For those who shoot high-powered variable mag scopes?

[ISS]

I mostly hunt Rockchucks and Coyotes here in SW Idaho, so I want as much magnification as I can afford. I have a 6-284 that is getting a Sightron SIII (model #25017) fit tomorrow. 10-50X60 with Illuminated reticle. It will let me identify varmints out to or slightly past 1000 yards in conjunction with my SIG KILO 5K or the Vortex Impact 4000 I bought last month. 90% of the shots I take will be at a different distance and rock pile shade of gray/black, so clarity is important.
You cannot hit what you cannot see clearly, so go BIG...

ISS

 

[ELR LVR]

Do you find yourself cranking it to the max and leaving it there? Or do you keep it slightly less than max for clarity? Or do you regularly find yourself adjusting the magnification?

I usually don't NEED more than 16-18x, unless I am trying to print tiny groups.
I once took a picture....through my Kahles....with my phone....at 900 yds
And could make out individual pine needles on the tree branches.
I can see 6mm bullet holes at 600 with it. (In perfect light )
Lol half the time I simply adjust to what is giving me the most clarity along with the biggest eye box and it ends up being about 16-18x power.
I think the glass has a lot to do with this
If you research why Unertl's were so prized it was because say a 24x Unertl
had more clarity and definition than a 45x other brand
-----------------
Nowadays they must use special coatings to make up for where the glass falls short, (lost light reflected off the surface)
Some of these coatings I have read can cost like $800
So you're not getting $800 worth of special coatings on an $800 scope
Here is an example of an image with coated lens vs non-coated



There is

• Coated: Has a single layer of coating on at least one lens surface.
• Fully Coated: Has a single layer on all air to glass surfaces.
• Multicoated: Has more than one layer of coating on at least one lens surface.
• Fully Multicoated: Has multiple layers of coating on all air to glass surfaces.

What you want is Fully Multi-Coated Lenses

 

[SKWERLZ]

I usually don't NEED more than 16-18x, unless I am trying to print tiny groups.
I once took a picture....through my Kahles....with my phone....at 900 yds
And could make out individual pine needles on the tree branches.
I can see 6mm bullet holes at 600 with it. (In perfect light )
Lol half the time I simply adjust to what is giving me the most clarity along with the biggest eye box and it ends up being about 16-18x power.
I think the glass has a lot to do with this
If you research why Unertl's were so prized it was because say a 24x Unertl
had more clarity and definition than a 45x other brand
-----------------
Nowadays they must use special coatings to make up for where the glass falls short, (lost light reflected off the surface)
Some of these coatings I have read can cost like $800
So you're not getting $800 worth of special coatings on an $800 scope
Here is an example of an image with coated lens vs non-coated


View attachment 1638506
There is

• Coated: Has a single layer of coating on at least one lens surface.
• Fully Coated: Has a single layer on all air to glass surfaces.
• Multicoated: Has more than one layer of coating on at least one lens surface.
• Fully Multicoated: Has multiple layers of coating on all air to glass surfaces.

What you want is Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
View attachment 1638507

I’ve shot a lot with my buddy’s 4x16 Hensoldt out past 2K
I use 15-20 power a lot more for my ELR over max magnification.

None of my targets are over 30”.

 

[swd]

Unless the mirage is really bad I’m usually all the way up or close to it with 42-55x top ends.

 

[ISS]

I go max for the mirage since my Rockchucks are 6" wide and 15" tall when standing.

 

[Taildrag15X]

Wide open, max power I can use, 80 is a bit much so the GE 60x is what I've been using.

 

[Fast14riot]

On my 8-32x scopes I've rarely dialed down the power in a 1000y match. Only times I dial down is when they burn the infield at the range and mirage is brutal. I'll dial back to 25ish power then, or just until I can see scoring rings again. I do use a spotting scope focused mid range to see mirage.

I just acquired a 10-50 scope for my new 1000y gun and expect to be around 40x most days. First relay I hope I can be max power, but we'll see.

 

[c_bass16]

Do you find yourself cranking it to the max and leaving it there? Or do you keep it slightly less than max for clarity? Or do you regularly find yourself adjusting the magnification?

Virtually all my optics are in the upper tier zoom range these days, but the only time I ever shoot on max power is when I'm doing load work or getting zero. i would say 90% of the time, I hover between 15-25 power.

DNT 7-35
Ziess S3 6-36
Element Theos 6-36
Gen3 Razor 6-36
ATACR 7-35
Mk5 7-35
HighMaster 5-42