Whatever

Very perceptive. You're a smart guy.

What I want from a hunting scope is to be able to quickly spot something that is out of place.
To identify it as the correct species and place the shot.
The last nth degree of resolution is not desirable if it means the gear is heavier than I want to lug around.
Then there's the cost of something that may get treated roughly...something that may break.
Shit happens sometimes when you go hunting.

I know others disagree. It's their money.

[EDIT] Try shooting offhand at long range with your high powered variable maxxed out.
Seeing fine detail is secondary to just being able to keep the crosshairs somewhere in the vicinity of where you want them.
High magnification reveals just what a wobbly critter you are.
With every heartbeat the crosshairs jiggle.

 

I take enough to document presence of species for the report or submittal of new occurrences of special-status species to an online database. I always have my binos, if I don't have my scope I just clumsily mess with my phone or little digital camera till I get it lined up through my binos. Pictures just needed for proof, not a photography contest. I have a phone adapter for my scope and can easily get some really good photos or videos that way.

Clumsy recent bino pic:

 

I run a phone adapter on the scope and it works good enough. Want to try something that can take a little better pictures and video sometimes

 

Better phone and/or scope plus current adapter

 

upgraded my phone after last hunting season so i'll see if it takes some better pics and video

 

I downloaded 3 different compass apps on my phone today, they all pointed North in different directions

 

Good night all

 

Gnite Adam

 

Please do. I'm not trying to be a know it all but.... if he says he can do that every shot I call BS. Are you sure he didn't say 100 yards? Coz: https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/benchrest-shooter-1000-yard-group/

 

I wasn't gonna say, but...
The top military shooters are among the best in the world.
I have no reason to doubt he's come within the width of a quarter coin of the center of the bull at 1,000 yards.
Just not every time.

 

Ranch on everything, foreverrrr!!!!

 

I'm pretty sure but my memory could be wrong so who knows. They're a couple time zones ahead or I would have bugged him this evening.

 

J
E
N
N
!
!
!

 

I completely agree, high magnification is not good for offhand shooting. What it is good for is bench shooting while working up consistently accurate loads. This is where a variable power scope shines. My scopes are turned down to their lowest magnification while hunting. Unless I forget. I might have had a scope still set on 24X when trying to shoot a running coyote 50 yards away.

 

Happy Birthday @Kolunatic !

 

Yeah, aside from the weight savings of that little 1X4 Drop Zone scope I linked...
I figure, 1X to acquire the target, then quickly dial the lever up as needed.
Critters don't always pose for you.
A max of 4X is plenty for an AR-15, given the effective range of the caliber.
For hunting.
As you say, shooting from a bench and working up loads is a whole different thing.

But seriously, people may have thought I was joking.
At high magnification the reticle will dance like a drunken sailor if you're not shooting from a bench.
The human body is not a steady platform.

 

But you did say.
I agree on the military shooters.
I would like to know what gun, caliber, and scope @OneGiraffe stepdad shot.