Thread: What magnification are you running in the bush?

I'm curious as to what magnification people are using in the tight stuff.

My preference would be a 2-7 however my current rifle came with a reasonable quality 3-9 and the more I learn about it the more I like it... with the exception of x3 being the lowest magnification.

Years ago we either had iron sights or x4 and we got by. That was then, now we have choice.

So my dilemma is run the nice scope currently fitted or put on my 2-7 loopy.

So is my preference for 2X justified or am I over thinking it.

And for what it's worth both scopes are less than a pound and I have no interest in a 2lb monstrosity that costs twice the price of the rifle.

In fact if we can just talk magnification preferences for the bush, that would be great.

2-12 or 2-10. Extra mag at top end very handy when you need to take a longer shot.

My 223 and 270 both have 3-9s on them. 3 is probably a bit high for close tight bush work and 9 can be lacking on wallabies at 300m, but it's what I've got and works for me. I'd like a bit more top end magnification at times, something like a 3-15 or 2-12 maybe.

3 or 4 power for me

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Same 3 or 4x

3-9 kahles. 4a reticle. Good combo.
As chainsaw suggested, a 2-10 or 12 would give you more options.

I've just finished a sub 6 pound 30-30 Contender carbine and put a fixed 2.5x Leupold Ultralight for bush stalking

But a 2.5-8 VX3 would be my best pick

X3 works fine for me. Shot a pig on the run yesterday in the bush. If you already have the x2 then you don't really have a problem, you can put it on with no extra cost when ever you like.

1.25-4 vx-r. Normally set to about 2, 3 as an absolute max. Should be able to pick up deer the first time you raise your rifle up. If you have magnification set too high and 'lose' the deer through the scope and have to lower scope to find it again, you are losing valuable seconds for a shot.

I use to run a 1.75-5 x 20 scope in the bush. It definitely got me a couple a deer with the wide field of view. I prefer 2ish in the bush. Current scope is a 2-12.

Anything with 4x or less is fine for me in bush. Currently have 2-7x on BA13 308, 3-9x on my main goat gun 223. 4x on my old faithful 308. Never had a problem in tight stuff but I also shoot both eyes open which helps I guess. Has worked for me for about 50 years.

Haven't tried both eyes open with a scope so putting that on the list of things to do next time I'm shooting at paper.
I'm finding 3x is okay if everyone is standing still in the open. (doesn't happen often)

Over a few years I've switched most of the rifles I would use bush hunting to Z3 3-10X Swarovskis. All with the same reticle. I set them all on 4X when hunting and the majority of shots are at that magnification. In the open many shots are taken on the 10X setting.

Originally Posted by 7mm tragic

Haven't tried both eyes open with a scope so putting that on the list of things to do next time I'm shooting at paper.
I'm finding 3x is okay if everyone is standing still in the open. (doesn't happen often)

I would stick with what you have. It comes down to rifle fit - if the rifle fits and points exactly where you are looking when shouldered and there is no looking for the animal, perfect. Shooting both eyes open requires 1.5 x or less for most people, but even with a higher mag scope the non sighting eye should not be closed until the target is 'acquired', this is only a split second thing but I have seen shooters close an eye as they bring the rifle to shoulder where they should be locked on with both eyes and then bring the rifle up.
All my early shooting was in fern, scrub and second growth with a 4x Kahles, now with being older and needing more mag I mostly set scopes to 5x. For rabbits the scope is often on 7 or 9 and never below 5x

2-16×50 very fov and out to 400+yds if need be.