Scope magnification for PDs

5204 Views 20 Replies 20 Participants Last post by charlie sterner, 4 mo ago

df

Discussion Starter · Mar 18, 2019

What magnification do you guys use for shooting PDs?
Specifically when shooting 22 centerfires and smaller calibers, at 400 yards and less.
Not asking about ranges beyond 400 yard.
Thanks

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

toiville2feathers

· #2 · Mar 18, 2019

On my 22-250 I us a straight 12 power VARI-XII Leupold. Yes its old school, very old school but it has made and seen lots of Red Mist over the years in most of the western states. I see no need for a variable scope for PD hunting. The gun and scope is 49 years old.(1970 when it was built). I have wore out 6 barrels on it, a firing pin and spring, and had a bushing installed in the bolt for the firing pin hole. The scope has been back once for repair. The o-rings rotted and it fogged up on me about 10 years ago. I have been very well satisfied with that set up.

What ever scope you decide upon, I would suggest that you get one equipped with AO and the ability to have a sunshade on it. Good luck and I hope you have a target rich environment.

Reactions: 2

George Foster

· #3 · Mar 18, 2019

Very nice setup right there. I don't hunt PD's but have always liked a 4-12x scope for crows and woodchucks. Yes you want an adj. objective for sure.

Reactions: 1

jimp

· #4 · Mar 18, 2019

Personal preference, whichever brand and power you like. I prefer 6-20 or a bit higher since I have crappy eyesight, every edge helps when getting out there in terms of distance. Just because you have a 6-25 doesn't mean you have to use it at 25x, but you have it if you need it.

Reactions: 1

Kentucky Fisherman

· #5 · Mar 18, 2019 (Edited)

Not to be arguing with Toiville, what works for him works for him, but I have a strong preference for a variable.

My .204 Ruger and .223 both wear Bushnell Elite 6x24s. In my group most folks spot with binoculars, then go to the gun. If your gun is wearing a high-powered fixed magnification scope, it can be a real bear to find the dog you spotted with your binoculars. With my variable scopes when I switch from binocular to rifle, I start at 6 power, making it much easier to find the dog, then zoom in. My max range for the most part is what you cited, 400 yards, and a 6x24 will work fine for that.

Another advantage for the variable is that sometimes you'll be shooting out at 200-300 yards and suddenly one pops up at 50-60 yards. If you're shooting a fixed-power 36 or anything around that, you'll be cursing that fixed scope as you pray for the dog to stay up. With a variable you simply drop down to 6 power, get on the dog, and launch him.

Also, you'll almost always be shooting in bright sun, so there's really no reason to pay extra for a huge objective or 30mm tube IMHO. If you monitor some of the shooting/varmint forums you can often find a good used 6x24 for a lot less than new.

That's my 2 cents' worth. Have fun.

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Reactions: 1

TinMan

· #6 · Mar 18, 2019

I also like a 6.5x24 for PDs. The other point is that when it gets too hot, and mirage becomes a significant issue, you can back to magnification back to 12-14x to help you out. And, I do search with binoculars or a laser rangefinder and switch to the scope to shoot.

T.D.C.

· #7 · Mar 18, 2019

I have a couple of the Leupold 6-18 x 40 VX 2 or II. The mount low and are light weight. Too bad they are not made anymore. Looking at the prices on E bay others like them as well.

Reactions: 1

df

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 18, 2019

Pd scope

Thanks guys
Looking at a 5-15x and wondering if that 15 is enough, again under 400 yards.
I have some 6-18 and 6.5-24 X scopes

Greyfox

· #9 · Mar 18, 2019

df said:
Thanks guys
Looking at a 5-15x and wondering if that 15 is enough, again under 400 yards.
I have some 6-18 and 6.5-24 X scopes

Probably depends on how much magnification you are comfortable with. I'm on the same page as the KY Fisherman. Matter of fact, I may have had some influence on his scope choices. I have several of the Bushnell 4200 series in 6x24, a couple of Luepold 6.5x20,, a Weaver Grand Slam 6x20 and 2 Bushnell 4200 8x32. They all perform very well. The 6x24's are probably my favorites. A 5x15 should do OK, but you might be a little weak on the longer shots. Being nearly 72, my eyes need a little more than some younger folk.

Rick

Zeus

· #10 · Mar 18, 2019

Quality is better than quantity. Spend a few bucks and get a nice 20-24x max power variable. That way the power is there even if you don't need it.

Reactions: 2

Kevin Gullette

· #11 · Mar 19, 2019

My Sako single-shot 17-222......

.......uses a Leupold 6.5-20XAO scope. I like the indexable target turrets(never lose track of my 100 yard "zero").

Friend Of The 17.......and 20

Kevin

A pic of my PD set-up.

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ShaneG.

· #12 · Mar 19, 2019

On my AR for shooting off of a stick last year the Vortex 3.5x10 proved to be just fine. Most of my others have 6x24 on them. I have one 8x32 but never turned it up all the way.

I think 24 or so should be enough for normal .22 centerfire range.

Bear57

· #13 · Mar 19, 2019

Anything more than a 16X is overkill ..... and consider the lower cost of a smaller magnification scope. ...

lightman

· #14 · Mar 19, 2019

I have a couple of Nightforce, a 3.5X15 and a 5.5X22. They both work well. On a hot afternoon the 15X still works ok but I'll have to turn the 22X down some because of mirage. I'll 2nd the suggestion for a sunshade. Reticles, I like the MilDot. I've learned how to range with it if I want to or I can use them for holdover.

Mike.h

· #15 · Mar 20, 2019

I really like the Athlon Midas 4.5-27 for the 17HMR, it has an uncluttered reticle and the glass is top notch. However my favorite is the NF NXS 5.5-22x50 mounted on a 223.

Reactions: 1

wolf001

· #16 · Sep 28, 2021 (Edited)

Hello all. I use large diameter optics (50-55 mm) for twilight or nighttime - it is excellent in poor visibility conditions. If I go hunting during daylight hours, I pay attention to lens models with a diameter of up to 40 mm. I use higher magnification, namely 6-18x40, 6-24x40, to shoot at a stationary target and hunt long distances. This magnification is suitable for hunting small game. Hunting is my favorite thing to do. You should know how I take care of my gun, like a child, haha) I often look for different tips and advice on hunting. And that's honestly; I love this site ballachy.com. So many new things I always learn.

RedMist/221

· #17 · Dec 5, 2021

Couple yrs back l went from 4.5-14x with 1'' tube to 6.5-20x with 30mm tube. Like going from 17'' Black and white TV to
a 25'' COLOR screen

Snake

· #18 · 6 mo ago

If I am resting my scope on something less then stable such as a car hood or window then a 12-14 max power variable is great. With a steady support such as a front rest and rear sand bags then a 20-24 max power variable is better for me. Despite many claims to the contrary 400 yards is pretty far to shoot dogs at. It can be done but it helps to have the dog in some bare dirt where you or your spotter can see the shots hit.

qert2312

· #19 · 4 mo ago

I use scopes from a 3-9X to a 6-24X, but I truly believe that a 4-12X or a 6-18X would be just about ideal.

Reactions: 1

Silverfox_in_ND

· #20 · 4 mo ago

df said:
What magnification do you guys use for shooting PDs?
Specifically when shooting 22 centerfires and smaller calibers, at 400 yards and less.
Not asking about ranges beyond 400 yard.
Thanks

My choice of scopes for my varmint rifles are variables that run from 6x or 6.5x to 20x and a couple have 24x for the top magnification. Some of them have 1 inch tubes but most of them have 30mm tubes. The calibers I shoot are .17 Remington, .17 Tactical, .204 Ruger, 20 VarTarg, .22-250, and .243. I usually have the magnification up around 20x or higher. I have bipods on my rifles and I usually shoot from the prone position.

Reactions: 1

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