Optics for woods Gun
 

I have a 30.06 BAR and I hunt by tracking and sitting on watch during drives. The shots are usally at moving deer at close range. I have the stock open sights and I want to be more accurate. I would consider a red dot scope, a peep sight, and a low powered scope. I would like a fixed power 2x scope with a large field of view (safari scope) but can't find one. What do ya think? Thanks in advance.

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

Back in the 50's, I switched from iron sights to a 2.5 power scope for brush hunting. I remember how impressed I was the first time I tracked a running deer with it. I recommend a quality low power scope with a WIDE reticle.

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

I would go with some kind of red dot scope. That was you'll have the quick aquisition ability.

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

If I were putting a scope on a woods gun that was capable of long range accuracy, I'd either put a 1-4x, or to extend it's capability, go with a 2-7x.

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

A few people I know including my son and my Uncle use the TruGlow red dot site. My son uses it on his turkey shotgun and my Uncle on his deer shotgun. They all have said good things about it. The base model (no camo and single dot) is very inexpensive. I think it runs right around $50 so you have little to lose in trying one out. The next model up comes with multiple reticles and both a red or green color choice.

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

I have a 2X7 Leupold on my woods gun.
I personally don't think a 2X offers any help??!!

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

Thanks guys, I saw a truglo 2 power red dot that sounds interesting, I have time to decide so I will shop around.

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

A 3x9x40 works just fine, if you know how to use it...Remember to keep both eyes open when looking through the scope, have the eye relief adjusted properly and have it mounted as low as possible...When you throw that rifle to your shoulder, you should be looking through the scope with no adjustment of the head or neck...

Buy a .22 and put one on it and get used to shooting squirrels, deer will be a piece of cake...

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

if i were hunting a deer drive i would get rid of the rifle and just get a 12 gauge with slugs or buckshot. but if you insist on getting a scope i'm 100% sold to Leupold. they are kind of expensive but they are great. their variable x1 is their cheapest scope which i have on a .30-30 and on a .308 which works pretty good. but if you want to drop big bucks look into the variable x3. that's what i have on my .30-06 and i will never switch scopes unless this one gets broken, which then i would buy another one (:

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

I shoot a 3X9X40. Its good. put a tack on your wall and practice pulling the gun up, both eyes open, until you center the cross hairs on the tack EVERYTIME without adjusting. You'll learn quick and wont have any problem finding deer!
-jake

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

I just bought a naw Marlin 30-30 and I put a 4.5X scope on it because most of my shots are close. I love it because I usually set it at 2x but if i need to shoot over 50 yards I am equiped so i dont miss that buck of a life time

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

Wht not a 2x scope>

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

Shooting with two eyes open does not work for me. I am right handed and left eye dominate. I think I'm leaning towards a red dot scope. I agree a slug gun would be a better tool for the job but the bar is what I'm working with.

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

A bar doesn't strike me as a fast woods gun, but if I was using one Iwould put a VXIII on it in 1.75 X 6 power. It has a wide field of view at low power with good light gathering ability and if a longer range shot offered itself you would be in good shape cranking it up. Just don't forget to crank it back down when you are done.

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

Back when I used to hunt withmy Rem 30-06 pump, I used a Redfield Widefield 4X with see-through mounts.;)

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

Good morn. Jeff, I hunt with a rem 06 pump. I love mine. I hunt some thick woods. I have a cheap 3x9 scope. I keep it on 3x and also have see thru mounts. A lot of my shots are iron sites. I'm quicker with the iron sites.
Too bad you didn't have your 06 in Canada[8D]

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

Ever thought about one of the Eotech holographic sights?

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

That was going to be my recommendation!

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

I also hunt with a BAR in 30-06 and deer are often running when I use it. I have a 3x9x40mm Burris Fullfield II scope on it. I had a Leupold VX-I in the same size previously but I didn't like it at all and had to send it into Leupold for repair twice. You can read about it in many of my other threads. The Burris is much much clearer and imo just a great scope. I however, would use see through sights if the deer are going to be mostly running. I wish that's what I had used. I'm tempted to add them but don't want to have to re sight in the rifle.

RE: Optics for woods Gun
 

I put a Bushnell Holosight on an 11/87 sp and it's GREAT under 50 yards. Much past thateven the 3" moa covers alot of target.
Swapped it out for a 2x7 Leopold VX11 shotgun scope. Not a cheap scope but not real expensive but a good gun deserves good glass.