Thread: Hunting Scope Magnification

I have a 2.5-10x56 illuminated S&B scope on my 308 bush rifle, yes a 56 size bell is big BUT it really pulls the light in when in dark places set on 2.5 it helps my 65-year-old eyes see things again but for years all I had before that was a fixed power 4x36 m8 Leupold scope on it. on my 6.5 I have a 2.5-15x50 scope and a 5-20x50 illuminated scope on my 204 varment rifle and a 3-9x40 on the 22 it's a bit of an overkill for a 22 but it works ok so it stays it came on a rifle I got 25 years ago. but for young eyes a3-9x40 is fine? for a bush hunting rifle that my 2 sents forth.

Looking through all the responses here is very interesting.
One aspect that is obvious is that physical size of the scope is as important as magnification to some .
This got me thinking.
I used fixed 3 and 4 power scopes for years and putting the magnification aspect aside for a minute , the physical size and dimensions of those scopes were a joy to use/carry/ manoeuvre when out and about.
Some how big scopes ( size not magnification) have sneaked their way onto my rifles , and even then my scopes aren’t that big physically compared to some of the modern offerings that people use .
This may end up being more expensive than I thought because a new purchase may be required

What would be the most physically compact variable scope with a max of 10 power with good glass and performance ?

Originally Posted by Ground Control

What would be the most physically compact variable scope with a max of 10 power with good glass and performance ?

Probably a VX5 2-10

2.4-12 Swarovski would also be a good option, or a 2nd hand VX6 2-12 (quite pricey if going brand new!)

Originally Posted by Ground Control

Looking through all the responses here is very interesting.
One aspect that is obvious is that physical size of the scope is as important as magnification to some .
This got me thinking.
I used fixed 3 and 4 power scopes for years and putting the magnification aspect aside for a minute , the physical size and dimensions of those scopes were a joy to use/carry/ manoeuvre when out and about.
Some how big scopes ( size not magnification) have sneaked their way onto my rifles , and even then my scopes aren’t that big physically compared to some of the modern offerings that people use .
This may end up being more expensive than I thought because a new purchase may be required

What would be the most physically compact variable scope with a max of 10 power with good glass and performance ?

Swaro Z3 3-10, come with ballistic reticles too if can be found

I have bought a 4-14 scope for my rabbit gun
must be my age showing.

Originally Posted by jakewire

I have bought a 4-14 scope for my rabbit gun
must be my age showing.

Rabbits are pretty small

I’m a bit confused with the ageing eyes needing more magnification .
I’m in my fifties and over the last 10 years my eyes have deteriorated to the point where I need prescription glasses.
I don’t need more magnification to do/see what I’ve always been doing .
The rifle scope is an optical instrument that when setup/adjusted properly mitigates any eyesight degradation.
3 power is 3 power and 12 power is 12 power no matter what isn’t it ?

Originally Posted by Ground Control

I’m a bit confused with the ageing eyes needing more magnification .
I’m in my fifties and over the last 10 years my eyes have deteriorated to the point where I need prescription glasses.
I don’t need more magnification to do/see what I’ve always been doing .
The rifle scope is an optical instrument that when setup/adjusted properly mitigates any eyesight degradation.
3 power is 3 power and 12 power is 12 power no matter what isn’t it ?

Who cares each to there own.
Small targets magnification helps......far away targets magnification helps.
Personal preference is just that it's "personal"
I've shot reds at 340 yds with a 10x scope but I can tell you for me "personally" I'd prefer 12-14 power for that distance.
The last hind I shot at 450yds 20x was not too much sure I could have made the shot with a 12x scope but the extra zoom wasn't a handicap.
If I had to have 1 scope to do it all yup a 2-12 would be pretty much ideal no argument there, but I don't.
Sounds like you've answered your question though, now begins your misdion to track down a vx6 2-12 or swaro z5 equivalent

Originally Posted by dannyb

Who cares each to there own.
Small targets magnification helps......far away targets magnification helps.
Personal preference is just that it's "personal"
I've shot reds at 340 yds with a 10x scope but I can tell you for me "personally" I'd prefer 12-14 power for that distance.
The last hind I shot at 450yds 20x was not too much sure I could have made the shot with a 12x scope but the extra zoom wasn't a handicap.
If I had to have 1 scope to do it all yup a 2-12 would be pretty much ideal no argument there, but I don't.
Sounds like you've answered your question though, now begins your misdion to track down a vx6 2-12 or swaro z5 equivalent

I get what your saying.
I suppose I was just commenting on why do ageing eyes need more magnification.
I suspect that those people probably have come to “ Like “ more magnification than actually “ Need “ more magnification due to eyesight problems.
As you rightly say “ each to their own “

I want my best, highest magnification scope on the rabbit gun!

Currently have a 3-15x42 which covers all my bases but would happily run a 2-10 or similar. Depending where I am shots are 10-400+ so need versatility (although I haven't shot a deer over 150 away in a loooong time)

I feel for me my 2.4x12 swaro is perfect for bush and out a bit further, the 50mm objective gives me a nice field of view too.

Originally Posted by Gibo

I feel for me my 2.4x12 swaro is perfect for bush and out a bit further, the 50mm objective gives me a nice field of view too.

Your Swaro naturally has a very good field of view, that's an appealing part for the brand regardless of objective size. You get a very full ocular at correct eye relief due to the excellent eye box on the Z3 & Z5.

Originally Posted by Gibo

I feel for me my 2.4x12 swaro is perfect for bush and out a bit further, the 50mm objective gives me a nice field of view too.

As far as I know, the field of view is influenced by the distance from the shooter’s eye to the ocular lens (eye relief), the size of the ocular lens, and the scope's magnification.
A larger objective lens diameter will not change the FOV.

Originally Posted by Hermitage

As far as I know, the field of view is influenced by the distance from the shooter’s eye to the ocular lens (eye relief), the size of the ocular lens, and the scope's magnification.
A larger objective lens diameter will not change the FOV.

As far as i know its diameter of objective lens divided by magnification