using a friends (more like Tempter in Chief) Leupold FX III 25x40, and got hooked on the better glass. This is why I will never, under any circumstances, look through a Zeiss, NightForce, or any other superb scope.

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 1:47 pm
by DavidABQ
kd5zmg wrote:
Hey what is a 1722? You should shoot my Frankenshutz... =)) =)) =))

You need a fiberglass stock. ;)
Crap, I am a victim of "fat finger syndrome!"
It should be 1712.

Re: How do you know when you need more magnification?

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 2:19 pm
by OldRanger
I started with a 6.5-20 scope but felt like I wanted a little more magnification (I didn't think I was seeing the dot on animal clearly enough) so I went up to a 25. That works just about right for my smallbore. For high power I have an 18-40 boosted efr and to be honest I'm considering changing to a fixed 25 there too. Even having the variability there sometimes messes with my little mind.