How much is enough? (magnification)

[D.ID]

I have made 6 consecutive hits on the 5" plate at 1000 yards with my SWFA 12X fixed scope on my 260 Rem LRP. It cracks me up when people talk about needing 20X+ at 500-600 yards. :)

I have subsequently upgraded to an SWFA 5-20 on my primary bolt action but I still use the SWFA 12X fixed scopes on other rifles out to 1200 yds.

Just depends on what your using it for...If your shooting small targets like rock chucks or even coyotes it can be hard to pick them out of there surroundings at distance with a 12x.
I also like high magnification so I do need to concentrate so hard on my breathing......At 20x if your breathing is off the whole reticle reminds you by wobbling all over and a good position is really obvious. At 10x or 12x even a bad position can look pretty good.

[yobuck]

So are you saying that when using iorn sights a bad position isnt visable at longer distances?
I never knew proper position had anything to do with the power or type of sights.

[D.ID]

You can train around it but yes. Proper position and breathing are critical to accuracy. The magnification just makes it more obvious if you don't have it. I know that i bought into the whole 10x is enough filosophy but higher mag helped me fix problems I didn't know existed.

[yobuck]

You can train around it but yes. Proper position and breathing are critical to accuracy. The magnification just makes it more obvious if you don't have it. I know that i bought into the whole 10x is enough filosophy but higher mag helped me fix problems I didn't know existed.

What then is the (proper definition) of (proper position)?
Meaning, what is it, and how would one know if he has it correct?
And since we have so many (gunsmiths) on this site, maybe somebody can tell me what headspace actually is and the (proper) definition for that?
No fair googleing either.

[D.ID]

What then is the (proper definition) of (proper position)?
Meaning, what is it, and how would one know if he has it correct?
And since we have so many (gunsmiths) on this site, maybe somebody can tell me what headspace actually is and the (proper) definition for that?
No fair googleing either.
Proper is stable. Whatever it takes to get stable.

[yobuck]

Proper is stable. Whatever it takes to get stable.

Well a bench is stable, at least the good ones are.
So maybe the proper answer is use a bench?
Im not sure i can shoot 10xs from a bench, so maybe my bench position is wrong also?

[D.ID]

Bipod for me

[yobuck]

How about re read the question. Its not about what personal preferences are, but how does say a newbie know, if he is in the proper prone or any other position?

[D.ID]

Reread the answer. Whatever it takes.
That is actually why i recomend a little extra magnification. It would be obvious even to an amateur.
Sometimes it's as simple as kicking an elbow in or out.
At 20x you can see it, at 10x you might not notice it.

[yobuck]

So then, one vote for just making the bod all comfy and then use scope power to see if the breathing is affecting your usually perfect score.
See, at my age im told to check to see if im actually breathing at all, and dont worry about what the scope says. So being comfy is about it for me?
Im assuming that like me your not a gunsmith, and thats why you chose not to tackle the headspace question.
And no doubt the ones with the answer are very busy planning the next build?

[earl39]

Headspace is the extra area inside your hat that your head could use if it were to swell (as in get the big head)

[D.ID]

So then, one vote for just making the bod all comfy and then use scope power to see if the breathing is affecting your usually perfect score.
See, at my age im told to check to see if im actually breathing at all, and dont worry about what the scope says. So being comfy is about it for me?
Im assuming that like me your not a gunsmith, and thats why you chose not to tackle the headspace question.
And no doubt the ones with the answer are very busy planning the next build?
It's a life.........sometimes you can help someone accelerate the learning curve.......and sometimes your just waisting time on the internet.
Not a gunsmith but I have built..........."assembled" enough to know what works.

[yobuck]

Headspace is the extra area inside your hat that your head could use if it were to swell (as in get the big head)

Your very close to the right answer lol. But the question was on guns.
Im beginning to feel guilty for asking such tough questions.

[DanSavage]

The proper answer to the OP's question is,, if you don't want to buy a spotting scope and you want to see your bullet holes at 200 and 300 yards get a 30X to 36X scope.

I like to be able to zoom in. LOL

Sightron has a fixed 36 power scope that is very good for target shooting,, under $500.