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Scope Magnification (Read 463 times)

Flatlander Oldtimer Offline Posts: 719 Location: Warm Arizona Joined: Apr 24^th, 2004	Scope Magnification Aug 6^th, 2026 at 3:41pm	Print Post
	I'm in process of dedication scopes on rifles so I don't have to swap them around. My bench rest ,CPA in 32-40 only has a 12x scope left on it. Is that enough for old eyes at 200 yards or do I need another scope? I could always try it out and see but that means I have to fire up the lead pot and cast up some bullets to load. Thanks. Flatlander

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RDBallard Full Member Offline Posts: 125 Location: Kansas Joined: Apr 22^nd, 2020	Re: Scope Magnification Reply #1 - Aug 6^th, 2026 at 4:00pm	Print Post
	Personally I prefer a 20X for my old eyes but I got lucky years ago and found a Unertl 1 1/2" 24X that I use. I don't think I'd ever be happy with a 12X at 200


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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7718 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: Scope Magnification Reply #2 - Aug 6^th, 2026 at 4:05pm	Print Post
	12x can work at 200 but, you might need a spotting scope to find a impact sometimes. I've done very well with a 15x at 200 and didn't have a issue with returning to my exact POA. POA is the biggest issue with any scope. If your eye centers well even a 8x will get you good grouping and scores. That said, a 20x is easier, overall.

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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2667 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: Scope Magnification Reply #3 - Aug 6^th, 2026 at 4:46pm	Print Post
	You can shoot nice groups with lower power scopes, but I find that when I use a 20x I can do a much better job of holding off for the wind because I can see the scoring rings properly. Chris.


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bpjack Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 3880 Location: East Olympia, WA Joined: May 18^th, 2008	Re: Scope Magnification Reply #4 - Aug 6^th, 2026 at 6:33pm	Print Post
	I second (or is it third, maybe fourth) the 20X suggestion. I prefer 10 to 15x for offhand or 100 yd use. Jack

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Flatlander Oldtimer Offline Posts: 719 Location: Warm Arizona Joined: Apr 24^th, 2004	Re: Scope Magnification Reply #5 - Aug 6^th, 2026 at 6:41pm	Print Post
	Due to popular wisdom iit looks like I will be in market for a.20+ x scope. Thanks all. Flatlander

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Nero Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1030 Location: NZ Joined: Jun 1^st, 2006	Re: Scope Magnification Reply #6 - Aug 9^th, 2026 at 5:46pm	Print Post
	I bought a 24 fixed power scope thinking it had to be better but it showed up all my faults too much when I sighted it in at a hundred metres. Went back to my fixed 12 power Leupold.
	« Last Edit: Aug 9^th, 2026 at 6:52pm by Nero »

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gnoahhh Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1088 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Joined: Mar 31^st, 2010	Re: Scope Magnification Reply #7 - Aug 9^th, 2026 at 6:13pm	Print Post
	It's not entirely about the magnification. In the 1 1/2"-series of Targetspots and Unertls I'll agree that 20x is a pretty good place to be and is my general favorite. But, when I inherited a Unertl 2" with 1" tube in 15x a couple years ago I had my eyes opened, literally. Holy Mack'l, Andy, it's brighter and clearer than my 20's and I can see .32 bullet holes at 200 with it just fine with my 73 year old peepers. There's something to be said for large lenses. Same generalizations can be made re: lens quality/diameter versus simple high magnification in spotting scopes too, IMO.


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Old-Win Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1839 Location: Minnesota Joined: Nov 24^th, 2005	Re: Scope Magnification Reply #8 - Aug 9^th, 2026 at 7:00pm	Print Post
	gnoahhh wrote on Aug 9^th, 2026 at 6:13pm: It's not entirely about the magnification. In the 1 1/2"-series of Targetspots and Unertls I'll agree that 20x is a pretty good place to be and is my general favorite. But, when I inherited a Unertl 2" with 1" tube in 15x a couple years ago I had my eyes opened, literally. Holy Mack'l, Andy, it's brighter and clearer than my 20's and I can see .32 bullet holes at 200 with it just fine with my 73 year old peepers. There's something to be said for large lenses. Same generalizations can be made re: lens quality/diameter versus simple high magnification in spotting scopes too, IMO. Yesterday, I was shooting my 25-35 at a match in Harris and could not see the bullet holes with my 16X Unertl when the shots were in the red. I gave up and switched to my 32-40 with a Redfield 3200 16X on it. My sighter target was still up for the 25-35 and I could see the bullet holes clearly with the Redfield. Resolution is everything. I know nothing about how resolution works and with the different lens manufacturers?


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Flatlander Oldtimer Offline Posts: 719 Location: Warm Arizona Joined: Apr 24^th, 2004	Re: Scope Magnification Reply #9 - Aug 10^th, 2026 at 2:30pm	Print Post
	My Unertl 12x is a 1" tube and 2" objective so it is really bright. Only complaint other than low power is weight. Benchrest isn't a problem but if I ever decide to shoot off hand again it's a little heavy to hoist and hold. Flatlander

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