leupold 6.5-20x40 LR should I upgrade from 4.5-14x40 LR?

[DMS1]

I have a 4.5-14x40 LR on my 223 vtr. Actually I have 2 of them, the one I was planning to keep is at Korth for M1 BDC turrets. Now I have a chance for a decent deal on a 6.5-20. Its almost 2" longer, the weight is about the same. I use the rifle for coyotes, but want to shoot some ground hogs at some further distances. When I hunt, even for running shots I keep my scope on 6x, so losing the low end is not a factor. I guess my only hang up is the extra length. The 4.5-14 is a little more compact, and I like the way it looks. Does anyone have any pics of rifles with 6.5-20x40 or 50mm on them? I would like to see what they look like with a 20" barrel also, since I have cut the muzzle break off my VTR. Pics? Opinions?

Thanks!

 

[Cummins4x4]

I have a 4.5-14x40 on my 204 and a 6.5-20x56 on one of my 223's, both LR's. I find the 14x plenty of mag for any hunting situation. about the only time I use 20x is at the range conditions permitting. Maybe it's me but 20x can be really shakey unless a really solid rest is used. I use the 4.5x a lot more than the 20x. I would stick with your 4.5-14 so theres my 2 cents worth.

 

[Hungry]

I have both the 4.5 x 14 x 50mm TMR LR/T M1 AND the 6.5 x 20 x 50mm TMR LR/T...

Right now I'm using the 4x5 x 14 x 50mm for hunting groundhogs and coyotes. I just love the Mark4 internals for bouncing around the hunting fields for all 4 seasons. No messing around. Nice and somewhat compact... on my M700 SPS .223 with 18.5" factory SPS barrel. Just enough magnification for what we want. I leave it at 10x for groundhog hunting and around lowest power for coyotes (fast shooting if need be).

I like having the 6.5 x 20 x 50mm LR/T Mark4 M1 for Precision Rifle matches. Right now my M700 Remmy has a .308 factory varmint SPS barrel. In the afternoons, I leave the power at 14 or 12x depending on what the mirage is doing! Hardly ever competed at 600m and 800m using 20x.... too much mirage and goofy images.

I hope this helps clarify (pun intended) things up! Enjoy the hunting season coming up... earthpigs...

Cheers,
Barney