$650, what scope would you get for hunting big game?
- Thread starter blackops
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Zeiss Conquest, Nikon Monarch, Bushnell Elite 4200/6500 Leupold VX-3 all of them would be on my short list. What ranges are we talking? For my deer rifles I usually use 3-9 scopes, but I doubt I would be taking shots over 250 yards, 300 max. At the moment, most of my scopes are old and only 32mm objective. About 5 minutes after sunset, you can't see much through the scope (legal shooting time is until 30 minutes after). So I would get a 40-44mm objective
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AR-Joker
Member
My first concern for big game would be something that either had good close range optics or someone over my shoulder. I mean, if your setteling in on a moose 300 yards out, and a black bear walks around the corner, that 4-16 power maxed out at 16 will get you killed. Can you put iron sites on your gun in conjunction with the scope? Big game take big bites.............
JerryM
Member
Leupold VX III in 2.5x8. That is what I have on my .270, and have never found a reason to change. I would not even consider going to a scope on a hunting rifle that was over 3X9. Most of the time mine is set on 4X.
Regards,
Jerry
Regards,
Jerry
wsm
Member
scope
Leupold VX-3! 3.5X10X40. Great scope. Will do it all.
Leupold VX-3! 3.5X10X40. Great scope. Will do it all.
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Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Bushnell
Elite 4200 (2.5 x 10 x 50)
Elite 4200 (2.5 x 10 x 50)
jpwilly
Member
Any good 2-7x32 would do the trick.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The people who have the ability to shoot big game at 500yds don't ask strangers on a message board what scope to buy.
Now, back to reality, where most hunters don't shoot beyond 150yds, what are you specific needs?
Lloyd Smale
Member
with that budget and 500 yards in the picture id probably pick a leupold 3.5x10 or 4.5x14 and if shots were going to be that long id want an ajustable objective or a side focus so the 4.5x14 would probalby get the nod as i dont think the 3.5x10 is available with a focus. Ive got monarchs and 4200s and even a ziess and there all decent scopes that you wouldnt go wrong with but the leupold would be my first choise.
BrocLuno
Member
What HOOfan said.
rbernie
Contributing Member
This quote sounds a bit harsh, but it's a statement borne of reality. If you currently shoot that far already - you know what equipment to get since you've likely already cycled through a bunch of choices and determined what specific things are needed for that sort of shooting. If you don't shoot that far already - you ought not be taking shots at game at that distance.
My 'go-to' optic for most sporting situations is the 1.75x-6x Leupold VXIII. It's rugged, clear, optically sound, has great non-critical eye relief (useful when getting the rifle up in a hurry), and has the most useful range of magnification for most any game hunting needs.
DM~
Member
I have many of the scopes mentioned here, but as my eyes got older, i needed a scope that worked especially well in dim light.
So, i set out to buy an affordable scope that would be the "best" in low light conditions, and after looking through a LOT of scopes, i bought the absolute best one for my eyes,
I put it on my "go to gun" that gets used all year around and i'm VERY happy with my choise, it's what i'd buy again! It was a GREAT buy at $400.00 and you have to love the clarity and long eye relief of the 3x9 Zeiss Conquest!
DM
So, i set out to buy an affordable scope that would be the "best" in low light conditions, and after looking through a LOT of scopes, i bought the absolute best one for my eyes,
I put it on my "go to gun" that gets used all year around and i'm VERY happy with my choise, it's what i'd buy again! It was a GREAT buy at $400.00 and you have to love the clarity and long eye relief of the 3x9 Zeiss Conquest!
DM
If thats not a photoshop i have a crossman with a rocketlauncher on it for cheap.I have many of the scopes mentioned here, but as my eyes got older, i needed a scope that worked especially well in dim light.
So, i set out to buy an affordable scope that would be the "best" in low light conditions, and after looking through a LOT of scopes, i bought the absolute best one for my eyes,
I put it on my "go to gun" that gets used all year around and i'm VERY happy with my choise, it's what i'd buy again! It was a GREAT buy at $400.00 and you have to love the clarity and long eye relief of the 3x9 Zeiss Conquest!
DM
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
That's how scopes get mounted on double rifles.
BADUNAME37
Member
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- Aug 10, 2008
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After trying many a scope over the years, I have come to the conclusion that I will not be at all satisfied by any scope unless it is a Leupold.
Some people like Chevy's and will swear by them, others the same with Ford, and others the same with Dodge.
My decision to like only Leupold comes from much experience with other brands over the years and I have always come back to Leupold. They are pricey, according to some, but they are good for life, in fact, many lives, and their customer service is Second to NONE! I sent one back last year as the parallax adjustment was too hard to turn after 25 years (and not using it at all for ten years prior to my sending it back). Within two weeks, it was back to me in my mailbox, good as new!
Some people like Chevy's and will swear by them, others the same with Ford, and others the same with Dodge.
My decision to like only Leupold comes from much experience with other brands over the years and I have always come back to Leupold. They are pricey, according to some, but they are good for life, in fact, many lives, and their customer service is Second to NONE! I sent one back last year as the parallax adjustment was too hard to turn after 25 years (and not using it at all for ten years prior to my sending it back). Within two weeks, it was back to me in my mailbox, good as new!
Sheepdog1968
Member
Leupold for basically the same reason. I prefer fixed scopes in the range of 2.5x to 4x which is more than enough for ethical hunting distances IMO. Are Leupolds the best? Who knows. They are definately a top tier company that stands behind their product and that's good enough for me. I've always been happy with their scopes.
benellimax4
Member
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I don't believe ethical big game hunting takes place at 500 yds.
DM~
Member
Does it go on an off as easily as my scope does?
And ALWAYS go back to being sighted in like my scope does?
(100 yards, field position)
If so, i may be interested in it...
DM
cal74
Member
Leupold 2.5-8 if it was going on a short action
Leupold 3.5-10x40 with the CDS dial if it was going on a long action
Either of the above fitted with Leupold Alumina Caps
Zeiss Conquests have a lot going for them as well, but aesthetically speaking I think the Leupold looks better and in my opinion there's not enough difference optically to say one is better than the other.
Leupold 3.5-10x40 with the CDS dial if it was going on a long action
Either of the above fitted with Leupold Alumina Caps
Zeiss Conquests have a lot going for them as well, but aesthetically speaking I think the Leupold looks better and in my opinion there's not enough difference optically to say one is better than the other.
I just ordered the Leupold VX-R 3x9x40mm CDS with the illuminated dot to put on my FN XP in .308
Price was just over $500 delivered to my door. I liked the Trij. model but it was twice the price as the Leupold! And I've always had good luck with Leupolds. I chose the the VX-R as I liked the option of an illuminated aiming point for low light situations.
Cheers
CW
Price was just over $500 delivered to my door. I liked the Trij. model but it was twice the price as the Leupold! And I've always had good luck with Leupolds. I chose the the VX-R as I liked the option of an illuminated aiming point for low light situations.
Cheers
CW
Vyacheslav
member
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- 196
and nobody would be able to gain the ability to shoot big game at that distance unless they knew what equipment to buy
craig,here is your reality...i'll shoot 500yds, I will kill at 500yds, that's the last I will speak of that and that's all that needs to be said.
bernie,I currently shoot farther, however that's with my tactical rifle. Obviously the scope for my hunting rifle will be entirely different than my tactical and utilizing a reticle for "holdover" shots (if that's what I decide) will be much different than utilizing exposed knobs (utilizing moa) and holding dead on. Honestly, I've always wondered why you are even a monitor.
Now,I've shot my fair share of scopes, but I just haven't found a "big game" scope that I feel would provide the best opportunity for longer shots (I'll probably never be satisfied and am always looking for improvement). I'm thinking of the B&C reticle in a VX 3 3.5-10X50. I figure the glass to be excellent with a solid reticle system (I don't like many of the reticle systems out there).
I also was thinking of utilizing the CDS system from Loopy due to the fact it's simple. Simply range and if it's 500yds dial to 5. Thing is, I hunt anywhere from 400ft to 9000ft. If I provide my ballistics from the elevation I live, when I go up to 9000ft for a mule deer I fear my dials wouldn't be accurate. I guess I'm in search of the best "system" (optically) to execute cross canyon shots with the best accuracy possible.
Not that I'm looking for 400yd shots or that every opportunity is at 400, but when you're at 9000ft with elevation changes of 4000ft in a couple miles a 400yd shot across a canyon looks pretty damn good. And if it's for a once in a lifetime buck, it would be even better.
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