AR-15 – Maximum scope magnification.

[bjl333]

Does the reticle stay static or change size as you zoom? Are you using a FFP scope?

Im leaning towards a 4-16 type range, but a part of me keeps thinking it may be worth going with more. The price difference isnt much more for what im looking at.

No I am not using a FFP scope. The FFP dots will change as you change the magnification. If you step up to a FFP scope then you won't have the problems I said.
But my thing is just plinking and not snipering. The mil-dot I have changes distant with magnification change. Thats because the dots are not tied in to the zoom like the FFP's do.

[CoyoteHunter555]

I would say 6-24 would be best. 8-32 on the other hand would be over doing it IMO

[Switchbarrel]

Scope magnification

It's really a matter of personal taste. I've got three AR's, all set up for benchrest type shooting (because it's all I do and I don't feel like bringing my spotting scope to the range). I've got a (now discontinued) Burris 8-32x rimfire scope on my 22 LR. I sold the 8-32x Burris Black Diamond's on my two .223 AR's and bought 10-50x Sightron SIII's for them. Bullet holes on white targets at 300 yards aren't a problem unless mirage is really bad.

Although you can easily hold on target at 5-600 yards (as you mention) with lower power scopes, I can't see .22 cal bullet holes at 100 yards with 20x power, I want to see my groups as they appear and need more power.

As one of the signatures above this post mentions, "aim small, miss small".
You can hold more precisely with more power. Plus, you can always turn an 8-32x down to 10x or 16x. You can't turn a 6.5-20x up to 32x to better see your 200 yard group. Higher powered scopes will most likely afford you more flexibility but, in the end, it's your preference.

-Rick