I need some opinions I have a Ruger m77 mk2 in 7mm-08 would a Leupold vx-3 4.5-14-40 scope seem excessive? I dont have much experience with scopes above 10 power I picked this scope up off of e-bay too cheap to pass up any help would be appreciated thanks chad

Hey, at a good price, there nothing wrong with that Leupy! The 7MM-08 is a good, flat shooting caliber. On animals larger than deer, you might not want to stretch the range too far, but you can always keep the scope cranked down anyway!

Nah, on second thought, it's probably not a good scope option for you! Send it to me, and I'll dispose of the trash for you!

Give it a try for a season or two. If you don’t like it get something else later. You do have the low power and have the option to turn it up if req’d for use at the range. Good luck.

I would never use that much magnification on a big game rifle.A 3x9x40 or a 3.5x10x40 would be my choices.I would try to trade the scope you have for one with less magnification.

I still can't understand why you guys (you know who you are) even need 10X scopes on big game hunting rifles??? My most used rifle these days has a 1.5 x 6 on it.

You loose a "lot" of field of view with those big scopes, your carrying around a lot of extra weight and many hunters try to use them for binoc's. I think the biggest scope i've ever had on a "serious" hunting rifle is 2.5 x 8 and it's served me well. Another thing, those heavy scopes make the rifle "top heavy" and harder to carry.

Those of you that like to read about the "old time hunters", keep in mind most of them figured you never needed over a 4x, and they didn't.

I'm not telling you to sell it, i'm just saying that a 2x7, or maybe a 2.5x8 Leupold would be all i'd ever need on that rifle for the rest of my life...

Drilling Man

I agree completely with the Stubbley One - andwould also recommend you trade you for a lower powered one -maybe getsome cash for the difference.

DM, some of us hunt in florida where we need the bigger scopes to see our little'r deer...lmao

Some of us out here may use rifles for more than just hunting deer. Your 7-08 may work well for you in the off-season as a varmint gun as well, in which case, 10x or more is not a hinderance, but a help. The more frequently you use your rifle, the better you will become with it and your scope combination. Use what you like, and become comfortable with it.

Telescopic sights for rifles are altogether more complex than binoculars, but at least there is only one tube containing the glass elements! Again there are two types to choose from, the fixed power or the variable power (zoom). For the sporting stalker with no pressure on achieving the cull, a fixed power ‘scope will fill all his needs and a 6x42 will be ideal for most uses. The high seat specialist would opt for a 8x56 to match his binoculars (it’s no good identifying the cull beast then not being able to see it in an inferior ‘scope). These ‘scopes will allow for accurate shooting out to well in excess of sporting ranges for deer. They will also be the most robust and reliable due to their comparative simplicity. If you doubt this then consider the chosen ‘scope for British army snipers, a 6x42 Schmidt and Bender

I agree with everyone here, that's alot of scope on a whitetail gun. BUT, if it was a real good price, I'd learn to live with it! Good luck and you're gonna love that caliber!