16x Fixed Power SWFA Scope for Deer Hunting

[asp762]

I have a 16x fixed power SWFA for a suppressed deer hunting rifle and based on some research, that might be overkill. I wanted to know if that is the case, would an offset T-2 Aimpoint bridge the gap provided it is zeroed at 50-100 yards? Anyone hunt in this manner or am I an idiot? Picture of successful load development:

 

[ericmcd]

My opinion, loose the 16 completely. Way to much for everything but bench rest shooting tiny groups. You don't need as much magnification as you think you do for hunting. I shot a deer this year at 500 with 6x I'd rather spot my impacts and have an opportunity at follow-ups

 

[Ferrulewax]

Yeah, I don’t see any use for the 16x for whitetail deer hunting.

 

[asp762]

Ok, sounds like Leupold Mark AR 1 1.5-4x20mm Firedot SPR or Atibal 1-8 would be better suited than 16x with offset T-2.

 

[ericmcd]

Ok, sounds like Leupold Mark AR 1 1.5-4x20mm Firedot SPR or Atibal 1-8 would be better suited than 16x with offset T-2.

Better but those are tacticool scopes not hunting scopes. Grab a trijicon Huron/Credo/ascent

 

[Matt5266]

I would ditch the 16X too much power for hunting especially at close distances...Not needed IMO

 

[asp762]

Better but those are tacticool scopes not hunting scopes. Grab a trijicon Huron/Credo/ascent

What's the difference? Are you saying those scopes I mentioned are not durable enough?

 

[Matt5266]

What's the difference? Are you saying those scopes I mentioned are not durable enough?

What is your scope budget? Those dont typically come to mind as having a great track record. That being said I do not have any experience with them either.

 

[Geewhiz]

I have a 16x on a rifle that I use for mule deer hunting. Shots range from 0-600 yards in mostly fairly open country. I really like the scope and feel that it is perfectly sufficient for those animals at those ranges in the conditions and topography I hunt. I would never recommend a 6x for a 500 yard shot. That sounds crazy to me, but to each their own.


This is my experience and it does not apply to whitetail hunting at close ranges.

 

[NickyD]

I have a 6-24x and think the 6x on the low end is too high. I’ve been wanting to get a red dot for 0-100 yard shots. My next scope will have a low end in the 2-4x range

 

[asp762]

What is your scope budget? Those dont typically come to mind as having a great track record. That being said I do not have any experience with them either.

$0. I have a Nightforce 5.5-25 which sits on a .338 Lapua make Sako TRG 42 that will probably never come off. So in the meantime, I will use a LPVO or a 4-16 I have laying around. Not sure I need to buy more glass.

Can you point me to the review where this lack of track record is addressed? Not saying I don’t believe you, I just want to read it myself since I haven’t found anything that supports that claim.

Thanks

 

[ericmcd]

$0. I have a Nightforce 5.5-25 which sits on a .338 Lapua make Sako TRG 42 that will probably never come off. So in the meantime, I will use a LPVO or a 4-16 I have laying around. Not sure I need to buy more glass.

Can you point me to the review where this lack of track record is addressed? Not saying I don’t believe you, I just want to read it myself since I haven’t found anything that supports that claim.

Thanks

Rifle Scope Field Evaluations

rokslide.com

Not a lot of lpvo there but you can see which brands pass. swfa, trijicon, nightforce

 

[Matt5266]

The above post will get you started. You can also utilize the search bar at the top. As I said I dont have any experience with either of those scopes you mentioned. Some guys like Leopold's but you wont find a lot of love here for them in general.

 

[TaperPin]

Magnification isn’t one size fits all - how you hunt, where you hunt and what you hunt comes into play. I use a 12x for open country antelope and deer, and in many places with almost zero chance of a sub 100 yard shot, 16x wouldn’t be a handicap. 16x or 20x is an ideal range for varmints, and it trains muscle memory to getting the critter in the narrow field of view, which is the main shortcoming of higher magnification. Most guys wouldn’t starve if 16x were the only scope. Many folks who think a high power fixed scope is crazy, have a variable that is shot turned way up 99% of the time. *chuckle*

Way too much emphasis is put into shot spotting - if there is a chance of missing something the size of a big game animal, don’t take the shot.

Having said all that, the shooter has to recognize the limitations of this choice and not be surprised if an easy shot can’t be made up close. The amount someone shoots a high power fixed scope is directly related to its feasibility. For big game, there’s also little to be gained above 8x or 10x. Younger eyes can even shoot 6x to well below 1/2 MOA. For a meat gun use whatever scope seems like fun.

 

[asp762]

Magnification isn’t one size fits all - how you hunt, where you hunt and what you hunt comes into play. I use a 12x for open country antelope and deer, and in many places with almost zero chance of a sub 100 yard shot, 16x wouldn’t be a handicap. 16x or 20x is an ideal range for varmints, and it trains muscle memory to getting the critter in the narrow field of view, which is the main shortcoming of higher magnification. Most guys wouldn’t starve if 16x were the only scope. Many folks who think a high power fixed scope is crazy, have a variable that is shot turned way up 99% of the time. *chuckle*

Way too much emphasis is put into shot spotting - if there is a chance of missing something the size of a big game animal, don’t take the shot.

Having said all that, the shooter has to recognize the limitations of this choice and not be surprised if an easy shot can’t be made up close. The amount someone shoots a high power fixed scope is directly related to its feasibility. For big game, there’s also little to be gained above 8x or 10x. Younger eyes can even shoot 6x to well below 1/2 MOA. For a meat gun use whatever scope seems like fun.

That makes sense. I believe some responses are failing to consider I have an aimpoint T-2 on an offset mount zeroed for 50 yards to address the other end of the spectrum for distance.

 

[lefthandedasian]

I'd say go for it! I just filled both my tags this year with a fixed 10x and an offset red dot. One was at 10 yards and the other was at 380.

I will say though the FOV of 10x at 380 was marginal at best for spotting shots and following the game after it was hit. 16x may be way too zoomed in for that, but if you have a good spotter buddy it doesn't really matter.

 

[hunterjmj]

In the past I had a 4-16 and also a 2.5-20. Don't think I ever used above 10. Furthest shot was 410 yards. Running a 3-9 now and never used above 6x this year. Longest shot this year was 320 yards. Shortest was 50 yards. Doubt I'll ever buy another scope that goes above 9x. Just not needed for where I hunt.

 

[Gregflier]

Nice target. While a fixed 16 power could be made to work in some circumstances, I think a variable power scope in the 3-15 power range would do really well and you could get something really nice for the cost of the aimpoint T2.

Maybe something like the:

SS 3-15X42 30MM MQ GEN 2 - ZERO STOP​

$649.95 USD