Scope dilemma

[streetstang67]

I'm trying to decide on a scope for my 'all-purpose' rifle, used primarily for deer hunting and target shooting. Either 3-9x50 or 4-12x40. From a previous posts, it sounds like leupold makes good scopes (I've chosen the VX-I), the only problem I'm left with now is deciding magnification and objective lense. I want a larger objective lense for more light and better visibility at dusk, at the same time, I want a higher magnification for better shot placement and longer shots whether hunting or marksman target shooting. What do you suggest?

 

[MutinousDoug]

leupold makes good scopes

From what distance can you practice? Double the distance in yds and divide by 100 to get your practical max scope power. 200 yds x 2= 4x scope; 600yds x 2=12x scope. A scope at 12x won't show you anything but fur at 50.
YMMV

 

[uk roe hunter]

good scopes

Hi,
I use a parker hale bolt action rifle and on top i have a bushnell banner 3-9 x 50 scope. It is an excellant scope for really cheap money. it has increased my low light hunting ability no end. if i could afford a better scope i would go for one witha 30mm tube, this will help with the low light aspect. Coated lenses make a big difference, i used to use a tasco golden antler 6-24 x 56 but found this to be inferior to the bushnell. Big magnificarion is not a big help when still hunting in fact it slows down your target aquisition. i keep mine on 3 or 4 when still hunting. or 6 when sat in a high seat. the kill area on a deer is pretty big really.

the problem i had was with mounting and keeping the scope still i used millett mounts and weaver blocks.

steve

 

[MCgunner]

I very much like my Weaver 2x10x40 I put on my Model 7. To me, it's the perfect do all scope. I much prefer the lower than 3x power for spot and stalk hunting and still hunting, yet it has enough power for about anything within the range of .308 caliber. I've popped coyotes at 350 yards with it. It gets the job done and it's a rugged scope to boot! Mine's mounted in Millet rings.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

How much light and visibility do you need?

The exit pupil (the spot projected at the focal point) of an optical device is calculated as objective lens diameter divided by power. A 3-9X30 scope would give a 10mm exit pupil at 3 power, and a 3.3mm exit pupil at 9 power.

The human eye can only dilate to 7mm -- so at 3 power, you would have more light than you can use.

Most people who use variable scopes for hunting keep them set on the lowest setting -- only going up in power when they have a long shot, a steady rest, and plenty of time to make the shot.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I'm a lefty too but that doesn't make any difference on which scope I use.

For my -06 hunting rifle (Savage 110) I use a Burris 3X9X40 which works great.

On the 22-250 I have a 6-24X50 for long range work (out to 600m).

Truth in the matter is where your hunting. If its in close quarters then a fixed might work best but if your out in the West hunting mulies then a variable would be the ticket.

 

[Karbon]

Streetstang,

Have you looked at the Burris offerings? You can get a superior scope for the money, compaired to the low end Varx-I. With the great light transmission and coated optics even on the Fullfeild II's a 3x9-40 will give you everthing you need in an all around scope. On top of that they are tougher, nitrogen purged and affordable, $150-$200.

 

[Art Eatman]

Quality binoculars will let you count antler tines to see if Ol' Bucky's worth shooting, even in low light. Most any old scope will let you put the crosshairs on the kill zone, even in low light.

, Art

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Amen. You'll spend hours looking through binoculars, and minutes looking through scopes. Get quality binoculars, and tough, low-to-medium power scopes.

 

[MCgunner]

Truth in the matter is where your hunting. If its in close quarters then a fixed might work best but if your out in the West hunting mulies then a variable would be the ticket.

What I like about my 2x10 is the fact that, here in Texas, I've hunted from desert to mountains to woods to coastal plains with senderos to Padre Island's public hunting area. I use one rifle almost exclusively anymore, though I do own others. My M7 Stainless .308 can do it all, but it needs a scope that can get really low power in the woods, yet zoom out for those cross canyon shots in the mountains. I have a nice 3x9x44 Weatherby Supreme rifle scope on my Savage 110 in 7mm Rem Mag. It's a heavy scope, but it's a heavy rifle. It's a rugged scope plenty capable of taking heavy recoil of a belted magnum and is a very bright scope. But, I haven't used it since I got that M7. I love that thing, so light and accurate and short and maneuverable. That Savage is a PITA inside a box blind. And, to me, .308 is the perfect all around caliber for what and where I hunt, so stands to reason I'd seek out a perfect all around scope for it. I really like that 2x in the woods, too, much better than 3X. As mentioned, its 40mm objective is about all the exit pupil you need on the lower powers.

I bought a cheap scope some time ago to put on my SKS (a cheap rifle). I'd had a 1.5x4.5 Bushnell I really like on it, but put that on a little .22. Well, this cheap scope (forget the brand, made in China) is pretty impressive and has a lighted reticle. That gun is just a range plinker anymore, but I'm thinkin' it might make a pretty decent night hunting scope for hogs. Ain't gonna be shooting far on those things and that scope is pretty bright, too, with great optical clarity. I was pretty shocked with it considering the $45 price tag and it seems rugged enough, though it ain't gonna get pounded on an SKS. lol If it screws up, no biggy, don't have much in it and I ain't using it for anything that important.

 

['Card]

I'd never been all that interested in the larger-objective scopes, but two or three years ago I got a deal on a 3x9x50mm that was too good to pass up, so I bought it. Now I wouldn't buy anything else. The 50mm objective doesn't make that much of a difference in the open or on the range, but in the heavy woods where I hunt it's a dramatic improvement.

 

[one eye joe]

Check out the Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40. Great scope with a good magnification range. If you want something considerably cheaper, i have been real happy with the Swift 4.5-14x44. Comes with a mil dot reticule which can be handy for range estimation or aiming points at long range.

 

[jeepmor]

Check your price range, buy what you can afford

I recently bought a nice high end Ruger in 223/lam/stainless/hb and decided to put a cheap scope on it since I spent so much on the rifle. I ended up with an NC Star (china, I think) 6-24x50 with a lighted reticle. I got a big scope with the intention of it being a varmint gun out on the Eastern Oregon rolling desert. It collects light pretty well, and the rangefinding reticle is nice, not that I've used it much, but I will once squeak season comes back around.

Point is, there are good scopes out there that are not in the Leupold price range. Granted, Leupold is very good, but I'm only shooting paper and varmints. I did not buy an expensive scope because I have two more rifles to buy for this hunting season and plan on getting a recognizeable name brand in a 3x9x?? for this season, probably a Nikon.

Regardless, think of the variety of the hunting you'll be doing. I live in Oregon where I can be in the pissing down rainforest where I can only see a few yards in the heavy brush laden coastal or cascade ranges. Or I can go out to the rolling desert in Eastern Oregon where I can spot game much, much farther than I could possibly hit. I put in for a Eastern Oregon tag, get denied, and can buy a general tag for the Western region of the state. With this in mind, a 3x9 should be fine for either. I don't want to have a gun for each region, at least not yet. If the 3 power still seems a bit much for the brush beating, you can get the open scope mounts that allow you to view your sights and just use those for close up shots. Like those I suspect I may be taking in the thick PNW coastal mountain brush.

jeepmor