What Magnification is preferred for long range shots

[Doc Holliday]

Also, another benefit of keeping the scope at a more conservative power is it lessens the perceivable movement of the reticle.

This is a great point. When adrenaline is pumping/buck fever, etc......seeing the reticle bounce all over the place only adds to the stress. Much easier to hold steady and calm yourself down with lower power

 

[rayporter]

you only think you are steady at low power cause the movement is still there.

shooting small p dogs me and my fellow shooters have settled on 20 to 24 x. 18x with poor glass is a deal breaker. 30x is usually too much with the mirage but sometimes with a NF it is ok. with a 20 i have never felt lacking at 1200yd. over the years we have found at the end of the day of shooting a variable will be set at 21 to 25x.

 

[MTNHUNTER76]

in 2022 I hear from alot of hunters that are switching from higher mag to a lower mag for follow up shots, where the animal runs to etc…. I just worry I won’t need the full 20x and therefore won’t be able to use wind holds in my reticle due to 2nd fp. I see what you’re saying though.

I've been shooting long range comps for several years. I started long range hunting 20+ years back. I bought a nightforce and put it on my hunting rifle, people didn't have a clue what nf was. Putting a 10x scope on a long range hunting rifle is just dumb in my opinion. Why handicap yourself? If your hunting long range, follow up shots will still be at distance. You will never need less than 5-6x on a long range rig.

You can always turn down magnification but you cant zoom up if you dont have the capability. Get a ffp scope if reticle holds are important to you. All my scopes are high power ffp. As mentioned above there are many other benefits of having high power capability.

 

[Lawnboi]

I guess I didn’t see it before.

If you must have a sfp scope don’t get one over 10-12x.

I wouldn’t buy a second focal place nx8 and think nightforce is nuts for even offering one.

 

[carter33]

I've been shooting long range comps for several years. I started long range hunting 20+ years back. I bought a nightforce and put it on my hunting rifle, people didn't have a clue what nf was. Putting a 10x scope on a long range hunting rifle is just dumb in my opinion. Why handicap yourself? If your hunting long range, follow up shots will still be at distance. You will never need less than 5-6x on a long range rig.

You can always turn down magnification but you cant zoom up if you dont have the capability. Get a ffp scope if reticle holds are important to you. All my scopes are high power ffp. As mentioned above there are many other benefits of having high power capability.

I think there are a few solid reasons for wanting lower power even if you plan on possibly taking a long shot. One would be if you’re hiking through thick country to get to the alpine and may get an opportunity to take a closer off hand shot. Another would be if you’re in brown bear country and are also relying on the rifle for defense if need be.

Certainly don’t want to open the “what is long range” debate but I think you can make ethical long range shots on game at x10 but may be handicapped at the true outer limits. The one benefit of handicapping yourself I would argue would be saving roughly half a pound while still having a reliable & durable scope.

To each their own and what applies to one person or one hunt may not apply in another scenario.

 

[KenLee]

Maybe I haven't figured out the benefit of lower magnification yet...

I have 2 NF ATACR 5-25x and an NF NX8 4-32x - Unless it's low light, I typically crank them up to full or nearly full magnification on anything over 400 yards. I kinda like to see the strand of hair I want to aim at...

Many eyeboxes get picky when you crank magnification way up.