Back in the day if a rifle had an optic, it was a 4X or 6X fixed power. Then for about 40 years the 3-9 variable power became the new standard. Seems lately everyone has moved up in magnification. I see a lot more 15X-20X on the top end at the range and in hunters hands.

I still use 3-9x40 on most of my deer rifles. What is everyone using now?

Have a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 that’s 15 years old that sits on top of the only true “deer” rifle I have. Everything else is high magnification on heavy barrel rifles.

Weaver K4, 1-4, or a 4-12

I used 3-9x for a long time and I kept it on 3x most of the time. Now I use 4-16x and usually keep in on 10-12x, I almost never turn it down to 4x anymore.

I mostly leave mine between 4-6 power.

I have inched up from fixed 4x (as a kid) through 2-7x, 3-9x, 3.5-10x and am now using 4.5-14x on my mountain rifles and 5-18x on my deer rifle.

The size and weight of scopes also inching downward through the years has made this more practical.

When hunting, I keep my scope on a lower power (usually 6x) which allows a larger field of view and faster target acquisition. I then dial up the magnification to make the shot - presuming circumstances permit it.

I have come to value the ability to dial up the magnification for the shot. Killed a pronghorn a few days ago at 337 yards and being able to dial up to 14x was really nice. I’m probably done with the “evolution” of acquiring ever higher magnification scopes, as 14x and 18x on the high end are plenty for the ranges I shoot.

3.5-21X
5-20X
5-25X
Are my options.

I stay at the lowest magnification available, while on the move. Elevation zero, wind zero, focus set for 100 yards. I know if I have to shoot something far, everything has to come up.

I go 15-18 power on the high side for most of my optics for hunting. Those damn cell phones and computers are the reason our eyes need them when we hit middle age IMO.

My hunting scopes are 9, 10, 18 and 24 on the high ends. I won’t buy anything new going forward that’s not 15 or better. Aim small, miss small.

All my hunting scopes are in the 4-16 and 4.5-14 range, except for the Leupold 6.5-20 on the 220. I have to remember to turn them down to lower magnification once I’m finished target shooting. I’ve found that it’s about impossible to find a coyote in the scope when it’s set to 20. That one got away.

Seems like the 4-16X range is becoming the new 3-9X.

For a loosely defined sporter weight " deer rifle", a 2-10 or 3-12 is my preference.
As barrels get fatter and range gets longer, I migrate to the 3-15 or 4-16 powers.
I've moved away from much higher powers for anything other than range rifles or p-dog rifles.

I have one old Leopold 2X7, all the rest are 3X9 or better. I leave them all at highest power available.

My main hunting rifle is in 300 blk out with a vortex pst 2.5-10x32 mil/mil. When in the stand, I keep it on about 3X. It's a simple scope, nothing fancy. When I need to make a more precise shot, I might dial in to 10X. But the last few years, I have shot everything on about 3x or 4x power.

My 270 wears a leupold vx7 3.5-14x50 with the collapsible moa turrets. I like this scope a lot but I don't shoot much with it anymore.

This years rifle will be a Rem 700 Varmint in 308 Win chopped to 16.5" wearing a Primary Arms 1-8x24 mil/mil scope. I will also hunt on about 3x-4x power.

Here's the thing. Most hunters buy a big magnification scope and hunt with their scope power on max. That's great for at the range shooting tiny groups. But for hunting, if you get a coyote or a target moving through and you have to make a quick shot, it will be near impossible to quickly get on target, find your target, and shoot. Why? You have no field of view to see. You can't pick up the target quick enough. On lower magnification, you can quickly pick up the target and engage. If I need to dial up, there is almost always time to do that. But never enough time to dial down and shoot that coyote running through.

^^Exactly why I leave them on the lowest magnification.

I have a variety from older 3-9x40 to newer 6-20 or 24x50. All my newer scopes have at least a 44mm objective, most are 50mm with a 30mm tube. My big gun has a 6-25x56 with a 34mm tube but it doesn't go deer hunting, long range elk would be about it for that one.

My daytime hunting rifles have a 3-12x42 or a 3-15x42 scope on them. I always leave them at the lowest setting just in case something pops up close. There's always time to zoom up if it's far away. I hardly ever deer hunt out of a deer stand or over a feeder.

Couple 3x9’s
One 4x16
And one 3x10
What power they are on depends on what I’m doing stand hunting I usually have them around 6-9 walking I’ll keep them lower.

I have been going the other way.
2.5x Leupold fixed, 6x42 Leopold. Rifles with variable power are low X end, 1-4x, 2-7x, 3-9x.
I keep variables at lowest power unless higher is needed.
I don't shoot at long range, not my thing.
Big issue I have is being to close to be in focus. I have switched to iron sites for some spots.

M

2-10x42(2 of these and I like them), 4-12x50(favorite), 3-18x50(overkill for the deer hunting I do). All are on full size relatively trim sporters that are dedicated big game rifles. They are not set up as target rifles. Depending on cover I hunt with them set at 2-6x.

I think 3-18 is the best all around scope. You can use to carry distance if you need to but also hunt.


For most Texas deer hunting (inside 150-200) you shouldn’t need more the a 3-9 or 4-16

I usually have mine set around 3 or 4x and use binos to scan

Y’all must either be blind, or intend to shoot halfway to Alaska.

Some of us like being able to cover more acres. Not necessarily halfway to Alaska.

You cant hit what you can't see.

What's your idea of a perfect hunting scope?

I’m not sure what you consider “halfway to Alaska”. I guess if you consider 150 yards a long shot, then 300-400 yards is crazy long. But a deer or pronghorn doesn’t look very big at 6x and 350 yards. They don’t even look outsized at 14x, but they are certainly easier to make an accurate shot on at the higher magnification.