Maximizing the security of American airports, seaports, power plants, stateside military bases, strategic industrial installations, border areas and more, involves expanding the perimeter of protection as much as possible. The best scope for such a task is one with low magnification. Preferred are variable-power models having a maximum magnification of at least 14-16x, and better 20x; variables allow the option of lower scope magnifications to scan a broad area to engage closer-range targets, or to reduce the effects of mirage. On the other hand, the same power could be convenient when shooting on targets that are not moving as fast on a long-distance range to up to 1000 yards. You should not always consider price for high quality products. In Iraq and Afghanistan, for example, American soldiers with the .50BMG Barrett M107 have made more shots of that type than can be recorded. Note that other products offering 100x times or so optical zoom simply have bad image quality when using over 30x ! The numbers before the "x" refer to the magnification of the scope, and this can be a variable number, such as 18-36 … So each click on your S&B scope is 1 cm at 100 meters. and, more recently, aluminum. It’s a great way to achieve the same magnification power as the high-end scopes with a top end of 24X, on a much smaller scope budget! However, for a still target, you can also choose a scope with fixed power as it can still provide you with the expected results. An 18x zoom will allow the shooter to target a moving object that is hundreds of yards away, and the lower end of the zoom will help him to comfortably also look at his target that is only a few tens of yards away. Precise determination of the distance to the target is critical to accuracy, as an error in range estimation of only 25 yards at one mile can mean a difference in vertical impact of around 3 to 4 feet, more than enough to miss a target. Although the one-mile shot is no longer a once-in-a-lifetime event, it’s not something that one can do with a factory .30-06 hunting rifle and a 3-9x scope. In .338 Lapua Mag, models include the Accuracy International AWSM, ArmaLite AR-30, Barrett M98B, Blaser 93 Tactical, Dakota Longbow T-76, FN PGM, Sako TRG-42, and Surgeon XL, as well as semi-autos from Bushmaster (which makes self-loaders in .338 Lapua, .375 and .408 CheyTac, and .505 Gibbs). I have read the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy, and I hereby agree to those terms. Magnification. A 4-power scope enlarges the image four times. The magnification power of your scope allows you to view objects at a closer range and also enhances your ability to make a perfect shot. highest magnification 1-10x 10-15x 15-20x 20-25x 25-30x 35-40 reticle click values MOA mil ... Tube Diameter 30mm + 1" 25mm 30mm Scopes. If you have the funds, scopes beyond 30x are available for about $2,000 and above. On the other hand, a mil-dot reticle on a first-focal-plane scope can be used at any magnification, though the increasing reticle size may obscure part of the target at high magnification. Note that laser rangefinders often don’t work well when the target is small or low in contrast with the background, or when there is fog or rain. ! This, in turn, requires two things: a relatively high muzzle velocity of at least 2800 to 2900 fps, and a sharp-pointed, boattail match-type bullet having a high ballistic coefficient (BC). A slight movement either on your target of rifle could alter the results you get when you pull the trigger. Perhaps the single most important factor in achieving consistent long-range accuracy is the selection of the proper cartridge. For example, the Horus system integrates a unique rangefinding reticle, inputs from a Kestrel wind meter and ballistic software on a handheld PDA to yield click adjustments intended to place the first shot on target. If you have a scope with an average magnification of 25x to 30x may be convenient. There are also some wildcat, proprietary or limited-production cartridges that may be suitable. Obviously weight and size are important as I will be backpacking in many miles. There is actually a pretty good selection of rifles suitable for ultra-range work. However, if you choose to go for anything above that range, it could be unnecessary and costly. That’s not the whole story, though. The unit is preprogrammed for the trajectories of several popular cartridges, but an interface with Barrett ballistic software allows the unit to be programmed for other ammunition. Increasingly in demand are modular aluminum stocks, such as the MODSS (Modular Stock System) from McRee’s Precision with interchangeable subunits, adjustments for height and pull length, multiple provisions for mounting lights, bipods/monopods, night vision devices and other accessories and a folding buttstock option. A number of devices are available to combat this problem, ranging from simple bubble levels that mount on the scope or Picatinny rail, to electronic devices such as the Deros Level Grouse that use lights to indicate when the rifle is not vertical. Higher power impairs your ability to make accurate shots. Determining how much scope magnification you will need on your scope can be daunting. Such stocks can be easily reconfigured to meet changing operational requirements. Variable power scopes - Minimum magnification 3x to 6x; maximum magnification 10x to 15x; 4-12x (approximate) scope recommended. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. A still target doesn’t require a wide field of view as you already know where the target is. The 6-24X scope power range is enough to take you much further than your average rifle scope. Rifles It does not take into account the type of target or the glass quality. Different calculators offer different features. In one way of the other, using high magnification will lower the amount of light transmission. My intended use is shooting out to 1200 maybe a mile now and again but regularly probably 100-1000. You also need to be sure that you get a scope with adjustable setting to allow you the freedom of hunting at any distance range. Therefore, for object targets at As a minimum, I’d want to use 4x magnification for this application considering I want to preserve as much FOV as possible for the maximum range I specified. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! However, regardless of how you choose to use it, a magnification range of 3 9x might be convenient. All numbers left of the "X" are representative of the magnification/power range; The symbol "X" indicates power; Your image will be magnified 20-60X larger than what you see with the naked eye at the distance you are at; 80 is the objective … Therefore, it will provide you with sufficient space to monitor your target’s movement through the distance. MOA tends to work easier with imperial units, as 1 MOA at 100 yards is very close to 1" (meaning for your Leupold 1 click at 100 yards will move about 1/4"). Answering how much magnification you need for your scope is not as straight forward. For example, a 4 by 40 mm scope has a magnification power of 4 and a 40 mm diameter objective lens. Even when the exact range to the target is known, a variety of atmospheric factors can greatly influence bullet trajectory. All that is perhaps why there is still, quite deservedly, a mystique about the one-mile shot. Also for hunting out to 1k very max. Some laser rangefinder models also include an inclinometer, compass, separate operating modes for different operating conditions and the ability to measure target speed. Scopes with mil-dot reticles are used by the US Marine Corps, US Army and other military organizations. That about covers the basics of the equipment needed for making successful shots at a mile or more. The greater size of long-range rounds requires larger-than-normal actions, usually with diameters of 1.45 to 1.6 inches, and with larger bolts having beefier lugs. Generally, any cartridge for shooting at a mile or more should be capable of keeping its bullet above the speed of sound (around 1130 fps [feet per second] at 70 degrees Fahrenheit) at that distance. Precise knowledge of such conditions can be achieved using portable weather stations. View All. Almost all scopes for long-range work have reticles with some sort of rangefinding and/or drop compensation capability. And in .50 BMG, there are quite a few choices for tactical shooters, including models from Accuracy International, Barrett (both semi-auto and bolt-action models), McMillan, Robar, Steyr and others. For years, the most popular spotting scopes have had magnifications ranging from 15 to 60 power, topping out at about 25% of the "theoretical" magnification for a good 60mm telescope of any type. The ideal exit pupil of a scope should be equal to or greater than 1.33 mm to ensure optimal image brightness. Konus ProM30 1-6x24 30mm Illuminated Etched Circle Dot Rifle Hunting Rifle Scope 1/2 MOA clicks. The range of reticle adjustment increases with main tube size, which is why 30mm or larger tubes are preferred. Barrels also tend to be hefty, as well as fairly long, 26 to 30 inches, to take full advantage of the heavy powder charges used in long-range cartridges. Uses for different magnification scopes. Plenty of power at those ranges for a torso sized target. Copyright ©2020 Opticsvilla.com. With such a vast market, choosing one that will fit your needs can be a daring hustle. then I’d think about going in the higher side of power ranges as it’s easy to dial a higher powered scope down in power to shoot versus not having a … Today, however, guns, cartridges, scopes and more have enabled consistently accurate riflery at 1500 yards and much more. A man-size target 18 inches wide, at one mile is almost exactly 1-MOA (minute of angle) in size, so 1-MOA is the minimum precision required. These are completely different units of measurement. Some of the better laser rangefinders also have an inclinometer feature. Interest in such shooting is not just academic, or limited only to combat environments overseas. Although some contemporary “tactical” scopes feature mil-dot reticles and 1/4-MOA adjustments, many real-world professional feel that a mil-dot reticle is best used with mil click adjustments. Note that just about all scopes on long-range rifles are mounted on Picatinny rails having a 20- to 40-minute forward angle. Hunting I would think 800 to maybe, possibly 1000 yards and target shooting just slinging and stuff out to a mile for fun. For regularly sized targets, lower magnification is not an issue. Additionally, high magnification scope will require you to extremely careful before making pulling the trigger. No 6.5mm, 7mm or .30-caliber magnums are included on my rather short list of one-mile sureshots; .338 is pretty much the minimum caliber for such work. For purposes of clarity, I consent to Athlon's collection, storage, processing, and transfer of my Personal Data and Non-Personal Data (as defined in the Privacy Policy) for the purpose of signing up for the email newsletter. Cartridges Sig is at it again with their mag scientist routine — this time, they’ve … 20-60 x 80mm The unit automatically adjusts up/down angle shooting, and variations in temperature and air pressure. You will also need to evaluate your shooting distance as well as other factors. As a rule of thumb, any bullet for ultra-long-range shooting should have a BC of at least 0.650, and 0.700 to 0.800 (and higher) is better. Cartridges for the one-mile shot should also exhibit high ballistic uniformity. Using simple mathematical formulas, or a device such as the Mil-Dot Master, such reticles permit fairly precise range and holdover/holdoff calculations. Length: 247mm - 9.72" 30mm tube, Red-Blue-Black Illuminated Hunting Rifle Scope 7182 In comparison, the cartridges on my list have anywhere from 1000 to 3800 fpe of remaining energy at that distance. They ensure you ate able to zoom on your target as much as possible to enhance your chances of getting the bullseye on your target. I may need to judge deer and elk up to ¾-1 mile away. Re: Magnification needed for 1K to 1 mile? This will guarantee that the choosing process will be easy even for those who are unsure of what to look for. Even relatively small angles up or down can require sizable trajectory adjustments at one mile. Only a few scope brands are found with any regularity on real-world long-range rifles here and abroad: Horus, IOR Valdada, Kahles, Leupold Mark 4, Nightforce NXS, Schmidt & Bender, US Optics and Zeiss. At present there are only a few production cartridges really suitable for military or law-enforcement shooting at 1700 to 2000 yards: the .338 Lapua, .338 Xtreme Tactical, .375 and .408 CheyTac, .416 Barrett and the .50BMG. Therefore, before you decide on investing in them, it is essential to look at it in a closer view. If you are a hunter, then you understand the challenges around shooting moving targets. It has 20x to 60x times optical zoom. These materials are durable and strong, and unlike wood, are unaffected by water, solvents or changes in temperature or humidity. Been to 1 mile with a 3.5-15x56 Nightforce with no issues. Vortex Viper PST II 5-25×50. Velocity variations in the teens or single digits are best. The Barrett BORS, on the other hand, is a ballistic computer that mounts on the scope and engages the elevation turret, allowing the BORS unit to register each elevation click. Optics for one-mile shooting must be clear with low distortion and lots of light transmission. Therefore, you require to get a scope that will provide you to make your shot effective. The market is saturated with scopes that contain all sorts of magnification from 3x to at times 30x and above. Also with adjustable magnification, it easy for you to hunt both in clear fields as well as in the woods. Muzzle brakes are common to cut recoil and allow lower gun weight. The specifications of a typical spotting scope are usually stated as follows: 18-36 x 50mm, or 20 x 65mm, or some variation thereof. I've used a 4-16 vortex in the past and shot out to 1250 and it was ok as far as magnification but the … When shooting targets at 400 yards, they will appear to be 100 yards away through a scope with 4x magnification. Low magnification scopes also guarantee adequate light transmission. Why Should You Always Focus an Object on a Lower Power before Focusing On High Power When Using a Scope? It will be used primarily for backcountry mule deer and elk hunting. Shooting on still target prepares you to learn how to aim perfectly. There are a number of good bipods, Parker-Hale, Versa-Pod and more, but the most common seems to be the ubiquitous Harris design, which has stood the tests of both time and extreme conditions. So I am thinking either 50 or 60 mm. Even with a 1/2-MOA rifle, high-magnification optics, laser rangefinder, ballistic calculator and more, a precision rifleman still needs superior shooting technique to achieve consistent hits at one mile or more. That said having a quality scope with a little more magnification isn't a bad thing either I like a 3.5-15x range. Suppressors are also widely used; though they don’t eliminate the supersonic crack of the bullet, they do reduce ground signature and muffle the muzzle blast, preventing easy detection of the shooter’s position. If you are using the rifle while holding it on your hands, the magnification will not be the same as when it is mounted on a bench. Low magnification scopes also guarantee adequate light transmission. For this type of shooting, the field of view is quite essential. In the model name "4 X 32," the number four refers to the magnification power of the scope. The weight will also dictate the way you mount it on the rifle, among other issues. On the other hand, using low magnification scopes for the target will limit your chances of making accurate decisions. Additionally, when your scope is heavy, even setting up the scope becomes a little complicated. Moreover, technological gizmos can break if dropped or when subjected to adverse conditions; their batteries can go dead; and sometimes they just don’t work properly. I plan on putting it in a rifle scabbard on a pack for backpacking in on foot on spot and stalk hunts. Scopes with magnification levels of about 18x and above make great additions for the task. Sort By: Show: Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical 6-24X50 FFP Riflescope £492.45. A scope with at least 10x magnification will allow you to have a wider field of view. Therefore, it will provide you with sufficient space to monitor your target’s movement through the distance. FREE GUN FRIDAY: Win a SIG Sauer Pistol and 9mm Ammo! The cartridges I listed, however, are widely available, factory pressure-tested with proven ballistic performance. Accuracy is clearly the prime requirement for any rifle to be used for ultra-long-range shooting. Twenty years ago or so, the idea of hitting a man-sized target at a…, by Leroy Thompson / Let's go over a 20-60X80 spotting scope as an example: 20-60 is the magnification/power range. For technical reasons, the larger the bullet diameter, the higher the BC that is realistically achievable in a practical bullet design. The higher the magnification, the bigger your lens will be hence the heavier the scope. Therefore, if you get a scope with higher magnification, you have to ensure it has a bigger lens too. For example: if a scope says 3×32… then the first number (‘3’) is the magnification. I am looking to buy a spotting scope. Fixed magnification works best for shooting range within 200 yards. A step up in bullet diameter are the Model 200 and 310 CheyTac rifles, in .375 and .408 CheyTac cartridges as well as the rifles, and then there’s the Barrett Model 99 in .416 Barrett. First, only a handful of bullets in these smaller diameters have the requisite high BCs of 0.700 and above. – Power of Magnification. A keen reminder as the title suggested it is 45 degrees angled spotting scope only. If you are shooting 20" steel plates at 1000 yards a cheap fixed 10 power may be adequate. I'm looking at putting a decent scope on the rifle but keeping the length, weight, and turret height to a minimum. Powers of 30-40x and higher are not as popular, as they often come at the cost of smaller exit pupil size, less eye relief, and a decreased range of reticle adjustment.