How Much is to Much Scope ?

Unless I'm going to 100 yards or more 16x is more than enough. Even then there are people where 16 is plenty for 100+. With a "budget" sfp scope I wouldn't go higher than that just because of poi changes in different magnifications. FFP on a bench is the only time I go above 16.

What targets and what ranges are you shooting at?

Actually 4X Weaver scopes have taken much game in years past. I started with 4X fixed scopes and still find they are most useful in nearly all hunting situations. If 4X was not enough then generally speaking I was not close enough to the game I was shooting. In recent years I have acquired a number of variable magnification scopes and the biggest issue for me is the reduction of the field of view at higher magnifications. Most of my variables stay on 10X nearly all the time and are rarely adjusted to higher than that. Also as the magnification increases the exit pupil of the scope is reduced. As eyes age the ability of the pupil to dilate is also reduced so at the point where the exit pupil of the scope is smaller than the pupil of the eye then light is lost and the scope picture is greatly dimmed. This is particularly noticeable at dusk and in low lighting conditions. 

My most powerful scope is a 14x and I only use it when target shooting. For hunting I never go above 6x and 95% of the time I'm at 4x for the exact reason stated above. Wider FOV and increased light. I only hunt rabbits and squirrels, and in the woods most shots are between 20 and 30 yards.

Unless I'm going to 100 yards or more 16x is more than enough.

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Says who? Thats YOUR opinion, and not a fact or “rule” anywhere Ive been able to find.... Not busting yer wagon Nick, but that might a correct statement for ssome, but NOT all



No such thing as too much scope. I do agree on the POI/POA shifts as you change magnification, but I get mine setup at one power and almost never adjust it. One thing Ive noted though, is the one FFP scope I have, I do move the power knob trying to get a decent sight picture on the starlings..... 

+1 for “no such thing as too much scope”. What works for you.

Unless I'm going to 100 yards or more 16x is more than enough. Even then there are people where 16 is plenty for 100+. With a "budget" sfp scope I wouldn't go higher than that just because of poi changes in different magnifications. FFP on a bench is the only time I go above 16.

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I read this comment twice by Nick, and the way it is worded he’s only talking about himself, and what works best for him. No where in his comment is he making a statement that suggests his choices are best for all, or are to be a rule for all to abide by. 

No need to challenge his comments

There is an awful lot of challenging going on lately. I wonder if covid is just wearing out people's last nerve.

I tried using first focal plane scopes and noticed they have reticles that are very difficult to see at low power because they get too small and thin

I like scope to start from 4 or 5 power and up. 

My favorite right now is a 5-42x56. Nice to be able to use the power but you don’t have to. Haven’t seen any downsides except a lighter wallet.

If you have a quality scope and sight it in correctly, on maximum magnification, then turn it down, the POI shouldn’t change with increased magnification. I also use a lot of 3x9 and 4-12 scopes on my centerfire rifles but love to have the ability to crank up the power on my air guns scopes. My sons have a 4.5x27 scopes and even on 27x, if we’re shooting at 100yds, it gets a little hard to see the center of the target. You’re going to get 100 different answers here because it really does depend on what you’re using it for, what you like and your budget. I personally don’t think 16x is enough magnification for precision shooting at 100yds, not by a long shot, not even 24x. I like to aim small, miss small and you have to be able to zoom in tight. That’s just me though. Stoti

I tried using first focal plane scopes and noticed they have reticles that are very difficult to see at low power because they get too small and thin

I like scope to start from 4 or 5 power and up. 



I agree. I only have 1 FFP and I love it. Thanks Cyclpos! However I can't use it in the woods at 6x (my prefered magnification) because the hashmarks/mildots become too small.

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On my LR and PRS guns -25x with 50mm are norms.

My springers -15x and -20x on PCP.

Just using what works for my eyes, FWIW.

I guess I am old school because all I have on my airguns are all 4 Power scopes. Even when I used to deer hunt with my .270 , I had a 3x9 on it and I always kept it on three power in case a deer walked right up on me. When I used to shoot from a bench rest at 100 yards, I could shoot 5/8 “groups with it on 6 power.

After sampling the 6-24 powered scopes, I can’t go back to 4-12’s for target shooting. I’ve recebtky upped to a 8-34 only because I plan on target shooting far out. 

How these larger powers benefit me is one, I’m not the best shot anyway, so when I hunker down and try to go hole in hole with my pcp’s, the higher powers allow me to take aim with more precision. 

But for hunting purposes or critter control I rely on mainly a 4-14 x 44mm with a centered dot right at the center of the reticle. Just acquire and fire. 

I don’t know about others, but I feel target shooting with the higher powered scopes has made me a better shooter with lowered power scopes because the higher power lets me see more of my movement when breathing, if I’m canting, etc, 

Never enough scope especially if you like fts set ups I paid 3000 for an IOR VALDADA RECON put a tactacam on it and oh my Goodness worth every penny when you clearly see that hundred yard shot, but before I started making fts videos my holographic sight Hu1 AMG VORTEX was great for 50 yard shooting with a 3X MAGNIFIER 

I really like high magnification and quality glass because of my poor eyesight. My favorite set up is this Theoben .20, the scope is a Valdada Terminator and on 52x you can put the crosshairs in a pellet hole at 100 yards. It makes a shooting session really fun, but only off of a solid bench and bags. Definitely not a hunting rifle set up like this lol! 

Most of the time, if my target (pigeon) is at 100yds or further, I go to max magnification.....20 or 24x.

Inside of 100yds I use whatever lower magnification that allows me to make a good shot. Normally I never go below 10x and I shoot a lot between 12 and 16x.

I dont like low magnification unless I'm shooting a larger target at closer ranges.

All depends on your target. Smaller the target higher magnification you need. A Pigeon at 100yards is best around 15-20 for me. Coyote or hog 6-10x is fine.