recommended minimum scope power

[wbstx11]

Lots of good advice so far, and my comment is buy quality - it is well worth it. Someone gave me a "brand x" scope like you find in blister pack on the rack at big stores. I passed it on and bought a Leupold VX-1 3-9x40 for my Ruger American 308. Big improvement. Then I bought a VX-3 for my wife's rifle. Wow. (I did that backwards I think!) You have to see to shoot, and there is a difference. I remember reading that you should spend 2 or 3 times more on the optics than what you spend on the rifle - and now I understand (and agree). Even an old iron sights dude like me can see that.

 

[hq]

Lots of good advice so far, and my comment is buy quality - it is well worth it.

That sums it up quite well. There's nothing wrong with making do with a cheap scope, not at all and many people do, but in optics you (almost) always get what you pay for. Even one day with a great scope can spoil you for life so that you'll never want to go back. Good scopes cost quite a bit and at some point the law of diminishing returns applies, but on the other hand I've looked at the pile of cheap scopes I've bought over the years and realized that for what I've paid for them, I could've bought at least a couple of good ones. Thinking about it now, I'd much rather have done that, but you rarely think about the ongoing annoyance of sub-par quality when you come across something you perceive as a bargain.

 

[22-rimfire]

My benchmark is generally either Nikon or Leupold these days for a reasonable quality scope for a centerfire rifle. I prefer the Weavers for rimfire rifles within the power ranged offered.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I've hunted for YEARS here in Penn's woods with a straight 4 X scope on a Winchester , Pre -War model 70.
I think I've killed 35 Bucks with this setup.
Wanna good scope?
Check out all of the Nikon offerings, high quality and priced sensibly !