How much scope to put on a .270 Win rifle

[supermo26]

I have a Sako A7 with a 24 inch barrel in 270 win. I know it's a flat shooting round but I'm not sure how much scope to put on it. I'd like to hunt out to 2 or 300 yards, and would like to try longer shots at paper or toy targets. I'm not sure how much magnification I should be looking at.

My price range is limited to less than $700.00 max. I'v been looking at Vortex, Nikon, and SWFA SS.

I like the BDC reticle. I also like the ideal of being able to dial, in MOA or MIL. I just got the rifle and havent messed with dials other than sighting in a mini 14 with a Tasco 3x9-40 scope.

 

[2506]

For a hunting rifle I prefer a 3-12 with at least a 50mm objective. I prefer a 30mm tube scope also. You need the low power for field of view at closer shots but 12 power is plenty for out to 500 yards on deer size game. Take a look at Leupold, and Meopta. I love my Meopta meostar 3-12X56 30mm tube. Every bit as good glass as my HIGH DOLLAR Zeiss. Check out Bear Bason (SP?) They sell about all scopes and have really good prices. I believe they are in California. I have learned over the years to not skimp on the glass. You can only hit what you can see clearly.

 

[T 700]

You won't go wrong with a Vortex Viper, Great scopes for the money!!
get the 6.5-20x50mm

T 700

 

[stool]

since it is a hunting rifle(yes ??) go with a variable.
i think any meopta is gonna be outside your price range.(900bucks)
nikon is good for the money
luepold is good
30 mm tubes are great.
spend all that money or more....
check used scopes....

 

[ShootDots]

You simply can not go wrong with a Nikon Monarch Gold 2.5-10.. The glass is exceptional, I have never seen a Nikon Monarch series break or lose point of impact hold.. They are excellent scopes.. If Nikon ever got into HIGH POWER variables>>40+power with the correct reticule, I would buy one without hesitation for F-Open.

 

[mattri]

Guess I'll be the voice of dissent on this one.

For a hunting rifle, in 270 Win, at the ranges that you mentioned, I would go with a fixed power in 6x. Awesome options from Leupold or even Weaver and others. 6x is more than enough to shoot sub MOA out to the 200-300 yards that you mentioned, farther really.

There are scopes that will serve you better off the bench, so if that's more of what you'll be doing than that is a consideration but hunting is hunting, not shooting paper. If you have a good 6x scope on an accurate 270 then you easily- easily have a 400 yard killer. In the field you want to eliminate variables, and a fixed power with a good field of view does that.

 

[bheadboy]

+1 on 6x fixed, less to mess with and economical, Leup has a good selection, nothing fancey just good glass and 6x - all you need

Bob

 

[IMMORTAL]

You may also want to check out the Sightron SIII line of scope. Great optics for the $$$.

 

[LHSmith]

+2 on fixed 6x.....allows one to spend extra on better grade optics

 

[dkhunt14]

I would go with a 4.5x14. You have a lower power for moving or brush shots and a higher power to shot smaller objects or longer range. Maybe a Leupold or Sightron S111. You could watch and buy used Leupold on ebay for under that. Good optics and lifetime warranty. The long range target model has target knobs to click for longer range.

 

[stool]

skip the six

 

[AR Shooter]

+1 on the 4.5-14x. I've never felt the need for more than the Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40 on my hunting rifles. (7mm-08 & .300WSM). Some folks like 50mm objectives and 30mm tubes, but not being one who hunts in the dark or at long distances those are expenses that are not justified for me.

 

[tdoyka]

4.5x14x swift with mil dot, lifetime warranty

 

[Todd DuBose]

Seems to be a Big Varible here for a 270 Winchester. I personally find myself getting older at 56 now and cannot see like I used to with Young Eyes so My Choice is a Varible of High Quality. Whatever your pocketbook can afford...The Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 on Amazon can be had for $699.00. These scopes are the New Coming. Great Glass and 30 mm tubes give you plenty of light and the Clarity Leupolds have at twice the cost. I have plenty of High Dollar Scopes from the 8.5-25X50 and 6.5-20X50 Leupolds but the Vortex PST line Scopes are just as good. If you want to get close up and personal, Go with these power settings and start shooting targets smaller and farther than ever before. Now, If you just want to go out there and shoot a Cow Elk in the Ass, Go with the Straight 6X Scope. Just my take on it...

 

[Valar]

I have Leopold 6.5 x20 x50 Simmons etc. to me a 3x9 is a great all round hunting optic. I also Have a Nikon Buckmasters. Nikon has made some of the finest photo optics for years. I am very pleased with there scopes. I really think for hunting purposes they are a excellent value and lifetime warranty.

 

[Rtheurer]

Skip the six. Its not 1977 anymore. Who really has problems with a well made Variable in the field in the last 20 years? (thats 1993). I have not met one person who spent more that $500 on a variable. Cheap $200 stuff yes.

Growing up in the upper mid west where shots can be close to you or as far as youcan shoot, i think a good 3X9 would suit your needs real well. In that area there are so many options it would be hard to choose. Personaly i like Leupolds 4.5X14 series of scopes and have taken game out to 800 yards. ( 796 ) in perfect conditions. Shot out to One mile (1774yds) with that same scope on a steel target. 4.5 power for walkin and Stalkin. 14X for sittin and scopin. Just about perfect for me. If Ihad to sit in a deer stand I might opt for a lower power scope.....Maybe.
Tough question however with as many opinions as readers here.

This one is mine however.
RussT

 

[Mavrick]

With a nice hunting rifle used for a max range of 400 yards(at an unshot animal) a single-power scope is smaller, and makes for a sleeker, easier-carrying rifle. My choice is a 4x with a 1 or 2MOA dot. When you "drop down" on a deer-sized animal, you will, from practice, compare the Lee dot to the animal for your range-estimation.
If the rifle is sighted in...3" high at 100 yards, you'll be able to shoot at anything at or under 300 yards by aiming where you want to hit, and raise the dot a little out to 400.
At 400 yards, a 2 MOA dot displaces 8" and you will have part of the deer above and below the dot. If there isn't silhouette larger than the dot...it's too far. You can do that almost instantly, because you've been practicing...haven't you??? You owe that to the animal you're about to kill.
I do agree that 6x may be better, because you can see the target easier, but I don't believe it's NEEDED. Variables are built as much or more for replacing binoculars.
You use the 3x, 4x or 6x to shoot with and the others to scout with.
The "Tacticool" scopes are fun to play with, and the competitions they're used in, are great to shoot more, but they really don't fit in hunting.
You don't usually don't have time to measure the distances, adjust the scope for trajectory, allow for wind, and squeeze a shot.
This is the reason you've chosen a nice hunting rifle, in a flat-shooting cartridge.
I've played as much as I can with the high-powered scopes, in several long-barreled rifles, with a selection of cartridges from .257 AI, through .264 WinMag to .300 WinMag.
My "all-around" "go-to" hunting rifle right now, is an FN Mauser, .270 AI with 2-7x Widefield scope with fine crosshair reticle, so I don't necessarily follow my own advise, but it's close.
I seldom see "perfect" or even "excellent" conditions, so that's why I put 400 as a max range.
Have fun,
Gene

 

[XTR]

Personally I don't like 50mm objectives on hunting rifles. I spend an inordinate amount of time behind an F-TR rifle with a 50 mounted as low as it will mount and I still need an adjustable cheek rest that sits half way up the bore to get a good cheek weld. On a hunting rifle that puts you up in giraffe neck country. I like my hunting scopes at 42 or 44 on the front bell.

Out to reasonable hunting ranges I wouldn't bother with anything over 14X. My three main hunting scopes are are two 3-9s, and a 4-12. I also have a SWFA SS 5-20 and two NF scopes in 8-32 and 12-42 but none of them will ever go on a hunting rifle, they are all three too bug and to heavy.

I like my hunting scoped to weigh less than 18oz, and you don't need 30mm tubes they don't conduct more light, they only allow more vertical adjustment. That is why the long range tactical stuff is 30mm (or bigger)

I like mil scale hashes on the vertical line for hold overs, windage out to 400 yards is not that much unless you are shooting in a cross wind gale, but you can miss over or under.

My opinions.

 

[Rtheurer]

XTR brings up a great point. The big 50mm + objectives have very litte need or use on a mid range hunting rifle. In fact it can be a complete hinderance if you dont have an adustable cheek piece. I went back and added a picture of my critter getter that replaced an over weight long and gangly Remington Sendero 7mm Rem Mag. Got tired of luggin that thing around for hunting. Built a nice light easy to carry fast handling long or short range Mule deer rifle. Zeroed at 300 yards. Good to go on just about anything close or I can dial it in for a long Range shot if conditions dictate such a scenerio. Either way Im ready and confident. Practice practice practice.

That craze that started in the 90's with the 50mm objectives is still out there... I find it hard to shoot a rifle well that has the scope a halfmile above the bore centerline just so it can clear the barrel. I might be alone on that???? Judging from the elmer fudds buying scopes these days.

Thanks XTR for pointing out that very important aspect of scope purchasing.

RT

 

[mr45man]

On a overcast day/evening with the target in the woods edge
I,ll keep my big 50mm and 56 mm objectives .They suck in
any available light . Going from 42 to 56 MM is only about 1/4" higher
John H.