How do you know when you need more magnification?

All the dope on risers, rings, scopes and optics.
User avatar
DavidABQ
Expert Master Poster
Expert Master Poster
Posts: 1818
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:33 pm

How do you know when you need more magnification?

Post 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?
cedestech
Distinguished Master Poster w/Palms
Distinguished Master Poster w/Palms
Posts: 2324
Joined: Sun May 08, 2011 3:06 pm

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

Post 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. :)
Emmett Dibble, Houston, Texas. Where's my buddy Jason? Keeper of electronic records and banisher of little pieces of paper?
Doodaddy
AAA Poster
AAA Poster
Posts: 684
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:07 pm
Location: West Monroe, LA

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

Post 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.
I am NOT Danny Hatch. Image
User avatar
DavidABQ
Expert Master Poster
Expert Master Poster
Posts: 1818
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:33 pm

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

Post 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.
User avatar
BCloninger
Master Poster
Master Poster
Posts: 1331
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:22 am
Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas

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

Post 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.
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
- C.S. Lewis
User avatar
DavidABQ
Expert Master Poster
Expert Master Poster
Posts: 1818
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:33 pm

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

Post 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.
User avatar
SteveD
AA Poster
AA Poster
Posts: 349
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:33 pm
Location: Dayton, OH
Contact:

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

Post 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.
Image
Doodaddy
AAA Poster
AAA Poster
Posts: 684
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:07 pm
Location: West Monroe, LA

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

Post 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?
I am NOT Danny Hatch. Image
User avatar
DavidABQ
Expert Master Poster
Expert Master Poster
Posts: 1818
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:33 pm

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

Post 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.
User avatar
kd5zmg
AA Poster
AA Poster
Posts: 267
Joined: Sun Aug 17, 2014 7:15 am
Contact:

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

Post 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. ;)
-Mark
Image
User avatar
kd5zmg
AA Poster
AA Poster
Posts: 267
Joined: Sun Aug 17, 2014 7:15 am
Contact:

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

Post 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.
-Mark
Image
User avatar
acorneau
AAA Poster
AAA Poster
Posts: 880
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2015 12:12 pm
Location: Houston

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

Post 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.
Allen Corneau
User avatar
BCloninger
Master Poster
Master Poster
Posts: 1331
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:22 am
Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas

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

Post 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.
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
- C.S. Lewis
User avatar
DavidABQ
Expert Master Poster
Expert Master Poster
Posts: 1818
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:33 pm

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

Post 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.
User avatar
OldRanger
AAA Poster
AAA Poster
Posts: 992
Joined: Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:00 am
Location: Missoula, MT
Contact:

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

Post 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.
I buy all my guns from t-rex. He's a small arms dealer.
Post Reply