Sheep Hunting optics

gorky

gorky

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Trying to finalize optics for a sheep hunting rifle.

As I see it, important criteria of the scope could be:

Budget - relatively a non-issue, the scope is the cheap part of the hunt

Ruggedness/durability - better not break that high up the mountain

Magnification - what is a good range to be in, considering that while some shorter shots will present themselves, 300yd + shots are possible and should be even be expected

Back up irons/quick detach scope - most seem to lean away from needing back up irons

Weight - too heavy sucks

Compactness - a variation of weight. 56mm bells on 18 inch scopes might not be the best idea, even if light

Brightness/light gathering - 30mm vs 1in tubes, 24mm to 56mm bells, pick your poison

Illuminated reticle - not sure if necessary. Nice to have, sure. Anyone ever wish they had one on a hunt ?

Reticle type - heavy duplex or fine ? would a ranging reticle negate the need for a rangefinder, saving weight ?

Glass Clarity - duh. Given that budget is not an issue, this should not be a huge issue, as I am not debating between a Tasco and a Bushnell.

Eye Relief - Shooting up and down hill with a scope to close to the old noggin is a recipe for a scope kiss



Right now, I am leaning towards a Nightforce 2.5-10x25, NP-R2 reticle

a_NPR2_reticle_small.gif


The only criteria that this scope seems to violate is weight (bonus points for durability though). This one weighs about 17oz, compared to 13oz for a Leupold 3.5-10x40. Beyond that, it has a ranging and illuminated reticle (both are a bonus, I think), it is rugged as hell, good glass, compact. My big concern is that the magnification is not enough on the high end. Will 10x leave me wanting ?

And why the hell can't NF make a 3.5-15x32 ? Bastards.
 
Leupold VX3 2,5-8x36 with B&C reticle or german 4.
i ll take another spare scope of you can carry it like a fix leupold FX II 4x or 6x ...
and ill get open sights so quick detach will be the way to go at least mine will go that way ...
 
for me it's easy - VX2 2-7x33. light, bright, bombproof, and plenty magnification for 300yrd+ shots.

nothing worse then building an ultra light sheep rifle and plopping heavy glass on top. destroys the balance.
 
I think the Nightforce 2.5-10x25 is a great choice. I would go Mil adjustments and Mildot reticle though- but that’s personal preference. Personally, I don’t know anyone that would choose a Leupold over a NF given the choice.

I would also look at Schmidt & Bender’s Precision Hunters and even the low magnification Police Marksman models.

You could also build a custom scope if you went with US Optics.
 
Amphibious said:
for me it's easy - VX2 2-7x33. light, bright, bombproof, and plenty magnification for 300yrd+ shots.

nothing worse then building an ultra light sheep rifle and plopping heavy glass on top. destroys the balance.
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your and my choice are both on the light side ... if you handle them in the same time you ll never notice a really difference on the weight nor handling but the 2-7 is a 2,5-6x32 while the 2,5-8X36 is really that magnification and can for certain shooters be a different but both are good choice.

all the best.

if you want to go very light a fix 4x or 6x is the way to go.
 
The most important optic for sheep hunting is a binocular. A good one, around 7 or 8 power.
A fixed four pour scope is good.
 
medvedqc said:
your and my choice are both on the light side ... if you handle them in the same time you ll never notice a really difference on the weight nor handling but the 2-7 is a 2,5-6x32 while the 2,5-8X36 is really that magnification and can for certain shooters be a different but both are good choice.

all the best.

if you want to go very light a fix 4x or 6x is the way to go.
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I own every scope you mentioned. a Fixed 4x sits on my goat rifle, soon to be replaced with a 2-7x33.
 
A good set of binos, somewhere around 10x, will be vital.

The scope should be lightweight. This last fall I shot my sheep at 400 yards (I still used a Leica LRF, even though it is another item to carry) with a 3-9x40 scope. I had magnification to spare. I'm putting together a sheep/elk setup right now, and I opted for an FX3 6x42 on this one. I would probably go 6x36, 6x42, or a light 3-9x40 (like the Burris FFII) if I were you.
 
Personally I'd go with a Rapid Z reticle on a sheep rifle. The simpler the better I say. I run a 4.5-14x44. A bit heavy but for the long range stuff magnification is definitely your friend. Constant eye relief is a bonus too.
 
more than binocs you ll need a very good spotting scope ...

i never find the way to use in efficient manner a 10 x power binocs ...

but a very good 7 or 8 binocs plus a very good spotting scope and of course the rifle scope will be helpful ...
 
I'm surprised to see every one using such low power magnification. Last year I used a fixed 10x Bushnell but this year I will be using my new Vortex 6.5-20x44 viper on my sheep rifle. It's low enough magnification for anything close but should have more than enough magnification for anything farther out.
 
I find it intriguing that sheep are vigorously looking for eyeglasses, I'd always thought their eye sight was great.
good figure....

:D

TB
 
I guess it depends on your eyesight a bit as to how much magnification you need. I've made some very long shots with 3-9x40 scopes and have never felt the need for significantly more. I would just say a premium scope in the 3-9x40 neighbourhood. I like the Leupold VX-III in 3.5-10x40, the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 and the Swarovski AV 3-10x42 although the Swaro is a bit heavier. Good binoculars will be crucial as well.
 
flipincanadian said:
I'm surprised to see every one using such low power magnification. Last year I used a fixed 10x Bushnell but this year I will be using my new Vortex 6.5-20x44 viper on my sheep rifle. It's low enough magnification for anything close but should have more than enough magnification for anything farther out.
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not saying that older is better but if you read a lot about Jack O'Connor he used a lot the fix 4x for sheep hunting ... nothing new but if you try a 2-7 at the range you ll be surprise how you can shoot with one ...

put a real life sheep target at 300 yards and you ll be surprise ...

what you need on a sheep hunting rig is not magnification (you re not shooting at dawn or dusk) but during daylight (at least up here : few are going in october in mountains ...) and so you re looking for the lightest you can handle. that give you enough for shooting.
but what works for some maybe not for others.

binocs are important but ill give more on the spotting scope ....
 
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