What magnification are we all using for deer and why?

[Elmer fudd 1]

And you came to that conclusion after less than 2 pages of this thread? This site has over 29,000 members.

Alright alright! Well I’ve learned that for the most part I have a lot more magnification than the people who have replied! But also now quite fancy a fixed power scope to swap on for morning stalks

 

[kenbro]

2.5-10, FFP.
Ken.

 

[glasshalffull]

8x

 

[K.H - Tikka]

Normally x6-8 mag. Started out with a Schmidt 6x42, clarity was excellent but non-illuminated. I also started shooting more targets so went over to a variable with illumination.

First up was the X5i 3.5-18x50. Then the Leupold VX 5-HD 3-15x44. These were both fantastic and realistically I didn’t need to change either but… I’m not very good at keeping things the same and fancied an FFP.

So now I am using a LPVO in the shape of a 1-10x26 with illumination and an FFP reticle. I think this one might be the one that stays!

K.H

 

[Lancaster]

I have a ZEISS v8 4.8-35x60, do I need that much mag for shooting deer? No, do I use it? Yes, out to 1000m I can have a very good look at a deer with very high detail and saves me stalking into an unsuitable animal. Shoot predominately sika on last knockings with the magnification wound down to 4.5 which allows me to shoot pretty much up to last legal shot in the right circumstances.

Invest in better spotting glass, whether that be Binos or a spotting scope, for every minute I spend looking through a rifle scope I reckon I spend at least an hour looking through Binos or my spotting scope.

 

[User00053]

Personally finally settled on Zeiss 2.5 - 10x52 many moons ago for my general stalking and deer shooting needs but still lurv my x4 power zeiss.
If had to choose one scope today for everything anywhere in uk and accepting it would not look pretty for long it would be German with a base mag of 3 up to? X50.
just to add to the pain there is the c50 digital jobby

 

[20-250]

Just makes sense!

I have tried variable options for the last 4-5 years and just gone back to a fixed 8x56.

I don't see the attraction. You can turn a big variable down but you can't turn an 8x56 up.
Each to his own.

 

[Chasser]

Invest in better spotting glass, whether that be Binos or a spotting scope, for every minute I spend looking through a rifle scope I reckon I spend at least an hour looking through Binos or my spotting scope.

I have ZEISS Victory 10x42 binoculars and I I don’t want to carry a spotting scope, rifle, binoculars, thermal, what’s the point when my scope can do it if needed….

 

[baguio]

Obviously. all those lads using night vision add on will be using variable scopes too! Fixed mag isn't compatible.

 

[25 Sharps]

Ziess 8x56 on the 25-45 (doesn’t get shot >200m)
3-12x50 schmidt Klassic on 6.5x55 and .308
4-16x56 schmidt T96 on .280
Irons on the .357 Rossi and 7.5x55 K31

 

[Klenchblaize]

As has been observed, one must wonder why the availability of premium brand fixed power scopes is so limited, given the interest is such by the SD membership!

K

 

[Keith Edmunds]

6x42 for woodland on foot.
8 x 56 for high seats
Just bought my first varipower 4-20 x 50 - let's see how it goes

Started out with a 4 x 32 then 4 x 40 on a .270 which served well for 15 years.

 

[fallow me]

2.5 x 18 x 56 Z8i for me, can use it anywhere from close up in woodland to long distance targets, expensive but well worth the money

 

[paulbshooting]

3-12x56 on main rifle, have it on 3 for woodland and low light stalking, nice to turn up mag for field edge and open field shoots if needed.

 

[vitalspark]

Went the traditional route of 8x56 S&B, then a large mag variable. For the last few years I've settled on a 1.5-6 x 44 konuspro M30 with IR. Dial up to 6x mag for hill shots, under 200 yards, and dial down to 1.5x mag for woodland stalking.

 

[norma 308]

Couple of s/b zeniths 2.5-10x56

2.5 - 10 x 56 zenith mainly on 4-6 max 8 over 100. Might go to 10 my balance is on clarity and reticule value ie the reticule is fine enough for the shot

foxing daytime zeiss v8 on 15 mag for shots over 150 yds with ASV works a treat

and a stratos which has a bit more mag the red dot is important to my 55 year old eyes

 

[stevec]

I normally use 7x on the hill, will sometime wind it up to 10x but prefer to keep at 7x so I can see what is going on.

I start at 5x for roe and sometimes wind it up to 8x.

I used to use a 10x on the hornet and have swapped to a 6x42 with better quality glass. Works just as well for what I do.

 

[maximus otter]

Schmidt u. Bender 3-12 x 50 Klassik, defaulted to 6X

l’ll go higher for shots at 100 yards plus; down to 3X plus illumination for woodland/low light work.

maximus otter

 

[muddy42]

2-12 variable, but my default is about 6x, mainly because I can put the variable zoom into this position, with the control in the middle of its range, behind my back.
also fixed 6x and none.

 

[SimpleSimon]

When I decided* to got down the one rifle to rule them all route, and bought my 308, I got a new scope to go with it. A Meopta 3-18x50. I like having the variable mag, as others have said it allows extra confidence in a longer shot or where you want a better look at something before you squeeze the trigger. It also has fantastic low light performance, I can see through it way after my binoculars turn black.
I normally leave the mag somewhere in the middle, but it's no hassle to adjust up or down as needed. People say its extra faff, but when was the last time you snap-shot a deer offhand? By the time you've taken the rifle off your shoulder, set up your sticks, etc, another second to dial your scope isn't an issue.

*I've since decided that this one rifle very nearly rules them all, so I'm about to buy a lever-action to fulfil my c̶o̶w̶b̶o̶y̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶d̶e̶r̶n̶e̶s̶s̶ ̶m̶a̶n̶ ̶f̶a̶n̶t̶a̶s̶y̶ desire for a small, light, pointy rifle for the forest.