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I see the recommendations for 6x, 10x, 3x9, 3.5 x10 etc... on this thread for scopes for shots to 600 yards and beyond and I guess I'm a bit puzzled. This being the long range forum and all, I'm a bit surprised I'm not seeing recommendations for scopes in the 6.5 x 20, 6 x24, 5 x 25, etc... range for those long range shots. I've never been of the opinion you could "overscope' a rifle unless you really tried and for long range I've done fine with my 3x9 and 4.5 x 14 scopes, but for varmints I always like to have as much magnification as my rifle and carrying arm will handle- something in the 6.5 x 20 Leupold or 6 x24 B&L Elite series work best for me at the moment. I like to see what I am shooting at as well as possible and sometimes I Iike to see what I'm NOT shooting at, like small branches and things like that in the bullet patch you may not see otherwise. Also, sometimes you have a pretty narrow window to shoot through at the game moving or feeding in the trees or brush or among other animals and a little extra power can help pick through those instances. These seem to happen to me more often these days and a little extra scope power is sometimes a real blessing when it does.

So, what are your thoughts on this? Give me a minute to get my Nomex underwear on.... wink

Bob


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Originally Posted by Sheister
I see the recommendations for 6x, 10x, 3x9, 3.5 x10 etc... on this thread for scopes for shots to 600 yards and beyond and I guess I'm a bit puzzled. This being the long range forum and all, I'm a bit surprised I'm not seeing recommendations for scopes in the 6.5 x 20, 6 x24, 5 x 25, etc... range for those long range shots. I've never been of the opinion you could "overscope' a rifle unless you really tried and for long range I've done fine with my 3x9 and 4.5 x 14 scopes, but for varmints I always like to have as much magnification as my rifle and carrying arm will handle- something in the 6.5 x 20 Leupold or 6 x24 B&L Elite series work best for me at the moment. I like to see what I am shooting at as well as possible and sometimes I Iike to see what I'm NOT shooting at, like small branches and things like that in the bullet patch you may not see otherwise. Also, sometimes you have a pretty narrow window to shoot through at the game moving or feeding in the trees or brush or among other animals and a little extra power can help pick through those instances. These seem to happen to me more often these days and a little extra scope power is sometimes a real blessing when it does.

So, what are your thoughts on this? Give me a minute to get my Nomex underwear on.... wink

Bob

I am with you sheister on scope power, I believe the ole saying aim small shoot small.

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Originally Posted by Sheister
I see the recommendations for 6x, 10x, 3x9, 3.5 x10 etc... on this thread for scopes for shots to 600 yards and beyond and I guess I'm a bit puzzled. This being the long range forum and all, I'm a bit surprised I'm not seeing recommendations for scopes in the 6.5 x 20, 6 x24, 5 x 25, etc... range for those long range shots. I've never been of the opinion you could "overscope' a rifle unless you really tried and for long range I've done fine with my 3x9 and 4.5 x 14 scopes, but for varmints I always like to have as much magnification as my rifle and carrying arm will handle- something in the 6.5 x 20 Leupold or 6 x24 B&L Elite series work best for me at the moment. I like to see what I am shooting at as well as possible and sometimes I Iike to see what I'm NOT shooting at, like small branches and things like that in the bullet patch you may not see otherwise. Also, sometimes you have a pretty narrow window to shoot through at the game moving or feeding in the trees or brush or among other animals and a little extra power can help pick through those instances. These seem to happen to me more often these days and a little extra scope power is sometimes a real blessing when it does.

So, what are your thoughts on this? Give me a minute to get my Nomex underwear on.... wink

Bob


Bob,

I don't think the OP, Dogger, ever responded regarding distances and target sizes. RMerta said deer vitals out to 600, and steel to 800 - 900. A 3-9x MQ handles that.

If you're shooting varmints, I'm guessing that the cartridge and/or weight of the rifle help keep recoil low. And if you have a solid rest, like a field bench, then a narrow FOV may not matter. However, shooting a heavier recoiling rifle from some contorted field position with a narrow FOV can make spotting your hits, or misses, difficult no matter how well you build your firing position. Here, a fixed 6x is not a handicap on big game vital sized targets, at medium range. In fact it can be an advantage. No big deal to dial down a high power variable either.

It's been said before. Many people are quick to over-scope themselves. That is why asked about distances and target sizes in my post on the first page. Unless you're shooting small targets, or have some vision problems, you can get by with a lot less magnification than some people assume.

Someone did a survey of various longrange & PRS shooters, and from what I recall, 12x was found to be the top end for many. Their scopes could go higher, but in general they used lower magnification in order spot their shots. Also interesting to see more shooters going from .308 to 6.5mm Creedmooor, and to 6mm Creedmoor. There are certainly advantages in external ballistics going from .308 to 6.5mm Creedmoor, but going from 6.5mm to 6mm is mostly about lower recoil... and spotting shots.

That is my experience. Distances, target size, recoil levels, and expectations, all factor into the equation and will vary from one shooter to another.

Jason

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I'll take image quality over size every day. ....and if it doesn't track 100% bang on every time, it has no business shooting at game.


Originally Posted by BrentD

I would not buy something that runs on any kind of primer given the possibility of primer shortages and even regulations. In fact, why not buy a flintlock? Really. Rocks aren't going away anytime soon.
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Originally Posted by 4th_point
Originally Posted by Sheister
I see the recommendations for 6x, 10x, 3x9, 3.5 x10 etc... on this thread for scopes for shots to 600 yards and beyond and I guess I'm a bit puzzled. This being the long range forum and all, I'm a bit surprised I'm not seeing recommendations for scopes in the 6.5 x 20, 6 x24, 5 x 25, etc... range for those long range shots. I've never been of the opinion you could "overscope' a rifle unless you really tried and for long range I've done fine with my 3x9 and 4.5 x 14 scopes, but for varmints I always like to have as much magnification as my rifle and carrying arm will handle- something in the 6.5 x 20 Leupold or 6 x24 B&L Elite series work best for me at the moment. I like to see what I am shooting at as well as possible and sometimes I Iike to see what I'm NOT shooting at, like small branches and things like that in the bullet patch you may not see otherwise. Also, sometimes you have a pretty narrow window to shoot through at the game moving or feeding in the trees or brush or among other animals and a little extra power can help pick through those instances. These seem to happen to me more often these days and a little extra scope power is sometimes a real blessing when it does.

So, what are your thoughts on this? Give me a minute to get my Nomex underwear on.... wink

Bob


Bob,

I don't think the OP, Dogger, ever responded regarding distances and target sizes. RMerta said deer vitals out to 600, and steel to 800 - 900. A 3-9x MQ handles that.

If you're shooting varmints, I'm guessing that the cartridge and/or weight of the rifle help keep recoil low. And if you have a solid rest, like a field bench, then a narrow FOV may not matter. However, shooting a heavier recoiling rifle from some contorted field position with a narrow FOV can make spotting your hits, or misses, difficult no matter how well you build your firing position. Here, a fixed 6x is not a handicap on big game vital sized targets, at medium range. In fact it can be an advantage. No big deal to dial down a high power variable either.

It's been said before. Many people are quick to over-scope themselves. That is why asked about distances and target sizes in my post on the first page. Unless you're shooting small targets, or have some vision problems, you can get by with a lot less magnification than some people assume.

Someone did a survey of various longrange & PRS shooters, and from what I recall, 12x was found to be the top end for many. Their scopes could go higher, but in general they used lower magnification in order spot their shots. Also interesting to see more shooters going from .308 to 6.5mm Creedmooor, and to 6mm Creedmoor. There are certainly advantages in external ballistics going from .308 to 6.5mm Creedmoor, but going from 6.5mm to 6mm is mostly about lower recoil... and spotting shots.

That is my experience. Distances, target size, recoil levels, and expectations, all factor into the equation and will vary from one shooter to another.

Jason

This.

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i have been AWOL on this thread... this is a dual use rifle for me... shooting paper from a bipod out to 1000 meters, and varmints/deer with shots most likely from the prone with a backpack for a rest.

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My standard big game rifle is getting a USOptics B-17 the rest are transferring to Nightforce.
The paper punchers have a variety of swfa ss and Leupolds on them.

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Which reticle are you gonna go with on the B-17?


Screw you! I'm voting for Trump again!

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Originally Posted by Higbean
Which reticle are you gonna go with on the B-17?
.

He ordered the IGR reticle assuming he didn’t change the order for the 5th time.

Got to visit Fred last weekend, drink his beer and whiskey and help the training of his deer to gunfire. Damndest thing you’ve ever seen as there were no deer around until his nephews started shooting shït with my 22/410 and the deer came running.

Here the kids were shooting grapefruits off the stump in the foreground and the deer could literally care less. 2 deer on the feeder here during a ceasefire the let the one coming out of the trees to the right get across.

[Linked Image]

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Originally Posted by Higbean
Which reticle are you gonna go with on the B-17?


Yes IGR! LOL. It’s not here yet but the rent is payed on it so should be anytime now.

If it’s better than my Nightforce’s it’s going to have to be really good. The 3.5-15x50 NXS in MOAR is quickly becoming my favorite. Was out Saturday afternoon she’s up to 1000 yards for sure. But th Shv f1 on the short mag7 is nothing to turn your nose up over.

[Linked Image]

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Particularly like the SWFA single power scopes: 10X, 12X or 16X.

1-4X for battle rifles.

3-9X hunting.

Unless a dawn or dusk shot...cheap works fine.


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Originally Posted by rovert
Originally Posted by Hiaring8



I have a caldwell 10" Steel Gong setup that I bought a couple years ago to shoot long at. You tell yourself that 10" shouldnt be no issue at all, but to date, once you get that thing out past 450-500 yards - even with very little wind - as dog shooter says - it can be very humbling.
.


It certainly can be but when you find that consistent load for a consistent rifle with a consistent scope, it can be an awful lot of fun. Last trip out:

[Linked Image]


Rovert....what’s you load in that 260? I am about to try that bullet in my Tikka hunter.

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Swaro Z5 3-18. Done

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S&B 10x42 PMII


The US in the last 40 years:

Socialism for big corporations and military industrial complex

&

Rugged individualism for the individual.
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