Probably max out on 4x. Tagging a squirrel at less than 30yds with higher power you will loose time in sighting. It done run away.

 

Well,if you look at the equipment list in 1/5 scale silhouette, the average is about 20X, so it depends on how much you really shoot offhand, and as mentioned above what is the intended target.

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My Field rifles, get a 3x9 rimfire scope. Zeroed-at 50 yards.
Usually set at 3X for widest FOV.9 X used for more stationary targets.

 

For target shooting on round black bulls on paper in good lighting, properly sized peep/globe sights are awesome. No magnification needed.

For irregular shaped targets like silhouettes, as high a power as you can handle. I generally run 24x.

 

General shooting hunting type activities 4X fixed or a 3X9 both with a simple second focal plane duplex retical with adjustable parallax

 

A good do all is a variable in 4-14x. It'll work for plinking, hunting and some target shooting. For small game hunting I use a fixed 12x on my 17m2, but have noted times when a little less, or a little more, might better suit conditions. On occasion Ive used 14x for silhouette shooting and posted decent scores with it. I know, the same can be said for 6.5-20x, but you are getting into some long and heavy scopes in this range. Just drop in your local GS and pick some up and look through em. Just my 2c.

 

1x, unless the reticle is either too small in FFP or too large in SFP.

 

Good Afternoon:

Don't like to boast but I was pretty good in 4 position shooting matches.

My main competition gun has a 16x unertl on it. I regularly cleaned a target offhand with it.

my alternate lighter weight (relatively speaking- 12 pounds and 10 pounds when I did not feel like using the 16 pounder) rifles have 6.5 x 20 x 40 Leupolds on them. Off hand sometimes I put them at 20 power, usually backed off a touch. The 10 pound rifle is a savage anchutz that is my "play" rifle although I have cleaned a off hand target many times with it.

 

You have the right idea, what power you can handle. I shot A 24 power dot leupold for years now I shot variables (usually 6-24, but bigger if used for bench as well) most time I shot 8-10 power now. At 68 my focus isn’t what it used to be.