You cannot have to much magnifaction from the bench, but it can kill you in the field. I use nothing more powerfull than a 3 x 9 on any of my varmint rifles. I have 3 - .17 cal`s, 3 - .22 cal`s., 2 - .25 cal`s, and a .204. My .17 AH, which shoots point blank to 290 yrds. wears a 2 x 7, the rest wear 3 x 9`s, and I use only Leupolds.