Hey everyone. I am in the market for a new scope. It will be sitting on top of my Savage model 116. I hunt deer, moose, elk with this gun. I am finding my 3-9x40 leaves me wanting more magnification sometimes so i am considering something up to 24x. Can i get some feedback from guys using this much power for big game? How often do you actually dial it in that far? Would i be better off spending the money on a better 14x scope? Thanks in advance.
24x too much for big game?
- Thread starter jayman_1975
- Start date
I am more concerned with the lowest magnification on a big game scope. I have killed big game to 500 yards with a 10x scope with no problems at all, but more than 3.5x to 4x, can be a real hindrance on a very close range shot.
My last moose was at 5 yards. My 3X was full of moose.
I would not give up low end. A 2-7 is about perfect, in my experience.
I use 24x on target rifles and cannot imagine one in the field, except maybe on golphers or praire dogs.
I would not give up low end. A 2-7 is about perfect, in my experience.
I use 24x on target rifles and cannot imagine one in the field, except maybe on golphers or praire dogs.
I don't know how far you're shooting at these animals but a 3x9 should be plenty for all around shooting,Ive shot coyotes at 500 yrds with a 3x9 from a rest and the coyote sitting or standing,if you go much higher than 9x every little movement is way to exaggerated for a steady shot on game unless your using a rest,and on the higher setting your field of view will be cut way down,my big game rifle scopes don't go past 6x
Thanks guys! I was thinking this might be the response. Maybe its my scope then thats the ptroblem. I have a Bushnel Elite 3200 with DOA reticle. I find that the dots can sometimes cover up alot of the deer at say 250 - 300 yards. I was thinking that maybe more magnification would give me more body to see and therefore be able to hold on the kill zone instead of having the crosshair/dot covering the whole front half of the animal. I gut shot with my 300 last year at 250 yards from my knee using shooting sticks, i was so embarassed.
For any large game at short or long distances, a 3.50-10x50 scope with a B&C reticle will provide with all the scope you can handle. Lots of light, good magnification if required, and capable of quick visual adjustment for targets at distance.
you will see too much movement at 24x- even at 18, you can see your eyes shift as you breathe, even if you hold your breathe- it's almost as though you can see your heartbeats- lots of guys are recommending the 3x9x40, which is all right until you get older, and don't see so well- i played the "oddball " game and went with a 4x12 instead of a 3x9 which, i feel is just that much a better scope, but i did a LOT of OPEN COUNTRY glassing both with rifle and camera- still do- it's just easier to glass with a 12 than a 9 across a valley and so- and a good 4x12 is just about the same weight and size as a 3x9- like the diff between the 308 and the 06- when you need the legs, you've got em
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
Unless you have a dedicated 600 yard+ elk gun, 24x is ridiculously large... Even on one of those, I wouldn't have that much magnification.
I've never felt handicaped by the 2.5x8s.3.5x10 or 3x9s on my rifles.I do have a 4.5x14 on my coyote/antelope rifle but it is not really neccesary.I carry binoculars to look at game,I DON'T use my scope for glassing. Mur
24X and 14X is too much. So is 10X. Higher magnification scopes tend to have a small FOV. Your scope sees about 11.5 ft at 100. The 24 or 14 will be less than that.
Like stubblejumper says, your problem is the reticle. Too big for the kind of hunting you're doing.
Like stubblejumper says, your problem is the reticle. Too big for the kind of hunting you're doing.
It's kind of sarcastic, but also true, so I'll say it: Are you interested in shooting or hunting? Until you can shoot to 200+ yards, under pressure and under field conditions, and have worked yourself up to it with quality gear, don't shoot at game at distance. There are guys who can do it, but there are fewer of them than posts on the internet would suggest. Don't do it until you are really one of those guys. Until you can do pull the long shots off, work on your hunting skills and get close.
The scope didn't cause the gut shot. Your decision to take the shot did.
RG
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If you want more magnification go for the bushnell elite 6500 2.5-16x50. It gives you all the magnification you could ever need while hunting and @2.5 on the low end gives you all the cqb ability for dangerous game. The best of both worlds and not a bad scope either. It really is the best compromise.
I live in SK. Getting to 250yds after the deer have been spooked up real good for a couple months during archery and muzzle loader season is pretty decent hunting, especially considering there is no crop left for cover and we have to wear orange here during rifle season. But i know what you are saying.
