Author Topic: What's the highest magnification you use? (Read 1286 times)

Zachary · « **on:** February 16, 2005, 05:47:45 PM »

I know that it all depends on the type of game hunted, and perhaps the region in which it is hunted, but that's fine because it would be interesting to know.

For me, I hunt in Texas where shots can be short to really long, but most hunting involves sitting in a tower blind and hunting a corn feeder usually 100 yards away. Granted, I don't always hunt the feeders because, for whatever reason, the deer don't go to them - at least not the big bucks. Still, I must admit that at 100 yards it is not uncommon for me to set the magnification all the way up to 10x. Keep in mind that the FOV is quite small when set at 10x, but I always make sure that there are no other deer around my target deer.

Still, I had a recent revelation lately that my most accurate rifle is my .375H&H and that was using a 1.5x-4.5x Elite 3200 set at 4.5x. Sooooooo, I am going to start setting my magnification lower because there really is no need to have it set so high.

I'm sure that hunting varmints, especially smaller ones at long ranges, warrants higher magnification settings like 12x, 16x, heck, even maybe 24x.

So, what is the highest magnification you use?

Zachary

pastorp · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2005, 08:10:02 PM »

Zackery, I am a big game hunter. About 6x is tops for me. I can see how you could use 10x if you have a very good rest. But for the type of hunting I do, shooting from field positions, I only can use between 2-6x. Regards, Byron

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2005, 01:48:28 AM »

On my big game rifles I usually use 4 to 5 power. Some times I my go up to 9 or even 10 if needed, but very rare. Now when I go after prairie dogs I use up to 20 power, while either in a sitting position or laying down.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2005, 07:16:19 AM »

I think we're talking big game hunting here. For that I have one rifle with a 3-9 Elite 3200 on it. All others have lesser maximum range scopes on them. They range from 1.5-4.5 up to 2.5-8. I set them on 2.5X to 3X generally when I sit in a blind or at times the absolute lowest setting if walking and still hunting. Seldom do I move them higher to take a shot.

Once I cranked up to 9X on a nine point buck out around 200 yards walking thru brush to better allow me to see any limbs in the way. Other than that I doubt I've ever shot a head of big game at over 4X.

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2005, 11:09:14 AM »

Never used more than 4x for anything deer sized at the ranges that I hunt(usually under 100 yards). I prefer 2x for slug gun hunting here in NY.

poncaguy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2005, 12:10:07 PM »

I have a 3X9 40 Nikon Buckmaster on my 270 WSM, but have decided to go 6X on my deer rifles and and no more than a 4X12 on my varmit rifles.Getting old and shaky.ha!

Carl l. · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2005, 02:09:22 PM »

I use all veriable scopes on my hunting rifles. If I need more power I turn it up and less power I can turn it down. 2.5x8x42, 3x9x40 and 3.5x10x50.

For varmint hunting I use a Unertl 15 power

Air rifle I use a 4 power. Carl L.

longwinters · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2005, 03:30:37 PM »

For sighting in 9-10x. For deer hunting 3-3.5x. Antelope 6-7x.

Long

Carphunter · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2005, 02:10:40 AM »

I used to use a Vari-x II 3x9 on my deer rifle. Worked ok when I did more field hunting here in Wisconsin 100 to 300 yard shots. (mounted on my Tikka Whitetail 30-06....great gun).

I've since moved to new hunting grounds, and 25-150 yd shots are more the norm.

Found I had a tough time acquiring target quickly with it even at 3x.

Switched to an Elite 4200 1.5x6. Love it. Comes right to target...and I rarely get it up to 6x in the woods. (not to mention, get rain or snow on it, it comes right off. Even a cold fog on it wipes quick and I can get my shot off.

Little point, though. I figured out the reason I had a problem in the woods with acquiring target was that I normally had the forearm rested on someting and brought the stock up and then looked for target. If I do not rest prior to aiming, even the higher power scopes come right up to target with no searching.

I just picked up a used 3.5x10 varix-iii that I intend to try on my 10/22. It's got AO, so it should be perfect for it. If I like the scope, and pick up a rifle for longer range shooting, I'll probably put it there

Zachary · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2005, 03:10:46 AM »

Yea, that Elite 4200 1.5x-6x is a sweet little scope, and sounds perfect for your intended purpose. I know that GB has one and he loves it (or perhaps maybe his wife now has it and SHE loves it.

)

So far it seems that, when hunting big game, most of you average around 4x or so. Interesting.

Zachary

Dave in WV · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2005, 03:29:16 AM »

I proved to my son several years ago using less magnification when shooting off hand was easier and usually more accurate since you tend to not fight the apparent movement as much. I used 4x (highest magnification) on my newest scope last deer season to place my shot through some brush. The shot was about 65 yards and worked great.
6x is the highest I normally use for hunting and normally keep my scopes on their lowest setting while moving and mid range if stand hunting in an open area. A friend that hunts out of the same camp has a 6.5x20 on his .280 and .300 mag. He made a shot at fairly close range through some brush and got a decent hit but not the one he aimed for because he hit a twig he didn't see.
A side note for Zachary, if you look at the lower magnification scopes you'll notice it's easier to get the eye relief you want. :wink:

hunt127588 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2005, 04:26:04 PM »

I made the mistake of cranking up to 6x on a Vari-X III 3.5-10 while hunting one year. I was deer hunting in a tight area where the shots would be at most 125 yds. I learned the hard way when I had a buck trot by at 25 yards and couldn't acquire him fast enough through the lens.

I learned that day that my scope would always stay around 3-4x as I could always crank up on longer shots but wouldn't be able to crank the scope down on close shots due to proximity fearing that I may spook my game through excessive movement.

FWiedner · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2005, 04:32:53 PM »

4x for hunting.

10x for long range, i.e. 200yds+

Only magnifications I use.

Tried a single power 6x50mm once. It was a POS.

Ramrod · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2005, 03:12:21 PM »

For deer 2-3/4x is enough for me at 100 yards. I don't think I need anything over 4x for most big game hunting, but 6x is useful for really long shots. I wish there were more fixed power scopes on the market. Variables make sense for a one gun hunter, who might shoot varmints one day, targets another day, and maybe deer hunt next week. But for the guy who has a gun for each use, a fixed power scope matched to the rifle's intended use makes alot of sense. I guess I'm just a little old fashioned this regard. Comes from reading too much O'Conner in my younger days.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2005, 04:12:29 PM »

I have 3x9 or 2x7 scopes on everything but one rifle. I use 9x when I shoot target's and keep them on 4x to hunt. I don't believe I,ve ever shot at game at over 4x, big game anyway. My one rifle without a variable is a 30-06 and it wear's a very old 2 3/4x redfield widefield. I've never really needed more. That 2 3/4x used to be on a 308 in a Rem 660. But he didn't think it was enough scope even tho he shot his first deer with it at just over 225yds, one shot with a 165gr Hornady spire Point, maybe he's right!

Nontypical · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2005, 04:54:54 PM »

1.5-3.5 tromping around, depending upon the scope, to get as much field of view as possible

if I've got time, I'll dial it up as far as I can before a shot, but the highest mag I've got is 10x

hunt hard,

KJ

Power · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2005, 05:39:48 PM »

First deer 4x fixed around 100 yards. Deer was slightly spooked and walking quarting away.

2nd (my biggest deer ever 6x7 whitetail - picture on my site) 3-9 Nikon on 9x at 30 yards running by me. Missed first time and got lucky and hit him in the neck 2nd shot.

3rd deer 9x around 75 yards broadside, walking, stopping, and eating.

4th deer same.

1st Elk 9x around 80 yards spooked but stopped looking at me.

2nd (last) elk 2 years ago 14x around 300+ yards. He was with 2 cows and walking and stopping to look at me. Had to run 1/4 mile to get that close and he was across a draw and I had no chance to get closer. Near sunset too so it was now or never.

I love variables and try to always keep on lowest setting in case I ever have a shot of a lifetime run by me again. However, out West, long shots are possible and 14x was very nice that day I got that bull. 9x would have worked but 14x I could place my shot better and nearly see the impact.

Carroll B · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2005, 12:24:15 AM »

For deer I use 3-4x. Many years ago when I first started hunting deer I lost a nice 8 point. He was trotting through the woods at a fair clip. I had the scope set around 8-9x. Everytime I was about to pull the trigger he would get a tree between me and him. The tree would fill the scope and I'd lose him. This hapend several time till he was out of sight. Never did get to take the shot. Funny thing was I had a tip off mount and could have rolled the scope out of the way and shot with open sights, but in the heat of the battle it never came to mind. After that I always kept the scope on 3-4 power, plus I practiced mounting the gun to my shoulder and placing the cross hairs on my target faster.

High Brass · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2005, 02:36:30 AM »

If I recall correctly, all of my deer have been shot with the power setting no higher than 4x. The one exception was 100 yard neck shot and it was on 6x. My last deer was killed with a 2x Leupold on top of a Ruger SRH 44mag. I should point out though that all of my deer have been killed inside of 200 yards and most under 100 yards.

Squeeze · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2005, 04:01:45 AM »

For small varmints, I use a 6-24, with the scope set to 20 to 24 most of the time,
unless mirage gets too bad, and then I drop down to 12 to 16.

For predator hunting in brush, I use 3-9, with the scope set to 3, and zoom to 9 on
critters that hang up, at longer ranges. For open country predators/large varmints,
I use a 5.5 to 16.5 with the scope usually set to around 9, and zoom in or out, as
need be.

For brushy big game, I use 2-7, with the scope set to 2. For open country
big game I use 3-10, or 4-12, and usually set the scope somewhere between 6
and 9. I do zoom to thread shots through brush, but most of the time I keep
the magnification down, to get back on the critter, for a second shot, if need be.

I do like variable power scopes!

Squeeze

NimrodRx · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2005, 08:12:06 PM »

Years ago, I too learned the importance of keeping my scope on the lowest setting while on stand. Fortunately, it didn't cost me the buck. Had a 1.5X4 Bushnell on my A-Bolt 12 ga. For reasons unknown, I had it set at 4X. Out of no where two doe came busting out of a thicket at about 50 yds. Not 30 secs behind them was a dandy buck. Shouldered the gun and acquired the target. It wasn't the clearest picture, but everything happened so fast and I squeezed one off.

LUCKILY I put a 1 oz. piece of lead through the boiler room and he dropped within 50.

That being said. The last whitetail I took was late last Dec. and I had my Bushnell Elite 3200 3X9 cranked all the way up to 9X. It was the last weekend of ML season and I was hunting an area with an incredibly skewed buck:doe ratio. I had a yearling pop out of the woods about 130 yds out. I could tell it was a small deer, but it wasn't until I looked at it's head with 9X that I could confirm that it was a slick head and not a button. Dropped the cross hairs down to her shoulder and put that little eatin machine in my freezer. YUMM!

Lesson - when they're in close, you never think to turn the power down. If it's a poke, there's plenty of time for contemplation and cranking the power up.