Magnification 5x25 or 3x15?

[Waterfowler75]

I am admittedly pretty ignorant when it comes to long range shooting. You may see in another thread that I have settled a conundrum. I’m a short range hunter (Ohio less than 200yds). Got the bug when preparing for an elk hunt at a range that has targets to a mile here in Ohio.

I plan to get a 6.5 Creedmoor eventually to try to shoot to 1000yds. Steel only, not hunting. I am going to start with a scope and one of my existing rifles to prove the theory that I want to do it more. Probably my .223 that’s pretty accurate. (Not 1000 yards).

I’ve pretty much decided on a vortex viper pst ffp to start. Should I go 3-15 or 5-25 in that scope? I have always been a Nikon or Luepold second focal plane guy. Never tried Vortex. Even hunting out west I stick to less than 300 yards. ffp mildot is a brand new world.

Which of those two magnifications?

 

[hereinaz]

Highest power: Don’t need more than 12-4 to shoot to 1000 yards.
Lowest power: Easier to go with a 3-4x for close range.

You don’t need anything more than a 3-15 or 4-14.

The SWFA variable power 3-15 are better than the PST and weighs less.

The only reason I have a 7-35 scope is to shoot small groups at 100 yards (edited: not 1000). I have 3-14, 4-14, and 3.6-18 scopes on hunting rifles.

IMO, the only possible benefit to a higher power is to count eyelashes.

 

[Waterfowler75]

Highest power: Don’t need more than 12-4 to shoot to 1000 yards.
Lowest power: Easier to go with a 3-4x for close range.

You don’t need anything more than a 3-15 or 4-14.

The SWFA variable power 3-15 are better than the PST and weighs less.

The only reason I have a 7-35 scope is to shoot small groups at 1000 yards. I have 3-14, 4-14, and 3.6-18 scopes on hunting rifles.

IMO, the only possible benefit to a higher power is to count eyelashes.

Thanks. Weight is not a concern, I won’t be hunting with it. Bench only. What is SWFA?

 

[BadDogPSD]

3-15 is all you'll need for magnification at those ranges.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I am admittedly pretty ignorant when it comes to long range shooting. You may see in another thread that I have settled a conundrum. I’m a short range hunter (Ohio less than 200yds). Got the bug when preparing for an elk hunt at a range that has targets to a mile here in Ohio.

I plan to get a 6.5 Creedmoor eventually to try to shoot to 1000yds. Steel only, not hunting. I am going to start with a scope and one of my existing rifles to prove the theory that I want to do it more. Probably my .223 that’s pretty accurate. (Not 1000 yards).

I’ve pretty much decided on a vortex viper pst ffp to start. Should I go 3-15 or 5-25 in that scope? I have always been a Nikon or Luepold second focal plane guy. Never tried Vortex. Even hunting out west I stick to less than 300 yards. ffp mildot is a brand new world.

Which of those two magnifications?

Between those two magnifications, go for the 3-15.

The SWFA 3-15x is an excellent option as a hunting scope. But, you could easily - and cheaply - do what you want to do on steel with an SWFA 10x or 12x. You can get one of those new for $350 or get a second hand one for a good bit less.

 

[Speaks]

Just get the SWFA 3-15, way better than the Vortex and ideal long range magnification.

 

[hereinaz]

Between those two magnifications, go for the 3-15.

The SWFA 3-15x is an excellent option as a hunting scope. But, you could easily - and cheaply - do what you want to do on steel with an SWFA 10x or 12x. You can get one of those new for $350 or get a second hand one for a good bit less.

I have 12x and 10x and run to 1000 all the time. I keep them in rings and ready to test rifles because they are bombproof.

Thanks. Weight is not a concern, I won’t be hunting with it. Bench only. What is SWFA?

For bench only go with the higher power to zoom in to see the plates and your groups.

Zoom out to 12-15 shoot so you can spot shots and start to watch for trace/vapor trail. Lower power also avoids magnifying mirage.

 

[BadDogPSD]

What is SWFA?

SWFA Optics

SWFA

swfa.com

Used to be Tasco. They do make good scopes.

 

[Levy_ken]

Can’t say I’ve ever been in want with 2.5-15 on the RS1.2

 

[Waterfowler75]

Thanks. As you can tell, this is my first rodeo. I’ll check out SWFA. Just sort of surprised I’ve never heard of them.

I really need to go to the range on a busy day and ask the guys what they are using and see if they will let me look at their optics.

 

[Waterfowler75]

Ugh I just read about mil adjustments and limits on some scopes. Do I need to worry about that with a .223 or 6.5 cm at 1000 yards? The math hurts my head.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Ugh I just read about mil adjustments and limits on some scopes. Do I need to worry about that with a .223 or 6.5 cm at 1000 yards? The math hurts my head.

Where are you reading that? It sounds like you are getting too far into the weeds with some long range nerds thread.

I recommended the SWFA 10x or 12x because it is an affordable and reliable scope to learn on. Its reticle is simple and useable. The adjustments just plain work. And the glass is good enough. All you need to get into it and good enough to keep using forever.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Thanks. As you can tell, this is my first rodeo. I’ll check out SWFA. Just sort of surprised I’ve never heard of them.

I really need to go to the range on a busy day and ask the guys what they are using and see if they will let me look at their optics.

I think most people you see at the range will have trash optics or overrated, unreliable optics.

 

[hereinaz]

Ugh I just read about mil adjustments and limits on some scopes. Do I need to worry about that with a .223 or 6.5 cm at 1000 yards? The math hurts my head.

No, a SWFA will do it fine.

Also, if you get a 20 moa rail, it gives you full range.

Careful reading stuff, 90% or more out there is wrong or misleading or based on a situation that doesn’t apply.

 

[KY_coop]

Ive got a pst2 3-15 for sale in classifieds right now if your interested in a mil scope. I like the swfa scope i just recieved but these pst2's pretty nice for the money on a gun your not hunting with.

 

[Waterfowler75]

Where are you reading that? It sounds like you are getting too far into the weeds with some long range nerds thread.

I recommended the SWFA 10x or 12x because it is an affordable and reliable scope to learn on. Its reticle is simple and useable. The adjustments just plain work. And the glass is good enough. All you need to get into it and good enough to keep using forever.

This is exhausting to be honest. lol.

 

[Waterfowler75]

No, a SWFA will do it fine.

Also, if you get a 20 moa rail, it gives you full range.

Careful reading stuff, 90% or more out there is wrong or misleading or based on a situation that doesn’t apply.

It is the age of miss information for sure.

 

[06 SB]

I do not have years of experience shooting at long range but have done it a bunch over the last year. I remember when I was in your shoes. Do not worry about all that math. Just get a 20MOA rail for your rifle then virtually any scope will be fine to 1000yds. At least in the Venom and Strike Eagle lines from Vortex, the 3-15s are clearer and brighter than their 5-25 brothers. Not sure why. My Athlon Ares and Helos series have been stellar. I have a 4-30 and 4.5-27 have both been out to 1000 yards and in many intermediate ranges. They track and return to zero regularly and predictably. No matter the scope, make sure it is precisely level, and use a bubble level on the scope or rail when shooting. It makes a difference. You will need a good bipod that is steady and has a side-to-side adjustment. I like Warne's offerings.

My first 1000yd endeavor was with a 223 that I had custom made with a 7 twist shooting Berger 85.5s Hybrid Targets. It was a poke and hits were easy to detect on steel while misses were tough to spot. I realized that 800yds was a maximum on this rifle based solely on my spotter and me being able to call our misses. My 6.5CM does not have any issues like that. It is a blast and will get you hooked on shooting long range!

 

[nm.otter]

At least in the Venom and Strike Eagle lines from Vortex, the 3-15s are clearer and brighter than their 5-25 brothers. Not sure why.

Less glass required for lower mag ranges.

 

[Dave Thomas]

Either magnification will work. If not hunting with it I would rather have the 5-25 if the scope you want is good enough to use the higher magnification. I'm not familiar with the scope you are wanting.