Thread: What magnification are you running in the bush?

Swaro z6i 1-6, I'd like to get a z8i 1-8 one day.

I think the next generation of hunting scopes may be something like true 1x and then up to 10x. March, Eotech, Vortex, Sig already have offerings out in 1-10 but they are expensive.

Originally Posted by 308mate

...have offerings out in 1-10 but they are expensive.

...and heavy compared to scopes with a low magnification range.

Originally Posted by MB

...and heavy compared to scopes with a low magnification range.

That's the problem right there, there are some lovely scopes out there but the moment you want much than 3x zoom or illumination you end up paying a significant weight penalty.

1 - 5 x 24 vx5 fire dot, red dot good in bush and cross hairs good for longer shots, yes scope is heavy compared to some, but my rifles light so evens out I figure. I use about 1.5 magnification otherwise i see to much suppressor.

Hands down 2-12 . You wouldn't go wrong with a 2-10 either.

Although it lives on x4 most of the time.

I find x12 bloody useful for seeing further down into the bush and identifying things.

At night time possum shooting I have a 1.5-5 on 22. That gets used on 1.5x. To much mag at night time can be a pita to find target..

I have three Leupold M8's fixed 4x, a Leupold 2-7 that is never moved off 4 power except for target shooting, a Leupold 2.5-8 which sits at 4 x, A Leup 1.5-5 which stays at 3.5 x (dunno why not 4x) and a Zeiss 3 - 10 x which I dont use really...

You get the idea. Frankly I have found 4 x about perfect for everything I do, both bush and open ground. If I hunt the Otago tussock country I wind the scope up on a variable, but otherwise for general duties...from memory all my longest shots were done with a 4 x too, and I found no hardship in it. (Long for me is 200 - 300m) For the bush, a 4 power is fine. 3x is fine too. Had one of those in the past.

The Leupold VX 1 2-7x was actually 2.5-6.5x .

Originally Posted by Bagheera

The Leupold VX 1 2-7x was actually 2.5-6.5x .

Indeed. Leupold were always generous with their naming conventions. I don't know if that is still the case.

A fixed power 2.75 for bush shooting for years for me, then I got a 3-9 vary power and it sits on 3x most of the time

its a bloody good scope isnt it LOL.

As long as your rifle/ scope fits you correctly and scope has decent non critical eye relief, magnification up to 4x is perfectly fine for bush shooting.A Leupold M8 4x has lived on my 308 for 35 years and never let me down.

FOV is my main consideration. I find my 3-15 VX5 great in the bush on low magnification. Illuminated reticule is another big plus in the bush in low light.

2-10 VX5 fire dot on a 308 an 2-8 Vx3i on a 300WSM both dual purpose do everything guns.
No needed any higher magnification yet

4-32. Smallest scope I own. Works good up close @BRADS