Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Consensus on the best all-around scope power range

Ditto to above. Many times I've heard people say that they had their variable power set high and could not get on an animal at close range, but I don't recall EVER hearing someone say they did not get an animal because their scope power setting was too low.

For coastal blacktail deer and predator calling I'm shooting a 1-4 duplex with red dot center and love it, especially in our dark rain forest even at mid day, let alone first and last light. But I can tell my aging eyes could use more magnification on the top end when I have time and a rest. Am looking at a Hawke 1-8x24 and may replace the 1-4 Vortex.

I like that power range, but my favorite "hunting" rifle scopes don't come in that power range. That's where the trusty ol 3-9x40 comes into play. I've never felt handicapped, while using scopes in that magnification range, especially during the typical elk hunts. Now, my "long range" deer hunts, I need something with higher magnification and a repeatable and reliable turret on top gets the nod. YMMV.. With that being said, I'm fine with a good ol 3-9x40, out to 500 yards, but it has to have a good reticle, that I know like the back of my hand...


I also agree with the posters that say it "depends on what type of hunting you are doing"...

Everyone's eyes and techniques are different. Your way is fine, as I've punched through elk hearts with the scope on 9x. Shoot with both eyes open, as one would do in competitive trap shooting, and a whole new world opens up for you. I've shot running elk at 30 yards, with the scope set on 9x. No problems there. Dead elk.. It's not my preference, but it is doable. This all depends on your skill level too. How many of you guys grew up shooting running jacks in the sage, with your deer rifles?????

2.5-10 has been around since the 90's. I've ran plenty of the Bushnell Elite 4200's that used that power range. A great one, but their reticles were schidt..

Contrary to what you’d like to believe, lots of people in the SW grew up shooting jack rabbits.

Figured it was a real serious question with 5 ?

I've shot a buttload of close range hogs with scopes set (inadvertently maybe?) on 10x. It's not near as big a deal as the internet makes it out to be.

for hunting, 1x to 1.5x per hundred yards

True dat--- IF the shooter knows how to use a scope. You look at what you want to hit and put the scope in front of your eye. On the other hand, if you mount the rifle and start weaving it around to scan for the target, you are probably out of luck with the scope set at any power!

2.5-10 for me also. Specifically Vorex Viper 2.5-10x44 w BDC. (currently on sale for $250 @ Midway) I prefer a bdc type reticle and lowish power range so I can use the scope on the top end for longer shots but do it quickly. ie: buck at 300 yards and won't be there long, crank scope to max, use 300 yard hash mark and let it rip.

4.5 x 14 x40 Leupolds for most of my hunting since I mostly hunt deer from a ground blind Also on my two 270 Win mod custom 70 wins have 3x9x40 Swaros. I mostly use the low power when hunting and have shot animals with a scope set on 3 power even to 200 yds.

3x10

3-9 is the best compromise for me. Where I hunt the shots might come at 25 yds or I might need to stretch it out a little beyond 300 yds. That said, I still use a 1-4, 1.5-5 and 2-7 quite a bit too. The highest mag hunting scope I own is a 3-15 and it is overkill at the ranges I shoot.

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Obviously no clear answer to this. What is the scope to be used for? Hunting? What kind of hunting, and where? Target? Long Range target? What kind of rifle??

I like 3-12x for general big game hunting.
I use 2.5-10x on my rimfires for varmint hunting.
I like 4-16x for longer range varmint hunting.
I have a 5-25x for my rimfire long range rifle
I have 3-27x for my long range target rifle.
I hunt pigs with 1.5-6x.

So you see, there is no one answer.

I think it has evolved a lot because scopes have changed a lot. Back in the day it started with a fixed power, because that's how it started. Then it was a variable power and 3-9 was common. It was a big improvement over fixed power and 3X magnification was awesome and it got you to 9x. Then with 3x magnification you could get a 4-12. With Leupold as an example, you get 6x magnification. You can still stay low with a 4x on the bottom end but you have 6x magnification which gets you to 24X on the top end. Most of my scopes are 4.5-14. It covers a nice range but I also have hunting rifles with 3-18 and 4-24.

Everything changes as technology changes.

Fixed 3 and 4x scopes were, in their day, the best compromise between field of view for shorter ranges and magnification for longer shots. Now that we have scopes that will cover both ends of the spectrum better, no compromise needed, its weird to me that scopes with a 3 and 4x minimum have still remained popular. JMO.

Good old Burris euro diamond 2.5-10x44, bdc

old 3x9 new 2-12

old 4-12 new 4.5-20

The 1-20 variable power is about perfect.

Nah, I meant fixed 6 power or fixed 4 power. For hunting I have never really wished for more than a 4 or 6 power out to 500 yards. The only time higher power is useful is if you don't have binos and need to count antlers.

For target shooting at pine cones long range, I do like a 4-14 standard mildot with adjustable parallax

2.5-10 or 3.5-10 in my world. With a 40-42 OB.