Scope Dilemma: Your opinions wanted...

[Galt]

Hey Folks:

My first substantive post, and all just for fun.

I'm trying to think through trade-offs for scoping a couple of rifles, and would love to hear opinions on what to do with what I've got.

Here's what I've got:

2 scopes:

Scope 1 is a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40MM
Scope 2 is a Bushnell Elite 3200 2-7x32MM

2 rifles:

Rifle 1 is a Ruger M77 (old version) 270 Winchester
Rifle 2 is a T/C Encore in 375 H&H

Here's the situation:

The Ruger will be used for whitetail or similar likely in TX and the SE. I've had this rifle for a couple of decades now, and it has had a Charles Daly (yep, that's right) 3-9x40 scope that has been there since I was a teenager. I figured I'd upgrade optics. It has the original Ruger integral rings on it.

The Encore will likely go on an Elk hunt with me in Colorado this year. It has a Warne scope base and a set of Warne steel rings.

Given that context, which scope would you folks mount to which rifle, and why? I'm not overly partial to either one and thought this would be an interesting thought exercise here.

No fair saying I need to buy another scope. Both of the scopes were good deals and I'm not currently investing in new scopes. I'd appreciate your opinions.

 

[Abel]

There's not enough difference to matter. 2-7 & 3-9? Flip a coin. If they were mine, I'd put the....

I couldn't decide either. Because in all honesty, it won't matter.

 

[gbran]

Rifle 2 is a T/C Encore in 375 H&H

You need to think about a huge recoil pad 1st.

 

[Badlander]

I'd put the one with the longest eye relief on the .375!!

 

[Galt]

Actually, the eye relief comment is a very helpful one. Pretty sure the Leupold has longer eye relief.

And, yes, the Encore has a substantial recoil pad on it.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Put the 2-7 on the Encore and the 3-9 on the Ruger.

Well, you did ask!

 

[Galt]

Ah, yes, Uncle Mike, but I did as "why" as well!!!

 

[Uncle Mike]

I know, had to...well...

If it were I... the 375 generally will be used at closer range(s) than the 270, and the fact that you mention the Elk creature, I don't routinely hunt Elk, but aren't they engaged at fairly close range, most of the time?

And even if that isn't totally true, the 375 is not the long range operator! 7 power, to me, would suffice with this set-up.

Generally, a 270, in this dream, would be used for deer, antelope, creatures that a man might have to shoot at at extended ranges, so 9 power figures right. IMHO and YMMV! hehehe

I don't know, I just felt that, given myself in the same parameters, that would be the way I would go!

Really, there is no right or wrong here, just opinion, and we all know, you can't argue with opinion! lol hehehehe

How'd I do!?!

 

[Galt]

Nice job Unc.

Interesting that no one has mentioned the objective lens size. That seems to be the most substantive difference between the two scopes, and I'm not even sure if it is a really substantive one, not having a lot of experience with these things myself.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I think the objectives are so close, you would be hard-pressed seeing much difference as it is getting dark. I have a Leupold 40mm and I would rather have a 50mm. I think between the 32 and 40, you wouldn't even notice.

That's my take, as 'unc' said "YMMV!"

The nice thing about this entire thread is it appears you don't need to purchase anything! That's a win-win situation any way you look at it!

 

[dougw47]

Interesting problem...congratulations. If I had your problem, I'd be tickled.

As the other poster said, put the longest eye-relief on the .375 for the reasons noted.

 

[Galt]

Yes, this is one of those things I'd call a "high class problem" now that you mention it.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

On a .375, especially a light rifle, you want a rugged scope with lots of eye relief. Elk may be shot at any range, but a lot of shots are in the "dark timber" where low power and good light gathering are critical. Two of these three factors -- ruggedness, eye relief, and good low-power light gathering all point to the 2-7X Bushnell for your elk scope. I don't know that the Bushnell is less rugged than the Leupold, so the Bushnell would be my choice on the .375 Encore.