What's your variable scope power range?

[RichCoyle]

You are not missing much by not having a March. I know people rave about them, but the 2.5-25 has these shortcomings compared to a NF:

- Parallax adjustment is narrow - very difficult to see wind mirage
- Not as bright as a NF
- Warranty sucks - I dinged the bell and had to send back to Japan - cost me $700

As far as 6X on the bottom end, I discovered that is too much when I purchased a Redfield 6-18X. I much prefer no more than 5X on the bottom and 4X is even better.

You're being mean toward March, though. I know because I have a 2 1/2-25X52. The parallax isn't so bad. And the eyebox is almost as good as a Nightforce 5.5-22X56.

On the very first hunt, I looked down at the scope and discovered a shiny hole that used to have something in it. Fortunately, it wasn't open to the inside of the scope. I discovered it was for the illuminated reticle. Being an ignorant old man, I didn't even know it has illumination. Anyway, I got a hold of someone in Japan who told me it would be $200 for the knob that fits that hole. I began to whine like a kid about it being the very first hunt. The lady must have kids because she said, "Okay, I will give you 10% off." But with the money transfer it still cost $205.

My other scope is a Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50. My next one will be a March 5-50X56; that is if the Q-anon folks are correct and we all get a fat check from Uncle.

 

[Franko21]

For hunting optics I like 2x-3x on the low end and 15x-18x on the high end. I find the 5x and 6x erector ratios seem to be in the sweet spot as they don't require the kinds of compromises that 7x and 8x erectors do.

 

[MachV]

Years ago my first good vaiable was a Luepold 6-24 and had a couple of high powered NF (32-42) that have been traded or see limited use. Have a few 12x and 16x and like them for prarie dogs.
Lately 4-16s rule for general hunting and
Long rang as mirage mitigates the use of much more power. In fact LPVOs have gained use, not only for the
ARs but small canyon and tree use on the 338fed bolt.

 

[LRNut]

As far as 6X on the bottom end, I discovered that is too much when I purchased a Redfield 6-18X. I much prefer no more than 5X on the bottom and 4X is even better.

You're being mean toward March, though. I know because I have a 2 1/2-25X52. The parallax isn't so bad. And the eyebox is almost as good as a Nightforce 5.5-22X56.

On the very first hunt, I looked down at the scope and discovered a shiny hole that used to have something in it. Fortunately, it wasn't open to the inside of the scope. I discovered it was for the illuminated reticle. Being an ignorant old man, I didn't even know it has illumination. Anyway, I got a hold of someone in Japan who told me it would be $200 for the knob that fits that hole. I began to whine like a kid about it being the very first hunt. The lady must have kids because she said, "Okay, I will give you 10% off." But with the money transfer it still cost $205.

My other scope is a Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50. My next one will be a March 5-50X56; that is if the Q-anon folks are correct and we all get a fat check from Uncle.

I am a NF snob but I have a bunch of Bushnell scopes - they don't get enough credit, probably because they sold those crappy Banner scopes years ago. I had a 1.5x-5x Leupold fail just before a full bag safari in Tanzania. Put a Bushnell 2x7 on my .416 and shot an elephant, eland, hippo, and two Cape buffalo with it.

 

[del2les]

I have a number of various power scopes on varied rifles and handguns set up for differing hunting conditions, and those range from fixed powers from 1.5x to 6x depending on handgun or rifle. The variables (several multiples) are in the 1-4x, 1.5-5x, 1.5-6x, 2-7x, 3-9x, 2.5-10x, 3-12x, 4-12x, 4.5-14x, 4-16x, 3-18x, 6-18x, 6-24x, 5-25x, 8-32x, and 10-40x. I may have forgotten a couple I am sure.

Edit: Just remembered an older 6.5-20x on one rifle, and a 2-10x on another.

 

[Mark37082]

3X on the low end is as high as I would go in the areas I hunt. Shot opportunities are 25 - 400 yards for the most part. 3-15 or 3-18 is the sweet spot for me. I just can't bring myself to mounting a 2 lb scope on my hunting rigs. My ML sports a 3-9x40 VXR. I believe it is the perfect match for dark woods hunting.

 

[69precision]

I run a 4-14. For hunting it's more than I need on the high end but I like for ringing steel long range.

 

[lancetkenyon]

1 @ 2.5-20×50 NF NX8
6 @ 3-15×50 (5 @ TT, 1 @ Premier)
2 @ 3-20×50 S&B
1 @ 3.5-18×50 Kahles
2 @ 4-20×50 ZCO
1 @ 4.5-28×50WA March
1 @ 5-20×50 S&B
1 @ 5-25×50 Premier

 

[adk hunter]

LANCE

 

[haisardao]

For me the sweet spot is between 3-4x-20x, hunt usually sub 15x but I like the higher magnification for load development and target shooting.

 

[Kimber7man]

I go between the S&B 3-12x42/50 Klassik and the TT/Premier LT 3-15x50 for variable scopes.
But also go out to Wyoming with a S&B PMII 10x42 fixed quite often...

 

[marksman1941]

My .300 wears a Burris veracity 3-15 that has actually made me a fan of that range. Great fov for a point blank shot, but 15x makes stretching out pretty easy

 

[Flea21]

I run vortex gen 2 razor 4.5-27x56 on all my rifles except one of them that has an Athlon Cronus btr gen 2 4.5-29x56

 

[catch 22]

Age changes more than just looks/weight. I used to run 2.5-8x36 or 3-9x40 now I prefer 2-10x44 or 3-15x50, a 3-15x44 illuminated has become my favorite, and I still want a 1 inch tube.