Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics who uses lower powered scopes? (1-4x, 1-6x)

I avoid variables if I can. I mostly have 4x and 6x scopes. i have a few higher power scopes (including variables) on varmint rifles though.

A few weeks ago I shot a 5X5 bull elk at 30 yards with a 3-10x scope as it trotted by me. It was an easy shot with the scope set to 4x.

I've used a 1-6x scope in Africa on my .375 H&H and it worked great on a variety of game in thorn brush country.

But most of the areas I hunt in are fairly open, so I generally use a 3-9x or 2-10x/3-10x scope. I can still make very close shots at 2x or 3x without a problem. I generally keep my scopes on a lower power depending on the terrain and turn them up if I have a long shot.

I have two Leupold 2.5-8 x 36 scopes on different rifles and they are very handy. They have long eye relief, and when turned down can focus in very close brush, when turned up I can see bullet holes in 100 yard targets. Personally do not need other low power combinations.

I came to a similar conclusion, but it depends on the rifle.
I have a 2.5x20 on a model 600 in .308w that gets used a lot as a backup when hunting with my son, and when scouting. It's good enough for me to make good hits to 300 yards +/- so far.
My Roberts has a 2-7x that seems perfect, as does my old '06. My .338wm sports a 2.5-10x 50mm that has been great for elk as close as 15 yards.
On rifles I use out in the open I don't mind a higher magnification on the bottom end but it definitely causes some loss of FOV.

Well I’m convinced I would like these LPVOs better. I’m going to be getting some and switching out some of the scopes I have.

MD, the one shown with the coyote is a 16ga/16ga/6.5x58R Sauer & Son it is one of my favorites when the brush gets really thick. Much like a 25-35, in fact it does shoot .257 bullets quite well but I size 264s down to .260 it's groove diameter

I have both fixed 6X and variable scopes. ALL of the variables are set on 6X and never move. 6X gets everything done for me.

Also tend to do that a lot. In fact have killed running animals at 10-20 yards with 6x--and also killed one of my two biggest caribou at 450 with a 1.5-6x set on 6x.

Nothing larger than 1-6 these days.

All of my shots are close in. I never get a shot over about 75 yards. Often much less. So, higher magnification is more burden than help. I can always turn a low powered scope up if I need to zoom in more. But I can't turn down a high powered to less than it's rated at if I need to.

I don't have the luxury of shooting in big fields or plains. All of my hunting is in the mountains and rough terrain and a lot of undergrowth.

I'm sure there will be many that are able to shoot longer distances. For them, I understand the attraction to higher magnification. But for me and where and how I hunt? Nope.

I use a 2.5, 1.1-5, 1.5-6, and several 1-6 or 8 LPVO's (coyotes mainly). I use more fixed 6x scopes than any other. In most cases, when using a variable and I'm not moving, I set it on 6x...in woods or open areas. When not moving, I don't care for less than 4x in woods as it helps when picking shooting lanes. I don't care for more than 6x in woods as it seems to tight. 6x is just Goldilocks for me.

1-5 PST Gen 2 on my ar-15. Love it

A scope with a true 1x, not 1.1 or 1.5 really becomes a game changer. I put a Leupold VX6 1-6 x 24 on a .375 H&H and on the 1x, it's akin to shooting open sights with both eyes open, especially with the illumination turned on. I've also put Trijicon 1-6 x 24 on my AR-308 and AR-15.

I'm really starting to like the 1-6 x 24 scopes. I'm starting to consider putting one on my primary TX whitetail and pig bolt action rig. All my shots are under 225 yds, especially when I'm hunting pigs at feeders or in the brush.

I like the idea of a 1-5 or 1-6, but I’ve never had trouble with a 3 or 4x low end scope on a rifle that fit me.

I’ve killed probably 200-300 hogs and 100+ deer with a 3-9x40 and a 4-16x42. The vast majority of those were shot at 6x.

The only time I’ve found 3 or 4x to be a bit much on the low end is calling coons and trailing wounded deer.

Many hundreds. This site singularly has the most posters who don't seem to understand FFP vs SFP.
I go on dozens of driven hunts across the continent annually, and my preferred optic (despite "WILD BOAR FEVER") is a low powered S&B Flash Dot. Dialed down to 1.5 or so it is superior to a dot site and dialed up is a superlative stalking scope. How do you top that?

With a 1-4 Triji Accupoint.

Pretty much exclusively ALL kills under 3x as who has time to crank up when you are carrying a 3- 9 X

I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on pros and cons of each.

I hunt a variety , 1-4’, 1-6’s , 4-12’s , 6.5-20’s
When hunting I turn em down to lower settings and crank em uo for testing loads .
But the. Back them down to what I’m going to hunt with to make sure POI didn’t change if it’s a new scope I’m not sure about
I like the 3-9’s and up with AO or SF for focusing ,
Have been hunting with non AO or SF scopes and couldn’t find the deer standing in the brush that I saw in binoculars .
Kenneth

I have some 4x and 6x,but really enjoy upper magnification on a 3-9 for target and zeroing.Then they’re set back at 5x for hunting…

same ,when hunting usually set at lowest power