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Good Hunting Scopes

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RmB

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The spot that I am going to be using for hunting deer this season will require me to make shots at around 400 yards. I need to know how high the magnification on the scope I will get should be. I am looking into getting a Leupold of some kind.
 
If you're really going to be hunting at 400 yds I'ds get something in a 14x. Leupold is great but I have found Nikon to perform just as well for significantly less $.
 
You will probably catch some heat for not stalking closer. Aside from that, what is your budget?

I would opt for the Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14 mil dot. Rather inexpensive, parallax adjustment, fairly compact, and works well for what I have used it for.

As far as magnification, no reason a good old 3-9 can't get you on target

Leupold is alright if you get a good price. They are way way too proud or their stuff. Their warranty is great though; there are just other scopes with better features for the cash.

Vortex optics are worth a look. The Viper PSTs are quite nice for what you pay.
 
I would say something like the Nikon or Votex with a BDC reticle and up to 12 to 14 power and some good binoculars to make sure you know what you shooting at.
 
It is a ravine that is 400 yards to the bottom, roughly. The reason for me hunting near the top is that its pretty bare down to the spot where the deer always walk through. No places to lean on a tree, and the forest next to it is waaay to thick to get a good shot. There are some large boulders sticking out that I can lay down on for prone shooting that are closer to the bottom. But I will still be making shots from around 300. My budget is under $400.
 
400 yard down hill shot I would find a way to practice. The angle and distance are going to affect your poa/poi. I would think a 12x would be more than enough scope for you. I fully support your choice of brand.
 
I put a new Redfield Revolution on my old .270 last year and it seems like a great scope. Built in the USA, lifetime warranty, and a reticle that shows where to hold out to 400 yards. I think I paid around $180 including tax and shipping for the 3-9X40 version. It seems about as bright as my Leopold VXIIs.
 
Leupold VX3 2.5-8. Great scope with more than enough power and you can get it with the Boone and Crockett reticle for ranging.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/848...-reticle-matte
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Member formerly known as Gus McCrae.
I step out of the shower wearing nothing but an AR-15 and a frown.
Superior gear will never make up for a lack of training or attitude.

I agree with Robert. I have this scope on each of my Rugers (two 77RSIs in .308 and .270 and a No. 1A in 6.5x55. They are exceptionally clear, light and compact and work very well on a stalking rifle. Each of these cartridges will get the job done out past 400 yards (although I have taken only a couple of shots that long in years...one at a Pronghorn speedboat and one at a coyote). An 8x image is big enough to work with.

FH
 
400 yards is very doable with a fixed power 4X scope. A 2-7X variable or typical 3-9X is more than enough. As the power goes up either the price goes way up, or quality goes way down if they are selling at the same price.

A quality scope is way more important than high magnification or large objectives. There is more competition in the 3-9X40 range and you will get far more scope for the dollar if you stay in that range.

With a $400 budget there are 2 clear choices. The Zeiss 3-9X40 Conquest @$399 is probably the most scope you will ever need. Very clear, very good light transmission in low light. The only downside is weight and size, 15-16 oz.

The Leupold VX-3 in a 2.5-8X36 is almost as clear and bright, but not quite the equal of the Zeiss. They sell for the same price, but the Leupold is 2" shorter and only weighs around 11-12 oz. It also has much more eye relief. A much better choice for a more compact rifle or something you are using in steep terrain if you are putting in 10-15 miles a day of walking.

The most scope for the money is the VX-2 Leupold. $299 for a 3-9X40 and about the same weight and size as the 2.5-8x36 . A small step below the others in quality, but most people would never notice the difference.
 
the only thing i could add would be: make sure the scope has an adjustable objective. a 400 yard shot with a lot of parallax is not good.

murf
 
Magnification doesn't really matter. Range finding is the problem at ranges over 400 yards. If you are off by 25 yards you miss the deer completely.
 
If you are off by 25 yards you miss the deer completely
Click to expand...

If he is shooting at something at 400 yards and only misjudges 25 yards and misses completely...he is is using the wrong gun.

I third the vx3 reccomendation. I have 2 and they are my favorite hunting scopes by far. Check Ebay. You will find one in your budget. The "Vari-X iii's seem to go for much less than VX-3 (on Ebay at least) use this in the search.
 
With a $400 budget I would look at Zeiss conquest 3-9x40 or Leupold VX3 3.5-10X40. If you wanted to spend a little less then Leupold VX2 3-9X40 would be a good choice- I have 2 of these scopes. I also own a Zeiss conquest & consider it to be a little clearer than the Leupold.
 
I have been very pleased with the Redfield scopes. They are simple, no frills scopes but that just means less "stuff" for me to mess up. Last year my brother-in-law had his fancy mil-dot scope on a different power setting than his range chart he carries with him. Long story short a small detail overlooked and the deer suffered, plus he ended up looking the fool.
 
If you're going after game beyond 275 yards, a rangefinder can be invaluable. I sight most of my hunting rifles in at 200 yards. This allows me to use a point blank range of 250 yards with a .308 and 275 yards with a .30-06. Bullet drop accelerates at an increasing rate beyond 275 yards so a small error in estimated distance will result in a wounding shot or even a miss. I use the same rangefinder for golf and hunting but there are more appropriate ones for hunting than my Bushnell. (On the other hand, I did pitch in for an eagle on a par 5 from 91 yards two weeks ago...a better shot than I've ever made at a deer or speedgoat).

:D

Harry
 
I have had a Vari-X III on my .308 for years and it is up to the task. The VX3 can only be better.

The parallax is zero if your eye is centered, and even if it slightly off center, the parallax is far less than a slight bobble by the shooter. It won't be why you miss a deer sized animals kill zone.

If you like high power, it may not be for you.
 
I love my VX-3L 4.5-14x50. The glass is inferior to nothing less than the top shelf brands. The Boone & Crockett reticle is great for reaching out there, but adds quite a bit of cost to the base price. And contrary to the literature, it requires practice to really feel comfortable using the ranging features.
Its tough to compete with Leupolds no questions lifetime warranty.
 
I would be a little cautious buying a Leupold on eBay. There have been reports of counterfeit ones being sold there recently.
 
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