My scope confused me the other day

[ImARugerFan]

I have a cheap 1.5-4.5x bushnell on my slug gun. It's nothing special, but it has always worked for me and I like the circle x reticle. However, Saturday I pulled up on a doe that was about 80 yards away, and she looked incredibly small in my scope. It definitely seemed like my scope was shrinking the deer down. I had it set at 4.5x. I tested it out pointing at a small tree trunk 20 yards in front of me, and I could tell that it was increasing the size of it. Is this some kind of an illusion that's messing with me, or can a bad scope cause things to 'shrink' at longer ranges? I plan on upgrading this scope soon, but it'll have to get me through this season.

[rcmodel]

Must be an illusion.
I can't imagine any way it could cause things to look smaller when set on 4.5x.

At any rate, I think further testing might be in order before you go hunting again.

If a lens somehow came unstuck in the scope and is actually reducing the magnification like you think, it will also for sure mess up the scopes ability to hold zero.

I'd shake it real hard and see if you can hear anything rattle.
Then I would shoot it for zero again just to be safe.

Be a real shame for a 12-point buck to not only look small, but then miss him by a mile because the scope is broke!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[George Hill]

This happens when you are below 1.5 mag... so your 1.5 is actually closer to 1.

[ImARugerFan]

I'll have to test it out. I need a new scope for next year. I already dropped a little buck so I can finish the season out with my 44 mag if need be.