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Posted: 1/2/2012 6:38:20 PM EDT
| I am looking to shoot small game out to 600 yards. I'm new to long range shooting as I've generally stayed within 200 meters. How much magnification do I need for hunting coyotes at that distance? All opinions welcome. |
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I've had a scope on a Doe at just over 600 yards. It was set on 10X, and I felt like that was enough to take the shot. Much of what you will want will be determined by other factors you have not included with your OP. If weight is a concern, I would go with something like a 4-12x40. If weight isn't much of a concern, but you'll be shooting in less than good light, then you'll want a larger front objective like a 4-12x50. If weight isn't a concern AND you will be fairly good light, then go right ahead up to a 5-20 as Jared33 sugggested.
Assuming you can stand some weight, I think the SWFA SS 5-20x50 or a Vortex PST 4-16 FFP or 6-24 FFP would be great scope chioces because they are first focal plane that will allow you to correct for drop at any magnification you happen to be set on. I purchased the SS 5-20 on Black Friday and it's a beast of a piece of glass. I wouldn't want to have to trek it far. It is rumored that SWFA may be coming out with something between the 3-9 and 5-20 this year. I'm hoping for this and will likely look at buying one of those to do exactly what you posted about. |
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I don't have experience with "good glass", but there is no way I'd feel comfortable taking a 600 yard shot at an animal with my 3-9x40 Nikon Buckmaster. I take 100 yard shots at deer with it all the time and while I always hit what I'm aiming at, I always wish I had more magnification.
So I guess what I'm trying to contribute is, if you can't afford great quality glass I would go with much more max magnification than a 9 power. |
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Quoted:
Clarity (also known as quality) of the optic may serve you better than magnification, to some degree. While I am nowhere near anything resembling an expert with scopes (I'll lay a little money down with irons, though), from what all the scope users I know and from what experience I do have; this is what is most important. I have become better at shot placement with a lower powered, better quality scope; over a higher powered chear scope (i.e. Tasco). You'll be surprised at how much seeing your target clearer helps more than having a larger picture. I also ran this by a couple of buddies real quick and they say 10x to 12x is the max they would use for that range. But, using a good quality scope. The major rule seems to be, that if your scope is as big as your gun, you're going about it all wrong. LOL |
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