which magnification,please ?

T

tankman

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Hi there,
Getting ready for gopher season here in southern Alberta (ok I know they're still asleep - c'mon work with me here).
I have a T3 .223 with a Leupold 3-9-40 at the moment,my good buddy suggested something 'bigger' to assist in the gopher cull,maybe 6-24-40 (40- so I don't need to change the rings etc)..........comments welcome,I want to take shots at most ranges from 25 yards out to say 250 yards,and I don't wanna miss !!
TM.
 
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TM,

If you miss at 250 yards with a 9x scope, it's your fault, not the scope's! If you insist on more magnification, then 4-16 or 6-24 would be more than enough. I had a 6-24x scope on my heavy .22-250 for a long time, and now I'm upgrading to a 4-16x scope ;)

Unless you're shooting gophers at ranges beyond 400 yards, 15x or so is plenty. I also appreciate the larger field of view for closer shots. For truly long-range shooting, I would lean towards the 6-24x.
 
I had a 6-25x56 on my .223, but I never turned it up past 12x. I shopped the EE forum until I found a 3.5-10x50. Your 3-9x will get it done.
 
Thanks,
If I do switch I think x15 would be my maximum,as always good advice.
ok then other than a used scope which under $350.00 scope would be a good choice................ok Satain do your stuff.
So 4 or 5 x 15 - 40 ?
Cheers
TM.
 
5-15x40 (Elite3200)
7-21x40 (Elite3200)
4-16x40 (Elite4200)
6-24x40 (Elite4200)
These would be good choices on the lower side of the price spectrum

Mid-range price wise, I love my Leupold 4.4-14x40 (currently have one on of my varmint rigs). The 6.5-20x40s are great too. These might be out of your price range but very well worth it.

If this was a 22LR, a 3-9 might suffice. With a 223, I would want to be able to reach out and touch those targets at 200ish yards. If you are only looking for a gopher's head to aim at, you need magnification.
 
Don't automatically assume that 50 mm objectives will have to be mounted on different rings. I've mounted 6.5-20 x 50 mm Mark 4s and a 8.5-25 x 50 LR in low rings on heavy barrels. The additional length pushes the bell out on the barrel where it tapers more. They fit so close that Butler Creek lens covers won't slip over. It's almost sad to change to a rail, they look Jerry rigged by comparision.
 
Had a 6-24 and it was nice...big/heavy/long. Picked up a lot of mirage on higher magnification...I usually had it turned down to the 10x range. Great for 300+

Maybe this is just me, but if you're ranging off your reticle, you need to stick to one power level...or memorize different sets of tables. Too much for me. Out to 200-ish there shouldn't be much elevation figuring, depending on what you're shooting, so that may not be a factor.

But I much prefered my 3-9. It was better glass which was so very much more comfortable on long shooting sessions. And the 3x was great for general scanning. 9x is plenty for sub 400-500yrds. Most times I left it on 9x. Choose your cross-hairs so they're not obscuring your target too much at typical max range that you expect to shoot.

If I had to do it again, I'd go with the 3-9 and a good pair of binos. I'd let my shooting buddy lug the heavier scope....:)
 
For gopher hunting you will appreciate the FOV the lower magnification gives you. Unless you are shooting a 1/2 moa rifle, which you may be....you are not going to realiably hit past 250-300 yards (with the right ammo) and 9 at the top end is plenty. Really if you are not missing why change??? you have a good setup.
 
As an avid gopher slayer I like lots of magnification, out to 250yds 12-14x and out to 300yds 16-18x. Don't get mad for offering my opinion, but the Nikon Buckmaster series of scopes ($400.00 range) are great optics for varmint shooting.
 
Thanks again for the advice,now i'm a bit confused..........i need to look through some scopes with more magnification before i decide.
Still looking for the best 5- 15 x40 under $350.00 (or similar scope setup)in your opinions,i don't think those listed on page one are that cheap.
cheers
TM.
 
Why to deal with cheap variable scopes? They are heavy, fragile (compared to strait power scope), haveing problems with; shifting zeros, low light transmision (more lenses), narrow field of view, short aye relief, mirage problems, etc, etc. Quality compact, straight power 8x up to 12x with min 40mmAO for equal money is way, way better value, will serve you best in the long run. Just look what the military snipers use- straight 10x scopes for the same reasons mentioned above.
 
tankman said:
Interesting,cheers guys.So gunrunner8 who has fixed 10x or 12x for under $350.00 ?Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
TM
Click to expand...
To make informed decision wait till other threaders write what they think about it. I am sure you will get some more advice, then go to EE, search for brand name scope to you liking and I am sure one can be found for under $350 that will blow the door out of similar priced variable.
 
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