What power up to 300 yards

[Denn0001]

I was wondering how much magnification would be appropriate for shooting paper targets out to 300 yarts. I am using a Tikka .223 varmint bolt action. I was told that 16x should be adequate.

 

[Rod B]

I was wondering how much magnification would be appropriate for shooting paper targets out to 300 yarts. I am using a Tikka .223 varmint bolt action. I was told that 16x should be adequate.

I'd choose a minimum of 24X .

 

[Denn0001]

I think there is too much movement in a 24x and in the less expensive scopes the optics sometimes screw up at such high magnification. I have been doing a bunch of reading and professional snipers stick to magnification below 24x for shots out to 600 yards.

 

[FLUXCORE]

I'd choose a minimum of 24X .

I shoot with lots of guys that shoot out to 600yrds+ with a 3.5-10x the most important thing is the quality of your glass, remember guys still compete in 400 yard comps with open sights

 

[wcat]

I think there is too much movement in a 24x

That's the idea, you got to see the movement to get rid of it if you want to punch tiny holes.

and in the less expensive scopes the optics sometimes screw up at such high magnification. I have been doing a bunch of reading and professional snipers stick to magnification below 24x for shots out to 600 yards.

Oh, that's another thing, if you want to stick with cheap glasses, stay under 12x.
Ask those professional snipers if they buy cheap scopes.

 

[philthygeezer]

If you get too high mirage can be an issue.

 

[maynard]

I shoot with lots of guys that shoot out to 600yrds+ with a 3.5-10x the most important thing is the quality of your glass, remember guys still compete in 400 yard comps with open sights

We shoot 1000 yards/900m here in Canada with irons. In the UK they shoot match rifle out to 1200 yards with irons.

If you are shooting on a hot humid day with the mirage running hard something you can dial down is your best bet. Having said that I know some F Class shooters that use 36X bumped up to 50X. What they see at 1000 yards must be like looking through soup.

 

[gorky]

Alot depends on your budget - don't cheap out on glass.

If I was buying another scope for a paper punching 223, it would be something along the lines of an Elite 4200 6-24x40, Elite 6500 4.5-30x50, Leupold VXIII 6.5-20x40 or 8.5-25x50. If cash is VERY tight, I would settle on an Elite 3200 5-15x40. If I couldnt afford that, I would keep saving. BTW, I have seen used Elite 4200 6-24x40 scopes go for $400ish on the EE - a great buy for this application.

 

[Fassteel]

I was wondering how much magnification would be appropriate for shooting paper targets out to 300 yarts. I am using a Tikka .223 varmint bolt action. I was told that 16x should be adequate.

My trouble with the higher mag scopes is that you see all of your flaws in your set up. Now you need to improve your front rest for another couple hundred or more, unless you are young and real steady, or and older fellow with lots of exp. shooting from the bench, neither of which I am. FS