Scope and magnifacation

[birdmove]

I know some shooters are using some very high powered scopes. I've used up to 3x9s on powder burning rifles. I have three air rifles, all with four power scopes on them. One scope came with my Crosman 1077,a Centerpoint 4x32. Two air rifles I bought, a Beeman model 1024, and my Remington Airmaster 77, both came with the same scope-a cheapy Chinese made 4x20 ( I think).These are pretty dim, and difficult to get a clear view from. Even so, I got some fine groups using them. I later got a Leapers 4x32 AO scope that can focus as close as 7.5 yards. This has the military reticle, and is clear as a bell. So, when you go to a 4x16, or 6x24 or some such very high powered scope, doesn't the fact that you are magnifying your bounces,twitches,and movements become bothersome? If you go from a four power to a sixteen power, you are also magnifying these movements by four times.I already have a tendancy to run out of breath before I squeeze the shot off because I get too picky with my sight picture.I wonder if it would be worse with a higher powered scope/

    Jon

[longislandhunter]

I have a few of the higher magnification scopes on some of my rifles and yes, you are correct in that the higher magnification will definitely "enhance" the movement you see in the sight picture, however with practice you get used to it.  The key is to just accept the fact that the phenomenon is going to be there and don't fight it.  Concentrate on your sight picture, control your breathing, concentrate on your trigger control and when the cross hairs cross the center of the target pull the trigger.   It can be frustrating without a doubt, but like anything else is just takes practice.

Jeff

[gamo2hammerli]

Yep, the higher the magnification the more the reticle will "bounce" all over the place if you're not steady.  If you're shooting off a rest, tripod or any support the movement should be reduced or non-existent if you squeeze the trigger very lightly.

Shooting off-hand, the reticle will move all over.....so you'll have to time it...and squeeze the trigger as the recticle passes over the target.  Some shooters use the figure 8 pattern.  Get in shape so your heartbeat will be slower at rest....that way you can time it and squeeze off the shot in-between heartbeats.  And shoot more to build up your concentration and steadiness.  Btw, when I first started shooting the friendly GTA shooting matches.....I was using 4 to 5X magnification....after 2 months+ of shooting small targets....I can go up to 9X on a very good day.....but usually I'm at 7.5X shooting off-hand.

[Magnum]

I also find that the higher the the magnification the better the trigger has to be.. Lighter and controllable. Using a bench rest allows me to go up to 9x or higher power . Experiment with breathing and practice...I have found find that 7x is the  best normal for me offhand  Tony

[VINNY]

GREAT question ang EXCELLENT answers. This helps me a LOT!!! Thank you..

[douglas george]

I have 3-9X scopes on some of my air rifles, and 24X, and 40X scopes on my bench guns (22-250, 222, 22PPC).  I use the high powers when bench rest shooting both with air rifles, and center fire.  Fo off hand, I use mostly 4X, or 6X.  I have a 6X42 30mm scope on my RWS 350 in 177, and a 4X32 1" scope on my 177 RWS 54.  But still some of the best groups I have shot off hand at 10 yards, and 25 yards have been with iron sights!  One of my best 100 yards off hand targets was a one hole group shot with my Remington 22 LR with peep sights, and my best 10 shot group ever shot off hand at 100 yards with my NM heavy barrel M1-A, when I cleaned the target in a service rifle match 100, with 6 X's...I was using NM peep sights.  Of my 13 air rifles, six of them have iron sights...all of my bushy tail and rabbit hunting is done with Sheridan 5mm air rifles with iron sights.  I have scopes on 7 air rifles, all springers...and they are used for sport and target shooting...Now Big Bore PCP .45 cal...I use a scope...I hope to Hog hunt in Texas with the 45 cal PCP gun...when it is ready.
D. G.

[tjk]

Can't add too much to this,...it's already been said. To me finding the clearest 'window' is of the utmost importance. Move your eye around while sighting to check the severity of paralax,...then find the sweet-spot and blast away!!!!! I keep my scopes around 7 on my 2-9's, and around 8/9 on my 4-16's. Rarely much higher than that. tjk

[USNCop]

Jon,
I use a 4x32A/O on my QB57 bullpup, a 3-9x32A/O on a .22 B26 and a 2-7x32A/O on a .177 B26.  I'm finding the 3-9 is all the scope I need right now.  If I didn't have it, the 2-7 would do just as good.
I made several long shots last summer using 4x.

Perhaps it would help to imagine a laser connecting the muzzle to your target.  It works for me.