What magnification are you guys using for 1000 yards?

[Beemill2142]

10x would do plenty good for banging steel. Pickup a SWFA 10x for $299.

[Vegasshooter]

I use a S&B 3-20 on my competition rifle. I had a 5-25, but I like the reticle better in my 3-20, so I switched them up. I don’t find I run it on full power anyway except for some “Know your limit” stages. I’m usually somewhere around 16X. As others have said, field of view, mirage, nerves, all become a bigger issue as your magnification increases. I am fine out past 1000 on 16x. There is a reason the scopes like the ATACR 4-16 and the Leupold MK5 3-18 are so darn good and popular. They provide enough top end to get WAY out there, but the power is still usable.
I have hit 800-1000 with my 1-8, but you can’t see much detail. Minimum for going to 1K all the time would be 10X.

[markm]

Minimum for going to 1K all the time would be 10X.

I run my scope at 12X most of the time. As it heats up and mirage worsens, I'll back off to 10. Since I run the scope dialed back almost all the time, I prefer the first focal plane.

[deanq]

Anything between 10-20x is good. Most of the time mirage will preclude the use of any higher magnification. JMHO.

[Furbyballer]

I like a top end between 16 to 20x and usually find myself somewhere between 12 and 14 most of the time at that range.

[Rekkr870]

8x-10x on on my ZP5.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[sasquatchoslav]

10x would do plenty good for banging steel. Pickup a SWFA 10x for $299.

That's exactly what I did and wow I love it love it couldn't be happier. Thanks!

[Alex V]

I've only shot to 1K on two occasions. My OBR is topped with a 5-25 Steiner, the TacA1 has a 4-16. I noticed that I like to keep it around the 15/16x range to be able to see my hits and track my misses.

[markm]

That's exactly what I did and wow I love it love it couldn't be happier. Thanks!

That was my first personally purchased scope. I was fine with the magnification. As I got deeper into long range, the more solid mechanics of a Nightforce became worth it.

[Don Quijote]

Anything between 10-20x is good. Most of the time mirage will preclude the use of any higher magnification. JMHO.

Winning answer

My highest power variable goes to 15. Somewhere between 12 and 15 depending on mirage and size of the target.

10X is a handicap beyond 800 yards or so on targets smaller than a human silhouette. Not impossible, but harder than it needs to be.