Is there a big differance between a 14X and a 16X? The scope is going to be used for varmint hunting and
target shooting. 400 yards max. I want to put a scope on my 22.250
I'm looking at the Sightron Big Sky side focus 4.5 X 14 X 44 or the target 4 X 16 X 42 AO

Not enough to notice,I use 24X on my woodchuck guns...

As said there won't be that much difference. Like PaJack, I would want more of 24x or so. However, a quality 14 or 16 power is way better than a cheap 24x. I know. I have a cheap
6x24x50 I had on my flattop AR15 and beyond about 16x, it gets too dark and grainy unless in bright sunlight. Even then it's nothing to brag about. We were prairie dog hunting but I ended up using it on 16-18x most of the time because 24x was so bad. Again, it was a cheap (Simmons) scope so I got what I paid for.

I don't know anything about Sightron scopes so I can't say if a 14 or 16x would work fine for your intended use.

For 400 yds, you really don't need the 16. I had a 14.5 Nikon on my .308 and shot Prairie Dogs at just over 700 meters with it. I don't know anything about that scope company, but I will say that you might do well to go look at a 4.5 x 14 Nikon Buckmaster and have at it. For the money they are really tough to bear. Clear as anything I can readily afford, and better than the $1000 Leupold MK IV Tactical I have.

The Big Sky is a good choice. Pretty darn good glass at a fair price / value. Good luck.

You could try looking into the new side focus Nikon 5-20x44. I have one and I personally think it is a great scope. But as stated above, I do not believe 14 or 16 is quite enough for the distances you are taking about. I also have the 4-16x42 New Nikon, and I love it also but I don't believe it would give you the site picture you are wanting. But that I just my opinion..... just as there are deer hunters who don't see the necessity of anything over a 7 or 9 power scope. But I don't use anything less than a 9x for deer hunting and most of my scopes for deer are 12 , 14, 16 or 20 x.

Good luck

On thesescopes, would a guy be better off with a side focus or an adjustable objective?
And thank youfor all the input!