Would you chose a 4x32 or a 6x42 for elk?

[tetchaje1]

Just wondering.

I've seen some pretty good deals on some really nice European glass lately, but they are fixed power scopes. I live in the Rockies, so elk hunting has the potential to go for longer shots, but realistically most shots would be between 75 yards and 250 yards.

I'm leaning towards the 6x42 because of the larger tube and objective, and slightly greater magnification, but the 4x36 is from a top-of-the-line manufacturer, so all of the sudden I am having second thoughts.

Any thoughts?

 

[sumpnz]

Can you hit an elk vital region sized target at 250-300 yards every time with a 4x scope? If so, that may be the better option becuase it will be adequate for the longer range shots, and if you jump an elk at close range it will be easier to quickly acquire him in your scope for a snapshot than with a 6x.

 

[444]

I have a Leupold fixed six power scope on my "elk" rifle: a Winchester Model 70 in .338 Win Mag.
I have taken one elk with it (a cow) in heavy black timber and it worked fine. The only other elk I have taken (a cow) was using a different rifle with a varible scope set at 6X within a mile of where I took the other one.

 

[JohnDog]

Hahaha - same story as 444 - my main hunting rifle is a Winchester M70 with a Leupold 6x42 scope (except mine is a 30-06). If you get the Leupold scope make sure you get the one with the multi-coated optics - it is the brightest one for near dark conditions.

It works in the dark timber and at long shots across open terrain - it's my point and shoot interface.

JohnDog

 

[Harve Curry]

I'd pick the 6X42 for western hunting.

 

[Zak Smith]

I'm leaning the other direction than most-- seriously considering slapping a TA11 (3.5x) on a hunting gun, or hunting with an AR of the appropriate caliber with a TA11.

If I can make hits on 10" steel every time to 300 yards, an Elk should be no problem.

-z

 

[kudu]

I would also get the 6x unless you think you will be hunting in heavy cover where you may jump an animal, even then it is a matter of practice and gun fit to where your rifle will come up and center where you aim it.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I prefer a 40mm objective as a minimum, the problem with a 6x fixed power if you get too close in heavy timber you won't be able to find the animal in the scope. That's why I use a 3x9 variable and leave it on the lowest setting.

Tasco made a neat scope for a while called the exp that was available as a 1.5x5 by 32x44 oval objective that would make an excellent scope for an elk or african game rifle at a reasonable price.

I don't know of any other US mfg making a low power variable 40 mm scope.

 

[HSMITH]

I have Leupold Vari-X II old style and Vari-X III scopes only, I've learned the hard way they are the cheapest scope available that you can count on every time. I have a couple 2-7x32's and a couple 3-9x40's, I set both on 3X and leave them there, for shots long enough to need more magnification you have plenty of time to turn it up. Anything else is too much magnification, learned that the hard way too (a trend perhaps? LOL). I've shot deer and elk from 15 feet away to a LONG way out, best to be prepared for anything that might come up. I could probably get by with a 4x fixed power if I had to provided it was good glass but there is no way I would take a 6x fixed scope on an elk rifle no matter who makes it. Of all the scopes I have had and still have that little 2-7 Leupold is my favorite. Lightweight, compact, mounts LOW, great glass, rugged, reliable, plenty of FOV down low, plenty of magnification on the top end and PLENTY of brightness, what is not to like? Variable power scopes from a quality manufacturer are the way to go.

 

[schromf]

You didn't clue us in on the brands, are you looking at a Kahles 4x at a really low price? As a general statement buy the best quality scope for the buck. I have two rifles set up on 4x scopes they work fine, no straight 6x but I have several variables that I use on 6x they work fine. On an up close quick shot I don't like more than 4x, and use one of my rifles usually set at 2x for that purpose. On a deer/elk size target 4x is good to at least 250 yards, and with practice another 75-100 yds could be added on a larger animal ( 18" kill zone on an elk). No I wouldn't recommend it on varmits at that range.

A 6x is a lot of scope on a 15 meter quick shoot, but at 300 yds you will appreciate the extra 2x.

Buy the quality though, a good 4x scope is better than a bad 10x any day.

Just a quick edit my 4x scopes are Ziess or Leupold. Hsmith's comment on a 2-7x variable Leupold is good advice very solid choice with great customer service. But if you have a lead on Swarski or Kahles you might have better options.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have a 4 power fixed Leupold Gold Ring that currently sits on my dad's Marlin 22 (he "borrowed" it one afternoon). While I think it's a nice piece of glass, it has a 32mm objective... not enough for dark timber in early morning or dusk... but if was all I had I'd use it in a heartbeat. That scope was purchased new by my brother for elk hunting and never mounted... I bought his rifle and scope when he joined the Navy. I like a bigger objective as I've said. One of these days I'll borrow it back.

I've broken Redfield, Weaver and Bushnell scopes.. I've never had a Tasco fail on me. Now granted I haven't bought a NEW tasco in the past year or so.. but they were pretty good scopes for the money, better IMHO than the Burris scopes my dad got obsessed with for a while.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Depends

I currently use a Steyr Dragoon in .376 for elk hunted like whitetail bedded on the north faces or down at night and up in the morning and that's pretty low power and a Leupold.

I've had a Leupold 2-7 on a 7mm Magnum walking around rifle because Bob Hagel called it a good choice for size and he was absolutely right. For a big gun, say a 12-1/2 pound .340 Weatherby or one of the Ultra Mags I'd go with the 6 power. For a more normal general use rifle I'd settle for the 4 - and I'd know it was optically inferior but made a neater overall package for walking - if I am going to be sitting and glassing then I'd go for the 6.

Buy both.

 

[Sunray]

Yep. All any scope does is allow you to see the target better. It won't make a poor shooter better nor will it extend the range you can hit a target. You still have to place the shot and through a scope, you may still not see a twig or bush that will deflect the bullet.

 

[Art Eatman]

The majority of all my hunting has been with a 3x9 variable. Because of the numerous discussions on this very subject, I've done a lot of recollection-thought on how I've used my scope. I guess we're talking some 40 years, here...

I've mostly had the variable in the 3X to 5X range when taking a shot. 9X was mostlyt used at the benchrest when sighting in or testing new loads.

Field of view has been the determinant, as near as I can recall. Lower magnification = wider field of view = faster target acquisition.

Art

 

[HankB]

How well does your rifle fit you?

This does have a bearing on how much 'scope you can make profitable use of. If your rifle fits you properly, you should be able to focus on a target, close your eyes, raise your rifle to firing position, and the target should be visible through your 'scope, and quite close to the crosshairs, as soon as you open your eyes again. If this is the case, any magnification short of 10x ought to work fine.

I have a 6x42 Leupold on my .375 H&H Browning, and it's worked fine from a couple of hundred yards down to a Cape buff at about ten yards.

So on an elk rifle, I'd go with the 6x42. (You didn't mention caliber, but for an elk rifle, you probably want some reasonable eye relief. Leupold's 6x42 offers about 4 1/2 inches. European glass often comes up short in this regard.)