3-9 or 2-7 or 1.5-6 power scope for muzzle loader?

ranger400ex1994 · 06-10-2009, 04:32 PM

Which scope do you think would be better suited a 3-9x40 or a 2-7x33 or a 1.5x-6X40. I hunt in a slug gun area and i on my slug gun i have a 1.5-4.5x32mm scope on it. most my shots are 30 or 40 yards but some and get out to 100 or 125yards. I am leaning towards the 3-9 power scope but i don't want to be over kill. But a buck i shot last yeat was at 130yards and i shot it with my slug gun and i felt like i could have used alittle more power in the scope.

rozman62 · 06-10-2009, 04:46 PM

I would opt for the 2x7x33 given the ranges you describe. Keep the scope on the 2X if most of your shots will be in the 30-40 yard ranges. It's nice having the option to go 5-7x when you are out at 100-130 yards.

I have a 1.5x5x32 on my Omega. I had a few deer in the 200-225 yard ranges last year and they looked tiny on 5X. Even if I had a beefy scope on top I would of passed as they were small body deer.

gregrn43 · 06-10-2009, 05:29 PM

3x9 is what I always use, just a purty good allround variable

sjsfire · 06-10-2009, 05:36 PM

I have Nikon Pro Staff 2x7x32 on my muzzleloaders and slug guns. They work fine for me.

spaniel · 06-10-2009, 05:39 PM

If most of your shots are going to be under 50 yards, I'd opt for the 1-6X40. I use open sights for areas I don't plan on shooting over 100 yards, I used to have quick release mounts on my gun when I only had one ML so I could take the scope off when I planned on shots being that close. One situation where I had a hard time finding my target in the scope was enough to learn my lesson.

People use 10X to shoot at 1000 yards with high power. I use 10X to shoot to 400 yards with a ML and I don't feel I'm under-magnified. Remember, higher power won't make you more accurate and often all it will do is accentuate the waver in your hold and bust your confidence in the shot.

HEAD0001 · 06-10-2009, 05:42 PM

IMO the power of the scope is secondary. For me the quality of the glass, and the tracking ability of the scope is far more important. So if you are on a budget I would buy the best quality I could buy, and accept the power of the scope. I would much rather have a high quality fixed power scope over a lesser quality variable power scope. It is very difficult to beat a straight 4X scope, or even a 2.5X scoe for shots under 150 yards or so. Look for a good high quality used or new scope if you are limited to $300 or less. I saw a 4X Zeiss on sale the other day for $299. Now that would be a dandy.

As I said above. I believe a high quality 4X is a much better choice than lesser quality glass in a 2X7 or even a 3X9. Tom.

cayugad · 06-10-2009, 05:57 PM

I have all three of them scopes on different rifles. From your hunting situation I would get myself a Nikon Pro Staff 2-7x32mm or a Nikon Omega 3-9x40mm. The 2-7 should gather all the light you need, and hand those ranges with ease. Also the Nikon is good glass at a fair price. I really like the Pro Staff.

Now to throw a wrench in all of this. I bought a $49.99 1.5-6x40mm illuminated scope. I threw it on a GMB and so far this cheap scope had taken 125 grain charges, and never went out. Also the glass is good. Its not a Nikon, but then the price is not either.

Another scope that will surprise you. Semisane was bragging about a cheap Simmons straight 4x scope. I bought one, threw it on a rifle and was so impressed with the glass and focus, I bought another one. These things are tuff, but if they break, they cost me $29.99 and I would not get too upset I or when I can finally break it.

I know good glass is important. But sometimes, especially if you have short range things like I do, clarity and light gathering is critical. At 50 yards, if the scope will pull in the light and focus I need, I can do the rest.

lemoyne · 06-10-2009, 07:14 PM

I would go according to use, for all around shooting a 3X9 is nice for normal range hunting a 1.5 gathers more light and with the same size front lens [the objective lens] you can see in dimmer light; a 2X7 is a nice compromise if it has a very large Objective lens. Lee

Semisane · 06-10-2009, 07:29 PM

I now have three Simmons 4x ProDiamonds and have yet to find fault with them. I think they are all you need out to 150 yards and have come to really appreciate their compact size and simplicity. One ison the Omega X7, one on the 45 GM LRH Renegade barrel, and one on the .54 GM Renegade barrel. I've shot some pretty brutal loads out of the little X7 and the scope's adjustments are holding up fine.

SWThomas · 06-11-2009, 03:05 AM

I've never peered through a 2-7 but I do like my 3-9X40.