So far I've got Moose hunting in northern Manitoba, and Deer hunting in the south booked with the family. So I suppose the one would be very dense bush, and the later is pretty open.
hey Craif, as I've found over the years. you rifles weight means squat..provided it's balanced evenly... As for optics.. depends on range you're shooting. Under 200yards. 12X is plenty if you can acquire your target quickly. If you're going out 600+ yards.. then there's never enough power.
Lets keep in mind that just because you can identify your target at 600 yards doesn't mean your cartridge and your skill set can make a safe ethical kill at that range. Everyone likes a challenge, and retelling the single shot kill you made at 600 would be a nice topper. But the reality is, few have the skills to make such a shot under pressure of a limited time frame, possible visibility issues, wind, and shooter fatigue.
Lots of magnification is great, if you're not shooting offhand or in dense bush. As the OP posted, he's already booked hunts in two very different types of terrain. That being the case, I suspect he's looking for a more general purpose magnification range to suit both(or more) roles adequately. As I mentioned earlier, I would focus on the low end of the magnification as the priority. Limiting your shots because of lack of magnification is a rare bird. Especially when you factor in your cartridge, the wind, and your ability. Limiting your shots because your low end magnification is still too high, causing tunneling, excessive movement from any position other than prone/supported, is both common and a show stopper. You can't make an honest attempt at a shot when you can't see through the shakes or find the target in the narrow field of view often encountered on optics with relatively high magnification low ends(that was confusing to type). Targets outside your magnification range or nearing its limit are still a possibility if you do your part. In reality, most optics will offer acceptable capability well beyond the cartridge, the shooter, or both.
Personal skill set and cartridge will be the governor on this selection. Be honest with yourself and your ability to spot, identify, and make first round hits on your intended targets at extended range. Only then will you be able to narrow down your selection of magnification ranges. Cost of the optic also plays a role.
Bottom line and my personal opinion. For the cartridge you're running I would stick to an optic that is capable of 500 yard shots or closer(without knowing your skill set). Again, in my opinion, I would look at something that tops out at around 15x with a low end no higher than 4x. There's lots of slection in the 3-15 or 2.5-15 range. If you could find something lower without losing the high end, I say go for it.
TDC
ETA: Keep in mind, a 15x optic makes a 500 yard shot appear(visually) to be a 33 yard shot with the naked eye.
