How to Select a Scope Power ~ Less is (Really) More!

[@rustycalvera977]

thank you for your straight forward, no nonsense videos which get right to the point....no dancing around, no obnoxious music to distract.

[@parkerbrothers75]

You have a very good delivery of practical common sense. Very well said!

[@lens7859]

Thanks, and love the dog Benny seems like a great pal

[@GunBlue490]

Benny is a very special God given friend for me, my wife, and all the kids. He's very much loved by my viewers, who prayed for his miraculous healing when he was dying four years ago. Thanks be to God!

[@JamieToon-wd4cu]

One of the best videos I've seen on scopes. Thanks for your knowledge, from a newbie hunter in New Zealand.

[@m0V1NG_t4RG3T]

My father never taught me guns. I'm coming up on 40 and blue your a wonderful man doing a wonderful service.

[@GunBlue490]

Thank you!

[@anon_laughing_man]

Same here but a bit older.

[@hddm3]

Yes sir

[@lavida57]

Hi Mr Gunblue Always learning from you viedos. I'm a rookie and at 65 just picking up shooting after 30 plus year off and having a blast. But also spending alot to rebuy guns I sold years ago. My eye have let me know I'm not a kid anymore. So you scope viedos are spot on. Thanks

[@chrismills4213]

Thanks again for keeping the video content factual and real…none of this foolish hype found in so many places. Best content on the internet…God bless.

[@heerkrupp64]

Watching your video brought back a painful reminder it was 1990, I was hunting Pigs in Bourke NSW, it was extremely hot in Summer, being always after that one trophy Boar that would be icing on the cake, we were in the open for some time. I said I wanted to walk thru the thicker stuff by myself, I will meet you all, at the road in a couple of hours, ok we will see you then. I was about half way thru, and I heard a pounding noise on the ground, the ground was as hard as cement, the noise was like a freight train, in front of me I saw the best Boar I had seen up until that time in front of me about 40-50 yards, he stopped and looked at me from behind a large tree half his body was showing I thought that's it I have got him for sure. I went to take a shot, the scope was a blur I thought what the hell is going on, I rushed to look at the setting yep I left it on 9 power when I was in the open early on, by the time I cranked it down to 3 he laughed it seemed, got sick of waiting, and bolted that fast dust was coming off his feet, lesson learned always crank it back, always check your setting.

[@paulsimmons5726]

Another great class on intelligent scope use and purchases! Indeed, a good 2.5 to 3X fixed scope is all most hunters need and 1.25-4 or 1.5-6X variable scopes are pretty good for ethical hunting. Great video, thanks for posting!

[@grahamcomfort4312]

I am Hunter in Western Canada. I’ve have an two old Bushnell scope chiefs on my close range guns. I have 1.5 to 4.5 on my muzzleloader and a 2 - 8 on my old Savage Model 340 in 30.30. For my everyday rifle, my 30.06 I have an old Bushnell Elite 4200 in 3-9 x 40. Works perfect for close in and long range. Great video.

[@Jeffsanythingoutdoors]

I love this video truth and finally someone that knows and understands simple is better I've said it for years . I used 2x7 for a long long time . I just recently found a 1x6 power with a Simi crosshair with a dot that can light up I don't think I'll ever use the red dot side of it but primary arms classic. It's 199.00 I run into a guy that has one on a few of his rifles and on his kids rifles and swears by them I can't wait to try this on my 30.06 . But I had to tell you about this scope they have little higher end stuff as well but I think for the deer woods these scopes can't be beat. Also it past the drop test from the shoulder level as well. But any how I always like watching your videos you remind me so much of very dear friend of mind that was a great mentor and teacher . God bless thank you fella

[@DigitalHaze65536]

I spent 199.00 for my 2-7x33 Leupold VX-II about 11~14 years ago. If I had had more $$ I would have gotten one of the fancier scopes, but the good old 2-7 gets the job done both close and far. I discovered long ago the typical 3x9 wasn't very good in the woods of PA!! (actually found that out in the 1980's as a youth hunter, but hadn't really hunted for a couple of decades...when I did that was the first move I made going to the 2x7)

[@infinity8x3]

Good info. If I was to get anything under 2x I would just get a red dot.

[@markmadsen6828]

Hunting in Northern Maine, I love my 1-4x20's and my 2-7x33's awesome flexibility, light weight and bright. Great for close up and still lets you reach out across a clear cut..

[@TallCoolOne51]

My go-to rifle for deer hunting here in the Northern NY timber, is a Ruger American All-Weather chambered for 7mm-08, topped by a Leupold VX-1 2-7×33. No complaints after many seasons.

[@markhaywood7307]

7mm -08 Ruger Mkii all weather featherweight stainless , VX Hog illuminated dot in centre, 1.25-4.5 it normally is on 1.25 used in NZ Bush, i think would be similar to what you call heavy timber and scrub - jungle most of the time i upgraded from 2-7 leupold

[@TXLorenzo]

I have been using a Tikka lightweight stainless in 7mm 08 topped off with a lightweight 3 x 9 Leuopold. It can basically do anything in all conditions.

[@JamesWhite-tg4kw]

I have a 700 Remington 30/06 I'm trying to find a two piece scope base for it that angles back so I can use my leupold 4 power scope so I can get the correct eye relief.

[@comlbbeau]

Great series. I watched them out of sequence, which doesn't matter, and they're packed with relevant information.

[@darylcopp9013]

Dont forget that parallax increases with magnification. Its another reason to use the least mount of magnification as needed. Sighting in a 4x24 power scope on 4x power and then turning up to 24x for longer shots will cause major changes on where the bullet strikes the target if parallax has not been dealt with.

[@stevedouglas3692]

I love your show man I've been hunting and shooting for about 45 years and I still learn a lot from u .I like your common sense aprouch about guns and hunting

[@5Dworld]

Here in Sweden, many hunters prefer to have just a red dot sight. I cant use that because my eyes dont work well with those sights. But I found a 1-3x power scope (true 1.0x) that has quickly become my favorite scope.

[@kronicjak]

15:49 thank you for saying that, please say it again, and again, and again

[@davewinter2688]

Hello again Sir GunBlue. Another great series of videos! Because of financial limitations I've always had to compromise somewhat when it came to scopes on various rifles. I hunt in Kansas, Iowa and Mississippi. In all of those locales shots on deer (or Pronghorn here in Kansas) can be from under 50 yards to over 300 or more. As you say, when it comes to power, less is more. I have hunted with various styles and caliber rifles just for the enjoyment of variety. In the last fifty years or so I've only taken one shot at close to 300 yards. My old 1974 Ruger 77R 270 Winchester sports a Redfield Widefield 2-7x32 and it's all I've ever needed for any shot that presented itself. On my 336 Marlin 35 Remington which I'm more likely to use in the hardwood creek bottoms around here or in the Mississippi hills, I have one of the newer 3-9x40 Bushnell Banners. It has very good resolution for a scope in its price range. That's a financial compromise. It never gets turned higher than 3 power. If I ever have enough extra cash for a quality 1-4 it will go on the Marlin.

[@3421958]

I have a 1-4 trijicon accupoint with the triangle post reticle on my AR15. Love it! Would be amazing on a deer rifle. I also have a SFP Nightforce 2.5-10x42, great from 0-800 or so yards.

[@philiphodge4254]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of scopes. 👌🇬🇧

[@mikepi660]

Thank you old timer for your knowledge, experience,, I learned much,,,

[@fast93accord1]

Great info. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@whiskeykilmer1866]

Thanks, GunBlue.

[@thomasstrout1738]

Good to see you.

[@stephenland9361]

Except for a few trips to Alberta for pronghorn, all of my hunting has done in north and central BC. I don't recall ever taking a close shot (50 yards or so) and almost never shoot at over 400 yards. For this, a 3-9 power scope is fine. Most of my rifles still have the inexpensive Japanese scopes I purchased back in the 80's. The quality was good, they have never fogged and for a typical 200 yard shot at a moose, 4-5 power is great.

[@tomcurran8470]

I've bought vintage Weavers from the 70s and these still work great.

[@Justin-zw1hx]

I have a lightweight (15oz), 2-10X40 Vortex Razor HD LH( discontinued now) on my Sako 85 270win, I think it's a perfect combination. It's definitely not as clear as a Swarovski Z6 or Z8, but it was on sale for only $300

[@johndougherty9602]

I have a 3×9 on my .308 and have never harvested a deer here in Pennsylvania on more than 3 power.

[@scottk0623]

Outstanding video. Thank you for your time and knowledge.

[@redrock425]

I've only ever been a target shooter but find the hunting information very interesting. Quite different considerations. As for spotting there are some very nice rangefinding binoculars these days but can be quite pricey. Picking up a Parker Hale 1200 Super soon in great condition. More of a hunting rifle but loved the look of it.

[@tomcurran8470]

Those Parker Hales look like vintage Weatherby Mark Vs. They are super accurate and have that great Mauser action. Note that with the 24" barrel and front sight, at 2x you can see the front sight in the scope, which is confusing. I would use a 3x minimum on these rifles.

[@rontruocchio5744]

i find the leupold vx-1 and their freedom series scopes all i need regardless of price. light in weight, excellent eye relief, fantastic view picture and the lens coating they are using nowadays on their low end scopes controls light reflection from behind and in front of you as good as the expensive stuff. if i find any weak spot i would say it's the adjustment knobs. they work good and are precise but don't have very positive clicks.

[@teddybrosivelt8129]

4.5 to 8 power is pretty much all you need for most game at ethical hunting distances. 0 to 600 ish yards. further than that.. well you can almost always get closer at those ranges. if in the prone and very stable absolutely use the 9 to 20x your scope is capable of.

[@tomcurran8470]

Note that on rifles that have 24" barrels and a front sight, with 2x magnification you will see the front sight in the scope, which is disconcerting. Parker Hales 1200s are an example. I always check the dental work of the woodchucks before I shoot, LOL. I saw a comment on a 4x-12x 50mm that the guy wanted to put it on a vintage Savage 99!

[@tomcurran8470]

I believe Jack O'Connor used a 4x on his 270 Winchester Model 70. He took some long shots. Funny how now Western hunters "need" 6-18x or more with all kinds of adjustments. Traditional muzzleloader shooters can hit a target at 250 yards with open sights (see duelist 1954). Another thing is that many scopes nowadays are more expensive than the rifle!

[@GunBlue490]

You're correct. 4X is plenty of magnification. National Match rules now permit up to 4.5X, as military rifles are equipped, and it's for ranges of up to 600. It was iron sights only for decades.

[@eric1138]

I have a Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-15x42mm SFP. This allows me to hunt using the lowest power and to shoot steel targets at my local range out to 600 yards using the higher settings. My hunting location is central Texas. But as you say, you do pay for it.

[@raulmorales9967]

My go to rifle is a Model 70 Pre 64/ in 30-06 with a 2.5 leupold Alaskan ,Thanks for the video.

[@byronbrimstone5163]

I got three scopes. A Leupold VX Freedom Firedot Twilling Hunter 3-9X50 SFP on a CZ-527 223REM, a Meopta Meosport -R 3-15X50 illuminated SFP on a Franchi Horizon .308WIN and a Meopta Optika6 BDC Dichrotech 5-30X56 FFP on a Tikka T1X .17HMR and no matter which one I have out, I find myself on max 6X magnification again and again. Almost only with the Optika6 do I go higher as smaller targets like pheasants and rabbits at greater distance may require it.

[@philippefrater2000]

4x on my 22lr, 1.5/6x on my 222 Rem, 4/16x on my 243Win. All good glasses. No need for more power... 🖖🏻🇫🇷😎🇫🇷😎🇫🇷🖖🏻

[@waratahdavid696]

My 223 has a 2-7×28, 25 sharps 2.5-8x36, 308 2-7x33 ( detachable with steel sights). The all get carried at 4x, occasionally cranked up for a deliberate shot, and down for close country.

[@Sechott12]

I use older MRO from Trijicon. Which is not really marketed for hunting, but it does have the qualities Gunblue is advocating. It has .05 magnification, wide field of view and quick acquisition on the target. The user manual on mine says .05 magnification, but the newer version are 1 to 1 magnification for specs. The difference is probably not noticeable.

[@jaybailleaux630]

I agree 100% but hunters seem to have 1000yd long-range ambitions. A 1x4 for thick woods hunting. A 2x7 for brush with areas of open terrain. A 3x9 to a higher priced 3x12 for open country. I would not exceed 16x even for prairie dogs and woodchucks. I more often have a need for less than 3x than more need for 9x. 2x7 is about perfect for deer hunting.

[@donaldanderson3249]

Most of my scopes are 3x9 but my last 3 scopes are 1x5 (2) and a 2x7 Leopold

[@JefF-rv7gp]

I have a 3-9x40 Leupold vx-freedom on my Savage Axis in 350 Legend, and have never used much more than maybe 6 power, and only to get a detailed look at something. But every shot I've taken has generally always been at 3 power. My eyes can't tell much difference between a 300 and a 3,000 dollar scope..

[@mr.mr.3301]

I made a mistake, and it took me a few years and several hundred dollars to figure it out. Let me start by saying I have a close friend who shoots competitively and I listen to his advice and I only hunt. But I do enjoy shooting and putting holes on paper, so I had a 3 x 9 that I love to hunt with he did everything I wanted it to except help me when I was at the range putting holes on paper. I’d like to practice a little before the season. So then I got a 4 1/2 x 14 x 42. I loved it while I was at the range then realized real quick sitting in the woods. It was the wrong scope so I went back to the 3 x 9 I still wasn’t happy so I finally came up off the hip and bought a 3 x 15 x 44. It was not cheap, but I love it. It lets me do everything I wanna do the only problem is it’s expensive and a little heavy heavy

[@lyndeen]

I have mainly 3-12 and 4-14 and what I have found is I tend to keep it down around 7/8 power out to 200 meters. I probably could have gotten by with my 2.5-10 on most of my firearms.

[@bruceschlegel8588]

Great video My choice in the woods of up state ny, ruger scout 308 with a scout scope. Leatherwood 2x7x32 with a bdc. Works every year

[@Covert_Arrangements]

What’s your opinion on a 3x Prism optic for hunting on a rifle?

[@stinger4583]

Thank you.

[@leadpilled5567]

I’ve been using the athlon argos HMR 2-12. Great scope for a good price. I’ve been really impressed with athlon. They’re right up there with leupold and vertex from my experience.

[@JonathanJanis]

Can you put the Series numbers in the titles & descriptions? It's really hard to figure out which is which.

[@jimd8008]

Thank you again

[@aandscrawfoski]

G'day, I'm new and wishing to reload 300 win mag 15 pound rifle. I'm going to buy the equipment you recommended. My goal is to reduce recoil after being diagnosed with a slap tare from work Set up I'm trying to achieve. Bullet- monolithic copper hybid with expantion groove long range 160 grain ,hogdon star ball HD temp stablised powder via a lyman powder thrower calibrated with a beam. Magnum primer. Projectiles vibrated in boron nitride (not molly) white powder then seated to extend life of howa 1500 heavy barrel. Your dedication to helping new bees is a great testimony to the fact that gun powder flows through your veins. Thanks mate Gods speed Andrew Nz.

[@Ben-Wah]

Hello sir! Thanks again for your sage advice. Do you (or anyone else here) have any recommendations for folks who rebuild old scopes? I have a few old B&L 2.5-8x BalVars that could use lens re-coating and nitrogen purge/refill. They are marvelous old units that I'd just like to keep going for another 50-60 years. I agree on the magnification issue for us folks here in the northeast. Have several very old Weavers; a pair of K1.5 and a pair of K4 scopes and the K4 is often too much magnification. Recently ran into a Bushnell 1-4x and a 1-6x that were both tremendous units that far exceeded my expectations; much more crisp optics than I ever saw out of Bushnell from the 1970s... and very reasonably priced!

[@ibpositivemostly7437]

Cool video thanks.

[@Deerpoo22]

Now that's a shirt

If you’re the sort of person who likes tutorials on Scottish country dancing, advice on mushroom foraging, or cookery techniques for recreating authentic Japanese cuisine in your home kitchen, this channel probably isn’t for you. If however you like shooting, this is Mecca!

[@hansblitz7770]

Nobody makes the scope I want for eastern whitetail. 1.5-5x33 illuminated circle dot under 13oz.

[@jaredstriha6184]

Hawke optics

[@joselucio8741]

Is there a certain number or wording we are looking in a scope to see if it has good resolution besides just looking down the scope?

[@seanoneil277]

I think you're asking if there's a data point (a number scale, for example) or a descriptive term that will accurately tell you if the scope has good resolution. I don't think there is. I think that people try to do their best when describing a scope, but no magic word can accurately describe good resolution. My experience is this: the higher the glass quality and coatings quality, the cleaner the image from center moving all the way outward to perimeter, and the brighter the image is (the more light it brings to your eye, there is less shading/darkening versus what your other eye can see looking without a scope). I've also learned that it pays great dividends to take your time to set the ocular/eyepiece focus exactly as the scope manufacturer tells you in the manual, and that if you have side-focus/parallax adjustment, it matters more that the adjustment actually works, and less that the numbers on the knob/dial are exact for your vision at the distance noted on the knob/dial. If it's crisp for you at 100yds but the dial says 75 yds, who cares? It worked as intended even if the index numbers are off. Do these adjustments first before assessing whether your scope has good resolution. Without these adjustments being correct, the finest glass can look inferior.

[@excelsior6365]

No. Good resolution is dependent on how well the maker controls chromatic aberration, sharpness and distortion. Dowload and print a good photography resolution chart (from back when photography was a hobby instead of photoshop) and use your eyeball to evaluate the scope.

[@gizmocarr3093]

I am no fan of bouncing from one optic to another. I use the same brand optic sight on a 22-rimfire as the one I use on a centerfire rifle. It provides consistency and reliability in performance, more for the shooters benefit than the optic. If you like using a brand and model use the same one. If you are hunting close quarters less than 100 yards a scope is unnecessary. If you use a scope, you are well practiced using you will have no problem using it at close distances. If a whitetail is dumb enough to stand still at 20 yards away, I am dumb enough to kill it with a four-power scope. I want to see the same reticle in all my scopes regardless of the magnification. Buying some over-priced scope for a hunting trip you spend thousands dollars for and you are not use to using is not a good idea. If you have not practiced, shooting 300 yards you need to get closer. High magnification scopes do not instantly make you a sniper. You might get one chance to kill an Elk or Moose, if you wound one your guide is not likely willing to let you see another. These are things Hunting Magazine experts fail to tell you. If you are concerned about scope failures take the one on your 22 as a spare. If some crazy pack mule falls and rolls on your $3,000 dollar scope it didn’t matter how good it was. 🤔🦉✨

[@ardentlieutenant3390]

With such low magnification why not rely on open sites?

[@oldArmyVet]

How to we become a donor

[@StealthJackson12B]

I put a 1.5x4 on my lever action 2 years ago after watching his explanation and it held true

[@jmgates09]

I wont buy a scope anymore if its low power is not less than 5 n id preferably like it at 3

[@mr.mr.3301]

I know a guy who uses a lpvo

[@seanoneil277]

I'd bet the Steiner P4Xi, with P3TR reticle, would be very good for hunting. Very clean, minimal reticle, and can be run with or without dot illumination. The dot illumination has great modulation and can be faint or bright, but never a big blob of red that fouls the sight picture. SWFA SS 1-4x might also be good, as would Delta Stryker 1-6x. Lots of other LPVOs these days have very busy reticles that wouldn't be great for hunting, and in my opinion really aren't great for anything else either. Too much information in the picture.

[@lethenhitch9439]

The Earth don`t spin.

[@williamdevitt7866]

my scope is a cheep bushnell 4x12 x40mm and it works perfect for me .remember this what is good for you might not be good for some one else simple as that never ever take what some one else says as gospel because some says never oil your gun or that they are trained as a pro or that they are an amourer does not make that person correct do what is best for you and what works for you not some one else