Low Power Scope Advice Needed.

W

windy

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
I have a new to me 1971 Winchester model 70 in 300 Win Mag and now I need to scope it. I have been looking at some nice scopes that are in the 1x4 power range and was looking for advice from people that have used this power of scope for hunting? I hunt in southern Alberta where shots could range from 25 yards to 300 yards. Is the 1x4 scope adaquite for longer shots on Deer and Elk? I will be using 1inch rings, is there enough light gathering in a 20mm tube for dusk and dawn hunting?
Thanks for any advice?
 
My first new gun was a 300 WinMag and it wore a Leupold Vari X II 3-9x40. I used it for many years and never really felt I needed more or less magnification or light gathering ability. A 36mm objective is really the minimum I'd use for dusk/dawn hunting. You probably wouldn't use the 1 or 2 power setting often on a 300 Winmag anyhow and a 20mm objective will be noticeably darker in low light. There are lots of quality scopes in the 3-9 power range that'll run you around $300 and up new.
 
Windy,

I have used a lot of low-powered, and low-powered variable scopes over the years: Weaver, Bushnell, Leupold, and Kahles. They are good scopes, and have helped put a lot of game in our freezer. Their one common limitation is they are not the best in failing light.

As well, your 300 Win Mag is certainly capable of reaching way out beyond what the 1-4x20 will do. I would suggest something in the 2-7 or 3-9 range with an enlarged objective lens, rather than a straight tube. You will still have wide enough field of view for close shots, bright optics as darkness approaches, and plenty of magnification to take advantage of the trajectory and power of your 300 Mag.

Ted
 
Yes, there is enough light gathering with a 20mm tube for dusk and dawn hunting if you don't go too high in magnification. Divide objective lens size by magnification to discover the size of exit pupil.

4x with a 20mm objective lens gives you an exit pupil of 5mm. If you are over 40 that's probably the maximum dilation of your pupil so that's all the light you can get in your eye. 4x28mm will give you a 7mm exit pupil which is typically the maximum for a young adult. We lose that as we age.

With lower magnification those lens sizes will be giving you more light than your eye can take in to any benefit. Any improvement on these numbers will come from the quality of glass and the coatings which can optimize the clarity of the image.

The other part of the question is whether that is enough magnification for you to take the shots you want to be able to take. Since it's not the scope that takes the shot, it's up to you. Just because the scope makes the target look bigger doesn't mean you shoot any better. Seeing it better will make you more confident, but only practise will justify that confidence. Get more if you want. 3-9x40mm has been the most common configuration for N.American big game hunting for a long time because 3x isn't too much for most of the close opportunities that we get and if 9x doesn't let you see it well enough, it's probably too far for most of us to shoot ethically.
 
Last edited:
I used a 1.5-4.5x32 3200 Bushnell on my muzzleoader once. I figured it would be plenty of magnification for the job, with a nice wide feild of view. It let me down at last light, and I've stuck with 40mm objectives ever since. That's my 2 cents
 
bearkilr said:
He said 25-300 yards. 300 is close range to you?
Click to expand...

300 with a 1-4 is a bit of a stretch if you're looking for a clean kill shot. My statement still stands. Why the cannon? This question goes to anyone who runs such a calibre. There's nothing on the continent that can't be taken with a 308/303/3006/270. If he's into long range hunting(which is a stupid idea, but that's a different topic) then the caliber works but the glass is wrong.

TDC
 
Thanks fro the advice guys. No Im not into long range hunting. I took a White tail last year at 300 yards with my 243. That was definetly at the edge of my comfort zone, and I felt like a bit of a dumb A$$ after even though it was a quick clean kill. I got the 300 mag because it was a beautiful gun and I like recoil (as wierd as that sounds). I will definetly look at some scopes with a larger objective lens then. I am quite happy with the 3x9 by 40 on the 243, but it is nice to hear some opinions on the smaller scopes.
Thanks
Windy
 
windy said:
Thanks fro the advice guys. No Im not into long range hunting. I took a White tail last year at 300 yards with my 243. That was definetly at the edge of my comfort zone, and I felt like a bit of a dumb A$$ after even though it was a quick clean kill. I got the 300 mag because it was a beautiful gun and I like recoil (as wierd as that sounds). I will definetly look at some scopes with a larger objective lens then. I am quite happy with the 3x9 by 40 on the 243, but it is nice to hear some opinions on the smaller scopes.
Thanks
Windy
Click to expand...

My suggestion would be something in the 2-7 range. There are 1-5/6/7/8/10 power optics but they can run a serious dollar. A 2-7 would give you great field of view on the low end and still give you enough mag for longer stabilized shots.

TDC
 
TDC said:
300 with a 1-4 is a bit of a stretch if you're looking for a clean kill shot. My statement still stands. Why the cannon? This question goes to anyone who runs such a calibre. There's nothing on the continent that can't be taken with a 308/303/3006/270. If he's into long range hunting(which is a stupid idea, but that's a different topic) then the caliber works but the glass is wrong.

TDC
Click to expand...

Correct. If you can't handle the recoil of a 300WM and/or don't have the skill for long range shots, it's best to stick with what works, no arguments there.
He was asking opinions on an all around hunting scope for a 300 Winmag, not opinions on your ethics, hence the reason his post is in the optics section.
 
TDC said:
My question is, why do you need such a cannon to drop game at short range with a low power optic? That's akin to a reddot on a mortar.

TDC
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing.

I am going through the same issue right now with a .270 win M70 Carbine.

I think a 2-7 is the best all around option, but I am really attracted to the low power straight tubes for their weight savings and lack of bulk added to the gun.

Might opt for a 1-5 x 32 or 36 instead, but if I ever want to smack a coyote out at 300m I might miss the 2-7.

Another consideration is going to be mounting options on a long action. Even with extension rings a 2-7 doesn't have too much room for eye relief adjustment.

My M70 also has Iron sights which I am not willing to part with, so that ads another obstacle.

So much to consider......
 
Who cares what he wants to shoot for a rifle!!!

Anywho like stated previous the objective lens collects light in relation to magnification, the exit pupil.

Nikon is about the least expensive in low power variables for what you are looking at.

Then the prices go up according to quality.

When it comes to glass, the quality/clarity of glass is more important than magnification.Can't shoot what you can't see.

Now depending on budget you can go over 1K easily , not sure what you are budgeting but I would say anywhere from about $280 to $1200 is the range in which your wants would fall depending on options.

Sightron makes a 1-7 with an illuminated dot and #4 German reticle, and excellent hunting reticle.Not sure on exact price, $700 is a guess from what I have read.

Zeiss makes a 1.2-5 and a 2-8 in the Duralyt line , also with illumination and nice reticles however will be higher priced over 1K for sure.

Advantage of these scopes is wide field of view and easy picture acquisition.

There isn't a "need" to go 3-9 or higher, this is personal preference.Quality of that sight picture is what is critical especially in low light/hunting/field situations.

IN my experience most of my game was shot with a 4X and a 2-7 at varying distances(no I won't go into detail), if you can get your x-hair on the boiler room you will have a game animal down.

Biggest thing is get something that works for YOUR eyes.
 
If you are looking for lightweight and want a tad more magnification look at the leupold ultra light series. Great scopes, really light and may give you that extra little bit you may need, I don't have anything larger than a 2-7 on any of my bigger game rifles, I go higher for my varmint rigs and 1-4 for my bush guns.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom