Rifle Scopes Leupold ER/T 6.5-20x50 M5 or 8.5-25x50 M5

[Knobby]

I'm new to long range shooting so bear with me.

After spending all week researching scopes for my new FNH AG3 .308 that will be coming in next week, I've narrowed it down to:

Leupold ER/T 6.5-20x50 M5 TMR
Leupold ER/T 8.5-25x50 M5 TMR

I know... It's a Leupold but I've read enough posts by people that have got the new ER/T M5's and like them so I'm willing to give the Leupold a shot.

My question is for 800 yards and maybe a chance of hitting at 1000, which scope? The 6.5x20 or 8.5x25 and why?

 

[8up]

Re: Leupold ER/T 6.5-20x50 M5 or 8.5-25x50 M5

The 20x is more than enough for what you are wanting, your choice!

 

[SONIC SAAMI]

Re: Leupold ER/T 6.5-20x50 M5 or 8.5-25x50 M5

How old are you?
It's been my experience that the older I get more magnification I want.

 

[biggin69]

Re: Leupold ER/T 6.5-20x50 M5 or 8.5-25x50 M5

I have my Leupold in 6.5-20. More than enough for me to shoot out to 1000 yds with my 308. I went with the H58 reticle and I love it!

 

[mhines]

Re: Leupold ER/T 6.5-20x50 M5 or 8.5-25x50 M5

I have the 8.5-25 and I found the 8.5 to be alittle on the high side for low magnification. If I were to do it over I would probably go with the 6.5-20.

Other than that it works well.

 

[sjb269]

Re: Leupold ER/T 6.5-20x50 M5 or 8.5-25x50 M5

I've found that 20 is plenty of power for 800-1000. there is a diminishing return with magnification and mirage. Leupold glass is good, but mirage will be a factor at high magnification with them. with my 6.5x20 I find 14-16 power is a sweet spot as the mirage gets bad.

 

[wvlapua]

Re: Leupold ER/T 6.5-20x50 M5 or 8.5-25x50 M5

6.5-20 for sure. The 8.5 is too much and you would not use the extra power very often as mirage gets pretty intense. I actually use around 14x most often even on my 25x scopes.