Scope suggestions for 35 whelen
- Thread starter Waterfowler
- Start date
I have a fixed 3x Leupold on my 9.3mm. More than enough power for moose, and never on the wrong magnification. I took a coyote with it at 200 yds last week, and have to say it looked pretty tiny in the eyepiece. That got me thinking about swapping it out for a 1.5-5x or 1.5-6x VXIII. They would be in the high end of your budget.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
The best scope for the 35 Whelen is the 1-4x Leupold. My personal favourite is the 1.5-5x Leupold, but also I'm a fan of the 366 Wagner. The Whelen isn't as good as the Wagner, thus it gets the VX2, not the VX3. No sense elevating it above it's station.
lol.....
VX-2 2-7x33 is about as perfect as you can get. Great optics, Nice low profile turrets and mag ring.
If you upped the budget I'd personally go with the VX-3 1.75-6x32. I had one on my M700 classic in 35 Whelen with the #4 reticle, awesome setup.
If you upped the budget I'd personally go with the VX-3 1.75-6x32. I had one on my M700 classic in 35 Whelen with the #4 reticle, awesome setup.
Agreed, except I'd go with the VX3 in 2.5-8x36 as an upgrade. This is what my custom lh Whelen wears. Another great option, which I have on my second lh Whelen, is a Conquest in 3-9x40.
Waterfowler- Love your signature line btw. Isn't it the truth...
If you ever come across a B&L 1 1/2 - 6x for a fair price, don't pass it up.
Wonderfull, flexible, scope for 5 to 500 yards in the real world.
Bright, clear, and tough as nails. 2000 rounds of hot .375's haven't bothered my first one in the slightest.
Not too big or bulky, it's right at home on any med. bore working rifle.
Wonderfull, flexible, scope for 5 to 500 yards in the real world.
Bright, clear, and tough as nails. 2000 rounds of hot .375's haven't bothered my first one in the slightest.
Not too big or bulky, it's right at home on any med. bore working rifle.
Another vote for a 2-7 Leupold or other quality 2-7. You are going to be in the bush lots so an objective lens bigger than 20mm is an advantage. It will gather a little more light. A medium to heavy crosshair would also be desireable. At 2x you will have a wide field of view (over 40 ft @ 100yds). 7x will give you ample magnification for a standing shoot at longer ranges. Carry the scope on 2 x.
In the >$150-$400 range for a MAX ~225 yard moose rifle USED scope, in probable order of cheapest to dearest, GIVEN:
A) you don't (or at least shouldn't), shoot an un-wounded Alces alces at long range, thereby negating the benefits of, or requirement for, high magnification;
B) you're probably in Shield, or at least heavy, dense bush country, resulting in low light levels & the inability to see a long distance (See A above);
C) given A & B, you want a scope with a wide FOV (resulting in a scope having low magnification, due to the principals of optics) & a heavy reticle (so you can differentiate between your reticle and tree branches / twigs)
steel-tube Texas-made Weavers in powers from 1.1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, all with 20 mm objectives (Pros: low mount, resulting in a good cheek weld, Cons: no warranty, inferior glass & coatings, at least compared to Japanese-made L.O.W. B&L glass & coatings)
Bushnell ScopeChief IV 1.5-4.5x20, especially with Command Post reticle (P&C's same as B&L 1.5-4.5x20)
Bushnell ScopeChief IV 1.5-4.5x32, especially with Command Post reticle (P&C's same as B&L 1.5-4.5x32)
Bushnell ScopeChief VI 1.5-4.5x32 (P&C's same as B&L 1.5-4.5x32)
Bushnell ScopeChief VI 1.5-6x20 (P&C's same as B&L 1.5-6x20)
Bausch & Lomb 1.5-4.5x32 (PROS: same pros & cons as 1.5-6x32, except with the added con of only 3x magnification
Bausch & Lomb 1.5-6x32 (PROS: a wee bit brighter than 1.5-6x20 in low light, CONS: not as low a mount possible as same, Thin Duplex reticle)
Bausch & Lomb 1.5-6x20 (PROS: low mount, solid cheek weld, CONS: Thin Duplex reticle)
ZEISS DIATAL (especially with T* coatings) 4x32 with #1 or #4 reticle (Pros: Great reticle & lenses & coatings, CONS: hitting or slightly exceeding your self-imposed price ceiling, rather critical eye-relief, repairs in the Fatherland)
YMMV but I've never been fond of Leupold scopes, at least compared to comparable Bausch & Lombs.
A) you don't (or at least shouldn't), shoot an un-wounded Alces alces at long range, thereby negating the benefits of, or requirement for, high magnification;
B) you're probably in Shield, or at least heavy, dense bush country, resulting in low light levels & the inability to see a long distance (See A above);
C) given A & B, you want a scope with a wide FOV (resulting in a scope having low magnification, due to the principals of optics) & a heavy reticle (so you can differentiate between your reticle and tree branches / twigs)
steel-tube Texas-made Weavers in powers from 1.1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, all with 20 mm objectives (Pros: low mount, resulting in a good cheek weld, Cons: no warranty, inferior glass & coatings, at least compared to Japanese-made L.O.W. B&L glass & coatings)
Bushnell ScopeChief IV 1.5-4.5x20, especially with Command Post reticle (P&C's same as B&L 1.5-4.5x20)
Bushnell ScopeChief IV 1.5-4.5x32, especially with Command Post reticle (P&C's same as B&L 1.5-4.5x32)
Bushnell ScopeChief VI 1.5-4.5x32 (P&C's same as B&L 1.5-4.5x32)
Bushnell ScopeChief VI 1.5-6x20 (P&C's same as B&L 1.5-6x20)
Bausch & Lomb 1.5-4.5x32 (PROS: same pros & cons as 1.5-6x32, except with the added con of only 3x magnification
Bausch & Lomb 1.5-6x32 (PROS: a wee bit brighter than 1.5-6x20 in low light, CONS: not as low a mount possible as same, Thin Duplex reticle)
Bausch & Lomb 1.5-6x20 (PROS: low mount, solid cheek weld, CONS: Thin Duplex reticle)
ZEISS DIATAL (especially with T* coatings) 4x32 with #1 or #4 reticle (Pros: Great reticle & lenses & coatings, CONS: hitting or slightly exceeding your self-imposed price ceiling, rather critical eye-relief, repairs in the Fatherland)
YMMV but I've never been fond of Leupold scopes, at least compared to comparable Bausch & Lombs.
