WHAT SIZE SCOPE?

H

HMRBLS

New member
I was wondering what size scope I should mount on my .223 for coyote hunting ( primarily in the north east ) ???
I was looking at a 3x9x50.
Any thoughts?
 
The 50mm objective will be great for gathering light...good choice. On most calling stands, you'll want to leave the scope on 3 to 4 power, but it sure would be handy to dial in to 9 power for any longer shots.

In an nutshell, I think that's a good choice.

Tony
 
Instead of looking at just the power of a scope (a 3 by 9 is an excellent choice as Mr Tebbe said) look at the field of view.

A wide field of view on low power makes a scope easier to use. Often you will get a sneaker that get up close. The wider the field of view you have on low power the easier it is to pick up a close shot.

I shot 2 by 7 Leapolds for years just because of this and now use a 2.8 to 10 Simmons AETEC with a 44 foot field of view at 2.8 power for the same reason on my coyote rifle.

A large objective will help gather light for those early morning and late evening shots, but that wide field of view will be the biggest boon you can buy. Most scope adds will give you field of view stats so it's easy to compare them.
 
I agree with Tony,
I think you will be fine, most times you will not take it off 3X. I even use a long eye relief 2 1/2 pwr on one gun. I find Low power makes it easier to pick up your target in the woods.


Harold
MIvarmint
 
Really good advice so far. Many people buy too much magnification that costs them field of view (fov). Too little magnification will rarely cost you an opportunity on a predator but too narrow a fov sure can. I've missed far more opportunities because I had too MUCH magnification especially calling.

If you only road hunt in open country or are primarily a spot and stalk hunter, the magnification won't hurt you. Calling is another matter--even in open country. I took my 4-12x off my coyote rifle this season and put a 2-7X Leupold on it after a number of missed opportunities. I have never been sorry.

Good hunting.
 
I have a 4X12 and I leave it up about 8 all the time. I think it really depends on your style but I have really great target acquisition no matter what the power is so I leave it up plus most of the shots I have had are around 100 yards the yotes around here get called alot most of them won't just come charging in. but a 3X9 will work perfect for yotes. If you are going to do any prarie doggin a 12-16 power scope may be better.
 
good choice, I am switching to a 3-9 power scope next year. I have a 6-18 on my 204 and thought that was what I needed. I was WRONG, go with the 3-9 and you will be happy
 
Another vote for 3 x 9. I have a 4 x 12 Leupold and hunt with it set on 4 or 5 almost all the time. My next scope will be a 3 x 9. Good luck!!
 
Are most of you guys hunting for yotes only? Cause a 3X9 is perfect for that you are right there. But for the prarie dogs and rockchucks a little higher power than 9 is really nice.
 
I use 4.5 to 14s (leupold)on all of my dedicated calling rifles. I have never thought i ever needed less or more scope power. A 3.5 to 10 would be my second choice.
 
I have written this many many times over the years. I am an absolute believer in a 3x9 scope. You get a fairly wide field of view at the lower scope settings and on 9 power you have enough magnification to see a coyote at 223 ranges. Besides that, the 3x9 is probaly the best bang for your buck due to the popularity of 3x9 scopes in general.
The 50mm lens should suck in enough light for any calling ssituation.
I am even more set on my belief that an AO does not belong on a coyote calling rifle, especially for a new caller. You just don't need the hassle of an AO scope. Disclaimer: There are some big country calling situations where more power is needed and an AO can be used effectively. I can assure you of this, you will not miss a coyote due to the parralax adjustment on a non-AO scope, you very likely will miss at least one that is directly attributed to an AO.
 
A 3 X 9 won't be as much fun on p-dogs, but scopes are easy to change out. I use a lower power scope for everyday, and change to a 24X or 32X for p-dogs or long range shooting.
 
I'm in the low power, big FOV group and use 1x4X scopes even 1x3X and I've only cranked it to 4x once this season.

One thought, a 50mm objective won't do you a lot of good if you don't have the lenses and coatings to back it up. A good 3x9x38mm with fully multi-coated lens will be a much better scope than one with a 50mm objective and only a single coating on the surfaces exposed to the air(cheapy). Plus you have to mount them so high that shooting the rifle accurately can be a problem if you don't build up the comb also.

AWS
 
I use a 4-16X50 for what I consider a multi purpose scope. I really like having the higher magnification for target shooting which I tend to do alot of. When Im hunting it stays on 4 which still allows plenty of eye relief and it's not much more magnified than a 3x. If I used it for nothing other than hunting I would go with a 3x9.
 
I just put a 1.5-6x40 on my AR. I think this will be a great scope for a calling gun. It also has a lighted dot in the cross hairs for low light conditions. The only thing I noticed was I had to mount the scope pretty low on the gun to get enough adjustment up and down to zero it at 100yrds. I think if I raise the mounts and put shims in the back ring it might be ok also. Anyone had to do this with a scope?
 
Back
Top