Scope for Colorado Elk & Mule Deer?

[missin44]

Will also need a scope to mount on my new rifle. See this link: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=401888

If I have $200 +/- $50 to spend on a scope, what are some scopes i should e looking at? Been looking at the Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40

Thanks Again

 

[skinewmexico]

The 3200 is a great scope, and I think a 3x9 is a good choice. Wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of people recommend up to a 14x though, since you "out west", and everyone knows you need a magnum with a telescope. I would also look at the Nikon Buckmaster, Pentax/Burris, and Sightron.

 

[cbrgator]

Nikon Buckmasters, Bushnell Elite 3200, Burris Fullfield II.
Those are your best bets and will be the most common recommendations.

 

[oregonhunter]

Leupold vx-1 3x9-40. By far the best scope $219 can buy and they last forever.

 

[Heck]

The 3200 is great as well as the Nikon Buckmasters. Can't go wrong with the either. I have no experience with the burris but have heard good things.

 

[trstafford]

fixed power

I have a fixed 4x on my .338, elks are very big animals at a long distance. My friend prefers a fixed 6x on his elk rifles. They are typically lighter and more rugged than variable. If you survey the percentage of animals killed with variable scopes you might be surprised at the number killed at 3x setting.

 

[missin44]

The Bushnell, Nikon, Burris and Leupold all seem very good, same price range and high quality. Hard to decide when all are in same price range. Dang!

Thanks to all though.

 

[moooose102]

awe come on now. you guys know what he needs is a 50 bmg necked down to a 375 caliber bullet, with a 12-50 x 90 mm scope! and it had better be a swarovsky, or zeiss! anything less, and he might as well shoot chipmunks.

seriously though, i am a bushnell fan. i have never had one go bad. they are a pretty good bang for the buck imo. for me, with my eyes, i would want a 4-12 power scope. in fact that is what i just put on my 300 mag this past week. and that is to hunt woods.

 

[mickman]

recommend the burris fullfield II. excellent optics. clear and sharp.

 

[MachIVshooter]

In my experience, the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x is about the best scope you'll get for $200.

After playing with lots and lots of glass, I'm at the point where I find that Nikon is tops under $500, Leupold has it from $500-$1000. I don't own any scopes that went over a grand, so I can't speak for the really high end stuff.

 

[H&Hhunter]

A Leupold VX III in 1.75x6 or 2.5X8 are awfully hard to beat.

Guys always start thinking 500 yard cross canyon shots when the word elk is mentioned. This is a BIG mistake. Many elk are shot at close quarters in tight cover. This where a high power scope is worse than useless.

The low end of a scopes magnification is more important than the high end for 90% of the shooting we do as hunters. A scope on 1.75 is like having a really fast optical sight. It will allow you to make those quick shots at close to medium range. A 6 power scope will hobble you in the thick stuff it is worse than useless.

A couple of other things make a scope useless as well. The primary thing being one that is mounted too high. A scope should be mounted as low to the bore as possible. That is why I don't own anything larger than a 36 MM objective. If you don't have a solid cheek weld you are not going to be as fast or as accurate as you will if you do. A scope mounted to high will not allow you weld your cheek to the comb and you will not be as steady. If you close your eyes then mount your rifle with your cheek firmly into the comb you should be looking right through the scope when you open your eye. If you have to raise your head to get a clear full view of your cross hair your scope is not in the right place.

About 95% of the rifles I see in the field have the scopes mounted WAY to high.

Second always carry your scope set on the lowest setting. You will have time to turn up the magnification if needed. But if you need the scope right now on quick shot you won't have the time or the presence of mind to turn it down and you will miss your shot opportunity. I've seen this happen time and time again.

 

[SwampWolf]

A scope should be mounted as low to the bore as possible.

Amen! Which is why I detest those "see-thru" scope rings.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Which is why I detest those "see-thru" scope rings.

Swamp.

No kidding on that one!!! See through scope rings are about the most incredibly useless stupid gimmick ever put on a rifle!