Power of the scope

I've shot coyotes from 15-300 yards, and always been around the middle of the adjustment on my 3-9. I've had it cranked up to 9 a couple times to look at something, and it screwed me up because a dog came in close. It's much harder to aquire like that, then it's all fur when you do.

My hunting partner has a theory that a straight fixed 6-power is about perfect in this line of hunting, less chance for anything to go wrong with it, and if you shoot it enough you know the ballistics in relation to the reticle no matter what. I can't say I'd argue much with him.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I'm down to Leupold 3-9x40, and 4-12x40 VX11.

I have been a Leupold fan for a long time. Tried a Simmons Master Aetec 4-14x44, trying to save a few bucks, and was very disappointed. It is going back.
 
One point that has not been mentioned yet on scope selection is the weight of the scope. When I am in the field I prefer a lighter rifle that is easier to carry.

If you look at the weight of a Leupold VX2 3x9x40 is 12oz
Whereas the VX7 3.5x14x50 is 22oz.

If I am going to be doing some hiking (which I often do when I am predator hunting) I want to take a long hard look at what I am carrying and ask myself if I really need it. And in my opinion I don't NEED a scope that weighs almost 2 lbs when that VX2 will do the job 99.9% of the time and weighs much less.
 
I do alot of night hunting under the full moon when it gets really cold. I have a 4x12x50 vx ii and i really appreciate the extra light gathering ability of the 50 mm.
 
For the vast majority of predator hunting situations, I'm going to fall far short of saying "All predator hunting situations", a scope without the fiddle factor and added weight of an AO is preferable. It is very difficult to truly beat the 3x9 or 3x10 scope. Since many many of them are sold you reap the advantage of scale and get a lot of scope for the money. ..... at this point a bunch of guys usually jump in and say, "I just set my AO at 100yards and leave it", if you do that you are defeating the whole purpose of an AO style scope. The focus is rarely good and forget about parralax adjustments. In this situation an AO is a waste of weight and money. That's not saying that someone that uses an AO scope and knows how to use it can't take full advantage of the scope, but let's face it, those guys are rare.
 
I like a higher powered scope for coyote hunting,really hard for me to take a shot a 400 plus yards with any less than 10X and i am to lazy to call them in..usually.
 
OK guys.......... Cut out a coyote silouette. Place this silouette at one hundred yards. Shoot in field positions. Aim behind the shoulder.

Shoot 10 shots at silouette using 9 power, 10 shots at 4 power using all field positions. Kneeling, off sticks, prone, off a tree, off a fence, and (gasp) offhand..........just like the real world.

Post results /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Things "even up" when not shooting little dots, and you automatically hit center mass regardless of power. Can't explain it, but it works on silouettes, but not on dots.

But don't take my word for it. Try it youself.

Thats why the fixed 4x with some heavy crosshairs work so well on called dogs. I find it much easier to aquire a coyote or fox and kill him on low power. Bet you will too.

The huge power for called in dogs baffles me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif I adust my 1.5 x 6 until the barrel is no longer visable (about 2.5x). Kill coyotes easy over 100 yards right there. And I'm old /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

But if I had to choose a fixed 4x would get the nod. I love the fixed power scopes most for one reason...... They are compact and light. I favor the lightest gun I can find, and until my eyes got old, I just shot open sights. Now its glass on my guns and even my bow /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Now if I was sniping dogs at 350 yards, then yes, a 4 x 12 power would be in order.

But killin' dogs bombin' in is easier with low power.
 
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