Will Higher Magnification Help Reduce Group Size
- Thread starter Poconolg
- Start date
Yes, no, maybe....
I was shooting UBR, IBS targets at 100 yards at a couple of matches this past year.
Started with my Vortex Crossfire II 6-18X44. I was really wishing for more magnification, and better glass!
So i put my Sightron STAC on. 4-20X50.
Saw much better at 100 yards. But at 200, i was left again wanting more magnification. Hard to see holes from a 223 Rem. Couldn't see the holes at 300 yards. But in all fairness was a bad mirage day.
I recently purchased a used SIII 10-50X60.
Haven't shot it yet.
But better glass does indeed help! You can't hit, what you can't see.
Your rifle, rest, load, and your form have big impacts also.
So without seeing those, it's impossible to tell if a new scope will shrink your group sizes.
I was shooting UBR, IBS targets at 100 yards at a couple of matches this past year.
Started with my Vortex Crossfire II 6-18X44. I was really wishing for more magnification, and better glass!
So i put my Sightron STAC on. 4-20X50.
Saw much better at 100 yards. But at 200, i was left again wanting more magnification. Hard to see holes from a 223 Rem. Couldn't see the holes at 300 yards. But in all fairness was a bad mirage day.
I recently purchased a used SIII 10-50X60.
Haven't shot it yet.
But better glass does indeed help! You can't hit, what you can't see.
Your rifle, rest, load, and your form have big impacts also.
So without seeing those, it's impossible to tell if a new scope will shrink your group sizes.
JEFFPPC
Gold $$ Contributor
Std7mag used one of my favorite phrases. You can't hit what you can't see. However, never forget the middle is the middle. I think sometimes we look for detail that's not available to us and forget, the middle is the middle. Even if we can only define the 9 ring, not the 10 or the x ring, the middle is the middle. We use to shoot a lot of 100 yd Offhand matches locally that required a shot inside a dime to win. A local man who was frequently at or near the top at Camp Perry shot his 308 40x with iron sights and won his share. Every one else at the time was shooting 12 to 24 power scopes.
It's not just more power it is having a very fine reticle, but yes, I would say that replacing your 9X scope will probably improve your groups. Not a whole lot, because you are doing very well already, but you may be able to shoot a lot more of the .25 groups.
Don't understand the 9x32 50mm?
If it's 9X max then probably yes,more magnification will make it "easier" to hold better. But, take a pos 16X vs a crisp $$$ 9X then probably a wash.
So,it's a combination of things. Quality has to rank near the top. Reticle choice is up there as well. Adjustment accuracy which,"usually" comes with $$ quality but not always is very important. Now you can start thinking or discussing power.
Good luck with your project.
If it's 9X max then probably yes,more magnification will make it "easier" to hold better. But, take a pos 16X vs a crisp $$$ 9X then probably a wash.
So,it's a combination of things. Quality has to rank near the top. Reticle choice is up there as well. Adjustment accuracy which,"usually" comes with $$ quality but not always is very important. Now you can start thinking or discussing power.
Good luck with your project.
Whats the highest power available on this scope. Confused here.
Google- looks like 9 power maximum??
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JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
A shot inside of a dime@100 yards with iron sights, oh to have had that good of vision even when I was younger.
Aim small miss small.
You need a target that fits the reticle at said distance. Most reticles at 9x being the highest setting will cover a 1” dot easily, so if you completely cover your aiming point, how is that consistent. There are various targets out there, find one that fits the reticle and not because it’s cool or is cheap.
Don’t make your POI your POA!!! I see guys do this ALL the time. Sure make your dot your POI, as it gets bigger so will your group.
Watch what color you use. Everyone’s eyes are different what looks good to others maybe terrible for you (I know for a fact myself, color blind red,green and brown).
I had used a different scope for years working up loads of various rigs. Then swap in what I would use all the time. Have since quit and use what I am going to have on it for said purpose. I accept different group sizes accordingly.
Aim small miss small.
You need a target that fits the reticle at said distance. Most reticles at 9x being the highest setting will cover a 1” dot easily, so if you completely cover your aiming point, how is that consistent. There are various targets out there, find one that fits the reticle and not because it’s cool or is cheap.
Don’t make your POI your POA!!! I see guys do this ALL the time. Sure make your dot your POI, as it gets bigger so will your group.
Watch what color you use. Everyone’s eyes are different what looks good to others maybe terrible for you (I know for a fact myself, color blind red,green and brown).
I had used a different scope for years working up loads of various rigs. Then swap in what I would use all the time. Have since quit and use what I am going to have on it for said purpose. I accept different group sizes accordingly.
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
My opinion - going from 32x to 50x is not going to reduce group size at 100 yards.
You do a reticle with small cross hairs/dot and a target that has a small aiming area - like a cross or dot that's 1/10 MOA. It is important that the dot be clearly defined. Some scopes at max mag will become a bit fuzzy.
You do a reticle with small cross hairs/dot and a target that has a small aiming area - like a cross or dot that's 1/10 MOA. It is important that the dot be clearly defined. Some scopes at max mag will become a bit fuzzy.
It's a 9-32x50mm, pronounced "nine to thirty two by fifty millimeter". Not "nine by thirty two. . .".
In my experience, quality is much much more important than magnification. I've never handled a Tasco worth owning, but I think yours may predate my experience and be one of the older nice models. Definitely don't go down in quality to gain power.
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
I think the question is: Can you clearly see a small dot/crossed lines with your current scope? If you can, increased clarity won't make a difference. If you can't see the dot/crossed lines clearly, it will.
My experience with a Tasco 24X from 1992 is it is fine. I could see the edges of pencil lines at 100 yards.
My experience with a Tasco 24X from 1992 is it is fine. I could see the edges of pencil lines at 100 yards.
Something I've learned as optically challenged as I have become. With an astigmatism; there is no 0 parallax unless my lenses (contacts) are perfect. Well, that only happens the day before or after a match, but excuse me I digress. Without the ability to dial 0 parallax, cheek weld is critical. Going to the extent of shooting strings without breaking cheek weld; I've also found that in general a higher power reduces the eye relief "eye box" which helps to get me eye back in the same place in relation to rifle / scope. My Leupold Competition 45x is a great example of a scope with really small position for good sight picture.
Put this concept into benchrest techniques of free recoil, and I can see how this method could be frustrating, but does help reduce errors due to sighting.
Aim small, miss small; but be wary of mirage magnification over ~25x
-Mac
Put this concept into benchrest techniques of free recoil, and I can see how this method could be frustrating, but does help reduce errors due to sighting.
Aim small, miss small; but be wary of mirage magnification over ~25x
-Mac
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