Magnification range for hunting out to 400 yards

[Ghanson4]

I’m looking to put a scope on a new tikka T3 lite in 7mm-08 and am not sure what top end magnification I’ll need. The rifle is meant to a lightweight backpacking rifle. I am thinking 10x up to 14x. The pros of a 2-10 would be lighter weight and a more compact package. Am I overthinking this, would love some feedback from people that use scopes in this range.

 

[brsnow]

I use a Z3 3-10x42 and accupoint 3-9x40 on my light set ups, works great.

 

[eaglemountainman]

2-7 or 2.5-8 is all you need out to 400. Go bigger if you want to but not necessary.

 

[HuntnPack]

I’ve used several over the years. Ones that worked well in the following ranges:
3-9, 2-10, 4-14,
& straight 6x.

 

[Elk2008]

3-9 to 10 ish should be plenty at that range. No need to go to 14x.

 

[kcm2]

The 2.5x8 Leupold is the best scope for your needs.

 

[BuckSnort]

You will be surprised what you can do with a 6X

 

[MHWASH]

No reason to go beyond 9 or 10 at the top. Last weekend while coyote hunting, I was scoping deer @800 yards with my 2-10. It was a small buck, but I felt I could judge his antlers. During deer season I was using a 1.75-6x32 and passed on an buck @340 yards. Again no problem gaining a good sight picture.
I also have a 4.5x14 and have had trouble picking up targets at close range on the lowest power. Getting a 30mm tube really increases the field of view.

 

[eaglemountainman]

All else being equal, a 30mm tube is no brighter than a 1" tube.

"It doesn't automatically get you a better scope; in fact, a 30mm scope might be an advance to the rear. It does give you a stronger, but heavier, tube. Mainly, it allows for more internal adjustment range, which is the real motive behind 30mm tubes. Fine if you need it, but if you don't it is of no value. Increased adjustment range and a higher price is what you really get." - Chuck Hawks/Randy Wakeman

No reason to go beyond 9 or 10 at the top. Last weekend while coyote hunting, I was scoping deer @800 yards with my 2-10. It was a small buck, but I felt I could judge his antlers. During deer season I was using a 1.75-6x32 and passed on an buck @340 yards. Again no problem gaining a good sight picture.
I also have a 4.5x14 and have had trouble picking up targets at close range on the lowest power. Getting a 30mm tube really increases the field of view.

 

[WildNevada]

I've taken deer/antelope sized game at up to 400 yards using a Zeiss HD5 Conquest 3-15x on a Tikka rifle. It has the RZ600 ballistic reticle. To match up to the ballistics of the 6.5CM 143 eld-x bullets, I have to turn it to 12.5x. I've put hundreds of rounds through it at various distances and the reticle performs well.

 

[ORfish]

I would be factoring in size of target. I was looking at elk at 415 yards at 10X (scope is 1.7 to 10X), and would have felt comfortable taking a shot with that image. Mule deer also would be fine. Blacktail maybe. Couse, not likely at my age. Coyote - no way. I have not ever put a goat or sheep in the crosshairs, so can't say what the best magnification is at 400 yards for them.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[rayporter]

4x is all you need but a 6x is dandy!
i carried a 4x for 20 years - a 19 dollar tascoli! it finally gave up the ghost and i went to a 2-7 but old eyes will get a 3-9 for next year on rifles and the shot gun and muzzy will get the 2-7. the 45-70 has a 1.5-5x and it will likely get a 2-7.

 

[ShortMagFan]

2.5-10x is my choice for those precise conditions. I set it on 6x. Turn the power up for longer shots. Rarely if ever turn it down

 

[roadrunner]

A "standard" 3-9 is adequate out to 400, as already stated.

 

[davsco]

i just use a 1-6x in 3 gun for shots out to 500 or so where you're just aiming center mass. for hunting where more precise shot placement may be needed, i prefer a variable with the high range in the 14-16x. doesn't mean you have to zoom it that high, but nice to have if needed.

 

[JiminAZ]

To 400 yd a 3-9 is fine. I'd recommend that range simply because there are so many good, relatively lightweight scopes available in that range.

Might want to think a bit about the 400 yard max for western hunting. You may find yourself wanting more.

Wasn't that long ago that our military snipers were using a fixed 10x to kill man sized targets out to 1000.

 

[lsummey]

I’m looking to put a scope on a new tikka T3 lite in 7mm-08 and am not sure what top end magnification I’ll need. The rifle is meant to a lightweight backpacking rifle. I am thinking 10x up to 14x. The pros of a 2-10 would be lighter weight and a more compact package. Am I overthinking this, would love some feedback from people that use scopes in this range.

You would be correct 10x up to 14x but 10x is plenty to 400 or 500 hundred yards with good glass!

 

[seand]

Do you shoot targets, rocks, plates at 400 yards? Would give you some idea. Theoretical aside, seems easy to check. I’d be in SWFA 6x mode, it’s the easy button.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I have 3-9s, a 3-10, fixed 6, 2.5-8 and I’d use all of them out to 400.

 

[MallardSX2]

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