Very basic Qs about choosing a scope

[jetpopt]

Really basic!

Let’s say I have chosen a range of distance that I plan to use a gun for, and the distance goes farther than I can aim at a small point/target. Also farther than I expect to be ABLE to shoot well, given eyesight constraints.

For purposes of this question, assume that the longest foreseeable (pun) distance is 200 ft.

Also assume that shooting with open sights is decent up to, say, 50 ft. But not as good as open sights at 25 ft.

Does that indicate the scope should be 4x? 8x? Would a range of 3-9x mean the following:
— At 3x, shooting at 60 ft would be like shooting scopeless at 20 ft?
— At 9x, shooting at 200 ft would be like shooting scopeless at 22 ft?

I realize it would not really be comparable because the field of view would be cut down. Which brings up the other part of the question, namely, how do you pick the diameter of the objective lens? (Assume that the weight and cost of bigger glass are not factors for this specific question, nor is “springer-tolerance”. The choice is merely narrowing down scopes to meet optical needs...though there’s also eye relief to check after that...)

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Should be x power vs naked eye so a 4x power is magnifying 4 times what you see with your eye .

Now whos eye? 4power on this scope may be better or worse then scope "B" at its 4x ..lol. "FOR ME".. on this one "better" scope i seem to be on 8 power for everything. Sometimes 6 sometimes 10 but generly 8 .

I think like most things it comes down to what you find as your personal preference using a scope with some quality glass . Sometimes price don't hold much weight .

 

[iAMzehTOASTY1]

Objective lens size for me is determined by usage*
Small.scopes don't take up as.much room/I can setup my see through mounts and use iron sights underneath of my scope.
Big scopes eliminate that option so I use those on slingers that dont have iron sight availability.
Examples below using my ruger

^my ruger with a large diameter objective lens. Can't see under scope.

^this way; installed some spacers for a thin scope, slapped on tall see throughs.
Now I can use my scope AND my factory iron sights

 

[jetpopt]

Objective lens size for me is determined by usage*
Small.scopes don't take up as.much room/I can setup my see through mounts and use iron sights underneath of my scope.
Big scopes eliminate that option so I use those on slingers that dont have iron sight availability.
Examples below using my ruger
View attachment 371310
^my ruger with a large diameter objective lens. Can't see under scope.
View attachment 371309
^this way; installed some spacers for a thin scope, slapped on tall see throughs.
Now I can use my scope AND my factory iron sights

I like that idea! Decide to use scope or open sights on the fly, without having to change anything on the gun. But how thin is “thin”—is yours 1”?

Then again, if the gun comes without any sights, might as well put on a bigger-diameter objective.

 

[iAMzehTOASTY1]

I like that idea! Decide to use scope or open sights on the fly, without having to change anything on the gun. But how thin is “thin”—is yours 1”?

Then again, if the gun comes without any sights, might as well put on a bigger-diameter objective.

That little scope is a 3/4" tube
Tasco 3-9×20

 

[jetpopt]

Should be x power vs naked eye so a 4x power is magnifying 4 times what you see with your eye .

Now whos eye? 4power on this scope may be better or worse then scope "B" at its 4x ..lol. "FOR ME".. on this one "better" scope i seem to be on 8 power for everything. Sometimes 6 sometimes 10 but generly 8 .

I think like most things it comes down to what you find as your personal preference using a scope with some quality glass . Sometimes price don't hold much weight .

I’m a bit fussy about glass quality, so within a price range I would go for lower power with sharper optics. However, the price difference between, say, 2-7 and 3-9 within one manufacturer’s line doesn’t look bad enough to force that decision. So in *that* example, I’d just bump up the budget.

 

[jetpopt]

That little scope is a 3/4" tube
Tasco 3-9×20

OK, .75 of an inch is 19.05mm. I hated the 4x15 scope included with the 880. I strongly suspect 20mm would feel too small also. So much for having scope and open sights on the same gun. But it’s worth thinking about.

 

[iAMzehTOASTY1]

You can do both....many ways my friend
You want iron sights and a scope?
They have scopes with irons on TOP of them. You can also have a.scope on amd then have 45° mounts with flip up iron sights.
Or moint.your scope 45°
Or....

 

[jetpopt]

I had no idea...

My plan was to keep the 880 unadorned and, WHEN I decide on a second (different) gun, put a scope on that one.

All I need to do is limit myself to two guns (plus the PB). Believe it or not, two will do for me!

 

[iAMzehTOASTY1]

Oh buddy!!! we walking 880 talk?!
Ohhohohoho say no more
Barska 3-9×32
Hits bottlecaps.at 50yrd all dayyyyyyyyyyy

 

[DesertSilver]

I had no idea...

My plan was to keep the 880 unadorned and, WHEN I decide on a second (different) gun, put a scope on that one.

All I need to do is limit myself to two guns (plus the PB). Believe it or not, two will do for me!

Sure, we've all heard and said that before.

 

[jetpopt]

Oh buddy!!! we walking 880 talk?!
Ohhohohoho say no more
Barska 3-9×32
Hits bottlecaps.at 50yrd all dayyyyyyyyyyy
View attachment 371458View attachment 371459

Local Walmart does not carry it. Meanwhile, I’ll try my husband’s .22 “nylon rifle” that a relative gave him and has been basically sitting unused. I shot it once unscoped and found the weight, size, and light recoil easy to take. After that, he installed a Vortex 2-7x scope, had a gunsmith boresight it, and then my husband zeroed it...at 50 ft, at an indoor range. He’ll probably zero it at longer distance. Soon, I hope.

I might already be able to outshoot him with the 880 on open sights at that distance, if he doesn’t practice with that rifle! LOL. (No, I do not want to take possession of it...although it’s a pretty cool retro thing, previously sold in K-Marts. LOL LOL.

 

[JimD]

I like to hunt with my scope set at 6X because I can find my target pretty quick - the field of view is generally big enough - and it is generally enough for shot placement at 20-30 yards which is mostly where I shoot. If the target is really small sometimes I turn it up a little. For shooting targets, I prefer more magnification and use a 6-24 Athlon Talos or a 8-32 Vector Sentinel. The glass in the Athlon is noticably better and I find it as easy to use for targets as the Vector. Both these bigger scopes have 50mm objectives which is enough on the Athlon but is a bit dark on the Vector. Some of the darkness may be due to what seems to be lesser glass. If I am hunting or plinking, I like lighter scopes and use 2-7. 4-14, or 4-16. I may buy a 3-9 next, just for weight savings. I rarely have an issue with the Hawke Vantage 2-7 but occasionally I would like a little more magnification. Most of my scopes are SFP because the reticle can get too small on FFP scopes when you turn the power down. That is not true of my Primary Arms 4-14 but it's reticle is also thick enough it is not my favorite for shooting paper targets. My smaller scopes have 44mm or smaller objectives and it seems to be fine. I think the 2-7 is 32mm. You need a bigger objective with more magnification to have enough light to be able to shoot in lower light conditions.

30mm tubes are supposed to give more space for the gears so you can get more elevation and windage adjustment but the Athlon Talos 6-24 is 1 inch and has as much adjustment room as my 30mm tube scopes. I used to buy cheaper scopes but am happier with them now that I increased my budget to around $200. Hawke Vantage seem good to me and the 3-9 and 2-7 is less than this. Primary Arms 4-16 "classic" is under $200 and pretty nice in my opinion but it is a bit heavy. Primary Arms 4-14 is a nice scope but a bit heavy and is over my $200 price goal. I haven't really gotten any "bad" scopes since I moved my price point up a bit. Trying to stay around $100 resulted in several disappointments. I'm sure scopes around $300 are nice too but haven't felt the need to go there yet. Maybe when I buy a "high end" PCP.

There is a youtube guy, I think his channel is Tilly's gunstocks, that likes to use 10X for field target shooting. He can shoot as small a group at 35 yards with his 10X as with a much higher power scope. I don't think I'm that good and he even admits it is harder to shoot that well with a lower power scope.