What strength rifle scope

[Abflyboy]

As mentioned previously, the size of the target (aim point) will mostly dictate the power of your scope. My 100 yard target for verifying zero is a 1" circle with a 1/2" bullseye. My 'light' PRS rifle has a 4-20 XTR2 that mostly lives at 15x and will put 5 rounds inside the bull every time.

The advantage for me with the higher magnification scope is I don't have to go look at my target to check where my group is.

Just one more thing to consider, hope this helps your decision making.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Recently I decided I wanted a ‘Light’ Rifle.
Common caliber, not super expensive.
And I am a Lefty.
Scope? I want a light Rig.
Have used 2-7 Scopes for years.
So it’s a Savage Axis in 223 with a 2-7 Vortex Crossfire II.
Yes Ugly! Over the years I have owned a number of Savages.
They are usually good shooters.

 

[dave1918a2]

I use 2.5 X 8 Leupolds on My hunting rifles and 6.5 X 20 Leupolds on My target and varmint rifles. Never had a need for more power and I shoot 25 - 1000 yards. If one breaks, another is right handy.

 

[The Norseman]

Enlightened

I would recommend this scope. The Leupold VX-Freedom
3-9x40, 30mm tube, Red Dot reticle, Matte finish.

It was reasonally priced, at one of our New Big Box Farm
stores. The $50 Debt Card that came with it, really sealed
the deal.

Meant for another Rifle, but to try it out I Clamped it on my
stock Remington Model Seven Black/Synthetic 308Win.

When sighing it in the Tracking is very precise. Some how I
lucked out and only had to adjust Elevation. 6" high, adjusted,
then 1" high, adjusted, 1/4" above center of Point of Aim.

I really like the FireDot. I can pick up Center of Reticle real fast
and doesn't overwhelm the target. For Hunt'n it will be really
useful, and for my off and on target shooting I like it.

The Scope is now on a 270 Winchester Short Magnum I'm doing
Reload development on.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

 

[diyj98]

The front lens has to be adjusted to distance. So, I want a different scope.

That’s an adjustable objective to correct parallax. Whatever you buy, you absolutely want an adjustable objective for target shooting. You do not want the 2-7X and 3-9X non adjustable objective scopes being recommended. They're great on hunting rifles, but you stated "target shooting".

As far as power, the higher the better for target shooting provided you buy high quality. Most $300 and under 24x or 36x scopes just aren’t that clear. Fixed powers are fine for target shooting, but I do like the flexibility of adjustable power. You can get a decent adjustable objective scope in the 3-12X or 4-16x range that would make a good casual target shooting scope.

 

[Cal44]

I just put a 2-7x Vortex on my Browning BLR 308.

I have poor naked eye vision and at high magnification I can't find the target with the tiny field of vision.

 

[rockquarry]

I would recommend this scope. The Leupold VX-Freedom
3-9x40, 30mm tube, Red Dot reticle, Matte finish.

It was reasonally priced, at one of our New Big Box Farm
stores. The $50 Debt Card that came with it, really sealed
the deal.

Meant for another Rifle, but to try it out I Clamped it on my
stock Remington Model Seven Black/Synthetic 308Win.

When sighing it in the Tracking is very precise. Some how I
lucked out and only had to adjust Elevation. 6" high, adjusted,
then 1" high, adjusted, 1/4" above center of Point of Aim.

I really like the FireDot. I can pick up Center of Reticle real fast
and doesn't overwhelm the target. For Hunt'n it will be really
useful, and for my off and on target shooting I like it.

The Scope is now on a 270 Winchester Short Magnum I'm doing
Reload development on.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

This is a lesser Leupold than the 6x36 fixed power. However, it may be a great scope. You don't really need a "Fire Dot" reticle or anything else exotic at this stage. Spend a few dollars more and get the best scope for your money. Simple works best for most persons.

 

[Drm50]

My first new cf rifle was a Win 70FW 308. The only new pre64 I was able to buy before Win went under. It has 6x on it. Reason 6x is about most I can handle off hand on running game. The 6x 40mm sucks in extra light for early and late shooting. I bought K10x scope for this rifle when new. To much power for the woods. I ran 6x on my HV Bolt guns. I ran 1.5x to 4x on lager caliber guns and pumps, autos and levers. I can’t claim extreme long range kills. 250yds being my longest kill on deer, which happened to be with said 308 & 6x scope. I did kill lots of varmits at 400yds + with same rig. Still have that 308 and will literally drive nails at 100yds.

 

[SW Gun Guy]

Made my decision

Recently I decided I wanted a ‘Light’ Rifle.
Common caliber, not super expensive.
And I am a Lefty.
Scope? I want a light Rig.
Have used 2-7 Scopes for years.
So it’s a Savage Axis in 223 with a 2-7 Vortex Crossfire II.
Yes Ugly! Over the years I have owned a number of Savages.
They are usually good shooters.

Thanks Pilgrim. Unknowingly, you made my decision simple. I recently bought a new Savage Predator 110 with the scope on it from the factory. Wanted a bolt action 223 with threaded barrel in anticipation of my suppressor. Shot that gun today and really like the scope a lot. It is a Vortex Crossfire like yours, but mine is 4-12x44. Yes, a 3-9 would work for me, but the next owner might want more magnification. I measured the diameter of each end of the Vortex and both are smaller than the scope currently on the 308. So, I have shot the scope, like it and it will fit the 308. Will look for it locally tomorrow, otherwise e-bay. THANKS to everybody for all the good advice. Chuck