What power do you set your scope?

[PalsPal]

I'm in the stand and bored, and just turned my 3x9 scope down from 9 to 6 as I'm hunting thick woods where any shots will be maybe 50 yds max.

Just curious what others do. I know most probably turn them to the max when expecting longer shots, but does anyone use the lower settings?

 

[buckbstr_1]

My scope is always on the lowest setting. I use my binoculars to pick apart and comb through the woods. You would be surprised how much you see deer through the binoculars.

 

[Outdoor Enthusiast]

I'm in the stand and bored, and just turned my 3x9 scope down from 9 to 6 as I'm hunting thick woods where any shots will be maybe 50 yds max.

Just curious what others do. I know most probably turn them to the max when expecting longer shots, but does anyone use the lower settings?

For whatever reason I tend to leave mine on the highest power and turn it down as needed.

 

[Harold Money jr]

Mine stays in the 4x realm on all 3 scopes. 2x-7x, 2.5x-8x, 3.5x-10x. I'll go up as needed.

 

[Remi]

Pretty rare mine go above 5x. I use quite a few fixed at 2.5x and 4x. I have one 6x swfa that I'm liking quite a bit near to far. 50yds is a stretch for me.

I have some 6x Kowa binos I scan the woods with.

 

[Scrooge57]

In woods the lowest you can always turn it up

 

[tntrkkllr]

in fields I normally leave it all the way up and if woods normally on 6 and then up if I need to

 

[JN]

usually between 3-5 depending on how thick the woods are. In the heat of things I can still make a shot at a lower setting but on a higher setting I might have difficulty finding the deer if I need to make a quick shot. While hunting a field I will have the power turned up higher due to longer shots.

 

[poorhunter]

I always have mine at lowest setting. Only ever shot one deer at more than 50 yards, and just turned it up. 3X is plenty for most of the spots I hunt.

 

[TN Larry]

I keep mine on 5 whether woods or field. 95% of my hunting is in the woods. I will turn it up if needed.

 

[Sako]

Depends on where I am hunting... Fields I generally turn it up... Woods - thick stuff, I turn it down... (unless of course I forget to change it... :) )

 

[mr.big]

Always on the lowest setting,, it's a lot easier to crank it up if you need it than turn it down if something shows up close or moving fast.

 

[cbhunter]

I keep it around 4-5

If a buck chasing a doe comes running by at 50 yds or less I want to be prepared to make a quick decision and not be fooling with scope. If the deer is way on out there I feel like I have more time to adjust as needed

 

[Lost Lake]

I'm one of the dinosaurs who still loves and uses fixed power scopes, usually 4x. Occasionally a fixed 6x.

When I'm stuck using one of my variables, I leave it on 4x.

 

[deerhunter10]

All my scopes are 3x9 generally they are on 3 to 5. I hunt pretty tight stuff usually and if need be can crank it up. Learned the hard way on a big deee to start low and then go high..not a lot worse then just seeing nothing but brown hair at 30 or 40 yards.

 

[BLOODTRAIL]

I keep mine on 6 unless I'm in open field

 

[backyardtndeer]

Usually about 5.

 

[DMD]

Mine pretty much stays on 4x. I've cranked it up a few times sitting over a field. But, in the timber it's 4x. I hunt with a 44 scope, which gives me a little bit better fov than a 40. I really like a 44.

 

[Wade195]

Lowest setting

 

[UTGrad]

I keep mine on 3-4x almost exclusively. Wider FOV to see the deer's reaction at the shot and a larger exit pupil to allow my eyes to take in all the available light.

Google "Scope exit pupil and low light". You'll see why lower magnification is best in low light.

I have a 3-18 power scope and zoom to 6x to shoot 500 yards at the range. I only zoom to 18x to shoot 1000 yards or sighting in at 100 yards.

Too many people, myself included in the past, zoom up close with a variable power scope and as soon as they touch off the shot, they have to come off the gun to see the deer.

It's better to shoot at low power and follow through the shot staying on the gun and watching through the scope.

 

[lafn96]

Always on the lowest power; then turn up as needed

 

[1984dog]

I keep mine on 5 whether woods or field. 95% of my hunting is in the woods. I will turn it up if needed.

If hunting in the woods I will typically set it at the lowest setting for 2 reasons:
1) It is easier to pick up a running deer
2) a scope gathers more light at its lowest setting

 

[Omega]

4 is my usual setting, better FOV, but will crank it up to better identify something, which usually turns out to be a squirrel.

 

[Robtattoo]

All my scopes are fixed 6 power.

 

[Wrangler95]

I have my deer rifles on 6 power!!

 

[wsm]

I start at 4 and adjust as needed.

 

[TnKen]

Always on the lowest setting. You can always shoot one on the lowest setting, but it's hard to see good if one runs in close and your scope is topped out.
I even leave it low when hunting out west, because you never know.

 

[muddyboots]

6 most of the time.

 

[bjohnson]

As low as the scope will go. Cost me a stud 2 years ago because I had it turned all the way up.

 

[Dennis]

Never heard of somebody missing a shot at a buck because it came running in and their scope was set too low. But heard plenty of stories of the opposite situation.