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Bart Simpson
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/25/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 56 |
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Posted: August/27/2004 at 17:30 |
I currently own only one fixed power scope so most of my hunting/shooting is done w/ variables. Once you take a position/stand your scope is set on a certain, and sometimes favorite power. For me, with a 3-9x40 it's usually 4 power, 3.5-10x50 usually 5 power etc. What's your setting and what determines your choice?
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Carl in N. FL
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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This was actually the orginal intent of variables, being old enough to remember when they were first introduced. The thought was one scope many rifles the setting as you suggest determined by the circumstances. I like to think of the lowest setting as that one you would use for the circumstances and the highest setting that one in which one would like to detemine the highest degree of precision for that particular rifle. that way I don't have to put a target scope on the gun, work up the loads then switch back. (Assuming fixed powers of course)
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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My variable tend to be on 6x-7x when I check them after a shot. Large exit pupil, wide field of view and easier to hold steady.
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Brady
TEAM SWFA - Admin Casino Cruiser Joined: May/20/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1844 |
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My deer rifle stays on 7x. It's probably been on that same setting since I had the scope. |
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CWPINST
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/01/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 113 |
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It depends on the terrain and conditions. For example, if I am hunting a bean field in the evening where the shots may be long but likely unhurried, I set my scope on about 10 power then around sunset I set it on 7-8 power. If I am hunting a cutover, where the shots are usually a bit shorter, and I may have only glimpses of the deer through small openings in which to shoot. I usually set it a bit lower, such as 5-6 power. You need to have a wide field of view in this case for rapid target acquisition, but you still need enough power to see small obstructions.
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If it ain't accurate at long distance, the fact that it is flat shooting is irrelevant.
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redneckbmxer24
Optics Master Joined: June/02/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1055 |
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i ussually leave my deer rifle on miniumum power, whatever it may be. usually 3, or 4x.
cory |
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If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns, I'll be only one of millions!!!
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Knewt
Optics Apprentice Master Craftsman Joined: June/28/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 90 |
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If I'm "still hunting" I keep the magnification on it's lowest setting just as Dale and Cory suggest. If I'm "sitting on stand" then I adjust the magnification to allow me adaquately see and identify my quarry at the range that I'm most likely to spot it at. If it comes in closer after that then I'm already "on it". If it "sneaks" up behind me (which has happened) then I just smile, knod, and mumble under my breath "thats one for you" ... LOL
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kwoytek
Optics Professional Joined: September/06/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Right on, Knewt !! The whole purpose of variable magnifications is to accommodate changing field conditions, hunting situations, sighting-in uses, and quarry being chased. The lowest power setting is best for stalking/still-hunting, and the highest power setting is used for critical shot placement for covering a wide field of fire or for sighting-in that new cartridge load or, sitting on a mountain-top deer run stand. Before relying on the low-power ballistic zero, please check that your scope has no change in point of impact when zoomed down to mid or low power setting. This error is most often found in the less-expensive models, and should be investigated by the rifleman and logged into his memory for Kaintuck corrections.
The low power setting affords the jump shooter a larger exit pupil to access the game quicker, and allow for bigger field of view when the quarry is about to vanish in a clump of trees or behind a boulder, as you swing through the animal on the run. High power during the off-season, while varminting or working the riflerange, demands the maximum magnification for accurate shot placement off the bench or with a solid rest/bipod stance.
By all means, get the power range you need for your own shooting conditions and goals. No need to get a 12x model to launch slugs at whitetail standing 40 yards away, and don't tell me a guy can shoot more accurately at 300 yards with a 4x instrument than with a 10x sitting on his thunderstick.
Exercise that variable to maximize your effect in the field !! Ken |
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