[sam700]

I'm looking to get a new scope for my hunting rifle (.300 win kimber Montana). My current scope is a 4.5-14 VXIII. I'm trying to get into some Black Bear hunting and am thinking a lower scope is the way to go. I'm thinking of a 1.5-5 VXIII. I'd keep the 4.5-14 and get eather Talley or Warne QD rings. Assuming that the QD rings prove reliable after testing, I'm thinking this would greatly increase the versitility of my rifle. Not to mention, when I get to Alaska for black bear, I could bring the second scope as a backup.

I have two questions.

First, is the 1.5-5 VXIII ideal for my purposes? I'm looking for a low power scope that would perform well in the event of a close in shot. With the low power scope, am I sacrificing anything with the small objective of this scope (there is no bell on the objective side)

Second, is the QD ring a good idea for a rifle I'm bringing to Alaska?

[jmr40]

I know nothing of Alaska hunting but have used a Redfield 1.5-5X here in Georgia for close range work and like it. It is light and can be mounted very low for making quick shots.

I would consider something along the lines of a 2-7X however, because the small 20 mm. objective on the 1.5-5X scopes are not as bright in low light as something with a 32-40 mm objective would be.

My favorite all around scope is the Leupold 2.5-8X scopes. I think they are the perfect compromise.

[moosehunt]

In regards to bear hunting, I suggest you don't even need a scope. Shots are generally close. 100 yards is a long shot in my experience, so iron sights will work just dandy. Save your money and apply it to another hunt.

[jmr40]

I can think of a couple of problems with using iron sights in this situation. First of all the Kimber does not come with irons. Nor do most bolt rifles.

Many shooters think of a scope as only a long range sighting tool but they can be just as useful for precision close range work as well. I would have no trouble keeping all of my shots in the vital area of a whitetail at 200 yds using irons provided it was standing in the open with plenty of light to see the sights. Put that same animal in a dense forest right at dusk at 30 yds and a scope that transmits a lot of light at 2 or 3x allows me to thread my bullets through baseball sized openings in the brush for a clean kill.

[moosehunt]

Hey, that's fine. It's just my opinion. Personally, I wouldn't hunt bear with anything but a pistol or a muzzel loader anyway. But it's just my view. And just cause a gun comes without sites doesn't mean you can't put 'em on! Most don't come with a scope, either. I'd find lots of uses for a Kimber, but it wouldn't be for bear (and it would have a scope on it). Each to his own.

[sam700]

I actually planned on having open sights installed, but was advided against it by the gunsmith due to the unusually thin barrel on the Montana. He claimed that it would likely affect the accuricy of the gun and because it is a magnum rifle with a thin profile barrel, it is likely the sights would come loose after a few hundred rounds from vibrations. Never heard of this before, but since he was talking me out of using his services I figure he has no motivation to lie.

[Coltdriver]

I have a little 2 - 4 X 20 Leupold VXII that I have used on a .223 and I could consistently hit a four inch square plate at 225 yards.

I think the little scope will work fine for what you want to do.

Mine now rides on my 45 70 and is close to a perfect match as I am not able to reliably shoot past 200 yards with it anyway.

[eastwood44mag]

I use Warne Quick Release rings on my .300 ultra mag.

They are easy to pull off, but they don't even come close to zero. Leupolds would probably come closer to zero (can't guarantee), but I wonder how they would hold up to the recoil.

[moosehunt]

Sam, you need to move your expenditures to another gunsmith. That one is as full of it as a Christmas goose!

[jmr40]

moosehunt, when questions such as these come up there is no absolute right or wrong answer. Only opinions, and yours is just as valid as mine and I never intended to imply otherwise. The great thing about these forums is it allows people to debate the advantages and disadvantages of various options so others can choose what is right for them.

Good hunting,

JMR

[Vern Humphrey]

In general, when in doubt, go to a lower power for hunting. Low light level, shooting at short ranges in thick cover, and so on all call for low powers. For long range shots, a 4 power scope is plenty adequate for medium to large game at any range that would be ethical.

[huntthesun]

Used the Leupold 1.5-5xV111 on my backup rifle now for three years. Brilliant combination with a .375HH excellent for african hunting and will probably be good for Alaska

[ArmedBear]

Why not get the same results, but save weight, money, and complexity, and just get a 4X FXII?

(A question I keep asking myself, too.)

[BroughtEnoughGun]

The VX-III you chose seems like a good choice for the job