Min Scope Power

[JakeSCH]

I have always mounted a rifle scope with a minimum power of 2.5x or 3x...however I have never taken a sub 100y shot on a big game animal. So my question is, have you guys missed an opportunity on an animal by running 5x on the low end?

Question stems from the idea of moving from my Maven RS.1 (2.5-15) to a RS.3 (5-30x).

 

[Geewhiz]

I tend to hunt more open country so I get the most magnification I can. I bought a SWFA fixed 16x this year and am loving it so far. Watch now i'll run into the biggest bull of my life in the timber at 11 yards and not be able to see him.


I guess that in no way answered your question, sorry. lol

 

[CApighunter]

Shot two animals this past season , both under 100 yards, with scopes set at 6x. Actually had to turn my leupold 2.5-8 up to pick out a black hog in the shade. I still prefer having the option to turn it down to 2,3, or 4x though.

 

[hodgeman]

5x won't be a problem....20x with a critter at 50 paces will be the problem.

I've hunted quite a bit with a fixed 6x and a 10x without issues.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Just do some shouldering drills. Shoulder acquire target. Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Don Qui Puncher]

For hunting I couldn’t imagine a better range than 2.5-15

 

[Wildwapiti]

Not a problem, unless you leave out the practice both at the range and at the house shouldering the rifle.

 

[260madman]

No. My scopes are usually set on 6x and have 3 fixed 6x scopes on rifles. Even the thick stuff I use 6x. Haven’t had an issue. If your eyebox is tight or your comb is too low compared to the scope height you'll have issues.

 

[Achigan1]

Be a heck of a market for a 1.5-25x40 that weighs 18 oz and tracks lol.

 

[Big Ern]

Kills are always in the 6-10 power range.

i used to run a 4-16, but switched to a 5-20 scope last season. No complaints. More top end power though really not needed. Bumped from 44mm obj to 50. 5-20 has a great fov.

 

[drmatara]

For hunting, my best range is 2.5-15.

 

[Sled]

For a target gun 5x is a fine low end. 2 or 3x is ideal for hunting. I've used a 4-16 with success as well but that's out west. I wouldn't have it for eastern whitetail.

A question I have is what distance are you hunting at that 30x will be used?

 

[PredatorSlayer]

IMO it is all about the Field of View. Some scopes with 5x on the low end have a bigger FOV than a scope with 2x on the low end.

 

[Jcalloway]

Really depends on range. What range are you shooting at mostly?

 

[S.Clancy]

I've hunted with a 3.5-10x50 Leopold for 2 decades, shots from 20-506 yards. Just bought a new scope with the fancy turrets, 2-10x42. I don't really see a need for more than 10x myself. I've seen a number of screw ups because scopes were on 10x + instead of 3x, mine stays on the lowest power until I absolutely need more.

 

[ChrisAU]

Where it has bitten me before is awkward shooting positions - specifically in a tree stand trying to get an animal in the scope that is behind me. Can't remember it costing me an animal, but it has made things difficult when in my earlier years I had a 6-18 on a whitetail rifle. Now I prefer less than 3x for a minimum on a woods rifle and it stays there when I'm hunting.

 

[nmpyro]

I have always mounted a rifle scope with a minimum power of 2.5x or 3x...however I have never taken a sub 100y shot on a big game animal. So my question is, have you guys missed an opportunity on an animal by running 5x on the low end?

Question stems from the idea of moving from my Maven RS.1 (2.5-15) to a RS.3 (5-30x).

I run a SWFA ultralight 2.5-10x on my Go-To… i won’t take an animal shot beyond 750-800 and only under great conditions then. But the 10x is sufficient for that… on paper i shoot it out to 1100 (8”, so it apparently works)
2.5 is super fast and yeah. I smoked a muley at 150 with that last year on 2.5x because he jumped up fast and i didn’t have much time. Felt fine.

 

[Themic86]

Never had a problem as most of the time I am at the top range of scope regardless of distance. Unless you are gaining a big step in glass quality seems like a hassle to gain 20x at top instead of 15x.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk