Maybe as as a handloading load testing target shooter those 8 more x's might come in handy at the range, but I have read that mirage starts to become an issue much over 10x. Alabama hunting is likely different than Wisconsin woods hunting, but I've been very pleased with the optical quality of my Diavari V though in a much lower 1.5-6x42 zoom range. My western rifle does have a 2.5-10x42 Swarovski that I could swap out for that Diavari, but I'm remembering back when I hunted deer with a higher magnification 3-9x scope and had to make a running shot on a buck just after I had looked at some does at the 9x setting. This years deer was typical. Confirm a shooter at 3x, make the shot at 6x and dial back to 4x to watch for any movement. With a higher magnification variable, I know that I would zoom way up to make the shot which reduces my fov and exit pupil size. If I missed or got brush deflection, a follow up shot would be harder. I've only hunted Colorado 4 times and I still think that 2.5-10x42 Swarovski is near perfect for my western hunting rifle. I wouldn't be disciplined enough not to use more magnification than I'd need to make the shot. You might be different.