Rifle Scopes Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

[Rogue111]

Hey guys, I’m in the midst of putting together a 223 bolt action & am to the point of optics choice. I’ve decided on trying the new line of SS mil/mil fixed scopes & am having a hard time deciding between the 12x or 16x. Honestly, Ill be mainly shooting paper targets from 100m-500m & some coyote/small game hunts. I realize the 12x is probably more practical for FOV benefits but damn if I don’t love that extra magnification for shooting paper.

I’m just looking to see if you guys have any personal experiences or opinions.

Thanks in advance,

Tim

 

[2ac]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

I'm trying to make that same exact decision myself. Except it'll be going on a
.308 and for mostly 200yrd max.
I'm looking forward to the responses.

 

[razor100]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

my 2 cents-
im currently running a Leupold M8 12x fixed on my GAP 223 and like you shoot mostly paper. its decent enough but you can kind of tell something is lacking. I'd definatly go the 16x route if i were you. youll get a lot of posts extolling the virtues of variable glass for dialing through mirage and differeing ranges but fixed powers are pretty cool.

 

[Hellbender]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

A 10 or 12X will be more than enough, esp. if you plan on hunting with it.

The 16x will kill you if there is any mirage or you ever have to locate a target quickly.

 

[ShakyDave]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

I don't hunt anymore, just kill office supplies. And my eyes are old and not nearly as good as they used to be - you see where this is going. I like scope power if it's variable. If I were getting a fixed power scope, I'd probably go 12X, per Hellbender's advice, it's plenty of magnification for any hunting application.

If you're shooting paper, my experience in the midwest is that I don't have that much of a mirage issue at 16X and that one would be my own personal choice. If I have mirage here, I can usually dial it out by dropping to 15 or 16 and still have enough mag to see my hits without a spotting scope (on .308).

If you're target shooting with .223, remember those holes are really small and at 100 yards, you probably won't be able to see an individual hit with a 12, and you'll have to wait for a cluster to form on the paper. Hell, I can barely pick out an individual hole with 23X at 100. From 200 out, with .223, you'll have to have a spotting scope or a target cam to spot your hits without walking down to the target, anyway.

 

[TiroFijo]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

If you are planning on shooting mostly paper or small targets, or hunt at 250+ m the 16X will be the best choice. I don't have problems with mirage around here, with our horrid hot temperatures.

If you must have the FOV to quickly locate something closer, or moving targets at less than 250 m, then pick the 10X.

 

[shooterman_zero17]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

I like the idea of 12x, mainly because when I was looking at the reticle subtensions I liked them more than the 16x. Not too big of a difference, but enough for me to think I would like them more. I like 10x, but 12x is what I always used to shoot at on the variable powers I had.

 

[ScarBliss]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

I would think 12X is going to be more than enough to get it done @ 500 as far as paper goes, at least in the sense I don't think going to 16X will shrink your group size noticeably.

 

[cb_tikka]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

The 12x will be more useful when it's gloomy or dusk.

 

[wvlapua]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

12x would be my choice..if you're shooting prone, mirage will be a factor on the 16x especially out in the field. I run 8.5x25 vx3 on my varmint rigs..early morning I can dial past 20x but as soon as the fields heat up I rarely turn past 14x.

 

[Diesile]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

Alot of individual choice factor here. I target shoot thru mirage
all the time with 24x and never turn the variables down.

Of course with target I'm doing center mass and not IDing anything!

 

[JWEvans]

Re: Opinions on 12x vs 16x?

I have always heard not to go more than 12x on a fixed scope. That was the decision factor for me so I went with a 10x fixed scope on my 6.5 Grendel for tactical matches and it is still hard to hit or locate anything closer than 150 yards. Other than that, it works great.