Is there such a thing as "too much" scope?

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  • Vaquero

    Moving stuff to the gas prices thread.....
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    Apr 4, 2011
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    I'm inclined to suggest that "variable power" is mostly money wasted. Good glass in a fixed 12 to 16 power is enough magnification and just eliminates an adjustment.
    Variable power scopes have their place, but sitting on a bench and punching paper/ringing steel? We're all going to crank it up all the way. Fixed power wins in my book.
     

    satx78247

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    Hey all,

    Jumping in to the whole long-range / precision shooting world, and am a complete novice.
    As such, what better way to do it with a 30" 338 Lapua.

    I am looking at a Trijicon 5-50x56mm. Is there a downside to this scope besides maybe SFP?
    I know most would go with a 5-25 or something in that range. But being as the minimum magnification is still 5, doesn't that mean I just have more scope available, without sacrificing any FOV?

    Thanks

    rman,

    Before my eyes started GOING BAD (I'm now 74YO), I was once a "decent shot" with my "lightly customized" Remington 700BDL-LH out to the limits of the German terrain where I hunted (I was stationed in BRD for several years.) with the rifle in .30-06.

    IF it was MY rifle, like Vaquero, I would avoid variable-power scopes like the Black Plague & spend my money on a FIXED-POWER & HIGH QUALITY German scope in 8X or perhaps up to 12X. = Most likely a REAL ZEISS scope, even though they are $$$$$$.
    (FYI, I do NOT know a single/skilled German hunter, Forstmeister, Commercial Hunter or Professional Hunter of Africa, who uses a variable-power scope.)

    Note: The "selected marksmen" of the German Border Guard Service, who were the best shots that I've ever known, ALL "swear by" ZEISS (& fixed-power) scopes for their "very special" rifles.
    (Inasmuch as those officers' ACCURACY & "nerves of steel" often either save OR do not save the lives of HOSTAGES, they MUST be EXCELLENT shooters at UNKNOWN ranges, so I feel that you should consider their advice.)

    Addenda: Years ago, I occasionally was "on the range with" the BGS & their friends in The Swiss Rescue Team members. - The live ammo "rescue games", that those lads play, "took my breath away". ====> I did NOT shoot well enough to be invited to "play" & did NOT want to.
    (At least when I was stationed in Germany, NONE of the team members actually SHOT another team member, though I heard "talk" in the gasthaus that SOME people had "come close" to HITTING another member..)

    just my OPINIONS, satx
     
    Last edited:

    rman

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    Thanks for the input everyone.

    I think I took a little from everyone and tried to do something a little different.

    Went with the Trijicon Tenmile 4.5-30x56 FFP

    although relatively new and unknown, the hours of research I did showed a lot of favoritism to the Trijicon over the other scopes in the $1500-2500 range. Clear clear glass, bright, and built like a tank.
    I’m sure 30x is more than I’ll ever need, but it’s there. The Tenmile scopes replaced the accushot.

    Also got the appropriate height accu-tac rings.

    I suppose I need to get my PTR-91 MSR out to the range and get my 6.5CM built and shooting to learn the fundamentals, before burning up 338 trying to learn how to dial a turret at 100y


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