yankeedoodlepigeon Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Hi all. Semms a lot of people would rather have a 8x56 on a .308 for Deer but what are the high magnifications for? I'm looking for a scope at the moment and have seen some up to 32x. Should I get the higher mag one so I got it if need be or do I sacrifice somthing for having it. Is it possible to wind it up when on a air rifle, medium for .22lr and 8x for a .308? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Hi mag is usually for target shooting, the lower mag scopes are more for field use with a wider field of view for quicker target aquisition. HTH, gram. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeedoodlepigeon Posted July 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Could I use the high mag for target shooting and lower for field use or will it be a trade off?Thanks for reply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Could I use the high mag for target shooting and lower for field use or will it be a trade off?Thanks for reply There is always a slight trade off with any variable zoom lens in terms of image quality and light transmission, but the better the scope the less you will notice it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Could I use the high mag for target shooting and lower for field use or will it be a trade off?Thanks for reply You can use whatever scope you like for whatever task you like. The only trade off is in the mind of other shooters. I was shooting out to 600 yards at Bisley recently at 6x, yet you will find some air rifle shooters at 24x or 26x or more at 30 yards. If it works for you and you are happy what does it matter what anyone else does/uses?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeedoodlepigeon Posted July 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Thanks for the info Dekers. Just out of interest what was your group at that range with 6x? reply, pm me or tell me to mind my own. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted July 8, 2011 Report Share Posted July 8, 2011 Most people assume that the higher the magnification the greater the accuracy. It sort of feels natural in their mind to believe it. However, its not always true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted July 8, 2011 Report Share Posted July 8, 2011 (edited) Thanks for the info Dekers. Just out of interest what was your group at that range with 6x? reply, pm me or tell me to mind my own. Thanks Atrocious that day, I was .308 ammo testing as much as anything, used 4 different types and the wind was blowing a gale all over the place. That has nothing to do with the magnification though, I have had plenty of V Bulls at that range with 6-8x mag! Scopes and magnification get VERY personal, I have mentioned this before, a couple of years back I was on Short Siberia 200 yards with the .243 at 6x and the guy next to me had a .243 on 24x. If it works for you that is all that matters! Edited July 8, 2011 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Logic Posted July 8, 2011 Report Share Posted July 8, 2011 Using Dekers' 223, which has a similar scope at similar mag, i put IIRC 8 from 10 in the v @ 600 yards, and the other two only missed because I missed a light wind change. High mag does help, but for killing things, clear optics are more important. The best of both costs around 1K and up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 8, 2011 Report Share Posted July 8, 2011 higher mag in the field helps with target id especially when lamping. However as Mr Logic says decent variables aren't cheap but there is a big difference especially as it gets dark between a decent variable and one of the multitude of cheap scopes that go milky and you can't see anything at high mag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted July 8, 2011 Report Share Posted July 8, 2011 A big variable scope also weighs more than a smaller scope, something to consider if you will be carrying the rifle a long time in the field. I have a Zeiss 6-24x56 on my .243 but will be putting something smaller on it sometime soonish. I crank the mag up on targets, you can see the holes better that way. So far in the field I have never taken a shot with it over 12x and most have been at 10x. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooter Posted July 9, 2011 Report Share Posted July 9, 2011 AS already said it is more about personal preference than anything. On air rifles you use a very high mag (up to 60 is not uncommon)for HFT as it helps with gauging distance, especially when 3mm is the difference between winning and being last. When stalking you are looking at a large'ish target area, and ranges which are sensible, so you don't need sub moa, although it is useful, and therefore lower mag is all you need. The best all round scope I have is a 5-15 legend, it does for both targets and stalking, and it does them both very well, but I do have a Sightron SIII which I use for target work, it helps not having to walk a long way to see how your groups look, but it is a bit bulky to lug through the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 9, 2011 Report Share Posted July 9, 2011 Hi all. Semms a lot of people would rather have a 8x56 on a .308 for Deer but what are the high magnifications for? I'm looking for a scope at the moment and have seen some up to 32x. Should I get the higher mag one so I got it if need be or do I sacrifice somthing for having it. Is it possible to wind it up when on a air rifle, medium for .22lr and 8x for a .308? Thanks in advance Its easier to say what are the disadvantages, the advantage is clear it makes thing appear closer through magnification. Disadvantages are poorer light gathering (depending on objective size), narrower field of view, harder to focus clearly at all ranges, heavier scope, bigger scope, seems to magnify wobble (it doesn't its just you see it as greater). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted July 9, 2011 Report Share Posted July 9, 2011 (edited) I grew up shooting red deer through a 4x32 with a Number 4 reticule. that rifle has killed hundreds of them. I have also had the pleasure of attempting to hit a 6" VBull at 600yds At that range the reticule not only completely covers the bull but half of the next largest ring!! still hit them now and then but when your judgement for Point of aim being on the money is when you cant see any of the ultimate target you are limited in your approach!!! I also use a 6-12x56 S&B on a 270 with a No.4 on a 130yd range, still blots out the 4" bull at 12x! both scopes are perfectly fine if not more than fine for shooting slab sided red deer inside 150-200yds if however you are planning on head shooting fox at 300 I suggest you go for something a bit more advanced if you want to see the head! Edited July 9, 2011 by Bewsher500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davesw Posted July 9, 2011 Report Share Posted July 9, 2011 fixed power scopes are great for stalking and you dont feel the need to take long range in humane shots i find with a high mag scope you become to critical about your shot as you are so focused i would just go for quality rather than mag on a scope as it makes such a huge difference in clarity at low light i have learnt the hard way spending lots on low to mid range scopes and selling them on meopta scopes are fantastic in my opinion and are well priced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted July 9, 2011 Report Share Posted July 9, 2011 (edited) Personal subject. My eyes arent that good so i do use quite high mag scopes. My air gun has 3x9-50. My .22lr has 3x9-50 and i have got a 6-18-50 for a .17HMR I like a fine recticle to see wha im aiming at. The only good field benifit i can see for them (with the exeption of 704 yard hares) is for longer range fox shooting off a steady surface. Remember the higher the mag the more the wobble. Edited July 9, 2011 by Beretta28g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted July 10, 2011 Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 Thinking back to earlier this year, I did once wind the mag right up past 20x so I could verify a CWD doe was not in fact a small buck. Once ID was made I took the shot with the scope back down to 10x. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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