Scopes most used power range / objective

[ldmay375]

What is your most used power range / objective size ? I am not asking for advice, just discussion and conversation of what others use.

I am not a long range shooter. I normally hunt in areas restricting visibility to approximately 200 meters. I do hunt usually until what some will call Dark / Very low light; but closer ranges.
I will not get into brands, but have had them from K-Mart blue-light specials through Schmidt & Bender, and several in between.

My most used not necessarily in use order:

Straight tubes:
1.1-4x24mm, 1-5x24mm, 1-6x24mm
Other:
1.5-6x42mm, 1.5-8x42mm, 1.7-10x42mm, 2.5-10x42mm

I have, but Limited use:
2.5-10x50mm’s
I find the 42mm’s give me as much low capability for my distances, as I need (at this time anyways). There is a point that dark is Dark. My binoculars usually signal that.

I have also discovered the higher quality lower powered variables with the 24mm objectives work pretty well at low light closer ranges for making a shot. They do give up a little capability. And the detail is not as pronounced as the 42’s allow. This is All subjective to one’s eyes and the environmental conditions. The reticle definitely has a lot to do with making the shot.
I have 1st focal plane and 2nd focal plane reticles. Some illuminated and some not. I have some with Very good glass but the reticle lacks in Low light. Good illumination can make that a non-issue. Personally, I prefer a reticle that illumination is rarely relied on.

I consider the 42mm objective 1.5-6, 1.5-8, and 1.7-10 my do-all scopes. Sufficient field of views and adequate light transmission for me. Though, I really like the straight tubes’ size and extremely wide field of view.

Just curious as to what others use / prefer.

 

[BourbonTrail]

I like 3-9x40 or 4-12x40 or 44. I have a 6-18x50 and a 2-7x30, but I don’t like them as much. I think 2-12 is a good variability range for my hunting. I like the 1-6 range for close in work.

 

[baxterb]

The biggest scope I’ve ever used is the 3.5x10x40 Leupold. And those on my 270 and 338s.

my other rifles have 1.75 x 6, 1.5x5 , 4x or 2.5x.

i do t shoot long range except at the range and 250 yards is a long damn way for a guy who grew up shooting a recurve.

 

[Alistair]

I'm value simplicity over pretty much anything else in my hunting scopes. I want to be able to just point and shoot, so my scopes reflect this.

I use a fixed S&B 8x56 on my stalking rifle. Basically the simplest possible specification. No illumination, no twiddly turrets, no mag or parallax adjustment, a simple A7 reticule. Nothing to fiddle with when you should be concentrating on simply making the shot. It works just fine for anything from 50-300yds which is basically all I need on the Scottish hill. If pushed I guess I'd lean towards a 2-12x50 as a variable option, but I'd probably bung it on 8x and leave alone 95% of the time, so it doesn't seem worth the cost difference.

I have a fondness for a 1-6x24 straight tube for the rifles I use for close range or moving target shooting. Again, in the simplest possible specification and with the cleanest possible reticule. I do want an illuminated centre dot in this instance though. 6x gives you a couple hundred yards if you need it and aids zeroing, whilst a true 1x with that illuminated dot makes it work as a reflex sight at closer range, especially for snap shots at moving targets.

I'll leave diallable turrets, parallax adjustment, big magnification and cluttered reticules for target shooting personally. Irons are also a valid option for less than 100 yards, and are fun in the right circumstances.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Most of mine are pretty standard 3-9x40, though I have a few that are 4-12x40. I also have one older Leupold that is 2-7x33 that I like an awful lot. I currently have it on a Remington 141.

 

[R.M.C.]

I use a lot of 3-9x40s and 50s and I usually have it all the way up or all the down depending on where I'm hunting. But when it comes to shooting an animal I usually crank it all the way up if I have time and the animal is not moving fast

 

[Ike85123]

I would have to look , but I believe my leupold is 6x42 56mm. I used it alot when I was ypunger and trying to shoot with some distance.
Now I just use a 1-4 for everything. I dont try to reach out very far.
But I believe for arizona as well as africa a good anti reflection coating is worth the money more than anything else.
Also from learning the hard way on big rifles with recoil, give yourself some room for eye relief.
Nothing like that scope banging your face. Lol

 

[NE 7x57]

I have a 3x9 on one AR I use for predator hunting, 2.5x10 on another, a couple with 1x4 Leupolds. My No 1 RSI has a 2x7 Redfield and the other has a 2x8 Leupold (with way to fine of a cross hair in it).

For shooting offhand I'm usually set at 3 or 4.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I recently purchased a Sightron S-Tac 3-16x42 FFP MOA reticle for use on a 6.5x47 Lapua hunting rifle. Shot steel today in a heavy overcast. On 16 power at 500 meters it was spot on. I have the higher power version and it's on a groundhog rifle.

 

[ldmay375]

I would have to look , but I believe my leupold is 6x42 56mm. I used it alot when I was ypunger and trying to shoot with some distance.
Now I just use a 1-4 for everything. I dont try to reach out very far.
But I believe for arizona as well as africa a good anti reflection coating is worth the money more than anything else.
Also from learning the hard way on big rifles with recoil, give yourself some room for eye relief.
Nothing like that scope banging your face. Lol

I do believe that I could get by very satisfactorily with my 1.5-6x42’s, on any thing that they will fit on without extension rings.

I am planning on putting one on my next do-all rifle. It was a mental exercise deciding between the 1.5-6x42mm and a 1-6x24mm.
I have a few 1.1-4x24’s in use and am going to put one on a shorter barrel 30-06.

 

[chashardy]

On my 416 Rigby I have a Leupold 1-6X24 and on my 300 winmag I have a 4-12X50 Leupold. Both scopes are red dot reticles.

 

[Firebird]

I will just add that higher power isn’t just for long range shooting but also a big help in areas where point restrictions exist. Wyoming comes to mind where having a high power rifle scope will help decide if that buck is a “too small” 3x3 or a very legal 4x4. You don’t always have time or room for the spotting scope. Most my scopes are 3-12 or 4-14 variables with 40mm or the old leupold 44 mm with a crown in the bottom so you can mount it low over the barrel. I have a couple 3.5-18x40 (44?) Swarovskis that I use on my longer ranch hunters.

 

[Ike85123]

I do believe that I could get by very satisfactorily with my 1.5-6x42’s, on any thing that they will fit on without extension rings.

I am planning on putting one on my next do-all rifle. It was a mental exercise deciding between the 1.5-6x42mm and a 1-6x24mm.
I have a few 1.1-4x24’s in use and am going to put one on a shorter barrel 30-06.

My uses a 1.5x6 42 on his ar15. He likes it. Has a good adjustable range for shooting.
I like a 1-4 or 1-6, and small diameter since i like shots pretty close.
Alot of choices out there for sure !
That 30-06 guide gun, will be fun for sure !!!!!

 

[TOBY458]

3-9×40 for deer and PG.
2-7×33 for PG and DG combo.
1.5-5×20 for DG only.

In deer PG calibers I usually keep my scope set at 4 power. 99% of the time I never have to move it to shoot game.

For DG, set as low as possible and zoom up if needed.

 

[WAB]

1-6x24 and 1-8x24 see the most use followed by scopes in the 3-9x40 class. I have high power scopes on varmint rigs.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What is your most used power range / objective size ? I am not asking for advice, just discussion and conversation of what others use.

I am not a long range shooter. I normally hunt in areas restricting visibility to approximately 200 meters. I do hunt usually until what some will call Dark / Very low light; but closer ranges.
I will not get into brands, but have had them from K-Mart blue-light specials through Schmidt & Bender, and several in between.

My most used not necessarily in use order:

Straight tubes:
1.1-4x24mm, 1-5x24mm, 1-6x24mm
Other:
1.5-6x42mm, 1.5-8x42mm, 1.7-10x42mm, 2.5-10x42mm

I have, but Limited use:
2.5-10x50mm’s
I find the 42mm’s give me as much low capability for my distances, as I need (at this time anyways). There is a point that dark is Dark. My binoculars usually signal that.

I have also discovered the higher quality lower powered variables with the 24mm objectives work pretty well at low light closer ranges for making a shot. They do give up a little capability. And the detail is not as pronounced as the 42’s allow. This is All subjective to one’s eyes and the environmental conditions. The reticle definitely has a lot to do with making the shot.
I have 1st focal plane and 2nd focal plane reticles. Some illuminated and some not. I have some with Very good glass but the reticle lacks in Low light. Good illumination can make that a non-issue. Personally, I prefer a reticle that illumination is rarely relied on.

I consider the 42mm objective 1.5-6, 1.5-8, and 1.7-10 my do-all scopes. Sufficient field of views and adequate light transmission for me. Though, I really like the straight tubes’ size and extremely wide field of view.

Just curious as to what others use / prefer.

@Idmay375
My preference is for a 3 to 9x 40 or 3.5 to 10x44 with a good medium to heavy Plex reticle and a conventional 1 inch tube
My favorite scope for low light has an illuminated floating fine crosshair between 4 heavier bars. I've had this scope for ten years but find my Meopta and Ziess are better in low light and don't need the illumination.
The illuminated scope is perfect for feral eradication under light..
I always get around the bush with the scope set on the lowest settings and wind up when and if needed.
Bob

 

[mdwest]

3-9×40 for deer and PG.
2-7×33 for PG and DG combo.
1.5-5×20 for DG only.

In deer PG calibers I usually keep my scope set at 4 power. 99% of the time I never have to move it to shoot game.

For DG, set as low as possible and zoom up if needed.

Yep!

All of my small and mid bores that wear scopes have a 3-9x40 on them..

My 375 and 416 both wear 1-5x20...

The one exception is my 7x57 that has a 2-7x32 on it.. and thats only because I had a 2-7x32 in the safe that had previously been on my 375... otherwise, it would be wearing a 3-9x40 like the rest of the smaller stuff...

 

[ldmay375]

@Idmay375
My preference is for a 3 to 9x 40 or 3.5 to 10x44 with a good medium to heavy Plex reticle and a conventional 1 inch tube
My favorite scope for low light has an illuminated floating fine crosshair between 4 heavier bars. I've had this scope for ten years but find my Meopta and Ziess are better in low light and don't need the illumination.
The illuminated scope is perfect for feral eradication under light..
I always get around the bush with the scope set on the lowest settings and wind up when and if needed.
Bob

Bob, I too always keep mine turned to the lowest power or 2 power at the most. This also applies when stationary and overlooking openings. If I am using a 1st focal plane, I up it up as required to have the reticle bold as the light goes away.
I worry more about animals that magically appear close by, than the ones I see at distance. As you, if at distance I power up if there is time.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob, I too always keep mine turned to the lowest power or 2 power at the most. This also applies when stationary and overlooking openings. If I am using a 1st focal plane, I up it up as required to have the reticle bold as the light goes away.
I worry more about animals that magically appear close by, than the ones I see at distance. As you, if at distance I power up if there is time.

@Idmay375
Easier to wind it up when you have time than to stuff around trying to wind it down in a hurry when you need it.
Bob.

 

[meigsbucks]

1-4x, 1.5-5x, 1-6x, 1.75-6x on short / moderate range and DG rifles (to me, objective size in this category doesn’t really matter as most are straight tube)
Most other rifles wear 2-7x, 2.5-8x, 3-9x or 3.5-10x. (No objective over 44)
Only one non varmint rifle wears a scope with a high end of over 10x (4.5-14x).