14x magnification sufficient for 1000yds?

[SpdKlzU]

Hey guys, I'm just about to order a Leupold MK4 4.5-14x50mm illuminated TMR scope and I wanted to double-check and see if you guys found it sufficient for shooting up to 1000 yds. One day I hope to have the skills to do it and I don't want to have to buy another scope!

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Cheers!

 

[Jim Watson]

If for tactickle shooting, read Zak Smith's article at
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=154213

If for known distance target shooting, get more power. I am gradually increasing the power on my 8.5-25 as I gain experience at NRA F-class and expect to be shooting at 25X before very long into the next season. The serious shooters use even more.

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

I couldn't see a damned thing with a 10x. I would do at least 14.5x!

 

[SpdKlzU]

Hey thanks Jim. I have read those articles... they're fantastic and I learned a lot from them. Zak seemed to recommend something in the range of 3-18x range.

I was torn between the Leupold MK4 4.5-14 & the 6.5-20 models. I've heard a lot of folks say that 20x is difficult for novices, but I'd like to only have to buy one scope. There isn't *too* much difference in the low magnification (4.5 to 6.5x), but at it does buy you quite a big difference at full power (14 to 20x).

 

[rero360]

I have the 6.5 to 20X leupold, it is awsome, I love it, my next scope purchase will probably be the big boy of the nightforces. go big or go home I guess

 

[Geno]

You should verify how much of the target is obstructed by the crosshair at 100 yards...if 1/8th inch, it will obstruct 1.2" at 1,000 yards. For my own long distance shooting, I park my 4.5-14X and grab my 36X. But, I do not compete in 1,000 yard competitions...I simply enjoy some long-range shooting for fun.

Doc2005

 

[SpdKlzU]

This is all great info. Thanks a lot!

I think the majority of my shooting will be < 600 yards, since I'm a little limited around where I live. I'd like to do some road trips and find some longer ranges at some point though.

Is there much of a difference between the low magnifications (4.5x & 6.5x)? Not sure if there's much of a light reduction too eventhough they have the same size objective?

If I'm gaining more than I'm losing by going to the 6.5-20x, then I'll just go for that.

 

[GunTech]

I use a 10X. If you have good quality optics, 10X will do just fine, and still be useable at shorter ranges. If you use a variable, and use a reticle like mildot or MOA, you'll want a FFP, and that gets expensive.

 

[SpdKlzU]

Nice setup! Is FFP really needed? You could always go to full-power (where the mil-dot is accurate), calculate, then scale back if that's a bit too strong right? Have you ever found the downside to FFP (the reticle resizing and obscuring the target) to be a problem?

So if you are using 10x for short ranges too, then I should be able to get the 6.5-20x and use the 6.5x for short distance with some success then

 

[.41Dave]

At 20x there is often a problem with mirage. 14.5x at 1000 yds is an equivalent sight picture to 1x at 70 yards. So do you really need 20x?

 

[SpdKlzU]

Hi Dave, thanks for the reply. Honestly, I'm so new to long range shooting that I'm not sure exactly what I need... 14x or 20x? . Everyone's provided some great info. Already, in this thread alone, we have folks on both sides of the camp.

It looks like the 14x is the more "popular" option. I just didn't want to have to upgrade at a later stage.

Thanks guys for bearing with me . Keep the suggestions coming!

 

[GunTech]

I do about 90% of my shooting at 500 yards or longer, and after twiddling with variable power scopes that I inevitably left at max power, I just bought a fixed power with good glass.

The USO shown above has their MOA reticle, 1/2 MOA knobs and EREK elevation. The whole thing was under $1200. They also make a 17x which is popular for longer ranges. Once you get into variables, the price skyrockets to around $2500.

Why pay so much? When you spend a lot of time looking at targets at 1000 yards you really start to appreciate the difference high end glass makes.

Since most people are worried about hitting a 20 inch gong at 1000 yards, it's a waste for them to spend that kind of money. The reality is, for most shooters it's a waste unless you happen to have money to burn or want bragging rights at the range.

If you can live with fixed power, you can start off with something like a SuperSniper from SWFA.com. It has a well deserved reputation with tactical shooters as a rugged scope with good optics. I can be had in 10x, 16x and 20x for about $300.

 

[GunTech]

BTW, 10x does have it's downside. I used this rifle to drop a couple of white tail this fall. They were moving, at about 150 yards. The problem was finding them in the limited field of view. I had expected to be shooting at 3-400 yards when I picked this one. Whoops.

 

[GunTech]

SpdKlzU

Reading above, I saw you interest in the 4.5-14 Leupold. I tried this one and the version I bought had a huge bell. I didn't care for it.

Aside from Leupold and other scope like Nightforce, you might consider a Nikon Tactical (now called the Monarch-X). I used a 2.5-10x on my M1A for several years and found the glass outstanding.

If you hunt around, you can still find the original Nikon Tactocals at heavily discounted prices. The MilDot versions are most desireable, so if you can live with NikoPlex, you can usually save some money.

For example: http://www.act-optics.com/nikon-tactical-rifle-scopes.html

The 4-14x version seems like what you want. These are not FFP.

 

[SpdKlzU]

Hi Tod, thanks a lot for your thoughtful responses! Wow, those are some really good prices on the Nikons. I'll go read up on them now.

I've been doing a little research and it looks like the longest range around these parts is 200-300 yards! Getting out further than 500 yards will be quite a drive for me.

I think you're right, the 4.5-14x really does sound the most suitable for my uses.

Thanks a lot for all the help guys! Also, if anyone can recommend some good books on the subject of long range shooting and getting the most out one's scope I'd appreciate that immensely