How far could you shoot with this scope?

[Montbars]

I am thinking about getting a 1.5-5x scope because I like its sleek and compact design. However I have only used scopes that max out at 9 or 10x.
So what is the maximum range of this scope? how far away could you hit something with 4 or 5x zoom? I mean maybe a circle that is 12" in diameter

 

[TeamPrecisionIT]

Well it will mostly depend on the size of the crosshairs/reticle that will determine the distance you could respectably shoot at whatever distance. The zoom only makes the picture clearer and/or larger, it doesn't really help with calculating ballistics, etc.

I personally have taken my red dot out to the 450 yard line and that is the furthest I will shoot responsibly due to the size of the dot (2 MOA). Once you get to 500 yards, you are covering more than 10" of the target with just the dot, so making a shot you can truly keep track of becomes difficult due to the size of the reticle.

With a 5x and a smaller sized crosshair/reticle, you can resonably shoot to 600 yards - hell our service members are shooting out to that range and beyond with a fixed 4x Trijicon right now!

Damian

 

[stsimons]

I seem to be creeping up in scope power... I could get ok groups from my 7mm-08 off the bench using bags at 100 yds with my 1.5x5 power but I traded it up to a 3x9 and put the 1.5x5 on my Kel-tec PLR, where it practically stays on 5 all the time. I am taking the 3x9 off my rifle and putting it on my shotgun for slugs. I think my next purchase is probably a 5x20... I just like to see what I'm shooting at.

There's just hitting something... and then there's hitting something in the right spot.

 

[Maverick223]

IMO such an optic is good for 400-500yds, though some folks can make it work at greater distance. As mentioned above the glass quality and the thickness of reticle will have a big impact on the suitable distance so you need to choose your scope carefully dependent upon the intended purpose (I am assuming the scope in question is a VX-3, which has pretty decent glass but is often equipped with too thick of a reticle for precision).

 

[Montbars]

Ok yeah you got me, its the VX 3. The duplex reticle seems fine by me

 

[Robert Wilson]

Seems to me the Marines do a pretty good job out to 600 yards with irons...

I dither between the Leupold 1.5-5x and the Leupold Compact 2.5x fixed. On any given day one or the other will be my favorite. My personal limit while hunting typical North American big game (figure about an eight inch vital zone) is around 300 yards, assuming a good rest. 2.5x is plenty for that. Theoretically, then, 5x should be enough for me at 600 yards, but I'm not a good enough rifleman to manage that shot at big game so will never take it.

I have used much larger scopes (and in my younger years would sneer at anything smaller than a 3-9x) but get no personal advantage from them.

 

[Montbars]

I mean fine for what my general shorter ranges would be.

 

[Geno]

Montbars:

I can still maintain 1 MOA to 225 yards with a fixed 4X, duplex crosshair scope. One need not have 42X to hit a distant target, but I do also enjoy my 22X, 24X, 36X and 42X scopes. That stated, when I am shooting 4" steel swinging disks at 288 to 300 yards, I typically set my adjustable scopes to 7X or 8X max. When deer hunting at distances from 300 to 500 yards, I usually had my Leupold 3.5-10X set at 5X.

Geno

 

[Maverick223]

Ok yeah you got me, its the VX 3. The duplex reticle seems fine by me [...] I mean fine for what my general shorter ranges would be.

Depends upon what reticle you choose (standard duplex or heavy duplex) and what you consider short range. I have a 1.5-5x20mm VX-3 with heavy duplex on my DG rifle, and consider 300yds to be the practical limit, the standard duplex and German No. 4 would stretch that by a bit.

FWIW, whilst the VX-3 is a good scope, I would consider other options. It is just too costly for what you get IMO. I bought mine mostly because it is becoming difficult to find scopes (particularly low magnification ones) in a gloss finish. The Nikon Monarch 1.5-4.5x20mm (since discontinued, but still available if you look) and Sightron S-II Big Sky 1.25-5x20mm are better deals IMO (the first is similar quality at a lesser price, the second is better quality at a similar price).

 

[Jefferson Herb]

I have a 2-7 Burris compact,it has good eye relief but small field of view;If mounted on heavy magnum you would'nt get cut.

 

[TonyAngel]

I was going to suggest the Sightron Big Sky 1-5X myself. It's a hellava scope at right around $300 and the glass is crystal clear and the settings are very repeatable, if you care to dial in for distance. In fact, I had this scope and then bought an ACOG to replace it. After having compared the two, I sold the ACOG because the Sightron had better glass. It had much better clarity and resolution.

I only sold the Sightron to move to a Nightforce.

 

[benEzra]

It mostly depends on how well you can see the target. If you can see a 12" target at 500 yards fine through a the scope, and you know how much to adjust the elevation or hold over, then you can hit it whether the magnification is 2x, 5x, or 10x.

 

[Tirod]

You can hit man sized targets at 600m with irons. Most wouldn't be able to hit a 12" bull at that range without the scope.

Given the caliber of cartridge will actually do the job, the higher powered scopes allow you to see the target in detail, rather than lobbing rounds at a spot out there. What's missing in this conversation is application. 450 to 600m is the furthest an actual soldier will attempt a shot, given good conditions. It's the shortest some range shooters will attempt, given their level of competition, and it's really two different things. For a military spec rifle and shooter, 600m is about the max limit the 2MOA combination can do - on a good day. For a competition shooter, or sniper, their 1/2MOA rifle with 20 to 35X scope, it's just another shot at the bull.

What kind of rifle, how good is it, and how good are you has a lot to do with it.

 

[smokey262]

The answer also depends on what you are shooting and how well you shoot. If the best you can do is 4 MOA then you are more range limited by that than by the choice of scope

Not being a wise guy about 4 MOA either. I see it all the time, and frequently much worse.

 

[Nico Testosteros]

Maximum range of the scope?
Probably many light years.
I bet you could at least see the moon.


I know. I'm being a smartA$$.

 

[Hunterdad]

I personally have taken my red dot out to the 450 yard line

Is this a magnified red-dot?

 

[ColeK]

Farther than most people can shoot.
With good set of iron sights, it's not hard to shoot 600 yards. And there are some guys that shoot a 1000 yards with irons.
It's about you than you scope.

 

[CraigC]

It is perfect for 99% of the big game hunting 99% of hunters will ever do.

 

[jcwit]

It just might depend what you put it on. Are you shooting a pellet rifle or a center fire?

 

[madcratebuilder]

The answer also depends on what you are shooting and how well you shoot. If the best you can do is 4 MOA then you are more range limited by that than by the choice of scope

Not being a wise guy about 4 MOA either. I see it all the time, and frequently much worse.

I couldn't agree more Smokey. I see a big difference from rifle range moa and internet forum moa. The story goes like this, "I brought the wrong ammo", "My scope is loose", "I drank to much coffee".

Back to the OP, that scope well sever you well as far as your talent allows. I have been doing a lot of shooting with WWII snipers, these normally have a scope in the 3-3.5 power range. I'm very comfortable out to 400 yards.

 

[Art Eatman]

"Once upon a time..." This is no fairy tale, though: My 3x9 was set on 3X when I put a bullet exactly where I wanted on a buck at a good honest 350 yards. High magnification gives a prettier view of the target, and allows for a bit more precision, but it's not a necessity for hits out in Ma Bell territory.

 

[boricua9mm]

I agree with jcwit! Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see what rifle it will be sitting on. You can have a high magnification NightForce sitting on top of an SKS, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to shoot out to 1K yards...

 

[Montbars]

Is it possible to have turrets installed into the sightron big sky 1-5x?
I'd like to get some Kenton speed turrets but it doesn't seem to be something you can order standard from sightron

 

[Maverick223]

Is it possible to have turrets installed into the sightron big sky 1-5x?

Probably not, if you want target turrets you might want to look at the Vortex Viper-PST 1-4x24mm instead. It comes standard with em'. You have to pay a slight premium (which is negated by the fact that you don't have to pay extra for aftermarket turrets) for target turrets and take a small hit on the high side magnification (4x instead of 5x), however you also get a matched mil/mil or MOA/MOA reticle and adjustments, which is an invaluable tool if you intend to use those turrets.

 

[Justin]

With an ACOG TA-11, hits on an MGM swinger to 300 yards are cake, 400 yards on a steel IPSC popper are not super difficult, 500-600 yards on a fullsize IPSC target can be done if you know your holdover and can read the wind.