What power scope?
12-25-2002, 09:39 PM
#2
Spike
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gillam MB Canada
Posts: 48
RE: What power scope?
I have used straight 4x's, 2.5x10, 3x9 and straight 6x. My preferance is the 2.5x10 as I like being able to see out at the animals that I'm not going to shoot at. The 2.5x10 also gives me a great look at the animals I'm going to kill.
To answer your question, yes a 4x is enough scope for almost all shooting out to 250 yds, but a variable is more versatile.
Try some of the scopes in the store before you buy. I've gone out the front door of stores and looked down the street before I gave them my money. Also you can compare quality and view before you make a purchase you are stuck with.
Not sure who said it but the statement goes " I'd put a good scope on a poor gun before I'd put a poor scope on a good gun. " or something like that.
Buy the best you can afford and good shooting.
To answer your question, yes a 4x is enough scope for almost all shooting out to 250 yds, but a variable is more versatile.
Try some of the scopes in the store before you buy. I've gone out the front door of stores and looked down the street before I gave them my money. Also you can compare quality and view before you make a purchase you are stuck with.
Not sure who said it but the statement goes " I'd put a good scope on a poor gun before I'd put a poor scope on a good gun. " or something like that.
Buy the best you can afford and good shooting.
12-26-2002, 08:58 AM
#4
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Quitman, Georgia
Posts: 128
RE: What power scope?
Ditto above comments >>> 4X=suitable, but my preference is 3.5X10, or 4x12. I prefer having the option for higher power, because when I hunt deer I am strictly "horn hunting", and the higher power allows me to make sure I want to shoot that particular buck, or pass on him for a bigger one later.
12-26-2002, 01:37 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria VA USA
Posts: 27
RE: What power scope?
Rochelle;
Although I see the merit and the reason behind the advice the others gave you, let me propose a slightly different spin.
I have hunted for years with a 4x fixed, and the more my experience as a hunter, the more I like it. Let me give you a list of reasons.
1) 4x won't handicap you up close and it won't prevent you for shooting out to your limit (which you sensibly placed at 250 yards). So you will never have to fiddle with the zoom ~ your scope will ALWAYS be set to the right setting. All the time.
2) A 4x33 (such as Leupold's) has a magnificent field of view and a generous exit pupil (8mm!) WITHOUT a monstrous front lens (=without the weight and the bulk).
3) Such scope will be lighter. What this means is that it will more likely stay put under recoil (because it has less inertia) and it will help keep your rifle's weight low.
4) You will be able to mount a 4x as low as it is physically possible, resulting in quicker target acquisition. This, coupled with the generous field of view (see point 2) will make this scope very user-friendly under almost any condition.
5) It will remain more "steady" when you shoot. Larger magnification causes you to see your plex wobbling around when you take the shot. Often, this causes you to hesitate while trying to steady the point of aim ~ thus losing precious seconds and (worse!) tensing up even more.
6) It is often a lot cheaper to buy a best-quality fixed scope than a medium-quality variable. Moving parts and additional lenses run up the cost of a scope without giving you any more glass quality. Actually, the more lenses, the less light will be transmitted to your eye (between 2 and 5% even with the best multicoated glass).
7) If you are tempted to evaluate your potential trophy with your rifle-scope, don't ~ use your binocular. Therefore, the additional magnification (beyond 4x) is unnecessary for this purpose.
I know that I am in the definite minority, and these are just my opinions. The current market trend, for one, seems surely to contradict me! However, you will see a lot of old, experienced hands sticking to their 4x, and for good reason.
I guess this is akin to the light-and-fast Vs. heavy-and-slow debate about cartridges. Lots of good reasons behind each position, but ultimately up to you, your tastes and (in case of scopes) your budget!
In friendship,
Tom
Edited by - .333 Nitro Express on 12/26/2002 14:38:18
Although I see the merit and the reason behind the advice the others gave you, let me propose a slightly different spin.
I have hunted for years with a 4x fixed, and the more my experience as a hunter, the more I like it. Let me give you a list of reasons.
1) 4x won't handicap you up close and it won't prevent you for shooting out to your limit (which you sensibly placed at 250 yards). So you will never have to fiddle with the zoom ~ your scope will ALWAYS be set to the right setting. All the time.
2) A 4x33 (such as Leupold's) has a magnificent field of view and a generous exit pupil (8mm!) WITHOUT a monstrous front lens (=without the weight and the bulk).
3) Such scope will be lighter. What this means is that it will more likely stay put under recoil (because it has less inertia) and it will help keep your rifle's weight low.
4) You will be able to mount a 4x as low as it is physically possible, resulting in quicker target acquisition. This, coupled with the generous field of view (see point 2) will make this scope very user-friendly under almost any condition.
5) It will remain more "steady" when you shoot. Larger magnification causes you to see your plex wobbling around when you take the shot. Often, this causes you to hesitate while trying to steady the point of aim ~ thus losing precious seconds and (worse!) tensing up even more.
6) It is often a lot cheaper to buy a best-quality fixed scope than a medium-quality variable. Moving parts and additional lenses run up the cost of a scope without giving you any more glass quality. Actually, the more lenses, the less light will be transmitted to your eye (between 2 and 5% even with the best multicoated glass).
7) If you are tempted to evaluate your potential trophy with your rifle-scope, don't ~ use your binocular. Therefore, the additional magnification (beyond 4x) is unnecessary for this purpose.
I know that I am in the definite minority, and these are just my opinions. The current market trend, for one, seems surely to contradict me! However, you will see a lot of old, experienced hands sticking to their 4x, and for good reason.
I guess this is akin to the light-and-fast Vs. heavy-and-slow debate about cartridges. Lots of good reasons behind each position, but ultimately up to you, your tastes and (in case of scopes) your budget!
In friendship,
Tom
Edited by - .333 Nitro Express on 12/26/2002 14:38:18
12-26-2002, 06:42 PM
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lexington NC USA
Posts: 459
RE: What power scope?
I've been using a 3.5x10 for 8 years. It stays on 3.5 until I need to take a longer shot. Crank it up to 10 and at 250 yards you can tell exactly where you're aiming. You can get a Leupold Vari-x II 3X9X40 for under 300 dollars. Very nice, bright scope for the money.
12-26-2002, 10:48 PM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 3,516
RE: What power scope?
I had a Leupold M8-4x33mm on my JC Higgins Model 51, and it worked great. I killed a 6x6 bull elk with that set up. I have since placed that M8-4x33mm on my Marlin Model 336 30-30. I now have a Pentax Lightseeker II 3x9x43 on my 30-06, and I it also is a good set up. I would go with a varible scope for your 30-06; max. power would be a 3x10. Good luck.
Edited by - handloader1 on 12/26/2002 23:50:18
Edited by - handloader1 on 12/26/2002 23:50:18
12-26-2002, 10:52 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gypsum KS USA
Posts: 1,289
RE: What power scope?
ok, as far as what you need and what you'll like....
need...to 250, I'd say at least a 4x fixed, better would be a 6x fixed or even a 3-9x
like...I like my 4-16x, but I'm looking for another one that would go up to 20x or 25x, but still low enough for shorter shots. The higher you go, the easier it is to pick out what hair you want to hit, but when you go high, you usually lose low powers, so if you get a 20 yrd shot, you might not be able to find your deer, so keep that in mind.
I recommend a 3-9x or a 4-16x, so you'll have enough magnification at long range to make a good shot, and low enough for close ranges to find your quarry.
Screw the 10 ring, keep them in the zero!!!
need...to 250, I'd say at least a 4x fixed, better would be a 6x fixed or even a 3-9x
like...I like my 4-16x, but I'm looking for another one that would go up to 20x or 25x, but still low enough for shorter shots. The higher you go, the easier it is to pick out what hair you want to hit, but when you go high, you usually lose low powers, so if you get a 20 yrd shot, you might not be able to find your deer, so keep that in mind.
I recommend a 3-9x or a 4-16x, so you'll have enough magnification at long range to make a good shot, and low enough for close ranges to find your quarry.
Screw the 10 ring, keep them in the zero!!!
