Minimum Magnification For 100 yards
 

What is your minimum magnification on 100 yards shot at a deer. I found a great deal on a Nikon scope that is 1.65-5x36. I have always shot 3x9x40.

Would it make that much of a difference for a riffled 20 gauge shotgun? My wife's H@R needs a new scope. It still has 5 inches of eye relief.


Doug

Too much movement for me at high magnification. My gun came with a 3x9 scope. Something i'd never buy. I leave it set on 3x for shots all the way to 200yds.

The scope you're looking at is more than enough for 100 yds.

Just depends on the shooters preference. My brother in law prefers 7x for shooting out to 200 yards. I on the other hand like 9 to 10x at 100+ and very thin cross hairs.

Doug their are a lot of people just using a 1x scope for clarity, some states will only allow a 1x.

During our ml season I have to use open sights - I use a Williams FP peep sight. 100 yards is not that far for a regular sized deer... UNLESS - like me age has taken a huge toll on the eyesight.

I think your wife would really like the 1.65 to 5. It would be a tremedous help from no scope at all. And on 5 the deer would be right off the end of the barrel.

If it is the right price go for it... and it is hard to beat a Nikon

but probably like you my favorite is still the 3x9x40.

Pretty much all of my shots are less than 100 yards and I have 3-9x40s on all my inlines. I keep it on 4 unless I choose to turn it up. Unless I have to make a snap shot, I always turn it up. Better view = better shot in my opinion.

I use a 1.75x4 on my triumph... thats all i need out to 150 yards

I also think this is a personal preference. IMO I like a 4.5-14 and think it's about perfect on a rifle for 100 yards, however, I don't know that I'd want something that big of a muzzle loader. On my muzzle loader I run a 3-9x40 and for me it's the minimum I'd want. I shoot it on 9x at the range, and I leave it set on 5x most all of the time in the field, but if I have time, I zoom it into 9x quite often before taking a shot at a deer. If it's something where he is moving, running, etc, where I wouldn't have time to adjust the magnification, I can still get a shot off with it on 5x and that's what I usually do.

I hardly ever use anything less than 5x, but I have once or twice if something was super close.

I've got a buddy that likes a 6.5-20 and most of his shots are in the 100-150 yard range although that's too much for me on the low end. I've got other friends that use a 2-7 and it's plenty for them, so it's all a personal preference.

If it's a good deal that would be a good scope for your purposes...Many use much more than needed and it takes them too long to acquire their target...

If you are concerned about it, take one of you other scopes, put it on 4-5x and try her at 100 yards...Back in the 60s and 70s most of us used 4x because we didn't trust the variables...I had no problem killing deer out to 200 yards with a 4x...

If my memory serves me correctly, 1x for every 25yrd is the general rule. That Nikon should do just fine.

Yes we did. That is what we did.

This past season The deer i killed during rifle season, were done in by muzzle loaders with a 4X scope mounted. The deer i killed during the muzzle loader season was done in by a rifle with a peep sight at near 100 yard.

My 7x57 only wears a 1.5-4.5x Monarch. I have a 2-7 on my Knight.

I have 3 scopes 1.5x 5 Leupolds. I have accurately shot several deer at approx. 190 yards, and I have no idea how many with the 1.5 setting at 100. Practice. I like the larger field of view, clarity and light gathering of the lowe magnifications.

I have four guns with 4X fixed scopes. Never felt any lacking for game out as far as I care to shoot, which is in the 200 yard max range.

Unless you hunt in extremely thick woods, the 3-9 x40 is hard to beat.Ray

Before we were allowed magnification I used 1x scopes. Its amazing what that aiming point can do for your group size. At 100 yards I would have shot at a deer any day of the week with that 1x scope.

Then I put a Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5x32mm on my Black Diamond. I had no problem hitting a paper plate at 150 yards. 100 would have been a cake walk. But I do admit I like the highest setting for distances over 50 yards.

After more scopes were obtained I could I really like a 2-7x32mm scope. 2x when I am walking in the woods in thickets and the more open I get, the more power I crank. That 7x would do nice field shooting.

I think that scope your looking at would be fine for 100 and more yards.

Personally I would look for a higher quality scope in a fixed 4X power. If you consider scope power range as quantity. Then consider scope quality as better glass. I much prefer quality over quantity.

In other words give me a higher grade 4X or 6X over a lesser grade variable. Every time. Tom.

Thanks for the tips guys. Here is what I am looking at:

Nikon scope.


I want to pull the trigger and buy two. But I need your last thoughts on this scope.

Doug

Awhile back, Natchez had Nitrex tr2 scopes on sale/clearance.
These scopes were the same as "Weaver Super Slam" scopes-except Japan made.
Very good scopes for the money!!
Mark

Good price and scope. Even if they do overcharge for shipping.

That should be a great scope. If I didn't have a Nikon already on my Disc rifle, that would be headed to my door right now.

Looks like a great scope at a give-away price.

If they would put that price on the Matt model I'd be ripping the credit card out of my wallet.

I thought it was a good price. I want one for my new TRT crossbow I just bought. If you think guns are expensive..lol

My issue will be Parallax for 30 to 40 yards. If it will not make that much of a difference I will get two at this price.

Doug

Well, I just ordered two...lol. I hate deals. They make me poor :happy0157:


Doug

for anything over 50 yards i prefer the hubble telescope.

If your eye is directly in line with the axis of the scope parallax will not be an issue. If you're not directly in line, at those ranges the parallax error could be severe - something like 0.05 inches. ;) Not to worry.

LOL. You guys are great! I love this site. Real men. Real Hunters.

And even if some of you argue like husbands and wives, I still think you care for each other....Haaaaa :arms:


Doug

I hate everybody! :biggrin:

Thanks for the heads up Doug...

I've got a customer that I take hunting, might earn me
a few brownie points... :)

He just bought an Optima this weekend and needs a scope...

I let him use my Knight last year while I used my flinter.....

btw...I agree with Semi, forget parallex inless shooting targets for cash money...

Well it's even then Muley. We all hate you back. :happy0001:

I like a good balance.

Man, that is a good price and I love Natchez. They ship super fast and it gets here in like 2 days. I love that place even if their shipping is high.

I'm almost tempted to order one myself. Does anyone have one that can tell us what kind of turrets they have? I've got a couple Nikon Monarchs and I really like the turrets on it that you can reset to zero, and they track wonderfully, but on the other hand if it's the turrets like on the older Prostaff's, I don't really want them. If they are similar to the Monarchs I may order one.

I only order my scopes from natchez. But this deal seemed over the top. I even called them to make sure it was not a typo.

Gander has the scope at $269.00. When I asked for a price match the look I got was............................................... .........:eek2:

I shop early for this reason. Deals, deals, deals.

Doug

I just wanted to thank everyone for the advice. I got the two Nikon Omega
scopes today and they are awesome. Super bright and clear.

And you were right...the 5 magnification is plenty. What a deal.


Doug

My thoughts are to use the most mag. you are comfortable with. I would say that a straight 4X would get you by nicely. However, some states only allow 1X for ML hunting if scopes are allowed. And these guys do quite well.
So, to answer your question a 1X can be used. But I would prefer at least 4X if it were legal.

At 200 a scope is definitely nice but at 100 yd and under I prefer iron sights. 2 inch groups are good enough for me and target acquisition is faster.

Natchez has great prices. But his shipping costs are thru the roof. I placed an order on their site for some accessories for my .54 and the products totaled about $16. But then they wante $17 for S&H for normal ground shipment. NO WAY

For older eyes scopes are a big help. Myself, i cannot focus on the front sight so very good, and am very thankful i have a peep at the rear, because focusing on a rear sight isn't possible.

Actually, it seems to me, no matter how young or old one's eyes are, target acquisition would be faster with a 1X scope than with any iron sight possible combination. Two inch groups with iron sights certainly is mighty fine shooting, and is indeed 'good enough'.

Doug100g

I got lucky and got an Omega 3x9x40 BDC250 for only $100. IIRC that one is no longer made and its now a 300BDC? It is very bright and a steal at less than half of MSRP.

The long eye relief might not work out the best with all bases/rings but at least you can remedy that on most guns. Longer Picatinny rail type bases can make it much easier if they make one for your gun. MIL-STD-1913 standard type make ring options huge and are usually better made. Weaver spec rings will usually fit MIL spec bases but not vice versa.

This rail should fit and give you a lot of options for spacing and relief.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/egw-thom...ope-mount.html