Calling rifle scope power

B

Bumperman

New member
In the market for a new scope for a calling rifle. I run a Rock River ar 223 with a Nikon Monarch 2x8x32. I love the scopes power range and size, but building another rifle and am looking at other optics. The Leupold 2x10 stands out, but other opinions would be appreciated.
 
Let technology work for you, new technology scopes have 5,6,7,8 and even 10x magnification ranges. They offer wide fields of view and also allow a precise shot at long range or small targets.

IMO 3x18x50mm is what I would chose if I had to pick only one to go anywhere with.

Not sure what your budget is but take a look at the Meopta Optika 6, and I strongly recommend second focal plane.

Do yourself a huge favor and pick out some options and then compare specs like FOV, magnification, Illuminated, etc. and warranty. Settle on that and find something in your budget and enjoy!
 
For me a calling scope is all about FOV. I like a minimum of 40 feet on the bottom end. I have tried 3x on the bottom end but get claustrophobic with the narrow FOV of it. I also have no use for turrets just something to forget to set back between stands. A decent coyote round should be able to hold on fur to 300 and 4x or 6x should easily be good for a coyote sized target.

My go-to scopes on combo guns is the 1-4, on bolts 1.5-6 and my open county rifles wear 2-12 scopes all have 50+ feet of FOV on the bottom end and they stay on the bottom end untill a critter hangs up and more power is needed. It is amazing the number of coyote that have appeared inside 30 yards even in wide open country.
 
I’m with AWS on this one. I like a low power scope and bigger field of view. My favorite is a Leupold VX3 in a 2.5-8x36 that stays on 2.5x about 98% of the time. Also, I like the scope to fit the size/weight of what I want the rifle for, so that eliminates the big objective long range scope from my consideration. I do a lot of wandering the desert when I go calling so light and handy are the main things I’m looking for.

I’m also packing a shotgun for the close up action so having two firearms is very cumbersome as it is, I don’t want something heavy X2.
 
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A lot of the coyotes and cats I have shot with the old 3-9x40 scopes were done with the scope set at 3 to 4 or 6 power. Now I mostly use a lot of fixed 6 power and I have a couple 1-4 power scopes on AR15's.
 
I think the low power with large FOV is solid advice for calling coyotes but I don't follow it with all my coyote guns. I have two 6X-18X, a 5X-20X, a 5.5X-22X and an 8X-32X on guns that I've used while calling coyotes. I normally leave them on the lowest magnification but I've used the max magnification on all of them multiple times to kill coyotes. I just like having the option of the extra magnification because it helps me make more precise shots. I shoot enough that I don't have much trouble quickly acquiring a target in a small FOV scope. I almost always have a shotgun on my lap for moving coyotes that are 40 yards or less. If I had to use my rifle for moving coyotes at close range I'm sure I would occasionally have issues because I didn't have enough FOV.
There are so many good options out there for scopes, you just have to decide what is best for you.
 
I’m like BrianID I have run a couple 6-24, couple 4-16 never had an issue. Now I’m currently running a 3-15 leupold vx5hd which I have had very good luck with. I think the Leica amplus 6 would be a great calling scope, I don’t know what your budget is.
 
Seems as though a lot of guys are into long range hunting. Shots taken well past 300 yards. I can get by with a smaller power because if they are coming my way, let them come.I have a feeling there are more missed shots than hits at those distances but we don't talk about those. So, depending on which class you fall in to, I think that is what will determine the power needed in your optic. Longer ranges probably use/need more power than those that prefer closer shots. But with the glass quality in some of the better optics today, one can get away with lessor power to.
 
2-7 or 2.5-8 is what I use. Sometimes I have to turn the power all the up to 3X.
I ran a Nikon 2-8 for several years and it is a good scope. Killed a Bobcat at 225+yds with the scope set on 3X. Didn't need anymore than that.
 
Weight & ergonomics is a factor for me, and bigger is not better IMO.. Like others have said, FOV is most important & 9x on top end is plenty for longer shots. There is a Bushnell legend Ultra HD (Side parralax) on E-bay now for 125.00.. These are very good scopes for the $$. BTW, this isn't my scope! I thought about buying though.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/185213089809?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
 
I've used high and low they both work. What ever you have or are comfortable with should work fine.
It is nice to have that extra power when they hang up at further ranges though.
 
I've always liked 4x12 and such for years for hunting. BUT give me the high mag now. 6.5x20 or higher. I still kill most of them 150 or less but still have scope on 20. If your good with lower power great but I am going to use highest I can get away with. I like to pick the hair I am shooting at. If one is 60 or less it gets gauged. Different strokes.

Jon
 
Originally Posted By: GCChange your screen name to Mr. Magoo.


Thats pretty funny. My buddy I call with is worse than I am about being on high power for calling. We have a running joke about giving them the big eye cause we just imagine the yote seeing one big eye blinking at them thru the scope.

Jon
 


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