Intermediate magnifications on a rifle scope - When and why?

[colonel00]

I was having a discussion with a buddy and the topic came up of when, if ever, we actually use anything but the lowest and/or highest magnification settings on a scope. Just curious to what others had to say about this and any situations where you might find yourself sitting behind, say, a 4-20x scope and having it sitting on 16x or 8x or whatever.

 

[Shrek]

My scopes sit on 6x most of the time and get shot from that power most times. Getting really dark I drop it down and any shot that I get set up for are taken at top power. Most shots are anywhere from 50 yards to 200 yards and 6 power covers it well.

 

[colonel00]

My scopes sit on 6x most of the time and get shot from that power most times. Getting really dark I drop it down and any shot that I get set up for are taken at top power. Most shots are anywhere from 50 yards to 200 yards and 6 power covers it well.

Is that on your 4-12x50 Z3? If not, what is the range of the scope you are describing and why 6x if it isn't the minimum?

 

[Matt Cashell]

I typically keep my scopes on their lowest power for maximum FOV, and turn them up to max for long shots using the subtended SFP reticle. I have used the intermediate settings when I wanted more magnification than the lowest setting, but also needed more exit pupil than the max setting was allowing.

Still, most of the time, my scopes are at either the lowest or highest magnification setting.

 

[Shrek]

Yes it's a Z3 4-12×50 BT 4W and 6x because at 200ish yards the 4x leaves me struggling to pick the spot but 6x doesn't really hinder me making a quick shot at 50 yards. Best compromise between aim small , miss small and finding the animal quickly imo.

 

[Sam Millard]

The only time I use a middle setting is on my 5.5-22 NXS. At 11x, I can still use the reticle sub-tensions to measure stuff (multiply x2). The only times I've done it have been while fall bear hunting. I like to set up with the sun in my face, because the bears stay out longer in the shade. The lower power really helps when the sun is pounding into the objective from a low angle!

The other times the scope is powered down is with a new shooter. Until your natural point of aim is mastered, it can be difficult to acquire a small target at distance with a 22x scope. I teach finding the target at 11x, building the position correctly, then zooming in for a precise aiming point.

Of course, all of this is from a long range hunter's point of view. When still hunting with "normal" range scopes, the power is at the lowest magnification. I don't ever remember using a middle setting on any of these.

 

[danarnold]

with any scope I use 3-9 X40 or 4-14 X44 I'm on lowest setting, if i have time to crank it up before the shot, great
BTW pretty much midwest whitetails is the use, I like killin elk with my bow

 

[Yellowknife]

My 3-9x40 sits at 5x the majority of the time. I've shot one or two animals with it on 7x and three different brown/grizzly bears with it on 3x.... but 5x is about perfect for me most the time. Easy to pick a spot, but still plenty of FOV at my typical ranges. It's never seen 9x in the field.

Of course I used a straight 4x for many years, so maybe I'm just comfortable around that power range.

Yk

 

[rayporter]

yes sometimes i set the power in the middle. Saturday i had a 2-7 set on 4x to shoot a deer. last month the 3-9 was set on 5x to shoot 4 deer.

i am comfortable with a low power scope. even have 2x and 1.5x for some guns.

if the need arises there are 18-40x and 14-35x in my safe for long range. they only get turned down if the mirage is real bad. with bad mirage i have found 20x to 24x to give good visibility.

 

[JP100]

Most of the time I am at about 6x. I have a leupold 4.5-14X56 with varmint crosshairs and at 4.5 times the cross hairs become pretty thin and hard to see. I find my self shooting a abit at 10x or there abouts. this is mainly if I am shooting multiple animals. If you have a mob of 10 goats at 200 yards 8-10x is best because you can still have a big target but still see the other animals as they run off allowing multiple targets to be had.

 

[luke moffat]

I always have my scopes set at the lowest when out hunting. Then if I have time I crank it up. If it's so close that I don't have time to crank it up generally it's plenty close for shooting at the lowest power. All but one of my scopes are 3x or lower on the low end. Just like all the FOV and even when having a 2-7 or such I find 2x plenty of mag at ranges that I would be quick shooting off hand.

 

[idig4au]

I usually leave my scopes somewhere between 4 and 6x then will increase magnfication to whatever it may be to get a good sight picture of what I'm about to shoot. I think I've only killed two critters on maximum magnfication which is 16x power because of the distance involved. But most of the time, it seems around 8-10x power is where I end up when shooting. I prefer FOV to get back on target for follow up shots if required.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I usually set mine at around 6x also but will crank it up as needed.