Rifle Scopes Why not a 16-20X or 9-12X scope? For less $$$

[Goin'Hot]

I buy a scope based on it's maximum magnification and what I intend to use if for. My 6.5-20 is NEVER used at 6.5 (by me) and my 8.5-25 is NEVER used at 8.5 magnification. I will use the 25 at 20 when mirage is bad.

Why do manufactures make the WIDE mag ranges on all scopes? Would there be any optical benefit to a narrower mag range? I'd be more than happy to have a narrow band (25 or 30% of max)with better optics because I don't need the lower mags.

 

[prplhaz72]

Re: Why not a 16-20X or 9-12X scope? For less $$$

Exit pupil, FOV, less mirage. Are the biggest reasons to have lower mag and the ability to turn it down. If you were stuck on a higher mag all the time it would defeat the purpose of a variable scope.

For your need, you should just look at fixed power scopes only.

Super Sniper, Leupold, IOR, and I am sure some others have them from 4x all the way up to 36x.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Why not a 16-20X or 9-12X scope? For less $$$

having a scope set on higher mag is not always a good thing. From your statement i take it you just shoot paper and maybe some steel at a square range, am i right? Which is fine, but have the wide range of magnification helps, you ever tried to track a moving target on 20x, good luck. thats why they do this, also for those up close shots. Hell i have a 5-25, and i shoot on 11 most of the time, the only time i crank it up to 25 is to see where i hit if i cant tell right away

 

[kwild]

Re: Why not a 16-20X or 9-12X scope? For less $$$

Well I have a 12-42 nightforce nxs. I use 42 power often at the range. I went coyote hunting the past couple days and 42 power is a little crazy for hunting. Drop it down to 12x and it is acceptable. Not as low as I would have liked but it did the job.

 

[Goin'Hot]

Re: Why not a 16-20X or 9-12X scope? For less $$$

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">From your statement i take it you just shoot paper and maybe some steel at a square range, am i right? </div></div>

I shoot steel out 1185 yds but all my targets are static. There are plenty of times that 25x won't work for me but, dropping down to 20x on the same scope gets me back in the game. I just don't see the need for such a WIDE mag range.

 

[Ratbert]

Re: Why not a 16-20X or 9-12X scope? For less $$$

It's a wide range because the variable magnification is achieved by having a baseline magnification and then adding a variable multiplier in front of it. So if you have an ocular with a 3x multiplier in it then stick it in front of a baseline 8x scope you're going to end up with an 8-24 scope. If you want a relatively small range then you have to multiply a very small number (like 1.3 which tops out around 4) or use a very very small ocular multiplier (like 1.3x for a 9x scope to get a 9-12 range).

USO and some IOR manufacturers use relatively large multipliers (>5x, March uses a 10x) so they have very large magnification ranges on their scopes. However I don't know of any advantage of using a very very small multiplier just to arbitrarily reduce a 9x scope to only 9-12.

I have wondered for some time if USO could reduce the size/weight of their ocular and overall scope if they came up with a 3x multiplier and stuffed it into a 6-18 or 5-15. I like their scopes, but they're big and heavy for the magnification they produce.

 

[Goin'Hot]

Re: Why not a 16-20X or 9-12X scope? For less $$$

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ratbert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">However I don't know of any advantage of using a very very small multiplier just to arbitrarily reduce a 9x scope to only 9-12. </div></div>

Thats what I was wondering. If a weight reduction could be associated with maginification range, I would think a lower mag range, lighter scope would sell.

 

[prplhaz72]

Re: Why not a 16-20X or 9-12X scope? For less $$$

Problem I see is now days alot people want a do it all scope. They want a scope that is good for close range but still allows them to see bullet holes at 600 yards. We have seen that with the recent bushnell 6500 and Swaro offerings. It makes for a nice setup but comes with drawbacks as well, like the weight.

 

[WYK]

Re: Why not a 16-20X or 9-12X scope? For less $$$

If you hunt, you will use the entire range, and use it often.

 

[dar1246]

Re: Why not a 16-20X or 9-12X scope? For less $$$

15 to 20 power works the best in a all around scope in my opinion. I bought a March scope 10x60x50 most of the time I shoot it 20x. Even in F-Class matches I still shoot it on less than 30power. With mirage and field of view. I like the lower power. Shooting steel targets at 800 yards can be easily be done with 10X. I would go for the cleanest optics money would allow you not the power setting.