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Multipurpose scope magnification?

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dhdoyle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dhdoyle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Multipurpose scope magnification?
    Posted: February/22/2010 at 00:35
Hi all! I'm currently saving up for better scope for my .223 AR-15. While I save up, I borrowed my Mueller 4.5-14X40 APV from my 10/22. Here's what I've concluded.
  • The APV isn't a bad scope. It's just not a good scope. It's good enough to test handloads. I can shoot 0.4" 5-shot groups with it if the load is good enough. I can also hit prairie dogs at 300 yards.
  • With the optics quality of the APV, I need every bit of the 14X magnification to hit a 6" prairie dog standing up at 300 yards.
  • I'm 52 years old and the APV makes my eyes hurt after about an hour. It has to go back to the 10/22.
Here's the question: Would a better scope allow me to consider scopes with less magnification? Say 10X or 12X? (the 3-9X SS?)... or should I simply look for a better scope that's also 14X on the top side? The only other scope that I still have (kids "borrowed" some) is a 1980's Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8 and I need a bit more magnification than that.



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Steelbenz View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2010 at 05:06
The better the glass the less stress you will but on your eye's. Also put black tape over the lens of your non shooting eye. this to will help reduce eye fatigue.  Look at the Bushnell 6500 or the Zeiss Conquest line.    
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rjtfroggy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rjtfroggy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2010 at 05:23
 
 Keep saving. SWFA has said they are in the process of making a 4-20 and that should be what you are looking for. I'm 58 and now for targets out to 200 I use the SS20x my eyes just do not focus loke they used too, for huntig only I still use a 3-9, or a 1.5-5 on my ml but here in Ct. shots over 100 in the woods are far and few in between.
froggy
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Tip69 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2010 at 07:34
how about something like this I found on the samplelist.com?

SPL10790Nikon 5-20x44 Monarch Riflescope DEMO-B
Click to view8424, Matte, NikoPlex, 1"
$429.95
SPL11399Pentax 4-16x44 Lightseeker XL DEMO-B
Click to view89619 Matte ballistic plex 1" tube
$479.95
SPL11677Swarovski 4-12x50 American Riflescope DEMO-B
 52032, Matte, Plex, w/ Ballistic Turret, 1"
$899.95
SPL11712Zeiss 3-12x56 Diavari Riflescope DEMO-B
 5215099908, Matte, #8, 1"
$699.95
SPL11576Zeiss 4.5-14x50 Conquest DEMO-B
Click to view5214909943 Matte Mil-Dot reticle 1" tube
$749.95







take em!
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Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2010 at 08:00
Zeiss 3-12x56 Victory Diavari 30mm Rifle Scope #8 Zeiss 3-12x56 Victory Diavari 30mm Rifle Scope
Stock # - 5217409908
  • Matte
  • #8
  • 30mm
  • LotuTec Protective Coating
  • Comes with Railmount
$1,999.95 
Add Zeiss 3-12x56 Victory Diavari 30mm Rifle Scope to Cart
WOW???????????
SPL11712 Zeiss 3-12x56 Diavari Riflescope DEMO-B
  5215099908, Matte, #8, 1"
$699.95

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RifleDude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2010 at 08:06
From my own experience shooting prairie dogs, I seldom ever use beyond about 14X regardless of shot distance because heat mirage starts becoming problematic and it gets harder to find the pd you spotted by other means in your scope.  I think a scope topping out at 12X - 16X is ideal for a good pd scope personally.  More magnification on the upper end is only really useful for me when target shooting from a bench, and that's it.

With the exception of shooting paper targets, optical quality usually trumps magnification, and especially for this application.


Edited by RifleDude - February/22/2010 at 08:08
Ted


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Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2010 at 08:56
Leupold 12x40 FX-3 Riflescope Leupold Dot Leupold 12x40 FX-3 Riflescope
Stock # - LEU66840
  • Matte
  • Leupold Dot
  • 1"
  • Target Knobs
  • Adjustable Objective
  • Xtended Twilight Lens System
$549.95 
Add Leupold 12x40 FX-3 Riflescope to Cart
SWFA SS 16x42 Tactical Riflescope Mil-Dot SWFA SS 16x42 Tactical Riflescope
Stock # - SS16X42
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot
  • 30mm
  • Rear Focus
  • OK for .50 cal
  • 1/4 MOA
$299.95 
Add SWFA SS 16x42 Tactical Riflescope to Cart

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dhdoyle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dhdoyle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2010 at 21:43
Thanks folks for all the suggestions! I'll keep saving $$ and see what else gets announced in the next several (post-SHOT show) weeks.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/23/2010 at 07:35
Good glass beats more magnification every time!

I've never felt limited by a 15X top end.
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Tulie View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tulie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/23/2010 at 07:41
Yeah, I agree that good glass beats higher magnification in lesser glass always.  I looked through a Kahles CL 3x9 a little while back that just about floored me.  Got me to wondering what the real power need would be with really good glass for say 600 yard targets?  1000 yard?  Could you get by with 14?  I know some people are using a 10X SS at 1000 but that sure seems to stretch it out there a long way.  I have two of the SS's a 16 and a 20 and neither of mine is what I would consider really good glass.  Maybe I'm in the minority and maybe I just didn't get the best in the lot but mine are not bright and clear and those two things were amazing on the Kahles.
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