how much scope magnification for airguns?

[darryl]

I am currently using one 4x16x40mm, and two 3x9x32mm compact scopes on my air rifles. Given the limited ranges of air rifles, how much magnification is really needed? Set the bar at taking out a squirrel at some distance, using a .22 rifle of about  18FPE. Is 16x too much? Is 9x more than adequate? I'm trying to do some more learnin'.
darryl

[CharlieDaTuna]

I dunno but it my case, I need to use a 3X9X32 jist to see the front sight...

[Tpatner412]

It really depends on your range and preferences.  Personally, I like 12x for 25 yards or so.  I like 16-20x for anything further than that.  For hunting, you will probably want a larger field of vision so a 4-16 or 3-9 or something in between should be fine. But you may need to adjust your zoom depending on the distance that your target is at.

[northern lights]

For hunting a fixed 4 power scope is the best easier to spot game if they move. A good 4 power scope is good out to 40 yd,s with ave eye sight. You just need to see the game clearly not count the hairs. 3x9 are nice also if you want to target practice also.

[Brooks P]

I think it is strictly a matter of personal choice, heavily weighted by the condition of your eyes. But keep in mind that your intended target is going to jump around a lot more with a 16x scope than with a 4x scope unless you are using a solid rest. Any movement on your part is magnified right along with the image.

Resting my elbow on something like a table and supporting my rifle with the scope set to 15x is frustrating for me. I’m not as steady as I was 40+ years ago and at 10 yards looking through a 15x scope makes even a stationary bulls eye look like a moving target. Things settle down a great deal if I dial back the power to 4x. At 100 yards I’m still plagued with the target moving around, but at least I can see it with the higher magnification. If I have at least a mediocre rest to use I’ll dial up the power a bit, otherwise it is sort of self-defeating.

When I was younger I would have loved my 5-15x40AO scope – I’d have been in hog heaven -- but at the time my 4x worked just fine, as they say, ignorance is bliss.

Shoot with the 4x16 for now, it shouldn’t take you very long to determine what you use power wise. If it turns out that you rarely use anything higher than 9x, than look for something like a 3x9. I would strongly advise that you look for an AO scope unless all you use your scope for is hunting and the vast majority of shots are 30 yards or longer, than look for a scope with a 30-35 yard objective lens.

[ac12]

How you shoot and the target.
What is right for me may be totally wrong for you.

I shoot "tiny" targets at 10m off a benchrest. So I need all the magnification I can get just to see the target.
I currently shoot with a 4-12x, but I will be looking to upgrade to more magnification next year.

I would say, give the scopes you have a decent try; your eyes, your gun, your target, your range.
Can you see and aim at the part of the squirrel that you want to hit?  If so, that is as much magnification as you need.  As was mentioned, you don't need to see the individual hair to aim at its head.
As was mentioned, there are times when the problem can be too much magnification.

[Froghunter]

I have two 4-12 by 40 and one 3-9 by 32 . I use my air rifles for hunting/pest and general shooting. Most of the time they are on 8 power. If my cross hairs are not steady on target it's time to look at my support/rest. Lock the cross hairs on target and you score a hit. All my shooters are .177 cal, so it's important for me to hit where I'm aiming, which means.......for me to have a steady hold with higher magifaction.

Froghunter

[454 Big Block Chevy]

best hunting AG scope i had was a Bug Buster 6x32 AO... great scope.  however my TX now wears a CP 4-16x40

[s10gto]

I have a 4-16x40 and 4-16x50. Both scopes I tend to hover around 8-10 power out to 40 yards.   

[gamo2hammerli]

Most of mines are 3x9-40mm and a few are 4x12-40mm.  I like the 4x12 ones better.

[cactusrat]

I dunno but it my case, I need to use a 3X9X32 jist to see the front sight...

LOL Bob.

I’m using a 24x scope and still can’t see my front sight. I know its got to be there. The gun cost a grand and for that kind of money there should be a big old, fat, front sight on it, somewhere.

[454 Big Block Chevy]

What gun cactus?

[cactusrat]

Darryl

As the old saying goes “aim small, miss small”.  Bigger glass (power wise) gives you a smaller target to aim at. Instead of aiming at the bulls eye, aim at just a part of it, like the 0 in the 10 or what ever your bulls eye has on it. 

Or when shooting at flies, don’t aim for the fly, aim for its right wing. Taking out the right wing will cause the fly to fly in circles the right, which is easier to hit in flight for a right handed shooter. 

[cactusrat]

What gun cactus?

AA S400

[454 Big Block Chevy]

i want an S410... Beautiful... ok i'm done threadjacking.  i shall precede to drool.

[tpw]

3x12 works fine for me but it all depends on what your doing. hunting and plinking is lower power. the ft guys use higher power

[MichaelM]

I also think it depends on what your doing..... when I am shooting offhand I preferr a much lower mag 3-6 x or so depending on the range.... if I am benching it....... well.... dont think I can get enough lol

[Onebaddj]

I have 4-16x40 on my targetshooters because I really want to zoom in and I also shoot to the 100+ yd mark regularly. On my 22 350 thats going to be my hunter I am looking at a 2-7 or 3-9 non ao scope. My big cat has a 4x40 on it and its a great combo for all around shooting fun. Its alotmore challenging t hittargets past 40 yds with a 4x40. So guess it Just depends on use and range.

[CharlieDaTuna]

Hey Cactus... I painted it yeller and slung me a 250 watt light bulb over it and that helped a little.  You mite like a differnt color tho.

[Atchman2]

I find even on my variable scopes they stay on 6x.  That would be the best fixed scope if I had a choice.  Otherwise for hunting I'd say a fixed 4x or 6x would be best.