. This article should steer the reader in the direction of the correct magnification of either a fixed power scope or an appropriate magnification range of a variable power scope for their hunting rifle. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Through 8X binoculars I once spotted a buck rubbing his antlers on a tree at about 75 yards. Even better, the reticle stays clear at the highest setting and it doesnt obscure your target views. And this was our ultimate scope magnification guide for seasoned and non-seasoned shooters in which we discussed different scope powers at varying distances. Plus, it provides clear and high-quality views even at the highest magnification setting. Also Read:Distance you need to keep between your eye and the scope. Answer: A scope magnification of 16x is enough to hit at a range of 1000 yards even when you are target something of the size of a small rock or if you are hitting something big like steel plates; 10x will suffice. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. What is the best scope magnification for 400 yards? Hitting a target 300 yards away is no simple task. The larger the objective lens, the better. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm is an outstanding riflescope perfect for shooting close and long-range targets. Lastly, the good scope for 300 yards, should feature a tough construction that delivers water-tight and shockproof performance for a long time. Magnification is typically the first number that you see in scope performance. The scope magnification also depends on the size of the target you are trying to hit. There are also binoculars and spotting scopes that use this type of magnification, as well as rifle scopes that use a variable power to adjust how far away the target can be seen. Adding weight to your hunting rifle matters because, unless you hunt from one of those cozy shootind houses, youll be carrying your rifle a lot more than youll be shooting it. It helps you to eliminate parallax from 5 yards to infinity for accurate long-range shooting. What makes the scope stand out is the adjustable objective. For many years, 300 yards was about the limit of what most big-game hunters considered to be an ethical shooting distance. With a large objective lens, diameter comes a higher magnification power which is essential for distances 300 yards and above. Mag. I was hunting cut corn and open timber, and that scope seemed about perfect for those conditions. Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. It should have the right magnification power and high-quality optics that provide bright and clear sight pictures regardless of the lighting condition. For me, a 10 yard to 50 yard scope, stretched to 100 yards max. Variable power scopes - Minimum magnification 4x to 8x; maximum magnification 12x to 25x; 6-18x (approximate) scope recommended. It brings to the table an array of great features at a price thats easy on the wallet. You need to find the right type of magnification for you and your needs. Among the accomplishments includes the recently concluded Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt initiative, which in 10 years conserved or enhanced 5.3 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, recruited 1.5 million new or lapsed hunters, and opened new access to 750,000 acres for hunting and recreation. The latest and greatest wiz-bang expensive gizmo scope may dazzle the ladies and amaze your friends but chances are it will actually hinder your ability to bring home the bacon. Wayne van Zwoll is a regular contributor to the Gun Digest annual, and author of the Gun Digest Book of Sporting optics. However, too much light can also be a hindrance as it will too much for the eye to take in during good natural light such as in the morning. Moreover, it offers a long 4.3-5 eye relief and is parallax-free from 100 yards. The accuracy of this 300 Win Mag scope is good for long-distance shots, but it can securely hit a close-range target, too. It also entails a bigger objective lens which adds to the weight of the overall scope. Fixed power scopes - Minimum magnification 2x; maximum magnification 4x; 3x scope recommended. What has changed is that many hunters now consider 300 yards a chip shot. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24x. Scope Magnification For Long Range Hunting. This weight is manageable for every hunter out there. For long shots the scope is simply turned up to 4x which is plenty of magnification for reasonable hunting ranges on big game. The lower the magnification, the smaller the image. But, on hot days, when youre aiming over great distance, the target may appear as a dim, shapeless object stuck below the surface of a raging river. Being shock-proof, compact, and lightweight would further help your cause of achieving precision at such a high range. If you are into competitive shooting, a scope will make you a better shooter. Moreover, if you are targeting smaller objects at this range, the magnification will need to stay at least between 10x and 20x so getting a scope with high magnification power becomes a necessity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A high magnification will allow you to see targets at a much greater distance than if you were using a lower magnification. As one of the best scopes for 300 yards, this riflescope will greatly increase the chances of hitting the target at this distance. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. This scope will let you hit the 300-yard mark and even go further. So, you can get any of 3-9 or 2.5-10 scopes since they will bring you long-distance benefits while staying perfect for a short distance as well. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. I say most of the time because when a big-game animal is in the clutter of woods, uncut corn or thick brush, this might not be enough magnification for you to clearly see the animal. It is generally recommended to shoot dangerous game at ranges between 50 and 150 yards whenever possible, so high magnification scopes are not necessary. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. For instance, lets say you need 3x or 4x magnification for hitting an 8-inch target; use this multiplier and keep figuring this out yourself. Moreover, if you are a seasoned shooter and looking for an enhanced shooting experience to achieve high accuracy and precision, it must have a field of view of 100 meters. The 12x power can take you 1200 yards away but this will be difficult unless you are supporting your air rifle on a bipod. The best magnification is that which gives you a good solid view of your target. Since the size of the target is a major factor, set a benchmark for it. Give a Gift These are CXP2 and CXP3 class game cartridges with a MPBR +/- 3" typically between 250-300+ yards. This is partly because magnification dictates weight, but also because it dictates shootability. A good 300 yards scope should have turrets for windage and elevation adjustments with at least MOA adjustments per click. 5x scopes are the most common type of scope used for hunting. Scopes for medium range big game cartridges. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. Nikon Buckmasters II Key Specs: Magnification: 3 - 9x Material: Chiffon Weight: 11 oz Pros: Extremely bright sight picture Fully multicoated lenses Patented BDC reticle Check on Amazon Other Options Scopes are also used to make your scoreboard better. The magnification lets you spot targets from as far away as 300 yards out without compromising on clarity. The intuitive design and easy-to-use features make it one of the best scopes for 300 yards. I believe the 3-9X riflescope was also popular because it offered 1X magnification for every 100 feet that a hunter would most likely shoot. An el-cheapo bottom line scope starts at over $1,0000 dollars, I am not joking, with many competitors these days using scopes that go over $2,000 dollars for competition. In terms of construction, its built from aircraft-quality aluminum for long-lasting durability. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. For hunting, you will need a scope thats ruggedly built to stand up to anything you throw at it. The answer is really simple: a 3-9X riflescope provides an additional level of magnification for every 100 feet, all the way out to 300 yards (900 feet). Additionally, if the shooter is not properly trained in how to use high magnification equipment, they can actually lose focus and shoot inaccurately. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. More yards = more zoom. The hunter is also better off with duplex extra thick cross hairs that will stand out and not get lost in brush and the terrain. (Photo by Richard Mann). Ive used 16x, even 20x, scopes to advantage in good light, when theres time for a solid position and precision trumps all else. However, make sure that the scope brand you are using is consumer-grade with a multi-coated lens and good lighting conditions. Woods hunters often opted for a fixed 4X, 3X or even a 2.5X. There are different types of magnification, and each has its own distance chart. Another point is that when hunting game 90 per cent of the time they see you before you see them. This magnification range offers aiming points for up to 500 yards. It is a measure of how much an image is enlarged. The versatility cements the riflescopes name among the best scopes for 300 yards. You dont need to zoom a lot for a bigger target and can always dial it up when the target is going away. You will want to invest in a quality scope that you can use for many years to come. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. The other attribute of good scope for deer hunting is reliable turrets that offer adjustments that are easy to read and track. Bushnell Engage Riflescope Check Price on Optics Planet Check Price on Amazon The scope weighs about 23.9 ounces. In general, the least magnification that gives you a clear target image is the best magnification. No other riflescope in this category has this function. be excellent where quick target acquisition at short distances are required (Brush Gun, Defensive use). For hunting at nighttime, you will need more brightness and illumination settings. Answer: For a smaller target, you will need to achieve as high as 20x scope magnification; however, if we are talking about a bigger target a scope of 2.5x for 150 yards shall be more than enough and 2.5x to 20x for smaller objects. Whatever activity you are engaged in, a scope is a handy tool to have. With the 3-9x variable magnification, you will have an easy time engaging targets that are 300 yards away. Look for a scope thats made with high-quality glass such as ED glass. Variable power scopes - Minimum magnification 2x to 3.5x; maximum magnification 8x to 10x; 3-9x (approximate) scope recommended. When aiming with a scope; there are always personal preferences so do not put them aside. This article is an excerpt from Mastering the Art of Long-Range Shooting. The best scopes are those that fit the need of the individual user. Avoid backlashes by making simple adjustments to your reel and matching your lures to your rod's power and action. The scope offers excellent low-light performance. Variable scopes are often preferred over fixed scopes for long range hunting because they offer a greater magnification range. They allow you to see up to 50 yards away. It is the first . Best Riflescopes for 100 to 300 Yards-Our Top Picks 1) Burris Xtreme Tactical XTR II 8-40x50mm Precision Rifle Scope Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Opticsplanet Burris Xtreme Tactical XTR II tops among the best quality Best Riflescopes for 100 to 300 yards (for short to medium-range shooting). This website uses cookies in order to offer you the most relavant information. It is beneficial to note that in such cases bigger and greater is not always better. The recommended scope magnification for moving targets within 300 yards is 10x since it is more than enough to provide the required field of view, clarity, and precision. At 20x, youll see so much chaos in the tighter field, the target may bounce in and out of view as you try to tame that reticle. However, if you're hunting smaller, faster-moving targets, you will require a higher level of magnification. You will be able to spot your targets easily regardless of how small they are. What is the best scope magnification for 900 yards? Filed Under: Gun Scopes Tagged With: 300 Yards, Long Range Shooting, Scope for 300 Yards, Short Range Shooting, Distance you need to keep between your eye and the scope, 5 Best Rangefinders for Long Range Shooting in 2021, 5 Best Rangefinders for Deer Hunting (Buying Guide 2021), 10 Best Small Gun Safes for the Money in 2021, 7 Best Thermal Scopes for the Money (Buying Guide 2021). It provides you with ample light and a wide enough field of view. So much so, you'll get a solid and clear view even at 500 yards! Many still do. Today, fixed-power riflescopes are almost nonexistent, and some hunters consider the 3-9X riflescope a short-range optical sight. For the once a year hunter 300 yards is usually way to far anyway for him to make a successful shot under field conditions of poor light, bad weather and an unsteady rest for his gun. Marlin is back in the game with the re-introduction of the classic 336 and 1894 lever-action hunting rifles. Keep in mind that what you intend to use the scope for will determine your ideal magnification. However, depending on the caliber of your firearm and the quality of your 5x scope, you may be able to shoot up to 100 yards away with proper shooting technique. Examples of such cartridges include the .25-35, 7-30 Waters, 7.62x39, .30-30, .307 Win., .32 Spec., .358 Win., .35 Whelen, .350 Rem. If you hunt on your hind legs, it will. But the 20x or 25x magnification as recommended by us is considering that you are hunting smaller animals or birds on the field. It shouldnt be difficult to aim at an animal that appears as though its at 30 yardsmost of the time. In smallbore matches, a 20x Redfield served me well. Aimpoint Holographic Sight, Great White Shark Cage Diving: Places, Time, and Tips, How to bake ice hockey skates at home? The magnification that makes that target bigger also bumps up the amplitude of reticle movements due to muscle tremors and heartbeat. Red Dot Vs Scope: Whats The Difference? Moreover, when you are hunting, a 10x scope magnification will suffice but it would have to be 20x when you go for some serious target shooting. Lastly, the scope has an XPL coating that provides extra protection from dirt, oil and scratches. With a flat shooting cartridge like a .270 Winchester sighting in 3 inches high at 100 yards enables a dead on hold out to 300 yards without having to fool with range finders or multiple cross hairs or turning on red and green Christmas tree lights. Next, the lens coating is just as important as the quality of the ends. makes an animal look like its no farther than 100 feet away. | Magnified Red Dot Vs Scope, Aimpoint Pro Vs Eotech: Whats The Difference? Optimal magnification is essential for a good shot as it gives you a clear image of the target. Hunting or shooting a target that is this far requires long detection and accurate target identification. For that, a 3-9x riflescope is recommended since each level adds a distance of 100 feet which goes up to 900 feet, i.e., 300 yards. Also, make sure that you get a scope thats designed to withstand all weather elements. Or bump up to 4x on the bottom to get 20x or 24x on the top. A scope will get you closer to your target and also provide a clear sight picture which increases your odds of shooting accurately. Of course, you'll want more magnification for small animals like prairie dogs. Besides, glass etching enhances the durability of the reticle. We mostly recommend 3-12 magnification power and even a 3-10 scope is good enough. A 300 yard distance is considered long for normal hunting/shooting activities. Short-Range optical sight link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital.! 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