How much magnification needed..?

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Maverick1911

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I have a Leupold 6.5x-20x scope for my ar15. It works great and I think the magnification is good for the distance a .223 round can travel. I want to keep the same scope model in my .308 ar but noticed that they offer a 8.5x-25x. Is this extra magnification worth the money? And does it significantly aid in distance shots?
 

dennishoddy

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There are 1000 yard matches at Camp Perry Ohio with iron sights.

That being said, magnification magnifies the error.

I'm sure this mystifies you but, On Wednesdays I shoot a silhouette match with rifles at 100 yds.(3" targets, offhand, no support or slings) I thought the Nikon Monarch 6X24X50 would let me zoom in on the target for the best shot.

What I found, was even though the target was full in the scope, I over corrected constantly. When I dialed the scope down on the next match, the cross hairs probably moved the same, but I was not chasing the target, and when the time came, pulled the trigger. My scores were better at lower magnification.

This is a specific situation. If your hunting using sticks, or using a bench rest, etc, all the above kind of goes away. Good glass at longer ranges will make a difference, so I guess what I'm saying we need to know a little more about what your intentions for the gun are.
 

Johnny

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I agree with Dennis. If you are shooting from a solid rest. I don't think you can have too much. If you are hunting and mostly shoot offhand it is no really needed. Also glass clarity overrides magnification any day.
 

Maverick1911

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I would love to say I am shooting prairie dogs at 800 yards+....but I'm not. I would like to be able to hit a 12 inch gong though! No way I could see that without a scope. The difference in the 20x to the 25x is a couple hundred bucks retail....
 

Johnny

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I am with you. I have a more than a couple of 20 power scopes and a couple 25 power. They make a difference shooting prone at 600 yards. Also the 25 power sure does make it easy to pick shots out on paper under 200 yards.
 

swampratt

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I used a 3-9x40 nikon buckmaster on my .308 for 1 year and best 3 shot group was .75"
I had a 4-16x40 centerpoint on my 30-06 and best 3 shot was .75"
I could see the holes much better with the centerpoint scope..clarity was a wash between the 2.
Reticle was thinner on the centerpoint..so i got one for the .308.. Then my 3 shot groups shrank best being in the .3" area with the .308.

I can see holes well at 226 yards with the centerpoint but at 300 yards it gets iffy..
Better glass more magnification and smaller reticle is what i feel i need.
The last being important..
At higher magnifications and further ranges i like an adjustable objective also.
 

Johnny

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I used a 3-9x40 nikon buckmaster on my .308 for 1 year and best 3 shot group was .75"
I had a 4-16x40 centerpoint on my 30-06 and best 3 shot was .75"
I could see the holes much better with the centerpoint scope..clarity was a wash between the 2.
Reticle was thinner on the centerpoint..so i got one for the .308.. Then my 3 shot groups shrank best being in the .3" area with the .308.


.
I can see holes well at 226 yards with the centerpoint but at 300 yards it gets iffy..
Better glass more magnification and smaller reticle is what i feel i need.
The last being important..
At higher magnifications and further ranges i like an adjustable objective also.

People don't usually inquire about that reticle thickness in these post but you are correct. I purchased a nice 15x zeiss that was a FFP scope with pled reticle. The cross hairs will cover up a 1.5" diameter circle at 100 yards. Not good for the bull battle 22-250 I bought it for. Varmints would be hard to get a good hit on at any kind of range.
Thanks for bringing it up it is very important
 

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