High power scopes?

BeaverMeat

BeaverMeat

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I'm trying to understand the rational of high powered optics when hunting large game. I get it if your target or varmit shooing... but in the field I can't see the point.

I've seen allot of new rifles set-up for deer with a 4-12x scope. I don't get it.

Discuss and tune me in
 
10x -12x on the top end is fine for big game without being excessive. I usually run a 3-9x or 2-7x or 1-4x for the thicker woods but recently picked up a 3-12x for my long range hunting rifle and it works great. To each their own but I think your correct in that you don't need a really high magnification scope to shoot large game at any reasonable distance but 12x isn't that high these days.
 
my big game scope is a S&B 8x56
perfect for those low light shots

saying this i have only shot one deer passed 250 yards,all the others are 100yards or less.
but the 56mm end gives me excellent sight picture.

i like it and wont change it either
 
A 4-12 is not a "high power" scope... with 4X on the low end you have the old standard for magnification. Personally, most of my hunting rifles wear Leupold VX-3 scopes in 2.5-8X36mm or 3.5-10X40mm with a couple wearing the 1.5-5X20mm and I have a couple rifles with the 4.5-14X40mm and frankly, they are in no way a handicap in the field... I have shot game at 14X... but always carry variable scopes set at the lowest setting. I would consider 18X, 20X and 24X to be "high power" and not ever required on big game.
 
Ok. 4-12x isn't really a "high power" scope. I guess what I'm asking is why people sacrifice the low end for the high end?

The large objective is a plus. A 3-9x50 is a good low light scope... my only angst toward a large objective is the weight up front. Anything past a 36mm objective throws the balance off and reduces "pointabilty".
 
2 years ago I came​ onto a deer on my way to the sit, it was about 120 yards away in the bush, it was sunny and windy so there was lots of moving shadow, with a 1-4 set at 4x I couldn't​ tell if it was a doe or a spike. I'd see spikes and then I wouldn't. Eventually I had to sneak up to about 75 yards before I could be 100% what it was with the 4x...a nice doe.
Everything has a 2-7/3-9/4-12 on them now.
 
^ Yup, binos are your friend.

I like the 2x per 100y scale and equip my centerfire rifles as such.

1.5-5 for out to 250y

2.5-8 for out to 350-400y

3.5-10 for out to 500y

I don't feel the need to shoot game much past 300y anyways.
 
I have 4-16 on both my 7 Rem Mag and .243 barrels for my Encore. I don't use 16x much but when those long range coyote shots while big game hunting comes up I know I can see and hit them no problem. I have no problem seeing close up game with 4x and 16x allows me to utilize the long range cartridges to their max.
 
I had a 6.5x-20x on a coyote gun. when they all started running at 100 yards in the grass I couldn't find them in my scope and I had it on 6.5x. My big game rifles wear 1-4x leupolds. I don't understand the high magnification either. I can shoot under an inch on 4x at 100 yards so I don't see the point in the high power scopes on hunting rigs other than varminting. My coyote gun has 4.5-14 on it but I reload and shoot much more paper. Nice ballance for both.
 
I use the high power instead of a spotting scope , not JUST to see if it's a deer but to check out the horns , . And extra power is nice for coyotes etc .

Nobody else use their hunting rifle dual purpose - range / target / checking reloads / hunting or just to keep in practice ?
I probably shoot 50 rounds a year with my hunting rifle just because I like to - maybe 1-5 shots are while hunting big game
 
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I shot a deer once with a 18 power zoom.......was the longest drag ever back to the road.......now I use a 4 power scope so I don't have to drag them so far
 
If you hunt open areas like here in Ab, 12 is just fine. Seldom shoot less than 100 yes. If you are in the thick stuff you seldom shoot more than 50, then 2.5 is good and so is open sights (if you have the eyes). Yes what works for you, get the best advantage you can.
 
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