Which Scope for Close Whitetail
11-26-2008, 01:32 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location:
Posts: 31
Which Scope for Close Whitetail
I'm looking to pick up a new scope and was wondering what everyone thought about whether I go with a 3-9x40 or a 2.5-8x36. I hunt whitetail only in thick areas where the average shot is about 50 yards but in some areas I can shoot up to 100 yards. Gun will be a 270 or a 7mm-08 and these are the only two scopes I'm considering.
Thanks.
Thanks.
11-26-2008, 02:20 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Clermont Florida U.S.
Posts: 4,970
RE: Which Scope for Close Whitetail
Either is fine. The 3-9 X40 is more common and the 2.5-8 x 36 is likely to be lighter and / or more compact. Depending upon the rifle, one may look and balance better, but both would likely work fine on the calibers mentioned. Just get good glass and you will be good to go. Good luck.
11-27-2008, 07:28 AM
#3
RE: Which Scope for Close Whitetail
I agree... The 3-9x40 is everywhere, and for good reason. It is the #1 most common "do everything" scope for rifles. I have a Bushnell 3-9x40 scope on my old Savage .308 and it is perfect. Set on "3"you can clearly see everything out there at close range. Set on "9" and you can clearly see the exact placement for a shot at a nice buck at 150 yards.
11-27-2008, 10:33 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: central Ky
Posts: 2,867
RE: Which Scope for Close Whitetail
Are you ABSOLUTELY SURE you wouldn't consider a 1.5x-5x? If not,then by all means go with the 2.5x-8x. You won't need much magnfication at all but you'll darn sure need WIDEEE field of view and in that case,less IS better.
11-27-2008, 11:21 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,519
RE: Which Scope for Close Whitetail
I like my 3x9x40mm's and for me I wouldn't want to go any smaller power wise as I often shoot on 9x. I have two of those and one 3x9x32mm. Some buddies like lower powered scopes though and never turn these up past 5x. That's just not how I like my scope but it kind of comes down to personal preference. If it was me for 100 yards I'd get a 3x9x40mm plus they are as said everywhere. At 9 power it does really well at 100 yards. I wouldn't even mind having something with a little more power.
11-28-2008, 03:08 AM
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Plum Boro, PA
Posts: 1,423
RE: Which Scope for Close Whitetail
ORIGINAL: stalkingbear
Are you ABSOLUTELY SURE you wouldn't consider a 1.5x-5x? If not,then by all means go with the 2.5x-8x. You won't need much magnfication at all but you'll darn sure need WIDEEE field of view and in that case,less IS better.
Are you ABSOLUTELY SURE you wouldn't consider a 1.5x-5x? If not,then by all means go with the 2.5x-8x. You won't need much magnfication at all but you'll darn sure need WIDEEE field of view and in that case,less IS better.
11-28-2008, 12:34 PM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: central Ky
Posts: 2,867
RE: Which Scope for Close Whitetail
In the years I've been in this business,I've noticed a trend in LOTS more magnafication in riflescopes. In the past,a good solid 4x scope was all that they needed to shoot deer out to even 300-400 yards. Scopes have improved so now a 4x scope is even better than they used to be,and certainly the deer havn't shrunk. Most of the sob stories I've heard about missing or even not being able to take a shot,besides not using a solid rest,is due to inexperienced hunters using 3x-9x scopes(or even more powerful) and leaving them set on the highest power. It DON'T take a lot of magnafication to cleanly shoot a deer within any reasonable range-if you can't see it clearly with a GOOD 4x-6x scope,or set on those powers,you're just too darn far away or you havn't yet learned what the oldtimers found out the hard way. Since a cheap scope can IN NO WAY offer the quality of glass lenses that a good scope offers,sometimes it is neccesary to turn them up more while attempting to get clarity. As a general rule,everybody knows to always keep variable scopes turned down to lowest setting except when hunting strictly at long range ONLY. When you see a deer at close range or they jump up from bedding,it's a LOT easier to find them in scope in order to take a shot when scope is set at low setting. If you see a deer at longer range,you'll usually have time to turn it up. It makes NO sense whatsoever to deliberately handicap yourself by hunting with a scope set too high-ESPECIALLY at close range.
11-28-2008, 08:39 PM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,519
RE: Which Scope for Close Whitetail
ORIGINAL: stalkingbear
In the years I've been in this business,I've noticed a trend in LOTS more magnafication in riflescopes. In the past,a good solid 4x scope was all that they needed to shoot deer out to even 300-400 yards. Scopes have improved so now a 4x scope is even better than they used to be,and certainly the deer havn't shrunk. Most of the sob stories I've heard about missing or even not being able to take a shot,besides not using a solid rest,is due to inexperienced hunters using 3x-9x scopes(or even more powerful) and leaving them set on the highest power. It DON'T take a lot of magnafication to cleanly shoot a deer within any reasonable range-if you can't see it clearly with a GOOD 4x-6x scope,or set on those powers,you're just too darn far away or you havn't yet learned what the oldtimers found out the hard way. Since a cheap scope can IN NO WAY offer the quality of glass lenses that a good scope offers,sometimes it is neccesary to turn them up more while attempting to get clarity. As a general rule,everybody knows to always keep variable scopes turned down to lowest setting except when hunting strictly at long range ONLY. When you see a deer at close range or they jump up from bedding,it's a LOT easier to find them in scope in order to take a shot when scope is set at low setting. If you see a deer at longer range,you'll usually have time to turn it up. It makes NO sense whatsoever to deliberately handicap yourself by hunting with a scope set too high-ESPECIALLY at close range.
In the years I've been in this business,I've noticed a trend in LOTS more magnafication in riflescopes. In the past,a good solid 4x scope was all that they needed to shoot deer out to even 300-400 yards. Scopes have improved so now a 4x scope is even better than they used to be,and certainly the deer havn't shrunk. Most of the sob stories I've heard about missing or even not being able to take a shot,besides not using a solid rest,is due to inexperienced hunters using 3x-9x scopes(or even more powerful) and leaving them set on the highest power. It DON'T take a lot of magnafication to cleanly shoot a deer within any reasonable range-if you can't see it clearly with a GOOD 4x-6x scope,or set on those powers,you're just too darn far away or you havn't yet learned what the oldtimers found out the hard way. Since a cheap scope can IN NO WAY offer the quality of glass lenses that a good scope offers,sometimes it is neccesary to turn them up more while attempting to get clarity. As a general rule,everybody knows to always keep variable scopes turned down to lowest setting except when hunting strictly at long range ONLY. When you see a deer at close range or they jump up from bedding,it's a LOT easier to find them in scope in order to take a shot when scope is set at low setting. If you see a deer at longer range,you'll usually have time to turn it up. It makes NO sense whatsoever to deliberately handicap yourself by hunting with a scope set too high-ESPECIALLY at close range.
11-29-2008, 11:56 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: central Ky
Posts: 2,867
RE: Which Scope for Close Whitetail
I usually keep all my scopes turned down,even when shooting unless at the range or a long shot presents itself. I totally agree with you on everything except cranking up scope before shooting close range shots.
11-30-2008, 09:01 AM
#10
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Delaware OH USA
Posts: 534
RE: Which Scope for Close Whitetail
Not sure what you are putting this on, but when I hear up to 100 yards, I immediately think dot sight or low power fixed scope. Maybe one of the small diameter dot sight would look and handle right on your rifle.
100 max = 1x or 2x
150 max = 2x - 4x
Just my opinion. I have made lots of 0 - 350 yard shots with a Weaver(1960's era) 4x scope. I made those shots in the 90's.. Dad's rifle. I never felt cheated, but it was all I knew at the time.
100 max = 1x or 2x
150 max = 2x - 4x
Just my opinion. I have made lots of 0 - 350 yard shots with a Weaver(1960's era) 4x scope. I made those shots in the 90's.. Dad's rifle. I never felt cheated, but it was all I knew at the time.
