Optic Science of Ranging

[Wildcatfun]

For Hunter Field Target where scope power has to be 16 power or less and you can not alter the scope power during a match,
I'm trying to understand what if any ranging advantage there is between a 5-25x50 scope set at 16 power and a 10-50x50 scope set at 16 power or a 16 fixed power scope with a 50mm objective lens.
I don't know if those three scopes actually exist, but is there any science behind why I would choose say the new Falcon 10-60x56 scope set at 16 power vs any other scope with greater or lesser magnification and the same objective lens light gathering capabilities? Does one range better because of the upper magnification capability even though it is set at 16 power?

If optic science doesn't support it, why doesn't someone make a fixed 16 power scope that should be less expensive, lighter, and have equall greater ranging capacity? Too small a niches?

Trying to understand why there seems to be a trend towards high power scopes set at 16 power in HFT?

 

[Scotchmo]

For Hunter Field Target …

If optic science doesn't support it, why doesn't someone make a fixed 16 power scope that should be less expensive, lighter, and have equall greater ranging capacity? Too small a niches?

…

There are some lighter fixed 16x scopes out there.

SS 16x42 30mm MOA V2 GEN 2 - Zero Stop

In sub-zero temperatures or searing desert heat (-50 degrees to +130 degrees Fahrenheit, and altitudes of 30,000 feet to depths of 15 feet in salt water) the waterproof, shockproof, fogproof SS performs. Whatever the weapon, from .223 to .50 BMG, the SS handles the recoil. Whatever the target...

swfa.com

As far as focus ranging capacity, that’s not something that most scope manufacturers are going for. Outside of short range airgun shooting (and specifically airgun field target), most shooters want a scope with a deeper depth of field.

My gun for AAFTA field target is the only instance where I would want a shallow depth of field. In all my others, I would prefer a deep depth of field.