Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Questions on scope power

Question is as follow: Is 18 power enough for 22-250 and varmint hunting. Shots out to 500 yards on small critters.

such a personal preference ... there are those here that would not worry if they had something as simple as a fixed 6x scope, and others who wouldn't have anything other than a 6-20x power scope, complete with turrets and parallax adjustments ...

one thing to consider, is that a lot of folks here agree that going with as low a power as you can is better, simply because if you can keep things at about 12x or less, you have a VERY good chance of being able stay firmly behind your scope when you shoot, thus allowing you to see the impact of the bullet on the varmint, and possibly allow you to even spot your own shots by watching trace and impact ...

another thing to keep in mind regarding scopes for any rifle, is that quality glass trumps magnification every time ... a poorly resolved image at 20x is still but a poorly resolved image ...

I'm looking at nikon scopes only! Having three of them already I know the difference between good and bad scopes!

then get a Buckmasters 6-18x with the side focus and turrets ... that will get you there ... I've heard a lot of good things about that scope ...

I shoot woodchucks out to 400 with a 3.5-10X loopy. I havn't felt underscoped yet. If you are asking about Prarie dogs and such, I can't help you there. I have never hunted them. But woodchucks would be no problem at 500 with 10X's out front in my opinion. YMMV.

It just depends on what you feel comfortable with. I shoot some 18 powers and some 3-9s and all will shoot comfortably out to 600. I also practice alot and shoot in the neighborhood of 5000 rounds at pds a yr so I do shoot alot. If you like the higher mags go for it. HAPPY HUNTING

It all depends on what you're shooting...

My varmint rig wears a max of 12 power...

I'm not an expert but I've made several PD hunts. I usually don't use much over 12X due to mirage problems at higher magnifications. To me, even this magnification is sufficient for relatively long shots.

Bro in law and I had 3-9's on our 22-250 and 243 when we went out, dad had a 4-12 on his 22-250 and a 6-24 on his heavy barrel 223. The lower powered scopes weren't much of a handicap out to 500, 18x is definitely doable.

Only you can answer what enough is.
For many years I used a 8X Redfield target scope and then traded it to a friend who had a 12X Redfield. He thought 12 was to much and wanted my 8X. Mine had the target dot and I wanted to get a duplex for nighttime calling. The fine dot was invisible at night. We both ended up happy campers. I have used a straight 12X Weaver and now have a straight 15X Weaver as well. They do just fine. I always crank up the variable to the highest power and leave it there. I don't utilize the variable feature and don't desire it. I think a straight 12X is almost ideal for prairie dogs.
whelennut

Unless you are shooting totalling different circumstances than I am I like a straight 15x or 16x. Plenty of mag but not so much to be a problem in hot weather with mirage.

The short answer is absolutely yes.

I would rather have a 4 power "quality scope" than a 18 power "cheap scope." Not going to mention brands, I think most know what I am saying.

Ditto. A gracious plenty...

18 is plenty in IMHO. The 4.5-14 Leupy or Conquest is perfect for me...And really, most of the time a 4-12 is enough for a general purpose varmit rig.

My varmit rig is a heavy barrel .223 with a 6x-24x. It is mostly used at about 18x as the higher power setting is often useless due to mirage. However this rifle is also used for deer sometimes as well as varmits called in to less than 100 yards. The lower power (6x) is appreciated when shooting at a moving target (called coyotes) or even a standing one at 50 yards or so. Seems to cover all the bases for me......and a 6-18x would be just as good since anything more is so seldom used.

I'm firmly embedded in the 6.5 X 20 camp. I shoot alot of pd's and gophers each year and find that I use the 20X quite often. Because much of varmint shooting is either off of a bench or supports of some type (pods or sticks), the "wiggle" factor isn't quite as pronounced as from field positions sans supports.

It truly is a personal preference thing, but I have always liked the option of dialing down to 12X or 14X rather than having no option to dial up to 20X......YMMV.

One thing you have to give a Leupold, is that during a day of high volume shooting.. I have come home with headaches from 'scope squint" all day....

I have never had this problem with a Leupold, or my one Nikon Monarch...or an older Tasco 5. x 15 by 50 MM on a 223 Remington VLS..

4.5 x 14 is my favorite power range...with my eye sight, seeing clearly out of a scope over about 14 power, is like looking thru a fish bowl for me, regardless of the quality of the glass...