Sheep Hunters what scopes work best?

Venom 9

Venom 9

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Was just wondering what scopes some actual sheep hunters would suggest? What magnification is the most useful and where do you draw the line over the weight of a scope?


Thanks
 
I use a number of different 3-9x40 size scopes, plenty enough light gathering and I've found I can shoot a long way with 9 power. Not too heavy though. I use Leupold, Zeiss, Swarovski and such but there's lots of good ones.
 
Thanks Matt,
I also have had luck with the usual brands of scopes. I was more curious as to the magnification. What ranges can one expect to shoot from realistically? I have never gone for sheep but It's a fantasy of mine
 
I've used a lot of 3-9x scopes, and they usually stay on 6x. Your shooting skill level will usually dictate shot distances before the magnification on your optics will...
 
I don't do a bunch of sheep hunting. Hard to get tags, but I backpack hunt the rest of my game in foothills, and mountains. The nightforce 2.5-10x24 compact scopes are a bunch of glass in a really small package. Pretty hard to beat.
 
I use the Leupold 2.5-8x36 and the Leupold Canadian 3-9. I wouldn't bother with hubble size scopes in 30mm tubes or 50mm objective lenses....A good 3-9 or so will work good on any shot you should take in the mountains.
 
carbonrod said:
I don't do a bunch of sheep hunting. Hard to get tags, but I backpack hunt the rest of my game in foothills, and mountains. The nightforce 2.5-10x24 compact scopes are a bunch of glass in a really small package. Pretty hard to beat.
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I'd tend to think Nightforce scopes are a bit hefty for most sheep hunter's tastes. That little one you mention weighs a portly 17 oz. :eek: For a scope with no objective bell, that's a lot, IMO.

I don't sheep hunt, but know quite a few guys that do religiously. The Leupold VX3 2.5-8 and 3.5-10 seem popular due to their light weight.
 
Thanks guys,
Pretty much what I thought, reality isn't what you see in magazines or on tv. I've never been a believer of the super long range shots when hunting. I'm not saying that some people can't do it but most of us don't practice enough to confidently make long shots. That includes me.
 
I have the niteforce 2.5-10x32 and when I compare it to my leupold 3.5-10x40 I can't honestly say that it"s worth double the money. Perhaps the Niteforce will be more durable in the end and has a more positive feel to the adjustments, but as far as to look through I find the leupold very good as well. Not trying to start a war here just my opinion.
 
Like I said, I don't think a 3-9x scope will limit the range you shoot at. I've shot a lot of steel and a coyote at over 900 yards with 3-9x scopes. There really is no need for super high-powered scopes unless you're shooting groups on paper or small varmints at really long range.
 
VX-3 2.5-8X36mm as stated by others. Slim, trim with decent magnification.

I noticed a nice older Swarovski 3-9X36 on the EE this morning. It would fit the bill nicely on a mountain rifle.
 
Sheep hunting is different as you can come up on some close and they actually don't scatter like quail but if they spot you from a distance they move off quick.So you need a scope to cover short and long distance. Shot my first sheep and it took over a hour to get to it. Second one was a tad closer to say the least.
 
I have done a lot of sheep hunting, and usually had a Leupold 2-7 on the rifle. Light weight, bright sharp optics, tough as nails, as demonstrated by a few unplanned bounces and slides down the mountains. Never needed more magnification.

One Husqvarna 4100 in 270 Win carried a 3X Leupold, and even that was plenty. My father-in-law used it at 68 yr of age to kill a really big ram at close to 300 yd. I was right beside him, spotting for him with my binos, and he had that ram down with two quick shots. It was the best ram Hassard's outfit took that season.

Ted
 
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I run am4.5-14x40 Leupold with the bc reticle. It's a bit heavier but not that much if you get the new vx3, their 4 ounces lighter than the older vxIII's. I like the extra zoom and the hold over marks. The difference to a lighter scope is really only a couple of rounds of ammo and I sometimes leave the bino's at home to save on weight and use the scope instead then switch to the spotting scope(unloaded rifle of course)
If you ever go look into the effect that angles have on the actual straight line distance and make yourself a little cheat sheet.
 
Never Hunted Sheep - but have backpacked in for goat a few times and primarily hunt on foot for other species in steep country. The best all-around scope i can think of, and the one I always come back to on my rifles is a 2-7x33mm. 10.5oz, very bright, compact, and on 7x i have no magnification concerns inside 400yrds.

.284 said:
and I sometimes leave the bino's at home to save on weight and use the scope instead then switch to the spotting scope(unloaded rifle of course)
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when you scope another hunter from 200yrds+ away, I hope you shouted out ahead of time "don't worry buddy, it's unloaded!"

if I ever catch another hunter scoping me i will personally march across the valley and shove his barrel right up his ass. i hope it's a mountain contour :)

nothing gets my blood boiling more.
 
Knew there would be some comment but Im not "scoping" the hills with it just randomly pointing a rifle at who knows what. That's what a spotting scope is for!! Very nice of you to assume im some jackass ass though. I usually try to find sheep with a spotting scope before I climb up a hill with no reason then if needed keep an eye on them while getting close with my scope. Since it was a sheep type thread I was merely trying to point out some trade offs for weight savings. You might ask for more info before going on to dream up your own scenario and then drawing up your own ridiculous conclusion!
 
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