just wondering if any1 uses a fixed 10 or 16 power for target out to 300 yards... it will be more for match type like shootin good groups . but want to keep it simple as possible
Rifle Scopes is 10 power enough for target?
- Thread starter savagehunter44
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As long as you aren't shooting a benchrest competition and have decent eye sight there is nothing wrong with a 10X for 300 yards and even beyond. I have no problem seeing a sub 1/2MOA aiming point with a 10X scope.
I have a fixed 16x I use out to 1000. I also use a 4-12x out to 1000 on my hunting rifles. With the 16x, I can shoot .5 moa at 1000. I can shoot about 1.5 moa with the 4-12x. Different rifles for a different job.
^^^ +1 on this!! ^^^
More than enough juice for that kind of shooting in my experience, but a lot of that equation depends on YOU PERSONALLY and can't be answered by the masses. If you want a fixed magnification optic and won't be using it for low-light, short ranges, etc., then more power isn't necessarily a BAD thing until mirage gets bad then it becomes more of a hindrance than a helpful thing to have. Again...only YOU can decide what will/won't work best for you and your needs, budget, etc.
how bad do you think the mirage would be on a 16x ?
Many do it with open sights, so your good with 10X. I am usually around 12-14X out to 800 yards, only power up above that for ranging or 1K plus shots
If you are not concerned about fast(er) target acquisition, I would still go with the 16x though.
Otherwise the 10x is just fine.
I don't know about mirage in your environment though. You live somewhere considerably warmer than me. Here I don't have a problem with mirage up to 24x (max) on my scope.
Otherwise the 10x is just fine.
I don't know about mirage in your environment though. You live somewhere considerably warmer than me. Here I don't have a problem with mirage up to 24x (max) on my scope.
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I honestly find that I shoot better smaller groups with less magnification I think its a psychological effect in that when using lower magnification you feel like you're not moving as much and you don't panic about the movement as much and it allows you to focus more on the fundamentals. I'm sure that with more practice it would make no difference for me. But when you're looking through the scope and you can see the group size and you're worried about where that bullet is going to print or you're worried about ruining the awesome group you've got going it just gets in the way. 
So sometimes *NOT* seeing those things is more helpful. For 300 yards I'm usually at 8-10x. I usually don't go about 15x on my scope when shooting and only use 25x for spotting for others.
~Brett
So sometimes *NOT* seeing those things is more helpful. For 300 yards I'm usually at 8-10x. I usually don't go about 15x on my scope when shooting and only use 25x for spotting for others.~Brett
It will vary wildly depending on multiple factors, including the environment you are shooting in (atmospheric conditions/weather/etc.), as well as how hot/hard you are running your rifle (due to heat dissipating from your barrel...a mirage band can help with this somewhat), etc., etc., etc. Again...only YOU can decide what is too much magnification for you under the conditions you'll be shooting in.
For 300yds and in, my vote still goes for LESS magnification because in my experience you just don't need it for shorter ranges under most circumstances/conditions.
The other thing to consider is a quality, variable power optic in something along the lines of a 3.5-10x, 3-15x, 4-16x, etc. That will allow you to dial up/down in power as it proves necessary, giving you a great deal more flexibility with your setup. I wouldn't consider that to be "complicating" things or otherwise not keeping things "simple."
That's the answer. People still think in 1990 terms where variable scopes aren't as reliable as fixed power scopes. There are many good variable powered scopes in the mid price range which will allow you much more versatility. Can you shoot 10x to 300 yards and farther? Yes but depends on you and your target size. Would it be nicer to have a 3-15x or 4-16x variable? Yup. You can always dial down to 10x or below but you can also dial up if you had a smaller target or needed to spot a shot.
now that I think about it, with my hunting gun it seems like I shot a better group with the 3-9x50 rather than the 6-18x50 that it had on there be4 ... idk why
If you're set on fixed, 10x is more than enough for 300 yards to shoot decent groups. As mentioned, you won't do benchrest groups but sub MOA isn't unreasonable...really depends on your eyesight and trigger skills.
The last time I shot was around 350yards....was using 6x. I didn't even realized my scope was set that low and was able to shoot easy sub moa.
Personally I prefer variable. I shoot at too many distances and fixed just doesn't fit for me. Also, some days I like to shoot BR type groups, other days I like to shoot steel...being able to change magnification is a nice option. Typically I go with 6-24...gets me from 50-1000
The last time I shot was around 350yards....was using 6x. I didn't even realized my scope was set that low and was able to shoot easy sub moa.
Personally I prefer variable. I shoot at too many distances and fixed just doesn't fit for me. Also, some days I like to shoot BR type groups, other days I like to shoot steel...being able to change magnification is a nice option. Typically I go with 6-24...gets me from 50-1000
big fan of the 4-16x variable
if you're going for bug hole groups, 10x might be hard for 300yards but possible.... 16x would help
if you're going for bug hole groups, 10x might be hard for 300yards but possible.... 16x would help
Shooting good groups at 300 yds with 10X? Yes. Spotting bullet holes in paper........maybe not.
OFG
OFG
yeah I think I will go with a Nikon monarch in 416x42 or 50... went to the range to day ,shot good groups at 200 with 10 power. targets had 1 &1/2 inch bulls ...
I have shot to a 1000yds with a fixed 8X with good results, a 10X would make spotting misses in the dirt or gravel a little easier though.
was starting to get mirage at 16x to day , and its not really that hot yet here in Pensacola. could even see it on 10x... I think ill be fine with a 10 or 16x , as long as the target are is atleast 1 1/2 inches . it might help if I was using red on black bullseye. or orange on green. might could use a 1inch then
for me personally and how much I like to shoot groups as small as possible.... I would NOT get a 10x for 300yards... If you have the option, then why would you??? I personally would only use a variable scope that could at least hit 16x if not more... I love my 4-16 PST FFP vortex
10x @300yds is no problem for target shooting.
I think I found out yesterday at the range that high power is not always better, it more about how clear the glass is. a guy was out there with a swfa 10x and 20x, and the 1x was way more clear than my weaver 3-10x40 at a 1 in bull at 200 yards .we can only shoot 200 where im at. and like I said be4 I shot the same group with 10x as I did on 16.. weird
I shot a Leupold mk4 3.5-10 for 12 years, pretty much stayed at 10x all the time except when I was hunting. I used that scope at ASC in WV shooting out to damn near 1300 yards. At the cup this year, with my Bushnell XRS, I stayed around 6-8x for almost all stages. A couple I kicked it up to 12-15 but only after a very small target was located. IMO, a 10x is completely sufficient. HOWEVER, if you are ranging with a scope, 30x is very, very nice, lol.
Branden
Branden
ASC= large targets. Smaller targets are easier to engage with more power.
I shoot out to 1000yards with 10x. however if you are trying to shoot tiny groups at 300 yards and see your bullet holes and aiming on a tiny mark then I would opt for more power.
