hunting scope as a target scope

[mainecoon]

I recently switched my Nikon "Buckmasters" scope off a .270 and onto my 22-250. The scope is 3-9x40 and has a deer on it. Can I use a scope with a deer on it for target shooting, or will it only work with deer? Last year I went hunting with a target scope, and didn't see any deer. Do you need a hunting scope to see deer?

 

[Walkalong]

Do you need a hunting scope to see deer?

Absolutely.

 

[rbernie]

Wait until you try to hog hunt.....

 

[MikeInOr]

Nope! Won't work! LOL!

The reticile on a target scope usually makes it easier to line up on a target and the reticile on a hunting scope usually makes it easier to judge distance to the target so you can make hold over and Kentucky windage adjustments. So each scope type is probably a little easier to use for it's intended purpose but there is nothing to keep you from interchanging the two. I use hunting scopes at the range all the time with excellent results... the fine cross hairs on a target scope are usually a little easier to line up on a printed target than the duplex reticile on a hunting scope... but after a few shots you get a good feeling for how to line up the hunting reticile on a paper plate.

I believe the heavier reticiles on a hunting scope are to make it easier for your eye to pick up the reticile against a darker animal on a multi colored (camo) background... where a fine target scope line would be harder for your eye to acquire.

Often a target scope will have finer adjustments and easier to adjust knobs than a hunting scope which makes it easier to zero in that last 1/4" onto a bullseye... which really has no use for a hunting scope.

 

[pblanc]

Just get a small picture of a deer and tape it directly onto the objective lens of your target scope. I guarantee you will see deer next time.

 

[Chuck R.]

That's why I like QD mounts and carrying multiple scopes.

I'm always prepared for whatever game I bump into.

So far my concept hasn't worked too well with any game animals that move rapidly, but I've got a feeling my sloth and tortoise reticles might pan out.

 

[jmr40]

It depends on the skill level and the type of target shooting you'll do. For serious target shooting a hunting scope would be a disadvantage. For casual shooting you'll never notice. If you have to ask the question, you'll do fine with a hunting scope.

 

[redneck2]

Best thing is the deer will appear with graduated concentric circles on its chest if you use a target scope for deer

 

[Sniper66]

I recently switched my Nikon "Buckmasters" scope off a .270 and onto my 22-250. The scope is 3-9x40 and has a deer on it. Can I use a scope with a deer on it for target shooting, or will it only work with deer? Last year I went hunting with a target scope, and didn't see any deer. Do you need a hunting scope to see deer?

Absolutely! I once went fishing without a rod and reel and caught no fish........imagine!

 

[LoonWulf]

Absolutely! I once went fishing without a rod and reel and caught no fish........imagine!

you just need a bigger rock....

I recently switched my Nikon "Buckmasters" scope off a .270 and onto my 22-250. The scope is 3-9x40 and has a deer on it. Can I use a scope with a deer on it for target shooting, or will it only work with deer? Last year I went hunting with a target scope, and didn't see any deer. Do you need a hunting scope to see deer?

The deer on the scope is just there so they know its ok to be shot by a rifle, and hunter so equipped. Targets are much slower, so appealing to their sense of propriety is less important......

 

[Varminterror]

Deer on the side or not, in what kind of target competition can any 3-9x really hang?

 

[DocRock]

I've spent a good amount of time in Africa and met a number of old hands there. In the Seventies, due to very low literacy rates in many parts of the Continent, the informality of trade, ie massive smuggling, and deficient labeling laws, most packaged goods had pictures on them to indicate what was in them. When Nestle launched a baby formula with a picture of a baby on the label, it apparently caused some degree of consternation.

 

[stringnut]

I run into a guy who thought he couldn't shoot a coyote because everyone knows sabots slugs are for deer. He honestly thought it wouldn't do the job. This is same type of reasoning why you can't use a scope with a deer on it for target shooting. It wont allow you to hit the paper lol. Sometimes i canmprove that theory with a hand gun.

 

[doubleh]

Scopes aren't interchangable in usage. Gotta get one for each intended purpose.

If that were true the scope makers would really be happy.

 

[Sav .250]

You can do what ever you want.

 

[ThomasT]

I've spent a good amount of time in Africa and met a number of old hands there. In the Seventies, due to very low literacy rates in many parts of the Continent, the informality of trade, ie massive smuggling, and deficient labeling laws, most packaged goods had pictures on them to indicate what was in them. When Nestle launched a baby formula with a picture of a baby on the label, it apparently caused some degree of consternation.

I read about a couple that moved to the US from Japan and they didn't read or speak english. They went to the grocery store for food and bought a can of Crisco because of the picture on the label. When they got home they found out there was no chicken in the can.