Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Scope power?

For you guys that have killed game at longer ranges.....say at around 400+ yards, what scope power makes those shots do-able? Is the average 3-9X okay, or would a minimum top power be like 12 or 14X? Or More? Just wondering if I have enough scope on a couple guns to make such a shot given that I do my part. Furthest I ever took a deer was around 250yds. I know the variables, just want to know equipment wise what would work.

What size game? Target size does more to dictate necessary magnification than any other factor. 400 yards on a "deer" sized target can easily be done with a 4X scope......

6x works perfectly

Size? maybe mule deer or caribou on up.

On deer sized game I've always used the recommendation of 1x per 50 yds and it's worked fine for me. Others may have more insight.

I've killed at 300 with a 4x so I would go with 6x for big game.

It is all going to depend on the shooter. I would prefer something around 4x to shoot whitetails at 400 yards...the next guy might prefer 12x.

Second question first, yes. First question second, 6x, in my opinion for most, 4x with elk size animals.

Ok then, thanks, looks like I've got plenty of scope.

Shot my mule deer at 400 yards on 6X and, yes, a 3-9X scope is sufficient for such size game.

...........Fixed; 4x, 6x.....Variable; 2x7, 2.5x8, 3x9.....3x9 is just fine.

On the top end magnification for hunting use, 12x and 14x for the use you describe is too much and completely unnecessary even out to 400 yards imo.

As far as which equipment? Many choices out there depending on your budget.

However, the Leupys VX1s, VX2s, and VX3s and the Redfield series would be on my short list of considerations.

Yes, a 3-9X is plenty.
I like a 6X as well. Whatever you use, it's important to know for sure the buck is 400 yds. away, not 300 or 500 plus.
I like to dial in ranges on the order of 300 yds. or more. Makes it much easier to simply hold on.
The other thing is wind. That can only be learned with lots of practice. E

Dogslife57,

I have a little different perspective than the others. I have a 4-24X scope. I don't carry a spotting scope so I verify with the rifle scope. Last year I killed a pronghorn at 420 yards with it set on 4X. Because it has a brake I could see the hit.

By the way, I found it with the 10X50 binoculars. That is great fun.

I have been out west 3 times with no shots. I was sighted in at 200 and there were some very open areas. These were all deer/elk hunts. If I ever go again though I will have a range finder. There are some potential long shots at deer here in fields and such, but that is the exception not the rule. Thanks for the replys.

I have shot deer to just about 400 with a 6X, so a 6X or 3-9 would work fine for me.

For semi-target work/shooting groups I do slightly better with 12X or 14X and the AO helps a bit as well. I am not sure that the extra X's gain you much in the game field's

There's more to it than hitting the point of aim. A higher power scope may allow you to see a twig between the muzzle and the target that a lower power won't. If you are a serious trophy hunter, a higher power may allow you to see antler detail a lower power won't. A higher power may let you see that the doe you are shooting at actually has one inch spikes. Of course binos can do some of that for you, but some folks are happy to use their rifle scope instead of binos. OP, perhaps a better question may be why use a fixed 4 instead of a variable? Or a low power variable instead of a high power variable.

Shot my elk last year at 411 yards using my buddy's rifle. He handed it to me and a few seconds later the bullet went out the muzzle. I never did check the magnification setting, but the scope is a 2.8-10 Simmons Aetec.

We normally keep our variables at about 4 to 4.5x.

Scope setting didn't matter to the bull, 4 steps and down.
Normally the scopes on my big game rifles top out at 9x. I have a couple 4.5-14x scopes on rifles that double as light varminters and I have a Leupold that goes to 10x on another rifle.

I have found for most common hunting situations a 9 power scope will cover out to 600yds. and for some even further.

I don't care for 32mm scopes because you loose some light gathering capabilities but I don't like 50mm scopes because of the much larger size.

So these are the reasons that make a 3-9x40 so popular.

Longer distances, smaller targets will all factor in on your choice. Just make sure you buy a high quality scope with good eye relief!

I'm happy with my 2.5-10 and shot targets at 500. Don't feel need for more power or longer distance
Fine cross hair at long distance

To hit where I want, I go with my 264 WM wearing a 6.5-20 with turrets. For deer, I feel comfortable out to 600 if the wind isn't crazy.