what scope power to use?

[Leadlauncher]

G,day again from down under. Hope i'm not wearing anybody out with questions. I have a Leupold 8.5 - 25 x 50 with dot. I cannot settle on what power to use for hp silhouette. Should I just leave it at 25 power & force myself to get used to shooting at that? kind regards to all.

[yankee]

Good Evening Lead   --    Hope you are enjoying summer, high here today 0C.   I started out with a 6x18 thinking I could use it at lower power for the closer distances and then turn it up as the targets got further away.  After about 4 weeks I was shooting everything at 18.  The higher power may make you tighten up but to much power may bother you.  If you are not comfortable with 25 back it down to 12 then work your way up as your muscles and nerves dictate.  Hi to all over there,  Yankee  Questions are welcome.

[dave imas]

Hi Lead,

One of the most common mistakes made by shooters in all classes is to use to much magnification.  Bigger doesn't equate to easier.   I have gone the opposite direction and have been shooting on 6x.  I don't necessarily recommend that either.  I would start on 10 or 12 power and, as your comfort level goes up, raise your magnification.  What i tell my students shooting smallbore is that if they don't see the impact of the bullet on the animal and then see the animal fall through the scope, they are using too much scope.  Improved hold and follow thru usually allow for effective use of the higher magnifications.   but, as with everything else in life, there is a point of diminishing return.  

dave

[Donna]

Hello,

I have found that no one power works all the time. This last match I started out at 20X and getting about half of them I moved the power down to 16X and got my last 5 out of 5. Some days I need 12X or 10X. It differs day to day.

Donna :wink:

[shootingpaul]

HELLO,
The power choice should be yours; the good thing is that you have a variable PWR scope, you have to choose what is comfortable for YOU,. it is obvious that 25 X is not because you second quessing and asking questions.  I shoot at 16 - but that is me....,
I agree with all other responses and that you should start on 10 or 12 and work your way up until you will be very comfortable with your shooting,
Hope you will find your answer (at the range),

[MarkW]

Leadlauncher,

This is just my opinion, but using a lower magnification scope to make the crosshairs settle down is only masking a problem with your hold.  Using a higher magnification scope makes you more aware of your wobble area and the steadiness of your position.  You can lower the magnification till everything appears steady but that movement is still there.  I use 36x scopes for both hipower and smallbore.  It allows you to see one animal and the edges of the adjacent animals in the field of view.  Now, on bad days, it feels like shooting while standing on the San Andreas fault but that movement would still be there with or without the 36x scope.  It also tells me that there is a problem with my position that I would not be able to detect otherwise and I can make adjustments as necessary.  As stated earlier, this is just my opinion so take it for what it's worth.

MarkW

[dave imas]

[shootingpaul]

:wink:

[SteelEye]

Weaver T36.  I practice with it every day so after a while I dont see the shake.  I use a 1" circle at 50 feet indoors.  Gradually, I am able to hold a little steadier all the time.  But that's me.  I started off with 6x went to 12x, 16x then 24x.  At the range the targets looked too small.  36x is just right.