Higher power scopes for varmint shooting?

[spencerhenry]

got a cooper 21 223 that i intend to punch paper with, and also shoot small rodents in the pasture. i was thinking about a fixed high power scope like a 24x. but i have never used one. i have had mirage issues with variables set on 20x. is a fixed 24 feasible for use on varmints?

 

[Chappy]

got a cooper 21 223 that i intend to punch paper with, and also shoot small rodents in the pasture. i was thinking about a fixed high power scope like a 24x. but i have never used one. i have had mirage issues with variables set on 20x. is a fixed 24 feasible for use on varmints?

On my varmint rig I run a 6-18 Leupold with fine duplex.

 

[dkhunt14]

If you go with a straight power scope and you hit bad mirage or need a bigger field of view you can't turn it down. I would look into a 8x32 Sightron S111. They are a very good scope for the money. The glass is really good and you will have plenty of power but be able to turn it down if needed. I like the DOT reticule and the 1/8" clicks. Maybe for hunting you would like the 1/4" clicks. For the money it is the clearest scope and great quality. Matt

 

[wmdron]

I would choose a variable scope over a fixed one for varminting if it where me. I have a Leupold 6x18x40 on one varminter and a Vortex 6x24x50 on another, Both of these scopes perform fine but my preference is the 6x24 because of the extra magnification, you can always dial down but it is hard to go the other way if needed. I've never owned a Sightron S3 but if everything I've heard is true I probably should.

 

[spencerhenry]

i have a zeiss conquest on 6.5-20 on a 22-250AI, and a 6.5-20 leupold on a 22-250, my 17 hornet has a 12x leupold. the rodents i shoot are wyoming ground squirrels and sometimes they are hard to see with the 12x. i will probably just go with another 6.5-20.

 

[jghoghunter]

+ 1 for dkhunt

I've used lots of fixed powers and I still think they have a place but for varmint hunting where conditions are always changing, distant is always changing I now have all variables on my hunting guns and most of my bench guns. The S111 for the money is awesome. I bought one off here for $550 shipped and you can't beat that with a stick. I have 7 leupolds, 5 NF, 2 Sightrons, 3 B&L,1 Minox and a 1 Zeiss Conquest. For the money(250-400) You can't beat a B&L. After that for the money is Sightron S111.

 

[Tim Singleton]

If you go with a straight power scope and you hit bad mirage or need a bigger field of view you can't turn it down. I would look into a 8x32 Sightron S111. They are a very good scope for the money. The glass is really good and you will have plenty of power but be able to turn it down if needed. I like the DOT reticule and the 1/8" clicks. Maybe for hunting you would like the 1/4" clicks. For the money it is the clearest scope and great quality. Matt

+1. The Siii are great scopes

 

[tenring]

Last year, I took a Weaver 36X from a competition rifle and put it on my groundhog gun, a Rem 700 in 22-250. Because of the small FOV, I had big problems finding the hogs after spotting them with binoculars. Get a variable or limit fixed power to 12x.

 

[R.Morehouse]

I have an SWFA fixed 16 that works well and at $299. is very reasonable for the quality of scope. I run a Sightron S-III 8-32x56 with the LRMOA reticle on a 243 AI that is a blast for getting up close and personal with groundhogs out here in western Pa. Got a 2014 NF comp. that is in a class all by itself. But they are a couple of grand....But you CAN poke them in the eye at considerable distance. I would go with the Sightron if I were you...... 8)

 

[GrocMax]

Tried to shoot with a 36x fixed target scope, WORST PD experience ever. 16x and under would be OK I think, I usually end up 6x-12x.

 

[thekriebles]

I believe a variable power scope with an adjustable objective or side focus would serve you better when shooting varmints vs. a fixed high-power scope.