Difference in scope powers
 

Can anyone explain to me the difference in scope powers suck as 4-12x50, 6-18x50, etc. What does each number mean? Thank you.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

Sure, the 4-12 is variable power. From 4 power up to 12 power. That is numbers of magnification. The last number 50, is the size of the objective lense in millimeters. The lense closest to the muzzle. The bigger the objective lense, the more light it lets in. So it will be a brighter picture during lowlight conditions. Hope this helps some.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

Thanks. So basically a 6-18x50 is slightly more powerful than 4-12x50 but they both let the same amount of light in. I guess the 6-18 would be better for open field shots and 4-12 for more wooded shots, right? I have a friend who has a Swarovski 6-18x50 and says I need to get one, but I am trying to make sure that would be best for me. Thanks again.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

This is only true if both scopes have identical lenses and coatings.A scope with a smaller objective lens can be brighter if higher quality lens coatings are used.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

That scope will cost big bucks. Good quality but expensive. I would suggest looking at the Leupold line. They are great optics, but don't cost quite so much.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

Jbradley, what caliber are you hunting with and is it mostly long distance shooting? If you plan on hunting in the bush at short distance the 6-18 wouldn’t be your best choice. You would have to go with a 3-9 or the 3-10 Swarovski scope instead.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

Scope powers above 12 power are getting into the area of becoming useless on a big game rifle or st least should only be used on very specialized long range big game rifles.

Above 12 power you are in the varmint and target magnification range where you need the extra magnification to precicely place bullets on very small targets.


Points to consider when purchasing a scope for a rifle................

What is its intended purpose? General big game hunting, varmint, bench rest, loooong range target, etc...

What distances do you expect to be shooting? As the power increases the field of view decreases. So, closer ranges need less magnification so if you expect shots at 25 yards then you need a variable power scope of 3 power or less on its lowest setting. A scope that only gets down to 6 power will noly make it more dificult to find your target as the target gets closer to you.

Do you anticipate any shots needing to be taken quickly. A high power scope will almost certainly cause you to miss an oportunity.

How heavy do I want my scope to be? Remember that the larger the lenses and the higher the magnification the heavier the scope will be.

WHat kind of rifle will you be mounting it on? You don't want a huge scope on a light weight compact rifle just like you son't want a small compact scope on a "beanfield" rifle.

Consider if you will be useing it in low light conditions.............. If so, a high magnification will transmit less light to your eye than will a lower power scope. This is because as the power of the scope increases the exit pupil of the scope gets smaller and smaller. An exit pupil is the diameter of the "circle of light" a scope transmits when it reaches your eye and is in focus. The smaller the exit pupil the less light is transmitted to your eye. To find the exit pupil divide the objective lense diameter by the power number. Example.... 9 power and a 40mm objective will give you an exit pupil size of 4.4mm.. The optimal thing you want to happen is to have an exit pupil the same size or slightly larger than the maximum eye pupil of your own eye. Of course this is impossible to achieve on a variable power scope but there is no sense in purposely making it worse than it has to be. Most adults have an eye pupil size of about 6mm in very low light. So having a scope such as a 6-18X50 set on 18 power will only give you an exit pupil size of 2.7mm. This means that about 60% of your eyes ability to see brighter will not be used.

The quality of glass. The higher quality the glass the clearer, sharper and brighter the image will be when it reaches your eye.

The type and quality of coatings. Same thing applies here as it does the glass quality.



I hope this helps you choose a scope that will fit your needs and not what someone else thinks you need.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

I have a Weatherby .300 wthby magnum, hunting in both wooded and open field.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

I would mount a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44. Go to www.eurooptic.com Good luck.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

jbradley, if you are looking for a scope to be used in wooded areas or dense foliage, I would suggest a 1.5 x 5 or 2.5 x 8. More then enough magnification for long shots in openings or on powerlines, but still a very flexible for dense cover. The 4.5 power is just a bit strong for very dense foliage. One other thing to consider is the 50mm objective. It will definitely let in more light, but sometimes that additional light can cause flare on the lense. I would recommend a 2.5 x 8 x 32 as an excellent, all purpose scope.
Good hunting....

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

I'll second that motion! Too many folks are "over-scoped" these days. If you're hunting in the open areas, on the prairies, etc., then higher magnifications may be useful.
But, if you're in the woods you don't need all that magnification, and it can actually be
a handicap if you have too much. Too much, and it limits your field of view. On those close shot opportunities you won't be able to see the deer for all the hide/hair.

A good big game scope is one of 1.5 - 5x (20mm), or 2 - 7x (32mm), or as noted above, a 2.5 - 8x. Max., I wouldn't go more than a 3-9x (40mm).

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

Let me get this right. You have a 300Weatherby Mag and not sure what what scope powers mean? Wow, did you learn to drive a auto in a 18 wheeler?

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

I know it sounds strange. I got an incredible deal on it from a store going out of business. I also have a couple of Browning Citori's and some other guns that were my grandfather's, but I grew up in the city and my dad is not a hunter so I never got a chance. Now at 25 I am trying to learn and get started.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

Nothing wrong with asking questions and this is the place to ask;)

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

I am always willing to help someone out but I have to say that the 300wby is not a great choice to start with and try to learn with.Recoil and the high cost of factory loads will prevent most people from shooting as much as a beginner should shoot in order to develop his shooting skills.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

jbradley

Suggest you might want to check out Leupold's web site. Lot's of good information there.
For prices, or at least a guide, check out SWFA.

Links: http://www.leupold.com/main.htm

SWFA: http://www.riflescopes.com/store/default.asp

Also: http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2i.scopes_optics.htm

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

Stumblejumper , has very good points. The 300Wby is an excellent cartridge but wouldn’t my choice on learning how to shoot. If the recoil becomes a problem this could create some bad habits when shooting.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

Well, bud, I am not knocking you. I would just hate to see you get a bad taste in you mouth in shooting by not getting the desired results. I know it would have been difficult for me to start on something like that. When I started shooting, it was a 243 and 270 and I had a hard time learning the basics, cause number one, nobody taught me.

Keep at it. I would consider a 7mm-08 to learn on and keep that weatherby handy. They can be a handful.

RE: Difference in scope powers
 

When I started out scopes were seldom used in wooded country, and in open spaces 3 power were the standard and 4 powers were just coming into widespread availablity. Then came the varilable craze, not strictly necessary but handy a scope of 2-7 power with a 32 or 33 mm objective lens in adequate for just about every type of medium or big game hunting that exists in the U. S. Varmints, of course, are different, some are small and shot a very long ranges so the higher powers are quite helpful. As for the brightness one way to judge is by the exit pupil. It is easy to figure, and the formula doesn't change with the coatings used. Divide the size of the objective lens by the power the resultant is the size of the column of light that leaves the ocular lens. There is no need to have an exit pupil that is larger than the one of your own eye. Young folks will have pupils that are capable of expanding to 6 or so mm. Older folks can't get theirs open that far. A 4 power scope with a 32mm objective lens would have an exit pupil of 8mm, or more than anyone could take advantage of. The scopes with 50 mm objective lenses would be well suited to use in moonlight with relatively high magnification. Varmint hunting if you'd like to do it at night might require such a scope. In exchange your face is lifted off of the stock, and recoil of the rifle can smack you one in the cheek and make you wish you had a smaller scope. Additionally the scope would tend to tilt the entire rifle, or cant it. This can be detrimental to accuracy. In scopes, bigger is not always better.