What power scope at 300 yards

emperor91108 · August 16, 2004, 01:18 PM

From the 100 - 300 range what power of scope do you use for target shooting.

Jim Watson · August 16, 2004, 01:48 PM

I have a 3-9 and a 3.5-10 that I set all the way up for bench or prone shooting. Standing, multiplying my wobbles by 6X is plenty.
I have a 6-20 that I seldom if ever set higher than 14 for anything.
My much more experienced friend adjusts a 6.5-20 from 12 to 16 power depending on conditions for 100 to 1000 yards.
Bigtime benchrest shooters use much more magnification, 30 - 40X. Way beyond me.

FirstFreedom · August 16, 2004, 06:02 PM

I'd say:

100 yards: 3-9, 3-10, 4-12, or 4-16 -ish, with 36-40mm objective
200: 6-18, or 6-20 -ish, at least, with 40-44mm objective
300: Dunno, don't have that distance at my range, but I'd imagine 6-20x minimum, with a 50mm+ objective; 30-40+ power would be better, IMO.

I have a 20-60x80mm Burris spotting scope, and even on max 60 power, it's all I can do to see .22 holes at 200 yards - of course, to shoot, you don't have to see holes; all you have to see is a bullseye, but still, more power is better for benchrest/precision shooting.

k in AR · August 16, 2004, 06:18 PM

For "targets" 35 power isn't too much at 300 yards..... but
If you want to shoot at multiple ranges, and/or both targets, ringers, and maybe go hunting, then 4.5-14 would do just fine. No hunting?, how about a 6.5-20...
But whatever your choice, check out the scope really well before buying! Your eyes are going to be the determining factor as to if you can clearly see your target at that kind of range, not the power or price of the scope.

emperor91108 · August 17, 2004, 02:33 AM

Thank you all for your help. Sometimes it is nice to have some input before spending you hard earned money.

SunBear · August 17, 2004, 07:24 PM

There's a reason most sniper scopes are no higher than 10X. The higher the magnification, the more problem you have with mirage and scope movement. With higher magnification any movement of the scope is exaggerated and the mirage boil fills the screen. If you're shooting from a bench or prone the movement will be controllable with practice but that mirage distortion is a pain. Buy a good name brand and I'm talking $300-$500.....not $1,000. Happy trails

emperor91108 · August 30, 2004, 05:39 PM

Well after much thought this is what I ended up going with:
Zeiss 4.5-14 conquest 44mm

FirstFreedom · August 31, 2004, 11:34 AM

Very nice emperor; what 'xactly do we have there?

armabill · August 31, 2004, 01:04 PM

I use a 36x.

emperor91108 · September 1, 2004, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Very nice emperor; what 'xactly do we have there?

Springfield M1A
A.R.M.S. #18 mount
Leupol QRW Rings
Zeiss Conquest 4.5X - 14X 44MM
Rooster33 Cheekrest
Harris bipod

I mostly shoot surplus amm through it.

Thanks FirstFreedom

trapshooter · September 1, 2004, 09:12 AM

Sweeeeet!, as the youth would say. That's a lifetime setup. You certanly didn't cheap out, emperor.

rauchman · September 1, 2004, 02:27 PM

Wow, sweet setup. What kind of accuracy are you getting? Is that a standard M1A, Loaded, Super National Match, etc....basically what model is that?

emperor91108 · September 2, 2004, 12:25 AM

It is a standard. So far I have shot surplus Aussie and Port getting pretty good results. I have a lot of that stuff around. When I run out I plan on trying some match ammo.

August 16, 2004, 06:02 PM	#3
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Target shooting I'd say: 100 yards: 3-9, 3-10, 4-12, or 4-16 -ish, with 36-40mm objective 200: 6-18, or 6-20 -ish, at least, with 40-44mm objective 300: Dunno, don't have that distance at my range, but I'd imagine 6-20x minimum, with a 50mm+ objective; 30-40+ power would be better, IMO. I have a 20-60x80mm Burris spotting scope, and even on max 60 power, it's all I can do to see .22 holes at 200 yards - of course, to shoot, you don't have to see holes; all you have to see is a bullseye, but still, more power is better for benchrest/precision shooting.

August 16, 2004, 01:18 PM	#1
emperor91108 Member Join Date: June 26, 2004 Posts: 23	What power scope at 300 yards From the 100 - 300 range what power of scope do you use for target shooting.

August 16, 2004, 01:48 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,189	I have a 3-9 and a 3.5-10 that I set all the way up for bench or prone shooting. Standing, multiplying my wobbles by 6X is plenty. I have a 6-20 that I seldom if ever set higher than 14 for anything. My much more experienced friend adjusts a 6.5-20 from 12 to 16 power depending on conditions for 100 to 1000 yards. Bigtime benchrest shooters use much more magnification, 30 - 40X. Way beyond me.

August 16, 2004, 06:18 PM	#4
k in AR Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Arkansas USA Posts: 436	For "targets" 35 power isn't too much at 300 yards..... but If you want to shoot at multiple ranges, and/or both targets, ringers, and maybe go hunting, then 4.5-14 would do just fine. No hunting?, how about a 6.5-20... But whatever your choice, check out the scope really well before buying! Your eyes are going to be the determining factor as to if you can clearly see your target at that kind of range, not the power or price of the scope.

August 17, 2004, 02:33 AM	#5
emperor91108 Member Join Date: June 26, 2004 Posts: 23	Thank you all for your help. Sometimes it is nice to have some input before spending you hard earned money.

August 17, 2004, 07:24 PM	#6
SunBear Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: mid TN Posts: 30	There's a reason most sniper scopes are no higher than 10X. The higher the magnification, the more problem you have with mirage and scope movement. With higher magnification any movement of the scope is exaggerated and the mirage boil fills the screen. If you're shooting from a bench or prone the movement will be controllable with practice but that mirage distortion is a pain. Buy a good name brand and I'm talking $300-$500.....not $1,000. Happy trails

August 30, 2004, 05:39 PM	#7
emperor91108 Member Join Date: June 26, 2004 Posts: 23	Well after much thought this is what I ended up going with: Zeiss 4.5-14 conquest 44mm

August 31, 2004, 11:34 AM	#8
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Very nice emperor; what 'xactly do we have there?

August 31, 2004, 01:04 PM	#9
armabill Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 2001 Location: Glenolden, Pa. USA Posts: 250	I use a 36x.

September 1, 2004, 09:12 AM	#11
trapshooter Junior member Join Date: January 2, 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 902	Sweeeeet!, as the youth would say. That's a lifetime setup. You certanly didn't cheap out, emperor.

September 1, 2004, 02:27 PM	#12
rauchman Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2001 Location: nj Posts: 186	Wow, sweet setup. What kind of accuracy are you getting? Is that a standard M1A, Loaded, Super National Match, etc....basically what model is that?

September 2, 2004, 12:25 AM	#13
emperor91108 Member Join Date: June 26, 2004 Posts: 23	It is a standard. So far I have shot surplus Aussie and Port getting pretty good results. I have a lot of that stuff around. When I run out I plan on trying some match ammo.