What size scope is best for deer hunting

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David

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Really thinking about upgrading my current scope to a bigger one. Shooting a browning a bolt 270 wsm, have a leu old 2.5x8x36 vx3 on there, but thinking something bigger will help. Most my shots are 150-300 yards max. Haven't missed yet, but had one last year at 275 and didn't feel good about the shot. What's a good size u guys would recommend. I'm thinking about a 4.5x14x40, think that's overkill?
 
The VX3 2.5-8 is a good scope and the power range is ideal for the ranges you hunt. The 4.5-14 power scopes have parallax adjustments and are cumbersome on a hunting rifle. I would make sure that you have your scope focused properly first before getting a higher power scope.

A scope set at 8x at say 240 yds would be like shooting at a target at 30 yds at 1x. I think your scope may not be focused properly.
 
All my deer hunting guns had 4x14x40 and i love them for long shots i like the 14 power it seems to help my since im about blind anyways
Overall i dont think its overkill
 
I have found 3-9 to be good for me. Most ofthe time when hunting I leave it on 3. If turned up I just don't see enough.
 
Deffinately focused I have 1 on my 300 as well. Gonna get a bigger one and see what I like best, then will make final decision!
 
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in my experience over the last 35 years deer hunting,I would rather have the 2.5-8 as any 4-14 made for deer hunting,,the only gun owned till I was near 30 years old was a Rem 700 25-06 with a straight 6X Redfield scope,I have probably killed at least 15 deer in excess of 400 yards and I never understood what makes people think a bigger scope will help them make a shot at short to medium range,inside 400,that they couldnt make with 9X on the high side.
heck Daddy bought a Win Model 70 300 Win Mag in 1965 and it still has the straight 4x Redfield scope on it,,

if I was in the market for a scope to deer hunt with I would get the scope you have or the 3-9 Ziess Conquest,,if you cant make a 300 yard shot on deer with 8-9X,you need to save the money you are planning on spending on a scope and buy ammo and PRACTICE..

some time some where a 14X scope with an AO will cost you a deer up close in the woods,

heck I do have a couple 4.5-14`s and a 3-15 Weaver Tactical on different Tactical type rifles and I can bang the steel at 1,000 1,200 and even 1,500 yards with those 14 and 15 power scopes,,
 
Most of my older hunting rifles have a 3x9x40. But my more recent ones are topped with a 2x7x35 or so. I've grown to like the smaller scopes and i dont need more power for hunting PH
 
Andy, if I like the bigger one I'm gonna sell the old one. Maybe a month or so until I get new one
 
Something with a low end from 1.5-4 with a high end of 6-12 is all you need for deer hunting. 42 mm or less for the objective diameter.
 
Never found a need for more than 9x around here. In fact, a guy can use a 4x and not be hampered. While prairie dog hunting in SD last year, 12x-15x was plenty for p-dogs all the way out to 700 yards.

Lastly, I always leave my scope on a low powered setting when deer hunting. It's easier to turn up in power for those long shots than to dial down on the close shots. Trying to find a deer in your scope when it's on 6x or higher just plain isn't fun.
 
mr.big said:
some time some where a 14X scope with an AO will cost you a deer up close in the woods,
Click to expand...

Very true! It cost me one in the fog on Thanksgiving morning last year...

I got him that evening though ;)
 
I've been researching this topic for a while now. My interpretation is that the size of scope depends on where you hunt and how comfortable you are with shooting. I hunt in Middle TN where most of my shots will be inside 100 yards and at most 150 yards. I currently have a 3-9x40 which is probably overkill. On the other hand, I also have the opportunity to hunt a 2500 acre property with several open fields and could easily take a 400+ yard shot. On my family's 200 acre farm in North Mississippi, there is a field where deer have been taken out to 270 yards. Not to mention, I hope to someday go out West and take an Elk or Mule deer.

Given my ability to hunt a variety of areas, I think I want my next scope (for my 7mag) to be somewhere in the 4-14x range. It will likely stay on 4x for most of my hunting, but I would have the option to zoom in if a long distance opportunity presents itself.
 
I fact if I had the money to trade them I would put the zeiss on every hunting rifle I own.
 
ive always liked the 3x9x40 range but my best and by far favorite scope i own is my leupold xarix3 3.5x10x50 its extremely clear and id recomed it to anyone its great
 
My eyes arent what they used to be so even though i had just purchased a model 70 in 270wsm 2 yrs ago and topped it with a buckmaster 3x9x40 i was never happy with the magnification. I upgraded to a Monarch 3x12x42 this year and i am thinking this is about perfect for me. I love the magnification at around 10 or 11 on the longer ranges. Cant wait to use it in hunting situations to see if it is the "answer".........
will post more this november.................... :)
 

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