BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[thearmenian53]

i just want to thank you guys on this entire website for helping me purchase my brand spankin new remington 700 xcr! i plan to go hunting this friday so i need a scope asap. i have narrowed my selection down to the nikon buckmaster3-9*40 and the leupold vx2 3-9*40. 1-is the 3-9*40 sufficient for shots up to 150 yards? 2-if yes, which one of these two scopes should i go with, and if neither....can you please give me your suggestions? thanks

[Don Fischer]

Were I you, I'd go with the best 2x7 you can afford. Actually you'll find it on 2x more often than not. If all your doing is 150yd shooting, all you really need is a good 2 3/4x or 4x. Good luck finding either.

I was out shooting a 6.5x55 and a 6.5-06 last weekend. Just plinking. The 6.5x55 has a very old 1-4x Redfield and the 6.5-06 a 3-9 Tasco World Class, older one. Both scopes were kept on 4x and I was able to make hit's on targets at much farther ranges than I'd shoot at game, way beyond 150yds.

If your shooting at 150yds, the field of view of a low power scope will help you get on target much faster and the lower power will gather much more light making shooting early and late much easier. When I run out of light even with a 4x scope, I still have plenty of light thru my 1-4x and 2 3/4x scopes. Also thru my 3-9x if I keep the power ring turned down to 3x.

The idea today is to set up a rifle for the biggest game you may encounter and the longest shot you might take. Then many people go out with more cartridge than they shoot well and way to much scope. 30-06 is a good choice but no hunting rifle needs a 3-9x scope. With many rifles, the size of a 3-9x detracts from the handling qualities. Whats more important in a hunting rifle, being able to see a dime at 200yds or being able to hit a silver dollar? Hint, hitting the silver dollar.

Good luck!

[Hammer1]

I don't think you could go wrong with the Leupold. No experience with the Nikon.

Personaly I like Bushnell as I have a 3 -9 X 40 & a 3-9 x50

Make sure you get a good set of mounts/rings for whatever you choose :D

[thearmenian53]

thanks for the quick replies....i have just a few more questions...if i want to take a shot at 300 yards what power would be sufficient 3-9 or 4-12? thanks again

[Hammer1]

Here is a link
for"How to choose a rifle scope"
http://www.opticsplanet.net/ho.....scope.html

read every word of the page with special attention to " Choosing a Magnification range "
If you need further clarification, Post Back, and you'll get the help you need for sure. :thumbsup1:

[Don Fischer]

thanks for the quick replies....i have just a few more questions...if i want to take a shot at 300 yards what power would be sufficient 3-9 or 4-12? thanks again
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Your problem at 300 yds won't be seeing the deer, it will be hitting the deer. A straight 2 3/4x will do if you do your part. You probally won't find one so I'd grab a good 2-7x. Then I'd go find a place where I could practice at 300yds and plink beyond. You sure got from 150yds to 300yds fast! If ya want to know what it'll take at 400 yds, I ain't telling ya!

[ChesterGolf]

I have the exact Leupold you are looking at and I can tell you that you will not be disappointed in it. As far as range for that scope... you can use that scope for all ranges that you SHOULD be shooting at a game animal. #-9 is all anybody needs and then some. Mine stays on 3-5x 90% of the time.

[thearmenian53]

thank you very much sir. i needed that extra boost of confidence from someone who has that same one. my brother just bought em off ebay...one for me and one for him. thanks for your help

[WesternHunter]

Leupold 2-7X33mm is plenty powerful for hunting. Set at 5X you'll actually have the best combination for optimal magnification for big game and the maximum brightness for 33mm Objective lense.

[Hammer1]

Well I got to disagree:
The maxinum brightness(relativebrightnes) is determined by dividing the magnification into the objective lens diameter The higher the # the brighter.
Always leave you scope set on the lowest magnification. If game is far enough away that you need higher magnification, you'll have time to turn it up.
If you have your scope set at a higher magnification and game appears relatively close, you'll have a harder time picking it up in the scope.
A simple test is set your scope at a high manification and quickly find a target at 30-40 yards. Now try it at the lowest
More than once a hunter forgets to turn his scope back to a lower setting and ended up missing an oppurtunity later.

[67L48]

I have a Leupold Vari-X III 3-9x on my .30-06. I like having the top end. I don't think you'll do much hunting with your scope set to 2x or 3x. So, other than saving a few $, why not increase to a 9x top end?

I usually walk around with my scope at 5 or 6x. I like knowing that I can go up to 9x if I want to.

My brother has a Nikon Monarch scope and it's pretty nice. I think my Leupold is nicer and has better light transmission. I can use my scope with no problems right up to the edge of night/dusk.

Leupold has a great warranty with operations in Oregon. The Nikon might be nice too, but you absolutely cannot go wrong with Leupold.

[thearmenian53]

yea ... i asked around quite a bit ... from friends to outdoor shops to this forum and everyone seemed to be very very happy with the leupold company so i just bought that one. thanks for all of your comments.