Advice needed (again) re: Scopes....

[targetman]

I profess little knowledge about rifle scopes....but I am learning....my question this time is: will a 36X scope be too much for a Target Rifle even though it would be used out to 1000 yards ? Or is 36X in Benchrest territory ?

I have a 16X mounted on my Target Rifle which seems OK at long range but I do wonder if "more is better".

I was advised by several match Rifle shooters that 16X was the maximum I would need, but I see that the "F" Class shooters use higher magnifications.... :-P

[Gun Pimp]

We usually take 'Target Rifle' to mean sling and aperture sights but I assume you mean F Class.

With a rested rifle, you really can't have too much power and a walk along the line at any GBFCA shoot will reveal a min of 8-32 scopes all the way up to the March 8 - 80.

Most will however shoot on 32 - 40 power.

Zooms are handy (for looking at your neighbours' targets for wind clues!) but a fixed 36X will be fine.

Vince

[targetman]

Hi Vince...thanks for that....in fact it is more Match Rifle than either Target or "F" Class.....sling and wrist rest....I am not looking for serious competition use, mearly a means to actually see the target as my eyesight gradually deteriorates with age.

I have seen a Weaver T36 at a reasonable price....well less than 1/2 that of a Leupold.....hence my question.

[Dangermouse]

If it is fixed power, ie set at 36x magnification, then you may find it is too much for closer work. However if it is variable magnification you will be OK, you can always lower the magnification if on the day you find it is too much.
A couple of years back I was shooting at F Class round at Bisley during torrential rain. The more experienced shooters brought their magnification down to around 15x at 1000 yards as the higher magnification was not helping.

DM

[rox]

Hi Vince...thanks for that....in fact it is more Match Rifle than either Target or "F" Class.....sling and wrist rest....I am not looking for serious competition use, mearly a means to actually see the target as my eyesight gradually deteriorates with age.

I have seen a Weaver T36 at a reasonable price....well less than 1/2 that of a Leupold.....hence my question.

I think you'd find that in the absence of a fixed front rest and rear bags the higher magnifications used in F Class/Benchrest would give rise to very distracting amplification of shake if used in MR.

..

[ovenpaa]

As an example I shot an F Open comp at 300 yards with my 42X BR. First sighting shot was in the 5 ring which was good, bad news was it was on the wrong target and I could not see the target number at 42X magnification. I would say 24X is a good place to look. Christel shoots with a 24X IOR and seems to get on OK at anything out to 1200 and I routinely shoot at F Class targets at 1000/1200 with 12X and 16X 'scopes.

Glass is going to be every bit as important as magnification.

[Gun Pimp]

Hi Vince...thanks for that....in fact it is more Match Rifle than either Target or "F" Class.....sling and wrist rest....I am not looking for serious competition use, mearly a means to actually see the target as my eyesight gradually deteriorates with age.

I have seen a Weaver T36 at a reasonable price....well less than 1/2 that of a Leupold.....hence my question.

I don't think you will be disappointed with the T36 - even if you are, you should easily get your money back - they are always in demand with BR shooters.
Vince

[targetman]

Thanks folks....all good advice, I will have to consider the options....

[Mr_Logic]

I haven't had experience with teh Weaver scopes, but I have shot various magnifications from about 16 mag up to 32 on the new Nightforce I recently purchased.

22x with NF clarity is fine, but the 32 is better. That said, I can see how Ovenpaa's experience would happen, so I think a variable will solve the issue with a reasonable top-end.

As an aside - Vince, does anyone actually use the March all the way up at 80x? Surely there is a major lack of light with that much mag, even with excellent glass?