Scope magnification question
- Thread starter Tucker25
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With a quality scope that is clear and with fine crosshairs along with a MOA rifle it is possible to shoot MOA with 1X for every 100 yards. So 6X would be acceptable. I've shot at firing ranges with fixed 6X scopes out to 600 yards. I don't think you ever need more than 2X per 100 yards for big game. Varmints might benefit from more magnification.
And there is no free lunch, there are negatives with more magnification. Above 10X-12X and you really need a high quality expensive scope. There are lots of common 3-9X40 scopes out there that would be fine at 500-600 yards on deer sized targets.
And there is no free lunch, there are negatives with more magnification. Above 10X-12X and you really need a high quality expensive scope. There are lots of common 3-9X40 scopes out there that would be fine at 500-600 yards on deer sized targets.
Peakbagger46
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3-9 would work. I’d prefer a 12 or 14x though. The added magnification will help you read mirage to decide if it’s too breezy for a shot that far.
rabid wombat
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I am simple...what distance can you hit a deer with iron sights? A deer hit comfortably at 60 yards with irons, you need a 10x to get 600. A deer at 100, a 6x for 600. Better glass overcomes power. As others have said, Marines used a 10x for 1000. A human (often referred as long pig...a different conversation) is a passible analog for deer. Be careful of too much glass, or too poor of glass.
Varminterror
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It’s well known that I have a manner of speaking which is less-than-sensitive, and I’m never accused of being so much as congenial, but there’s quite certainly a better means to convey this. Honey and vinegar, as it were.
Varminterror
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I haven’t shot a deer in a long time with my scope set less than 12-15x, even at 30yrds, let alone 600. At 600, a 16x is as low as I would tolerate (as a fan of 4-16x44mm scopes for hunting), and would prefer to be up around 20-24x. I can make those shots at far lower magnification, but what I can do has very little with what I prefer to do.
JFrank
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Ya can’t hit what ya can’t see, I have a 3-15x 42 on my 308 which tactically it’s fine but a 6-24x 50 is definitely better
entropy
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You should already know the answer. If you do not, you are not ready to shoot deer at 600 yards. Now you just got yourself mad, because I did not tell you you shouldn't shoot that far.
To correctly answer the question: I would not shoot at deer that are 600 yards away. That is what you asked; what magnification I would need to shoot deer at 600 yards easily. Also, your question implies you've never shot at deer, or anything, at 600 yards, because you would know it is not easily done.
I like as much power as I can get with a bottom range of 6 or less. Most of mine are 2.5 or 3 to 15s, with a couple 4-14.5/20s, and a few 3-9/10s.
I'd pr pretty comfortable taking a shot at a deer sized target at 600yds with any of them...cause hey don't matter if I miss a target.
I'd pr pretty comfortable taking a shot at a deer sized target at 600yds with any of them...cause hey don't matter if I miss a target.
Varminterror
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I know where this is coming from, and I do recall hearing it from other shooters now long in the past. but dang, I don’t like it at all...
I haven’t met anyone spending money on scopes who really likes having the same challenging reticle picture as they would be forced into when using irons.
Varminterror
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I’ll echo this...
...but the caveat/disclaimer, 600 isn’t that far when the right tools are used by the right shooters in the right conditions. Alternatively, 600 yards is virtually unattainably far for Joe Rifleowner sitting in a deer stand without any supports and a 3-9x optic on top of a $350 Rem 700ADL in 270win shooting factory Corelokts and less than 100 centerfire rounds fired in their life - and nary a single round past 100. A good optic on a good rifle with a good load in the hands of a good shooter with good data, good training, and good practice, fired from good support in good conditions... in that case 600’s on a deer isn’t quite a “chip shot,” but it’s pretty dang close.
illinoisburt
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Service rifle competition at 600 yards used to be irons only. These days an optic up to 4.5x is allowed. They do just fine for a 6" x-ring. Takes a good deal of practice to become competent at that range. Most competitors don't score perfect. Rather than worrying about the potential magnification to make a shot, i would focus on shooting at known ranges from 300 out to 100 yards farther than you self imposed limit.
Varminterror
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I have thoroughly enjoyed Service Rifle when I have dabbled into it, but I really can’t say I think referencing it in this way is legitimate, albeit fairly common (unfortunately). Sure, the X-ring is 1smoa, but it’s hard to ignore the fact the aiming black is literally 3 feet across and the target paper itself is 6ft across. I’ve shot some big deer in my life, but I have never had any of them offer such a generous aiming reference as a Service Rifle target. Shooting a basketball sized circle in the center of a car-hood at long range is a different thing than shooting a lone basketball. I’ll happily shoot a handful of 5 shot groups in a row at 100yrds which can be covered with a quarter, expect it even - but if you ask me to shoot 5 quarters within 5 shots each with no aiming reference, I’d bet against myself every time.
Also acknowledging, the performance standard in HP is scarcely relevant to the X ring, let alone applicable in the context of whitetail hunting. Using last year’s first ever perfect score on the Regional course, as an example, the Sergeant fired a 200-7x, meaning he was able to hold all 20 rounds at 600 yards in the 12” 10 ring (2smoa), but only 7 of those, a hair over one third of his shots, actually landed within the 1smoa X-ring. Not having seen the target, maybe someone can provide photos to show he fired a 3” group straddling the X/10 line, AND I will concede, he likely doesn’t have the highest X count ever in a 600 yard stage, but I can say, X’s happen far less than 10’s, and 10’s are fleeting for most shooters. I’m prone to expect he was relatively centered all day, so his score represents a group between >6.224” and <12.224”. Not confidence inspiring for me to take a 4.5x optic out hunting a deer without an aiming black, with a vital zone about the size of the X ring, and expect high success when the best in the world only landed 1/3 of his shots on that same size.
Also acknowledging, the performance standard in HP is scarcely relevant to the X ring, let alone applicable in the context of whitetail hunting. Using last year’s first ever perfect score on the Regional course, as an example, the Sergeant fired a 200-7x, meaning he was able to hold all 20 rounds at 600 yards in the 12” 10 ring (2smoa), but only 7 of those, a hair over one third of his shots, actually landed within the 1smoa X-ring. Not having seen the target, maybe someone can provide photos to show he fired a 3” group straddling the X/10 line, AND I will concede, he likely doesn’t have the highest X count ever in a 600 yard stage, but I can say, X’s happen far less than 10’s, and 10’s are fleeting for most shooters. I’m prone to expect he was relatively centered all day, so his score represents a group between >6.224” and <12.224”. Not confidence inspiring for me to take a 4.5x optic out hunting a deer without an aiming black, with a vital zone about the size of the X ring, and expect high success when the best in the world only landed 1/3 of his shots on that same size.
All my life, I've never had to use more than 6X out of my 3 X 9 and that was on a buck lying about 436 yards away in the shade. Normally I have to dial down due to atmospheric conditions. So depending on where you are hunting , if weather is hot or cold, the conditions normally will dictate what magnification you use because if its snowing, hazy, foggy or otherwise all you do with higher magnification is amplify the less than ideal conditions.
JFrank
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The very first time I saw a target 600 yards away I bout crapped myself while wondering how in the world can I hit that thing, well my group was huge and the barrel got hot just trying to adjust elevation by trial and error.
As posted from a rest with a dialed in target rifle it’s a chip shot, a hunting rifle’??? Well that my friends is a tough row to hoe.
As posted from a rest with a dialed in target rifle it’s a chip shot, a hunting rifle’??? Well that my friends is a tough row to hoe.
illinoisburt
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The point of referencing SR or any other longer range competition is that it's the Indian not the arrow. The power of the optic is not as important as actually practicing at the distances you plan to shoot. I am of the opinion most bolt hunting rifles these days are capable of acceptable accuracy for 300 yards using a point blank zero -- assuming the hunter has practiced shooting at that range. When distances start to stretch out wind and range calculation errors start becoming much bigger factors in addition to the equipment and shooter's skills. I don't advocate for long distance hunting simply due to the difficulties I've seen with people using top flight gear with multiple aides on a cold bore sighter. Of course if someone has practiced farther out and has confidence in their ability, then it's their decision to make as they see fit. Frankly picking up a decent 24x scope and dry firing on a soda can at 600 yards should give you a pretty good idea how much work is going to be needed.
I mean this in the kindest possible way, but I think that the asking of that question indicates a considerable lack of understanding of the subject.
Gordon
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This is the correct answer !
For us who get within sportsman like /humane ranges for 55+ years The 700 .270 well sighted in with the load you are shooting with a 3-9 scope RESTED properly works well to 450 yards by that practiced shooter. .
I keep my scopes dialed down to the low end of the power , like 3 or so because most of the deer are less than 200 yards, even in the desert ! If ir is a beanfield or powerline slash there is plenty of time to rest on your support and dial up the power . Running shots over 300 yards are NOT something to try unless you are a Nationally ranked champion shooter. Hell 80 yard moving shots are hard !
cdb1
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Guess I’ll jump on the bandwagon and piss off the OP too. I believe shooting at deer from 600 yards is unethical for all but a VERY FEW qualified individuals. I’m certainly not one of the very few. I also agree with the stated opinion that if you have to ask you aren’t qualified to do it.
JFrank
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Not that I’m in the business of irritating but I heard a good parallel recently;
If yer not sure weather your a Fish or a Shark’
You ain’t a Shark...
If yer not sure weather your a Fish or a Shark’
You ain’t a Shark...
WrongHanded
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How much magnification are you currently using to hit targets at 600 yards?
Very good question, WrongHanded.
IME, about 95% of shooters (including one that might ask the original question) would need their SHOOTING SKILLS magnified about 4x to easily - and humanely - shoot deer at 600 yards.
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