10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

What are your thoughts on deer hunting with a scope with a maximum of 10x or 12x. I’m not sure that 12x is required but might be nice if I have to take shots up to 400 yards. I’m looking at getting a new scope for 270 WSM and not sure what I should do. I keep tossing the idea back and forth between the two.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

This year I took a pronghorn antelope at the longest range I have ever had to shoot ( 413 yds lasered). I used a VARIXII 3x9x40 and never felt I needed more magnification even on these small antelope. I would rather have a scope that goes down to 2x or 3x than have more power at the top end. I see no use for anything above 10x on a big game rifle. If you strictly hunt huge fields out of a fixed blind maybe it makes sense, but not in the timber I hunt.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I agree with TerryM. I only use 1.5 X 4 powers for deer. In the areas I hunt 25 yard shots are more common than than 200 yards. If you hunt over large fields only than maybe more power, but even 4 power is good to 400 yards with a steady rest on a still deer(with the proper round).

Good Luck

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I have taken pronghorn and deer to well over 400 yards with 3x9 and 3x10 scopes.You don't require any more magnification for big game out to 500 yards.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I can see a deer or Elk easily at 40 yards and see every feature on him/her why wouldn't I see the same with a 10X at 400 yards.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I have to agree with others here. There is no need for a scope 10X plus for big game hunting. I mainly use a Leupold VarXII 3x9 40mm and it does all I could ask for. I keep mine on 3x until I need to crank it up.Varmint hunting is another story but you mentioned for deer hunting.

Ruger Redhawk

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I don't see anything wrong with it as long as you remember to keep the power cranked down until you need it. If something is far enough away that you need the extra power, you should have time to turn it up. And if you keep it turned down all the time it will be easier to get on target if something comes in closer and you have to make a fast shot.

Also keep in mind that the higher the magnifacation you get, the better the scope you will need in order for it to look good. Plus it may effect your eye relief and the clarity or brightness of the scope. Not to mention the higher the power the harder it is to keep steady while you are aiming.

I had a 3.5x10 for a while, and it worked well if I was hunting out of a blind over a larger open area. I also used to have a 1.5x4 bushnell trophy (I think that was the power range? it was low anyway), that thing was great for wooded areas and dim lighting. Good field of view for getting on the target fast and it was very clear and bright in any light conditions.

I would say it depends on what type of hunting you will be doing and the distances you will be shooting. I personally would feel a bit under powered with the Trophy for a 400 yard shot, but I can't imagine me ever taking that long of a shot any way. Where I hunt in michigan 150 yards would be a fairly long shot.

Paul

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I will add that most of my scopes have been variable with 9 to 10 power in the upper range. Only because the market is flooded with them and they are the easiest to get good deals on. I use the higher powers to look at stuff sometimes but will admit I have never shot an animal with over 6 power magnification, and that was a bit past 150 yards. And I could have done it with less easily.

Paul

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

That's what binoculars are made for.It can be dangerious using a scope to view something you wouldn't want to shoot. Eg a person for one.Accidents do happen.We all need to use common sense.Buy Binoculars for viewing.

I have a Weaver V24 and I have to agree with youl. On higher powers the Clarity just isn't there and holding it steady is a job in itself.

Ruger Redhawk

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I'm not talking about using it for a telescope, I'm talking about looking at game, or looking for my impact spots on a target. Like using the scope to count points or look over the body of the animal before you shoot it.

I agree you shouldn't point a weapon at something you don't intend to shoot, I figured that was a given and it isn't what I meant. That's like one of the first rules in gun safety.

Paul

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I stand corrected.I took what you said in the wrong contexts.I know there are allot of people who use a scope as a telescope while hunting. Definately a bad move.

Ruger Redhawk

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

The gun i deer hunt with has a simple 3-9X scope and ive never used it for any kind of shooting past 6x, i dont like using highpowers because you almost need something to rest it on to keep it steady because a 1/16th of a inch movement can move you a foot off target, but that is just my personal opinion

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I have a Simmons Pro Hunter 4-12x40 AO scope that was mounted on my Marlin 30-30 (way too much scope - almost more scope than gun! ;) ) when I bought it from a buddy at work. I just leave it set on 4x and the AO on 50 yards. I am looking at maybe swapping the scope for something more "down to earth" for a 30-30, or maybe pull the scope off and save it for use with a 7MM or 30.06 or something bigger where it's better suited.

Butch A.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

10 or 12, is that all? LOL you can NEVER kill em too dead and you cant have to much magnification for actually making the shot if its over appx 100yds. The 3x9 is "ok" for shots out too 300yds but a 12 is that much better IMHO. Now if you are talking about jumpshooting deer in the swamps of FLA then yeah get a 1.5x4 or something. But for anytype of big game hunting from tree-standing on beanfields too shootin across canyons in CO, then why not get a good 3 or 4x12?

I personally like 14, 15, 16Xs etc. And my longest range rifle wears a 6x24x50 on it. When you have the time to watch and judge deer like you do in most 400yd+ beanfield situations then you only make it easier on yourself when you can "zero down" on em. All my buddies laughed when I got my 24X Swarovski, but now not a one of them have anything less than the 20X Leupold on their guns for field shooting.

You can always back that 4x12 down for close stuff. Afterall 4x is 4x regardless what the other end of it goes up too.

WHACK EM WHERE THEY STAND,
RA

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I agree, 3x9 is plenty for deer hunting. I use a 3x12 tasco but i bought it because of the 52mm objective and excellent clarity in low light conditions.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

In this case, you have to go with what makes you comfortable and the ability of the gun. If hunting in mainly timber, i would go with the smallest possible that will still be useful on that particular gun. If out open, spend a bit extra a get a larger scope. If hunting deer, bear, hogs, elk, etc. I would have to say a 3-9 is more than enough. If you want to bust ground hogs past 100 yards on a regular basis, i'd up it to a 4-12 or even a 6-18. I own a couple 3-9x40 vx2's, a 4-12x40 vx2, and a 6-18x40AO vx2 and love every one of them. However, i would never put one of 3-9's on my 22-250 which currently holds my 6-18. I am a big fan of leupold, but you may also consider a simmons aetec. I recently had a gun (owned it about 2 weeks) with a simmons aetec 2.8-10x44 and loved that scope. As much as i hate to admit it, it was as clear, actually brighter, and as good that my all of my leupolds. If i had a pick a scope right now, i would probably go that route.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

Thanks for all your comments. Much appreciated.....:D

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I'm with RedAllison on this one, I like having a 14 power scope on one of my rifles and I use the highest power often. I've got shooting lanes cut in 3 or 4 different directions through the woods from my deer stands. Each lane is about 75 to 100 yards long. When a deer is standing at the end of one of those lanes its antlers blend in almost perfectly with the tree branches behind it making it very difficult to judge, even with a 9 power scope. I like having the extra power in situations where I'm more interested in antlers than meat. Even so, though, I generally always have my scopes set at their lowest settings to begin with.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

It depends on your hunting situation. For myself I don't see the problem with a good high quality adjustable scope that goes up to a high magnification. The way people hunt here in Alabama has changed drastically in my lifetime. Most of our hunting is done now out of treestands and shooting houses. Places where you are shooting from a rested position at a stationary animal. Under those circumstances how does high magnification hurt you? I think it enables me to aim more precisely. As for the crosshairs jumping around more at high magnification? Well, I hate to break it to you but your point of aim is wobbling around just as much at 3 power as it is at 20 power. The only difference is that at 20 power you can just clearly see how much you really are moving. But the movement is just the same.

If you hunt heavy woods and take close shoots then yeah, by all means stick to lower powered scopes. You can get on target faster in thick woods and they will allow you to see better in the low light of thick woods where it will get dark much earlier than it does in a open field.

But for wide open spaces I have a Leupold 6.5x20 power scope that I dearly love. I like to be able to aim very precisely. Like the old saying goes, "Aim small, miss small." It's hard to aim small at 300 yards with a 4 power scope.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

neither ......... 4x to 6x is more then enough magnification for deer shots even to 500 yards. if you want a variable power scope you will be fine with a 3-9x or 4-10x scope.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I've been using a 6x40 Springfield on my .270 the last 4 seasons, simple is nice too. Works just fine out as far as I need in Hill country, 200/300 maximum but typically under 150 yards. If I can swing it , next season, I will go to a 3-9 x 40. Bigger scope power like magmun rounds, bigger is not always better.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

If you can properly gauge the hold over of a particular rifle on a deer 500 yards away with a 6 power scope then God Bless you. I'd say most cannot.

I have a straight 6 power scope on a 243. But then I'm not going to take long shots with a 243. Can you hit a deer sized target with 3, 4 and 6 power scopes at 300 yards? You bet. I've done it. Can you know exactly where you are placing that bullet behind their shoulder? Nope. If you want to shoot precisely you have to be able to aim precisely. That is why I will always favor a variable power scope unless I am putting together a gun/scope combo that will be used exclusively in short range hunting situations, like a 30-30, 35 rem, or 45-70.

RE: 10x or 12x scope for deer hunting?
 

I usually try to match the scope to the gun ,If the gun is capable of 400 yd shots then I want a scope that is equal to the task . I wouldn't put a3X9 on a 22 lr or a fixed 4 on a 300 Win . Mainly it's a matter of preference but I have a few of the bigger scopes and find they all have their place.