Scope for hunting out west.?

[marchx]

For longer shots there is not enough magnification. Try shooting 1MOA target at 500m with x10 magnification off shooting sticks. 5-25 is standard today. I think minimum magnification around 4-6 for a hunting scope is nice for wide field of view. The maximum magnification- sky is the limit. If you have money go 30-36. I do hunt up to 300m and I usually go with meopta 4.5-30.

 

[L.Sherm]

What is such a thing as to much? asking for a friend.
I won't even do load development with a 10 or 12 power scope let alone hunt.
I haven't saw a 10 or 12 x scope on a rifle with people I hunt or live around in years.

 

[L.Sherm]

I dont know its got to be around 20 years ago I bought a 5-20 Huskema scope when Aaron Davidson was there he actually helped me set up the turret, graduated from a Leupy 3x9 and never looked back the same scope is on a 6 Creed currently planing on do some speed goat hunting with soon.

 

[std7mag]

Personally, I'd use the same scope for western hunting that I use here in the east.

While, yes I do hunt in woods with shots/visibility limited to about 125 yards or less. I also do a lot of my hunting over some fields and on gas/power lines.
Opportunities can be from contact to 1,500 yards+.

Power range for my optics is typically in the 4-12 to 4-20 range.

Budget and weight have been my biggest hurdles.

Sightron has been one of my go to's for a number of years.

But for the past few years, I've been buying the Crimson Trace Hardline series.
Good glass! Good fit and finish. Reliable tracking. Smooth operation on the controls.
And for the price, they are actually quite the bargain.

 

[Rick300]

Repeating what I said earlier the Leopold VX6HD 3-18 covers all the bases. Light weight, low magnification, high magnification and everything in between. Those that are saying to use low power scopes either aren't old enough to need them or never hunted out west.

 

[ken158]

Don’t think it’s been mentioned yet but I stay away from scopes with AO and side parallax adjustments because it is just something else to deal with that you do not need for a big game scope. A larger objective like 50 - 52 is good for low light conditions which you will appreciate while waiting for that trophy… Also I stay away from fine crosshairs due to being hard to see in dark woods at optimum shooting times. I would think about 12x is all you would ever need which will give ample power for sighting in and long distances. The latest versions of lighted reticles are really nice and I have swapped all my big game scopes to Trijicons.

 

[3-300s]

In my opinion if your shooting 500-600 yards you really need parallax adj and the side adjustment is very fast and easy.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I like the real high powered ones so I can just use the bear spray for the up close and personal encounters.
Seriously though, is it still not very common to have a partition in the chamber or on top of the mag ahead of your long range rounds in case you bust something up close?

 

[kyotekiller25]

I prefer 20-25x magnification out west. All I've used the last 25 years out to 1150 yards.

 

[searcher]

I've swapped my scopes out a LOT, for various reasons. I'm getting less inclined to lug around a scope that weighs a quarter of my rifle weight. But scopes that gather good early and late light which have good magnification typically dictate heavy(er). I have typically used scopes which run up to 25x with 30mm tubes to search into the brush and trees once game is spotted. That is still a great option, whether a higher end Leupold, Swarovski, Nightforce, etc. A few years back, I picked up a 2 x 10 Nightforce Compact scope for one of my rifles that I didn't intend to use much past 300 yards or so. It is a very light (comparatively) scope, offers outstanding glass clarity, 30mm tube, and due to the extraordinary clarity and full use of the 10X setting, would make one think they are using a much higher power scope. I know I'd take it over many higher-end scopes that run to 16X.They might be pricy for a lot of budgets - but they are worth taking a look at if weight and performance are both on the menu.

 

[Bamban]

Thanks everyone, He is leaning towards a Leupold VX5HD, he just has to decide what power level.

Talk him into getting a Nightforce ATACR to complement his custom gun. He will thank you in the long run.

 

[timeout]

The decision has probably long since been made but my choice is currently for sale on this board. https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/leupold-vx-6hd-3-18x44.4158883/#post-39273629
I have a couple of the HD series scopes on hunting rifles. I like the firedot reticle and adjust it to the brightness for the time of day. Dim it down morning and evening, and make it bright in full sun. The alumina covers certainly are way better than plastic covers. I have a few Nightforce NXS scopes and they are good scopes, but my Leupold HD series scopes are much clearer and sharper to my aging eyes. Leupold warranty has always treated me well also.

 

[Tesoro]

LOL! Big flat shooting 7mm magnum to 500 max? 3-10x42 Z3 Swaro duplex for low-light or similar. Zero for mid range at your elevation. 500 yds hold high shoulder, anything less shoot lower. Its an ELK not a squirrel. Quit playing with your dials and hunt, like everyone did in the 70's with 7mags and 3-9 vx2's!

 

[L.Sherm]

. Quit playing with your dials and hunt, like everyone did in the 70's with 7mags and 3-9 vx2's!

Last time I looked it was 2025, retired my model T along time ago.

 

[AWS]

I live out west, hunt up to five states a year, but mostly coyotes. My biggest scope is a 2-12x40, rarely used except for some really open country. Most liked are the 1.5-6x40s and I've taken a liking to the Leupold 1.75-6x32 and Sightrom 1.75-5x32 They fit nicely in my back scabbard for getting back into country. I kill a lot of coyotes out here with 1-4x20 scopes on combo guns also,

I would guess how you hunt would make a difference in what you use. I'd rather carry a lighter rig and get closer than pack a heavy rig and shoot across the canyon.

 

[timeout]

I live out west, hunt up to five states a year, but mostly coyotes. My biggest scope is a 2-12x40, rarely used except for some really open country. Most liked are the 1.5-6x40s and I've taken a liking to the Leupold 1.75-6x32 and Sightrom 1.75-5x32 They fit nicely in my back scabbard for getting back into country. I kill a lot of coyotes out here with 1-4x20 scopes on combo guns also,

I would guess how you hunt would make a difference in what you use. I'd rather carry a lighter rig and get closer than pack a heavy rig and shoot across the canyon.

I'm a midwesterner. Anyway you slice it and dice it, as long as I'm hunting, bring it on. Born to hunt and I'm retired. A bad day hunting beats a good day doing anything else.

 

[Tesoro]

Last time I looked it was 2025, retired my model T along time ago.

Problem is most new elk hunters couldnt shift its gears. They need an auto to do it for them. And under field conditions they be lucky to shoot 3 moa at 500, so dial away lol

 

[L.Sherm]

Problem is if you can't do alot better than 3 MOA any scope isn't gonna do you any good, you just better stay home

 

[Steve Donlon]

NF NX8 4-32X50 will do it all

 

[AWS]

3 MOA will kill every deer or elk if you keep within the limitations of your rifle or your abilities.