scope power for deer?

S

skidooracer_99

New member
just wondering what everyone uses for scope power for deer only. is a standard 3-9x40 all you need or is there anyone that uses higher power. im actually interested in a bushnell 4200 2.5-10x40. havent decided if i should go with a 7mm or .30-06 yet. but my area is all wide open and flat fields, and not much for trees. just wondered if i should be using more scope than that or not and what cal would you guys pick?
 
definitely the 7mm would be my choice in caliber. 4x is the old norm in fixed
power so a 2.5x10 will be fine. If you think you are going to make some 400+
yard shots you may want a 3x12. The 12 will let you use it as a monocular as
well. m2c.
 
I have used the 3-9x40 and have killed several deer. But in the last 3 years or so i changed to a 4.5-14x40 leupold vx III just for makeing longer shoots a little easyer. Depends on how far you feel comfortable shooting. Its been a long time since i have had a shot at a deer or coyote less then 150yrds. The last three deer i shot was 380yrds 150yrds 396yrds. I know what my limits are and wont shoot past. You can buy to much scope then there as bad as not enough power. just my 2 cents anything over 15 power is to much for hunting. above 15 there made for more bench rest shooting or PD shooting. hope this helps just my 2 cents worth. It all boils down to what you feel comfortable with and will give you the most confidence. I all ways sight mine in on the highest power and leave it there unless im stalking in the timber then i set it on the lowest setting.
 
Really doesn't matter if you have a good field of view on low power. I use a 2.5 to 10 Simmons AETEC on my 280 Rem mountain rifle and the same scope on a Rem 8mm mag. Both have a 44 foot field of view on low power. That's where I make my limits on any deer/elk rifle scope. If it has less than a 40 foot field of view it stays on the shops shelf.

Most 1 by 4's 1/5's by 5.5's and 2 by 7's will have plenty of field of view and still have plenty of power for long shots.

If your a plains hunter and have the ability to shoot 500 yards plus then you may want more top end power, but usually you give up field of view for that top end power. Here in Idaho where you can have both closely jumped deer and long cross canyon shots the 2.5 to 10 works very well. Unlike ground squirrels and PD's deer are pretty big critters and ultra high power scopes are really not needed.
 
i already have a bushnell 3200 4-12x40 that im not really using to its potential, ist just on a .22lr. i could use that one but i thought 4x might not be low enough for a big animal like a deer. and im not sure if i wanna play around with the a.o. while hunting. see, i really dont know what i should need, i only shoot coyotes now and i use a 4-16x40. its perfect, but their alot smaller targets. moneys not really an issue, i just wanna make sure i get the best of the best for what i need. if more power than 10 isnt needed i think ill pick up a 2.5-10 bushnell 4200.
 
Agree completely with the 4200 2.5-10. Have one on a 270 wsm and that's all I used last year. Takes out coyotes, deer and I shot 4 of the last 5 elk with it. Also have one on a 7mag but it seems to be a safe queen. No need. JMHO
Dave
 
What IDBob said.

High magnification is not "required", don't neglect the low end. Finn Aagaard used to use a fixed 3x on his .375 and shot coyote-sized antelope at 300 yards without a problem. I use fixed 4x scopes and a 2x-7x for deer. 3-9x or 2.5-10x scopes are just fine.

I guess it depends mostly on:

1) what you like and your past experience
2) how and where and what you're hunting
3) how much money do you want to spend
4) how much bulk and weight do you want to add to the gun
 
It's hard to beat a good quality 3X9....even out here in the Eastern Montana plains.But now that i said that,I have to admit my 6.5X06 has a 4X16 on it...just because that was the most suitable scope I had on hand at the time my rifle was built.It shoots so well I don't want to take it off! All my other deer/antelope rifles have 3X9's on them.......
regards
Dana
 


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