Scope for prarie dog hunts

[NCVarhtr]

Lots of very good scopes out there. I have Nightforce, Swarovsk and Leupold on various rifles. For shooting Prairie Dogs, I like the Sightron Slll in 6-24X50 with the MOA - 2 Reticle...Plenty of power range, good clear optics, tracks perfectly and holds zero consistently. Hard to beat....

 

[searcher]

I like the 30x model of the Sightron III. I like the Nightforce (second only because of price) next, in the 42x NXS. As others said - don't go too low on power - as you can always dial down when you can't use it. I personally would not consider less than 24x as I shoot a lot of small squirrels at pretty good distances. Some guys use a lot less but the more you do it - and the further the distances you wish to shoot at, the more you will want higher powered rigs. Those little guys tend to blend in pretty good - not like looking at targets.

 

[titanxt]

Leupold 8.5-25x50, 30mm, varmint hunters reticle. Been working really well for me.

I agree. I have a couple varmint rifles set up with that scope.

Andy

 

[Ackman]

Recommendations for a scope suited for prarie dog hunting?

At least 6-20x for pd's. A 6-24 is better, and up to 32x (or more) is better still. Put a brake on all your guns, even the .223, and you'll really enjoy having 32x available. That's not too much power and it's entirely usable. Despite what some would tell you, you'll find yourself using it a lot. The whole fun of shooting those things is in the view, seeing the explosion. With a brake that .223 will sit nice and still and you can crank up the power. The larger guns, even braked, to get a good view they'll need a heavy barrel (or a weighted stock) to keep the muzzle down with high magnification.

 

[swampshooter]

Another vote for 6.5-20x Leupold. I have a pair mounted on my primary dog rifles. A 204 and a 223AI, I have a 6.5-20X Nikon on my 243. They all work fine for me. I don't normally shoot at over 500 or 600 yds. though. The vast majority of my shooting is 200-350 yds. The Nikon is as cheap as I would go though. I've tried Simmons, etc. They are sub-standard.

 

[lightman]

I've used 3.5-10 and 6.5-20 Leupolds and 3.5-15 and 5.5-22 NF, mostly with a Mildot. In Texas and Oklahoma, the mirage can get pretty bad in the afternoon and anything over 10 or 12x is hard to shoot. In the mornings its nice to be able to crank it up to 20x and make those longer shots.

 

[STRSRLVR]

I really like my Nightforces. All are NSX with NP-R1 reticles. The 1 moa marks really help if you need to quickly adjust without clicking. The 5.5-22 works most of the time but the 8-32 or 12-42 really shine on really long shots. Just my 2 cents. The Vortex PST with the moa reticle and second focal plane are a nice lower priced alternative.

 

[sparky123321]

I like a Sightron SIII 10-50x60mm. Reasonably priced and very good optics. My shots where from 300-800+ yards. I was shooting a .204 Ruger and a .243 win. Obviously, the .243 was used for most of the longer distances. Nice to be able to see your rounds hit, more so if its dry, and not have to rely on a spotter to walk your rounds in as you engage targets at different distance.

 

[CSM19Z5M]

I have a 6.5X20X50 Leupold and a 8.5X25X50 Leupold, both with side focus and shades on my heavy barrel varmint rigs. Both have varmint reticles. They allow long shots but you can dial back when the mirage gets bad. Good tough scopes at reasonable prices and great warranty's. And if you get tired of a particular reticle the company will change it for you at low cost.

 

[Dan Hall]

Another vote for the 6-24 range of power. 6.5-20x40 or 50mm is my favorite wether it’s a Leupold or Sightron or Zeiss. They all work well for me and I haven’t seen the need to go to 30mm for P.D.s The Zeiss Conquest is about to be my go to model after spending some time with one this last year in Montana. The eye relief is perfect and the adjustments are spot on.

 

[GrocMax]

Strong preference for grid style FFP's, lowest of 4x to 6x, I only use 20+x for ranging or spotting, most often shoot from 8x-12x. Dim light capabilities is a plus for me, where we go some of the best shooting is at twilight. We also take a lot of shots in short succession, no spotter, which is where a grid FFP shines. Can't always line up with the wind, gotta hit 'em when ya can.

 

[stretch257]

I just found my new scope. No idea when I will find one but Sightron just gave me a reticle similar to what I have been looking for in the siii series with the new lrmoa-h.
We used to be able to get exactly what we wanted from Premier, power and reticle at a good price. Now we spend a lot more and only get the powers we want and what they have deemed what we want in reticles.

 

[GrocMax]

On the right track, too bad it isn't FFP.

 

[stretch257]

Yeah the only down fall. But I figure I can set it and forget it. I have hunted for 7 or 8 years with a 36br Leupold on one rifle with out a problem I figure the 8-32 on 32 will be the same. It would be a nice to get something similar on the March ffp scopes or something like a Nightforce velocity in one.

 

[swampshooter]

I really like the Leupold 6-20x with varmint hunting reticles. I have two of them on my primary rifles, 204 & 243. I have a 6-20X Nikon on my 223AI which is O.K. not as good as the Leupolds but IIRC cost was $500.00 less. I have an old Weaver 10x on my 22 Hornet that I use for a truck gun. I am almost never able to use more than 16X. I have fast twist on my 204 and 243 so I can take advantage of higher BC bullets but still very rarely go over 14 or 16X.

 

[Tommie]

Always buy a variable for PDs. Never buy to little
top end power. You cant dial up, if its not there.
8-32 being the most power for most brands under
$1K.

There is absolutely nothing wrong w/one inch
tube VariX III Leupold 8.5-25x40, 6.5-20x40 or Sightron SII
Big Sky in 6-24X50. The only downer I found in the
one inch tube, the eye relief was more critical than a 30MM
tube. The 8-32 SIII Sightron is a killer scope.

As far as a 50MM obj, its only value is gathering light
in dim conditions, which is usually not present in a PD field
The objective size has nothing to do w/field of view, power
determines that. Paying extra money for anything over 40MM
on a one tube PD scope is not worth while. 30MM tubes come w/
50MM or greater objectives to feed light to the bigger main tube.

Stick w/well known brands that have good reviews. Buying
brand X scope because of the price, is a waste of good money. LDS

100% agreed

 

[webfoot56]

agree with just about everything said here but if starting out and using a 222 or 223 you really do not need a 20x plus scope save your self some cash and buy more ammo or reloading components. A 4-16x scope will do nicely on those calibers. If using a 22-250,204 ruger, or 220 swift buy a 20x-24x power. But above all purchase the absolute best optics you can afford Zeiss,leupold,burris weaver. I am partial to elite 4200,weaver grand slam.

 

[CSM19Z5M]

My varmint rifles all have Leupold variable scopes of 20X and 25X with side focus and varmint reticles. Dial them back when the mirage gets bad. Can't beat the Leupold warranty and they will customize your reticle if you decide you want to change down the road. Tough scopes too.

 

[elkhunter7x6]

Leupold 8.5-25x50 with varmit reticle works well for me.

 

[K redden]

One more for the 8.5-25x50 leupold. I liked the first one so much I bought another. Both with varmint plex.