How much magnification ??/

B

bigsky_songdogs

Active member
wondering how much magnification you NEED to shoot accuratly to 400 yards?????

I usually like higher magnification scopes, but i am looking to replace the scope i took off of my 338. I am thinking any shots would be much less than 400, but just in case i want the ability to shoot accuratly to that distance. also a concern is eye relief and quick target acquistion as i am in big bear country. this gun can see caribou hunting on the open tundra, to moose hunting in thick willows, to brown bear hunting, etc.

I am thinking a Leupy VX3 2.5-8. the low end is good for the thick stuff, and incase i need to put the gun into action fast if i jump an unhappy bear, and moose are big animals so i am wondering if 8 power on the top end would be a comfortable setting?????

lets hear your opinions on it
 
What do you mean by accurately at 400 yards? If you are talking tight groups you are going to need a lot more that the 2.5-8 that you mention, you should be looking at 24x. If you are talking just for hunting and taking game then that scope is fine. I did it for a lot of years with a straight 4x scope.
 
I think you need to define your target size and expectations...As reb8600 asked, are you concerned with tight groups or hitting a specific size kill zone on an animal??

If I've interested in paper target groups, or small varmints at long ranges, I have a 8-32x that normally works well for precision shooting...

For bigger targets (Coyote/Bobcat size), at nominal distances, I love a 4-16x...but for close range, I rely on my 2.8-10x and keep it on the lowest setting...Any distance shooting, I usually have time to crank it up...
 
IIRC,Brad Arnet(brdeano) runs 10x out to 1k on his rifles.

My favorite big game scope is 3.5-10x 40,however I'm not in the bush with the big bears either. I think that 2.5-8 will work well for what you want. My Mtn R in .223AI will shoot sub MOA @ 400 with a 10x scope.
 
no paper punching and no small critters with a 338 win mag for me, sorry i thought i explained it was a hunting rig. accurate to 400 yards meaning the ability to place the bullet where you want it on a big game animal.

thanks
 
I had a VXIII 2.5-8x36 on my 338Wmag for a planned Alaska hunting trip with a friend. It sat nice & low, comfortable for a fairly hard kickin' cartridge. And 8X max was all the scope I thought I'd need to take a wolf, or turned down to throw backup shots into the coastal brownie my friend was after...
The trip fell through, so I sold the .338 and the VXIII now sits on my 7-08. It is a fine little scope, my favorite of any Leupold and should do you just FINE for taking a moose down! Those things are HUGE, so ya don't be needin' a varmint scope to hit one...
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P.S... spend a couple extra bucks & get the threaded Leupy Alumina scope caps to keep your glass safe from those harsh elements until you need 'em...

GOOD LUCK with the moose!!!
 
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Maybe for just a little more magnification and still have the Low end the 2.5-10x36 Nightforce would be a great option also.

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Originally Posted By: bigsky_songdogsno paper punching and no small critters with a 338 win mag for me, sorry i thought i explained it was a hunting rig. accurate to 400 yards meaning the ability to place the bullet where you want it on a big game animal.

thanks

I thought you explained it quite well... a hunting rifle in .338WM !
 
I have a Nitrex TR-2 2-10x50. It has the etched glass EBX reticle. They are now called Weaver Super Slam. They have turrets that are exposed, but you have to pull up on them to turn em. No inadvertent turning! If you want to keep it sleeker, there is a 42mm option. Good price on GREAT glass.

Mine on a m7. I have camo form tape on it until I can afford to dip it!


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Originally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeOriginally Posted By: bigsky_songdogsno paper punching and no small critters with a 338 win mag for me, sorry i thought i explained it was a hunting rig. accurate to 400 yards meaning the ability to place the bullet where you want it on a big game animal.

thanks

I thought you explained it quite well... a hunting rifle in .338WM !

i thought so too Tim, But i dont mind clarifying
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thanks pahntr, thats a nice rig, i actually have a TR2 4-20, and i have a super slam as well. although the glass is great and the mag. range is good too, i dont think i want the turrets on a rifle that spends time in a boat, snowmachine,and atv.
 
8x is more than enough for 400 yards. 4x is where I would run it on big game. 1 power per hundred yards works well as an average for hunting.
 
2.5-10 would be plenty of magnification for hunting purposes. Thats the highest power scope I have on any of my my hunting rifles. The 20x plus scopes are geared for target and long range/small animal type situations for the most part, IMO...
 
Originally Posted By: bigsky_songdogsthanks pahntr, thats a nice rig, i actually have a TR2 4-20, and i have a super slam as well. although the glass is great and the mag. range is good too, i dont think i want the turrets on a rifle that spends time in a boat, snowmachine,and atv.

True enough! In this case, I think the Leupy would be perfect. Also, there are some 2-7x "shotgun" scopes out there that are quite nice. IIRC, the only real differance is longer eye relief and shorter pre-set parallax.


Also, there is a Burris Timberline in 4.5-14x32mm available. I have used a 3-9x version and the glass is quite nice. You could likely go with either and be quite well off for the use/situation you're looking at. I have a friend that uses the 3-9 on his AR. He straps it to a 4wheeler and goes down the way. It holds zero and has done well for him.

Timberline Scopes
 
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I have the Leupold 2.5-8 and its a great scope but in this case I would go with Leup's 1.5-5.Reasons being the lower the better for dangerous game and 5 is plenty enough for any big game.
 
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