Gun Question
 

Hello,

I have a very specific question about a rifle I would like to purchase. While I know people might tell me to ask it in the gun section. I feel it would be better answered here in the big game forum.

I live in Colorado, and plan to go elk hunting with my wife family in fall of 2015. We will be hunting above 10,000ft.

A friend of mine has a gun that I am interested in buying. The gun is a savage 111, .30-06. While I know the gun is sufficient, what I am concerned about is the scope.

It is a Leopold vari-x iii, 6.5x20x50. It has an adjustable ring to really get a clear focus on it. I know that it is a great scope, but the concern that someone brought up to me about it, is that it is too powerful, and if I have to shoot into the trees, that there won't be enough light to see the elk. Some people try to tell me that you will see your elk within 100yds, while others say the shots are usually 200-300. I know that it can be varying distances.

Is this a reasonable scope for hunting elk in the high mountains, or would I be better off with buying a new savage 111 with the nikon 3x9 scope?

I like the idea of being able to zoom in and really get up on the shot, but I don't want to hinder my ability if its too much scope to hunt up to a 300yd distance with.

There is really no need for a 6.5x20 power scope for hunting if your maximum distance is going to be 300 yards even though the light gathering at shorte distances that you mentioned would be fine with that particular scope. A 3x9 like you mentioned is more than enough at high power to shoot 300 yards and the lower setting is a lot more ideal than 6.5 for close in shots. Unless you can get a great deal for the combination rifle/scope and take the scope off to put a lower power on it, I would pass and get another rifle that suits your fancy and put a 2x7 or 3x9 power scope on it.

I have one rifle that I have a fixed 6x scope on. That said, I like the availability of the lower number variables. You will probably mostly need more power for longer shots, but I don't know anyone who doesn't hunt timber at times. 6.5 is a little high for 30-50 yard shots. And that scope new is a $600 scope

So, I guess it depends on the price. If you get a good price on the combo, buy it and pull the scope off and sell it and buy a vari-X II 3 x 9 or 4 x 14 for 1/2 the price of the III.

6.5 power is a little much in thick cover.

Otherwise, that's a great long range rig !

How does it "feel" to you - the gun, not the scope ?

I have a 6.5x20x50 on my bee. It is a little much on the close shots, but my shots tend to be long.

Buy the un without the scope and ask to have the prie reduced accordingly then buy a scope that would be better suited for your needs with the money you save.

3x9 is all you really need for elk hunting.

The gun feels good. The last time I took it out shooting I ran about 30 rds, of 180gr ammo through it. I didn't have any problems with it at all. My shoulder felt great afterwards.

If the scope is too much, then I feel as if I am better off buying something new, or a nice used gun.

I really like the savage guns. Can anybody tell their opinion on the nikon 3x9 scope that is on the newer savage models. When I have looked through them, I feel like they are nice and clear, but I also recognize that looking through a scope in a well lit store will be quite a bit different than shooting in dark timber.

Normally, unless you don't plan to hunt much, the combination gun/scope deals aren't the way to go because the companies generally put a low end model scope on them so the package will sell at a decent price. Nikon makes good glass, but they also have low end models I wouldn't buy. IMHO you should be looking at a scope that costs at least $250 and probably more if you are going to be using it a lot. You get what you pay for it in scopes, binos, and spotting scopes, so look to buy good stuff once that you'll be happy with for many years to come. I have Leupolds on almost all my stuff and they were in the $300 range when I bought them some time ago.

you are correct, its a great scope, the only problem being the 6.5 has a smaller field of view that say a 2.5 so a quick running shot at extreme close range would be harder to pull off, a lot of it is how much experience you have with higher powered scopes, I've shot the higher powers for years and don't have much problem with them but its all experience level.
other than that the scope is fine
RR

The 3-9x40mm scopes on the savage 11 trophy hunter packages are the best quality scopes I've seen on a package gun. They are Buckmasters, which is a decent glass. I have several of them. They're discontinued for next year, so they won't be on future rifles, but it's the only one I would leave on a rifle package if I bought it.

Other package models from ruger and remington etc, maybe even the axis - can't say about it - but the others are all low end models that are it worth owning.

I'd consider going with a 3x12, 4x12, or a 4x16 powered scope. This way you still have the low power capability like a 3x9 but still have the option of zooming into a higher power if you ever needed. I know from personal experience a 3x9 works fine for elk out to 300 yards but I've been happier with my 4x16.

buy the gun if it's a good deal and put detachable scope rings on it and buy a lower power scope with detachable rings and use the scope you need for the situation your in i know it's a little pricey doing it that way but if you can why not ? i would buy leupold myself that's all i really buy for the money hard to beat and the warranty is hard to beat not sure on the nikon product's ?

I've hunted elk all my life in Colorado above 10,000 ft, and never killed one over 100yds away. Most were much closer.

It all depends on how you plan to hunt. Most elk in Colorado are killed under 150yds. In rifle seasons they won't be hanging around in the open. They'll be in the timber.

+1

That was my thinking also............I keep mine on 4X all the time, unless I need more !

Burris Signature Select 4X-16X 44MM Illuminated BDC reticle

The scope is probably worth about $500 new. You could always buy the package, sell the scope for $350, buy a scope you prefer with that $350 -- maybe adding in some of your own money. Since you are buying the package used, you ought to be getting a good discount off of new. If not, walk away from the deal.

You can hunt elk with that rig. It may not be ideal, but it will work. It really depends on the price you are getting. The size of the objective lens is less than idea in that scope, too. It is big. Maybe it hangs up on stuff more readily (I admit, small matter, but since were slicing hairs hear I thought I would mention it).

Actually if you are hunting above 10K ft. (op wrote), size/weight does matter.

Good point !!!

+1

I agree you can still hunt with that rig....................and if, it's a long poke; you will be glad to have it !!!