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FT scope ranging fun… 16x vs 50x

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Smok3y

Member
Sep 25, 2018
1,753
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NC, United States
Nothing earth shattering here, just me sharing some of my fun the last couple weeks.

When I set up my FT rifle at the beginning of the year using 50x power, I got through the entire wheel in one setting (maybe 2) at 1 yard increments (yeah I know it is overkill, but figured I would anyway). The focus really pops easier when you are zoomed in that much. Before you say that one time isn’t enough… I still did it several more times throughout the year testing it out in different weather.

I recently picked up a TX200 and decided to set it up for Hunter, so 16x max. I have been out there 3 times and I’m still not done with a pass! Wow, it is different at 16x. The focus still has been mostly obvious so far, but nothing like at 50x.

Another fun nugget… I could be further along, but my I decided to start over with a FT style target to focus on instead of a paper resolution target to see if they were different. Every yard through 30 yards has been the same so far with both targets. I was pleasantly surprised by this. I wasn’t sure if they would be different or not, so I was glad to see they weren’t. I was afraid my eyes might be focusing on the paper differently than the FT rat targets, so that is why I wanted to start over. I could be almost done by now. Oh well.

Crazy part of it taking longer is that I haven’t even gotten to the tough yardages yet!!

I have spent so much time playing with the focus that I have barely gotten to shoot it. Glad we had some decent weather the past few days to get out and enjoy it. I did spend some time today turning a MTM case thing into a FT tote, so I did get that done too.
 
Which scope?

I've used a lot of different things. Of course the eye focus charts, as well as random bottles of oil, grease, other random bottles in my garage (various sizes of text on most bottle), but I've also used a shot up field target and shot up paper.

I tend to just use shot up paper these days. I like to work up my dope at all the distances as I'm also working up the marks on my wheel. Doing it that way, you could write A, B, C, D, E, F, G and so on and as long as you know hold-over/clicks for "C" your pellet will go where it should at whatever distance "C" actually works out to. The holes in the paper make a great item to focus on, for my eyes. At 50x I can see the little paper fibers, out to around 18 or so yards, and they work great to focus on. I also like to use the edges of the holes, if they're sharp things are in focus, blurry = not in focus.

As others have said lately, anything will work, but texture and depth and detail seem to be the most important components for good results.
 
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Thanks. I always appreciate your input. Luckily my rat is pretty shot up, so he gives me lots to look at.

One rifle is my Thomas with a Kahles (easily one of my favorite scopes of all I have used). My eyes love that scope.

My TX200 has an Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 4-20. I really like this scope. I was a little hesitant at first, but it has proved to be really good.

I need some new pics, but here they are. The Thomas has different rings since then.

BFDCE9C8-58E8-418A-92FD-6973C09A7F50.jpeg


1E680716-0FC1-44D6-96FD-2FF4893BF2BC.jpeg
 
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I use shot up metal targets, 5 at a time. I've noticed lately that I get the best results focusing on the string attachment point. At our club, we use metal cable with ferrules, at 50x the texture of the cables and indentations on the ferrules really pops. I have to force myself to put the targets in the shade. It makes it harder to focus on, but when's the last time you saw more than 1 or 2 targets out in the sun at a shoot.

I struggle to get more than 30 yards in my yard, but I had a brilliant idea when putting on two new scope wheels the other day. If I sit in my living room, I can look through my glass front door and sight on a sprinkler box across the street at 55 yards. What an amazing coincidence! Now I can get the wheels in place and not worry about running out of runway at 55 yards! You probably know where this is going: went to the club to set up both scopes yesterday and ran out of runway at 55 yards. In the exact same spot on both scopes, just off the end of the wheels. Sometimes the efficiency gained from laziness is not worth it.
 
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To focus accurately with 16x is no small feat, good glass really shines! Also bigger the objective lens the narrower the depth of field so try to find a 56mm objective lens that focus down to 10 yards but that's another expense and difficult challenge by itself. VectorOptics has a couple that are reasonably priced but not cheap still.

Here is an interesting scope:

Minotaur 10-50x60 GenII SFP Riflescope-Rifle Scope & Red Dot Sight Supplier- Vector Optics

Vector Optics is devoted to making high-quality rifle scopes & other optics with competitive prices & consistent quality. Accompany your every shot.
www.vectoroptics.com
60mm objective lens that focus down to 10 yards but SFP.

Here is a FFP option:
 
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Been hearing good things around here on the Vector scopes. I might have to try one some day.

Hoping to go to the next FT match next weekend, since I only got to go to one this year. Brought the Thomas back out to practice and dang that Kahles is nice at 50x. Such a blessing to be behind after working at 16x the last few weeks. Everything snapping into place quickly, no matter the range. I’m tempted to give up this 16x stuff!
 
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