What size hunting scope?

[Blacktailbowhunter]

I plan on getting and hunting with a rifle next season and need help figuring out what scope to get. What is the most versatile option when hunting thick brush to 500 yards? I will most likely shoot 300 max, but like the option of shooting farther in practice. Any help and insight is greatly appreciated.

 

[AlaskaEd]

IMHO, most folks get more scope than they need, especially when woods/brush is involved. I'd keep it at or under 3-9ish. I prefer a 2ish low end personally.

 

[bpctcb]

What will you be hunting? Deer & elk?
I think a simple 3-9x40 is a great all around scope for deer & elk within 600 yards.
I shot my mule deer at 370 yards with a little 2-7x33 scope and I didn’t feel under scoped at all.

BP

 

[6mm Remington]

Here are three really good choices I believe.
Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36mm
Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40mm
Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40mm

I would get the Boone & Crockett reticle and practice with it at distances. I believe you will really like it. It is fast and simple to use.

 

[Blacktailbowhunter]

Deer, elk , and bear.

 

[handwerk]

I'm a fan of the swaro Z3's in either 3-9x36 or 3-10x42.

 

[elkguide]

Second to what handwerk said. Swaro is the way I would go and I'd go with the 3X10X42.

 

[bpctcb]

Deer, elk , and bear.

What is your budget?

BP

 

[Blacktailbowhunter]

Budget get is $800. I prefer to Pay less if I can. How are the options from 400 to 800?

 

[elkguide]

Budget get is $800. I prefer to Pay less if I can. How are the options from 400 to 800?

In that price range I would look at Burris BUT I would save up and get a Swaro if I were serious.

 

[bpctcb]

Here are three really good choices I believe.
Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36mm
Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40mm
Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40mm

I would get the Boone & Crockett reticle and practice with it at distances. I believe you will really like it. It is fast and simple to use.

These are all solid choices that come in well below $800.

BP

 

[ljalberta]

I was previously using a 3-9x40, but switched to a 4-16x44. I must say, for my hunting, I prefer having the lower power availability. I'll be moving back to something with 2x or 3x power at the bottom end. I find myself never going above 8 for hunting scenarios (Shooting 400 yards max).

 

[LaGriz]

Blacktailbowhunter,
+1 on the 3X9, 3X10, 2.5X10, or 2X10 be it a Swaro, Leupold, Trijicon, Nikon Monarch, Minox HD, or a Zeiss Conquest. I prefer to keep the objective lens at 42MM or smaller to promote lower mounting (closer to the bore) and they tend to be lighter weight too. always a plus.

LaGriz

 

[Boreal]

+1 on the 3-9x40 as a great all-around scope. Love my Swaro 3-9x36, and can recommend that without hesitation. You can sometimes find it on sale for around $800, or used for less. If you're hunting blacktailed deer in close (i.e., dark) timber, consider the Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 with the tritium reticle, on sale now at Optics Planet for $765 (Trijicon(R) AccuPoint 3-9x40 Rifle Scope - TR20 FREE S&H TR20-2G, TR20-1G, TR20-2, TR20, TR20-1, TR20G, TR20R. Trijicon(R) AccuPoint Rifle Scopes, Trijicon(R) Rifle Scopes.).

 

[NDGuy]

+1 on the 3-9x40 as a great all-around scope. Love my Swaro 3-9x36, and can recommend that without hesitation. You can sometimes find it on sale for around $800, or used for less. If you're hunting blacktailed deer in close (i.e., dark) timber, consider the Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 with the tritium reticle, on sale now at Optics Planet for $765 (Trijicon(R) AccuPoint 3-9x40 Rifle Scope - TR20 FREE S&H TR20-2G, TR20-1G, TR20-2, TR20, TR20-1, TR20G, TR20R. Trijicon(R) AccuPoint Rifle Scopes, Trijicon(R) Rifle Scopes.).

While I am sure that is a nice scope, I don't understand why someone would spend nearly a grand on a 3-9x40 scope. If I am spending 700+ I would get something with more magnification.

I have been debating on just getting a fixed 6x42 from SWFA for 299.99. A member here highly recommended it.

 

[Boreal]

While I am sure that is a nice scope, I don't understand why someone would spend nearly a grand on a 3-9x40 scope. If I am spending 700+ I would get something with more magnification.

I have been debating on just getting a fixed 6x42 from SWFA for 299.99. A member here highly recommended it.

I guess it's the same reason someone would spend $2000 for good 10x binoculars instead of the $200 WalMart specials. I spend enough time behind optics that I can easily see the difference between good quality and poor quality glass. Especially when you combine poor glass and high magnification. With optics, like nothing else we use in hunting in my opinion, you get what you pay for.

My rifle with the 3-10x36 is designed as a mountain rifle, light as possible with good expectations for 500 yard shots.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LaGriz]

NDGuy,
The guy asking mentioned he was looking to spend up to $800 on this scope. The suggestions I made were geared towards that price range.
I agree that the Trijicon Rifle Scopes are pricey. I have a friend that absolutely loves his 3X9X40 and I think he paid around $750 for it. Nothing wrong with a fixed 6X scope. I happen to like the low-to-mid power variables for the field of view, and low light performance at close ranges. I have 1.75X6X32 Leica that was in this price range too. It is a fine scope that is a perfect match on my .358 Win. Also have a 2X7X36 Kahles on my .338-06. Both have good performance in low light and are a good fit for either cartridge. The 2X10X40 Minox HD was a value at $299. It's right at home on my .280 Rem. LaGriz

 

[NDGuy]

NDGuy,
The guy asking mentioned he was looking to spend up to $800 on this scope.

Pardon my eyes! I didn't see they commented below their original post.

Ya we will see on the fixed power I saw a member here has the same gun as me RAP 6.5 Creed and he had a Sightron 4-12 on it that he loved! Can find them for under $400 on opticsplanet.