Introduction

Riflescopes have become standard equipment on most rifles. And optical sights have also become standard for many modern carbines. Their popularity is partially because they allow the user to aim with more precision and accuracy than with open sights. However, using a telescopic sight at maximum magnification may not always be ideal. And high-power scopes in general might not be the best option for some purposes. Today we are discussing maximum magnification; finding the right magnification for your scope, and whether or not you need all that power.

Variable Power

Most modern riflescopes or optical sights can fall into one of two types; variable power zoom optics, and fixed power optics. A fixed power optic like a Trijicon ACOG might have 1.5X or something more like 3.5X or 4X. Variable power scopes come in a variety of ranges, for example; a 4X scope might have a 4-16X zoom, while a 6X scope might have 5-30X magnification.

Variable scopes can further be broken down into two additional subcategories; front focal plane, and second focal plane scopes. Front focal plane (FFP) scopes feature the reticle in the front or first focal plane and are therefore magnified with the target image. This results in the reticle changing size depending on the power setting used. 

First and Second Focal Plane

Second focal plane scopes have the reticle fixed after the magnification feature. These reticles remain the same size regardless of magnification setting. One of the potential downsides to second focal plane scopes is that their reticles are typically calibrated at max magnification. Many of them also have a clearly marked mid-power setting. This is so you can use the reticle there as well with double the indicated values.

There is also a downside to some FFP scopes, with high-power zoom’s the reticle can often be magnified enough to be obtrusive. If the reticle gets too thick at high magnification it can be challenging to aim precisely with it. If you are shooting groups at a hundred yards this may not be an issue. But if you are shooting small targets at long-range, it certainly could become a problem.

Why Too Much Magnification Could be Bad

Depending on your purpose, there can be such a thing as too much magnification. I used to hunt quite a few rabbits, and using a scope at high magnification was not helpful as the small animals darted between brush piles. I ended up setting my scope at it’s lowest setting 3X for the best results. 

While hunting bigger animals like deer 3X might work in some situations, I often would prefer to have more if possible. The rifle I hunted with last season had a  US Optics TXH 3-18 scope, and I found it to be perfect. It gave me the ability to use three power when sneaking through thick woods where shots wouldn’t go beyond 75 yards. But when I stepped out of the forrest into the wide open canyons of the Rocky Mountains, the 18X of the scope would make even long-range shots doable. 

When shooting on a range where the furthest target might be two-hundred yards away, you don’t really need high magnification. And yet some still do, probably because they need a higher degree of precision. Shooting tiny targets at 150 yards with a .22Lr could certainly justify using a higher power scope. Whereas shooting IPSC targets at the same distance with a 5.56 carbine can be easily done with a red dot or low power variable optic (LPVO). 

Using Your Scope at Max Power

One reason why telescopic sights may not be ideal at maximum power is because of the reduced field of view. The higher the magnification the narrower your field of view. This can make it more difficult to acquire and track moving targets, especially at close range. In hunting situations, this can be particularly problematic, as game animals can move quickly and unpredictably.

Another reason why telescopic sights may not be ideal at maximum power is because of the reduced depth of field. This means that the area in focus becomes shallower, making it harder to maintain proper sight alignment and focus on the target. This too can be especially problematic in low-light conditions or when your target is moving.

Other Factors

Overall, while telescopic sights can be a valuable tool for shooters, using them at maximum power may not always be the best choice. You should consider their specific shooting situation and adjust the magnification accordingly to optimize their accuracy and success. When a riflescope is set to its maximum magnification, the image can become less clear due to a few different factors.

Firstly, at higher magnifications, the image can become dimmer. Increasing magnification causes a reduction in brightness. This effect can be particularly noticeable in low-light conditions, such as at dawn or dusk.

Second is something I have noticed over the course of many years and countless scopes from nearly every manufacturer. Almost all scopes are brighter and sharper when not zoomed all the way in. In my experience it seems like when they are at 80-90 percent of their maximum power is when they offer the best image. This is more often the case with lower priced scopes, and not as much with the high-end scopes.

Its also worth mentioning that some of the modern reticles we have today aren’t even fully visible at max power. Much of the reticle features are better used with 75-90% of magnification.

Use Application

Obviously if you are shooting static targets on a bright sunny day with a good target spotter, max power is a great option for precise shooting. Its important to practice and understand when and where to adjust your scope’s zoom, optimizing its use for your needs.

I often find myself adjusting my scope for the terrain and anticipated use as I move from one scenario to another. I do the same thing with the parallax adjustment on my scopes when present.

I like to start new shooters out on LPVO’s. With their incredibly forgiving eye-box and low magnification, it’s MUCH easier to get a new shooter on target quickly. If all they see is tree bark and leaves when they look through the scope its hard to guide them to a target like a deer.

When my son was just a little guy, I would use these low-power scopes to ensure he could see the target. If the image in the scope is very similar to what they see unmagnified with their own eyes its much easier to pick out where the target is. And once they find the target you can zoom in as needed for better point of aim placement.

More Magnification Means More Range?

I once thought that more magnification meant you could shoot further, but your rifle has the same capability for accuracy at distance regardless of what scope you put on it. The difference is what you can see at a given distance.

With a good scope you can shoot just fine at long-range even with low power optics. I’ve made some outstanding repetitive hits at a kilometer using my 6 ARC WLVRN using a simple US Optics TS-8 LPVO. While I wouldn’t exactly recommend that kind of scope for shooting that far, just know it can be done.

For all the reasons I’ve mentioned, when shooting long-range I often will use my scopes at less than maximum power. It seems that generally I like 10-14X for much of my long-range shooting. This seems to give me the right field of view to keep the target in sight, as well as allow me to spot my own shots. Sometimes I will use more zoom, and sometimes less. Practice helps build skill in knowing what power to use.

Final Thoughts

I’m not trying to talk you out of high-power scopes, or even using high magnification. I’m simply saying that its not always the best option. Many years ago when I was first getting into the long-range shooting game, all I wanted was more magnification. But now I find myself looking at 4-16’s and 3-18’s with as much excitement.

-CBM