I can live with 20 oz's but a 4x16x42 or 44 with a capped windage that was under 24 0z's would be the sweet spot for a lot of shooters......just dreaming out loud!
It's an experience thing. Most when they start shooting at longer and longer ranges start going up in power. The problem is that as you start shooting at range on moving mammals, as opposed to a steel and targets, the importance of gathering all available information during and after the shot becomes extremely important. Unless you always use a spotter, high power scopes and light rifles don't mix real well.
Higher power helps with one aspect- finer aiming. It hurts in most/all others- field of view, catching impact/splash, tracking the animal, and reacquiring for follow up shots.
Lower power (below 10 or so) hurts in one aspect- courser aiming, yet helps in all others. Aiming is overcome by the fact that you're shooting at relatively large targets.
The reason for the question of your experience killing big game at longer ranges, is because it is the most common trend among those who haven't done a bunch of killing past normal ranges.
I don't need a 16x scope but I like to play around on steel with a little higher magnification scope, have taken big game to 607 yds with 10x and realize the trade offs with higher magnification........ 14x on a 12" plate
Anybody have one of the Nightforce SHV 3-10x42's? I'm considering one for use on a 30-06 Model 70 I'm putting together.
I bought one and sold it before mounting it on a rifle. The SHV did not work well for me.
donsm70
Life Member...Safari Club International Life Member...Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Life Member...Keystone Country Elk Alliance Life Member...National Rifle Association
It's an experience thing. Most when they start shooting at longer and longer ranges start going up in power. The problem is that as you start shooting at range on moving mammals, as opposed to a steel and targets, the importance of gathering all available information during and after the shot becomes extremely important. Unless you always use a spotter, high power scopes and light rifles don't mix real well.
Higher power helps with one aspect- finer aiming. It hurts in most/all others- field of view, catching impact/splash, tracking the animal, and reacquiring for follow up shots.
Lower power (below 10 or so) hurts in one aspect- courser aiming, yet helps in all others. Aiming is overcome by the fact that you're shooting at relatively large targets.
The reason for the question of your experience killing big game at longer ranges, is because it is the most common trend among those who haven't done a bunch of killing past normal ranges.
Less, very often, is more.
We might have to agree to disagree.
In my experience 10X is lacking when applying real precision in field shots.
It is not a "courser aiming" issue.
It is about reading mirage.
It is about picking the 360" bull out of a gaggle of 320" bulls.
It is about picking the anterless deer from a spike at distance.
If you don't have a spotter then 10X or less is even more of a handicap.
If your rifle/16X or so optic combo does not allow you to see bullet impact then you need to learn proper shooting technique. That is cut and dried.
In other words if your stance and grip allow the rifle to recoil enough (off line)to prevent you from seeing impact then spend a bit more time at the range learning how to control the recoil.
If you can not acquire animals fast and efficiently at 16X or so then you need to practice a bit more.
I would be willing to compare my real world game killing experience at distance to anyone advocating a 10X or less solution.
As you say "It's an experience thing."
John Burns
I have all the sources. They can't stop the signal.
You do much "spotting impacts" with sporter weight BG rifles and 16x scopes from field positions other than prone and bipod, John?
You read a whole lot of mirage through a 14x scope...? Don't you normally have a spotting scope, and you usually have a spotter/partner along as well, correct?
I have one of the 3-10x42s and have tested it pretty extensively. It tracks correctly and is generally "user-friendly". It is about as good a scope as I've seen at that price point.
You do much "spotting impacts" with sporter weight BG rifles and 16x scopes from field positions other than prone and bipod, John?
You read a whole lot of mirage through a 14x scope...? Don't you normally have a spotting scope, and you usually have a spotter/partner along as well, correct?
Question #1. Of course.
Question #2. Of course.
Makes me smile that reading mirage at 14X stymies some. Look more.
It is actually kinda funny to think of who exactly would make me change a wind call when I have 14.7X and they have a spotting scope.
Pro Tip: The list is very short.
Pro Tip #2: You are not on that list but given a bit of training you might make the cut. Practice more???
Pro Tip # 2 was a bit of jab. Just havin fun.
Here is a bit of a hint. 3 good hits for 3 shot with 2 moving at 550yds.
. You might not want to play this game.
John Burns
I have all the sources. They can't stop the signal.
I actually went to pick up a NSX 2.5-10, and they were out of stock. (The web page said they had inventory) Anyway they had the SHV 3-10 and I was afraid to cut corners. I figure cry once is a good motto, even though I can't believe I was going to drop 2K on a scope - with tax. So where do they cut corners on the SHV? No illumination, no zero stop, what else? I am getting a 3-9 SWFA for Christmas, so I think the SHV would not get me much more?
You do much "spotting impacts" with sporter weight BG rifles and 16x scopes from field positions other than prone and bipod, John?
You read a whole lot of mirage through a 14x scope...? Don't you normally have a spotting scope, and you usually have a spotter/partner along as well, correct?
Question #1. Of course.
Question #2. Of course.
Makes me smile that reading mirage at 14X stymies some. Look more.
It is actually kinda funny to think of who exactly would make me change a wind call when I have 14.7X and they have a spotting scope.
Pro Tip: The list is very short.
Pro Tip #2: You are not on that list but given a bit of training you might make the cut. Practice more???
Pro Tip # 2 was a bit of jab. Just havin fun.
Here is a bit of a hint. 3 good hits for 3 shot with 2 moving at 550yds.
. You might not want to play this game.
Mr. Seinfeld, did that 2nd round really hit that bull in the dome?
I think the system that SunTan Dan uses along with a half dozen other system builders (Red Rock, Western Precision, Best of the West, MOA, Sub MOA etc) makes a lot more sense and is faster than counting clicks, although that does limit someone who likes to experiment with different bullets/loads and one who travels to different elevations. Of course buying an extra turret or two is cheap enough too.
![[Linked Image]](http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/ackleyfan/media/securedownload3_zpse579d136.jpg.html)
