25-06 coyote scope decision

hansol

hansol

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Hey there,

I took the Stevens to the range the other day; she shot alright, but I ran out of ammo before I could really test her out. That being said, I really felt I was limited by the optics that I had mounted on her. I know I had said I wanted the stevens to be a beater truck gun, but I don't want to waste time working up loads and testing accuracy when the optics I'm testing with are garbage...

So that being said, what I've looked at so far are the weaver scopes, as well as a few of the leupold rifleman, VXI and VXII scopes (don't have enough coin for the VXIII series). One that really took my fancy was the FXII fixed 6x36, but I wasn't sure if that would be decent enough for long shots on coyotes. Weaver sells a fixed 15x, and while that would be perfect for long range and target shooting, I think I would have troubles on the closer shots.

Anyways, if anyone has experience with the FXII for whacking coyotes, or wants to chime in on what they have on their rig, please let me know your experiences.

Thanks very much -Cameron
 
Ive shot coyote at 310 or 330 yards last year with a 6x (FXIII 6x42). It's not ideal, but it can work if you can shoot.

I'm not sure what you're using now, but I would take a look at a Elite 3200 3-9x40 or 4-12x40 or a Leupold VXI 3-9x40
 
Throw a VX2 3-9x40 and go kill some coyotes if you're dead set on Leupold. 3x is good for those real close shots and 9x is plenty power out past 400 yards if you choose to shoot that far. If you love 6x...well you can just leave it there but you have more options then just a straight 6 power.
Lots of great deals on 3-9x40's. Id personally grab a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 used on the forum here, Ive seen some great prices on them here and they're better glass then Leupold ;)

Cheers!!
 
well don't laugh, but right now I have the 3x9 bushnell banner on it that I had sitting in the back of my gun parts collection....

I'm not "set" on anything. Basically just looking for some decent glass that will let me make shots at 400 yards. Clarity is important, but I know that you get what you pay for as well. Unfortunately I don't have the cash for swaro's or kahles or zeiss, so I gotta make do with the "lower" end for now.

I was taking a gamble that the glass Leupold uses in the fixed 6's would be "better" than the variable powers, but that being said I'm an idiot, and will admit that I have no experience to back up that statement. Hence me looking for other peoples' experiences.

Any thoughts on the VXI 4x12s?

Anyways thanks for all the opinions so far. Cheers -Cameron
 
if I can shoot <1" groups at 100yrds with my rifles when equiped with a 6x scope, I don't think you shouldn't have much trouble on coyote size targets.

no scope will "let you make shots to 400yrds"
 
no scope will "let you make shots to 400yrds"
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Nope, but there are lots that will assist you.


Since the entire coyote isn't the target, your comments seem a bit misguided. By your logic, the larger the animal the smaller maginification you need? Kill zone on a coyote is pretty small.
 
Your Stevens will shoot better than a beater truck gun. Put on a Leupold VX1 or VX2 or Elite Series in 3-9X40. If you know how to shoot, none of those coyotes should stand around under 300 yards and feel safe:D
 
I just picked up an Elite 3200 3-9X40. I'd say for the price they go for used on this board (150-200) there well worth it. I compared it to a VXIII 3.5-10 and I mean its not in the same ballpark but I wouldn't hesitate to use it. In fact I just put it on my primary big game gun...
 
Unless the retailers have uped the price in the last week, you should be able to get a new 3200 elite 3-9X40 for about $214.95. Good scope!
 
In your price range take a long look at the VX11 3-9. It's a lot of scope for the money, about the equal of a Vari-X 111 from just a few years ago. I've got a FX111 6X which constantly suprises me every time I look through it. Fixed scopes usually are just a bit better optically than their approximate counter-part in a variable, due to the simpler construction and there being less compromises to make. The Leupold 6Xs are so rediculously user friendly, that it's hard to do anything wrong with them. I still like my variables though, and for calling I wouldn't use anything else.
My favorite coyote rig has a VX111 4.5-14 LR with B&C reticle, but my Middlested wears a 6.5-20 VX111 LR.
 
I'm not normally a large scope kinda guy, but in certain circumstances I definitely accept that there is a need. In saying that I don't think that adjustable objectives belong on hunting rifles; there is just too much to go wrong. I've always thought that the Weaver 2-10X38MM would be the perfect scope for long range hunting. Not so big that it is cumbersome, a high enough power that if you can't see it clearly, you shouldn't be shooting at it. And a very nice low power for when your wandering through the thick stuff.
Mike
 
mike shickele said:
I'm not normally a large scope kinda guy, but in certain circumstances I definitely accept that there is a need. In saying that I don't think that adjustable objectives belong on hunting rifles; there is just too much to go wrong. I've always thought that the Weaver 2-10X38MM would be the perfect scope for long range hunting. Not so big that it is cumbersome, a high enough power that if you can't see it clearly, you shouldn't be shooting at it. And a very nice low power for when your wandering through the thick stuff.
Mike
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What's there to go wrong with an adjustable AO?
 
There is nothing to go wrong with an adjustable AO.......except maybe the adjuster:D That is the person doing the adjusting:D AO is a personal preference.
 
It looks like I can get a pretty good price on a bushnell 4200 3x9, how do the weaver 2x10 variables stack up in comparison?

Also, I tend to be hard on equipment (just like the Corb Lund song), so how do these scopes handle abuse? I've heard stories of the bushnells getting knocked and losing zero...
 
how do the weaver 2x10 variables stack up in comparison?
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They don't!

4200 is a very solid scope and losing zero would be more a function of the rings and mounts rather than the scope.
 
sheephunter said:
Nope, but there are lots that will assist you.


Since the entire coyote isn't the target, your comments seem a bit misguided. By your logic, the larger the animal the smaller maginification you need? Kill zone on a coyote is pretty small.
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Larger animal = larger kill zone = larger target. I don't see a problem with this logic.

it's a .25-06. he loads an BT/Vmax and hits a dog anywhere forward of center and it'll pancake.

high magnification is grossly overrated on a field rifle.
 
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Amphibious said:
Larger animal = larger kill zone = bigger target. I don't see a problem with this logic.
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The problem with that logic is that we were discussing long range shots and while you may be be able to print a one-inch group at 100 yards, that doesn't translate into a 4" group at 400 yards. You need high magnification to accurately pick a POA at long ranges. I can shoot a 1.5 inch group at 100 yards with open sights but that doesn't translate to a dead coyote at 400 yards.....or a dead elephant for that matter.

At 400 yards the crosshairs on a standard 6x scope would be covering about a minute of coyote.
 
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Disagree with me if you wish, but any mechanical part runs the possibility of failing, and the more parts that a scope has, the more prone to failure it is. Tactical scopes didn't have adjustable objectives for years; ever wonder why? The tactical scopes that have adjustable objectives now are all well over $1000.00; ever wonder why?
The weaver scopes are very clear. The 2.5-7X that I have on my rimfire is clearer than either of my Leupoulds.
Mike
 
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