I have a fixed 4x on my 7x57, a 1.5-5x on my 9.3mm, and a 2-7x on the .30/06. I had a 3-9x at one point, but it spent most of it's time on 3x. I find 3 to 4x a good compromise between field of view for close shots and ease of aiming for long ones. My longest shot to date was 200 yds, with a few more at 150, but the potential is there for 300+, across beaver ponds or meadows. If I'm carrying the open sighted .30-30 I go to places where there's no chance for a long shot.
Ontario - length of shot
- Thread starter STEELCITYSLICKER
- Start date
I've taken mule deer at 600 yards with a .270 - 3x9x 40 open prairie in Southern Alberta.
Most of the time however the ranges are less than 150 yards and the scope is set to 3 to 5 power. The incidence of brush cover makes high power difficult to use if not useless. A good pair of Binoculars will serve a much more useful purpose on game.
Most of the time however the ranges are less than 150 yards and the scope is set to 3 to 5 power. The incidence of brush cover makes high power difficult to use if not useless. A good pair of Binoculars will serve a much more useful purpose on game.
I have killed more than a few animals at over 300 meters with a 6X scope, the majority however were inside of that .
Tell your buddy too pack whatever he wants but keep the power down as low as it will go and zero the rifle at 200 meters.
Anything inside of that will be dead with a point of aim hold!
Personally for me if II was going variable it would be a 3-9, but a fixed 4 or 6X is plenty IMO
Cat
Distance from my stand to the treeline is 200yrds. The two deer I got last year were standing out at 170 and 190 respectively. Got them both using the 5x on my 2.5-10. Used 10 to identify, and then dialed it back down for the shot. IMO use whatever magnification you are comfortable shooting with and you KNOW how to shoot. The whole thing is we want to dispatch these animals as efficiently as possible. If you can do it with Irons good for you, if you need the full 25x go for it.
Let him pack what ever he wants. The novelty will wear off once he loses his chance at a shot, or once he realizes he's packing an extra pound of gimmick that he doesn't need....
I only know one guy here in B.C. that packs a huge scope. It came as a package on his Gunwerks 6.5x284. He also took a two day course from Gunwerks on how to shoot long range, rather than just watch all those so called long range hunting shows to become an expert. It's on his sheep rifle.
The rest of us just use 2.5x8 to 3.5x10 scopes and seem to do alright.
I only know one guy here in B.C. that packs a huge scope. It came as a package on his Gunwerks 6.5x284. He also took a two day course from Gunwerks on how to shoot long range, rather than just watch all those so called long range hunting shows to become an expert. It's on his sheep rifle.
The rest of us just use 2.5x8 to 3.5x10 scopes and seem to do alright.
This fall will be the 50th fall hunting season for me in Ontario. For my first few years I used open sights on a Win M-64. Then I saved up and got a Win. M-70 in 30-06 and topped it with a Weaver 2.5 x 7 wide view. Closest moose I shot was 6 yds. and 2.5 was away to much magnification, farthest moose was 400 ish yds. and the scope was set on 4. I only ever used magnifications higher than 4 for target sighting. In my experience most shots in Ont are 100yds and under so a 1.5 x 5 scope would handle anything from 6 yds to 400 yds.
After about 25yrs that old war horse of a steel Weaver finally developed and few issues. Trace Scope repair fixed it up and it now sits on a 22 mag. I replaced it with a 1.5 x 5 Leupold. I also have 4 Leupold 3.5 x 10's that spend the vast majority of their time on 3.5. I just like those Vari X3 Leupolds in 3.5 x 10. Really don't need them, but I like'em.
I don't moose hunt anymore. But I hunt deer and bear on my own property out of a nice heated wooden blind. Max shot 45 yds. so 1.5 to 3.5 is plenty of magnification. If a fella was hunting the west I can certainly see why a fella would make good use of higher magnications.
After about 25yrs that old war horse of a steel Weaver finally developed and few issues. Trace Scope repair fixed it up and it now sits on a 22 mag. I replaced it with a 1.5 x 5 Leupold. I also have 4 Leupold 3.5 x 10's that spend the vast majority of their time on 3.5. I just like those Vari X3 Leupolds in 3.5 x 10. Really don't need them, but I like'em.
I don't moose hunt anymore. But I hunt deer and bear on my own property out of a nice heated wooden blind. Max shot 45 yds. so 1.5 to 3.5 is plenty of magnification. If a fella was hunting the west I can certainly see why a fella would make good use of higher magnications.
In a hunting scenario I have never needed more than a 3x9x40. That said when varmint hunting/pest control work I like more magnification as even at 60 yards 2 inch kill zones are better seen with a 6x24x50 usually run at 12 or 16 power. A 4 power here in NB is perfect for about everything big game and most all small game.
The highest magnification I have on a hunting rifle living in Ontario is 3.5-10x and and it’s on my
Deer/coyote crossover rifle. All others have red dot or low to mid variables. I have on at least one occasion cursed the lack of a red dot while deer hunting. If your a still hunter, irons or a red dot is preferred in my opinion. Stand hunters anything from 1-4x variables to a max of 3-10x is really all that’s needed unless your a long range pro and hunting massive clear cuts. Just my opinion. Mind you I only have a couple of hunting locations that you can really get out to 200 yards and not much more.
Deer/coyote crossover rifle. All others have red dot or low to mid variables. I have on at least one occasion cursed the lack of a red dot while deer hunting. If your a still hunter, irons or a red dot is preferred in my opinion. Stand hunters anything from 1-4x variables to a max of 3-10x is really all that’s needed unless your a long range pro and hunting massive clear cuts. Just my opinion. Mind you I only have a couple of hunting locations that you can really get out to 200 yards and not much more.
billbmcleod
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Back very close to Bruce County
I have 3-9's on all my rifles. When I am out walking they are on 3. If I actually set up some place where the view was 300yd or my max of 400yd I might crank the power up higher just for clarity. I figure if I can't see and hold the crosshairs steady on the vitals using 3x then I am probably too far away.
1.5 to 4x is the way to go in Ontario. Most shots are close, and quick, so FOV is a big consideration. Average shot in our camp is well under 100y.
Also, if you hunt in low light conditions, the low magnification really helps. When lads show up at the deer camp with a big objective, high power scope, they get the "special" watch.
Also, if you hunt in low light conditions, the low magnification really helps. When lads show up at the deer camp with a big objective, high power scope, they get the "special" watch.
I am similar to you in that regard. Deer rifles are 3 to 9s.
Coyote rifle has a 6x24 even though most shots are under 200 yards. It normally sits at 10 or 12.
Old eyes require a little more magnification
Yeah he is a bit of a know it all. This will be his second season out, first with me.
He has only ever shot from behind a bench, having harvested nothing last year.
But he had years and years of video game experience.
Thanks folks - will let him read the replies now.
I used a 25 power on a target gun , worked great making small holes in paper.
3-9 would work great, Hunting.
I find $30.oo scopes not that great.
I had a video gamer one time in the shop telling me how to fix a 1911.
After mid 70's I find I have very little tolerance for stupid.
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Yeah he is a bit of a know it all. This will be his second season out, first with me.
He has only ever shot from behind a bench, having harvested nothing last year.
But he had years and years of video game experience.
Thanks folks - will let him read the replies now.
Big difference in bench shooting and hunting! First is learn to relax as adrenaline will be pumping hard. That said I use a 3x9 on my savage 220 20 gauge slug gun. The longest shot was 185 yard.
I always used a No4 Lee Enfield for deer and up until about 10yr ago , I used the battlesights.
Older eyes needed abit of help today , and an old Lymans 2.5x does its job just fine.
Theres no such thing as the "best" deer rifle , scope or cartridge , in my opinion , its the shooter doing his/her part and getting to know thier rifle , no matter what .
Older eyes needed abit of help today , and an old Lymans 2.5x does its job just fine.
Theres no such thing as the "best" deer rifle , scope or cartridge , in my opinion , its the shooter doing his/her part and getting to know thier rifle , no matter what .
Say nothing and let him carry the extra weight and get hung up everywhere? After a season or two he’ll smarten up on his own.
I have a weatherby in .257 with a sightron 4-16 and hate it. I put this setup together while living in southern Alberta, spending a lot of time employed in farmers fields. It rode the backseat and took coyotes at distances other guys thought I had zero chance.
Now I’m back in Ontario the scope is always on 4. I’ve used higher magnifying maybe a few times just to ID. Once to take a fox by the chicken coop. Id much prefer a lighter/smaller 2-7 on a lighter gun for all day back country hikes.
I have a weatherby in .257 with a sightron 4-16 and hate it. I put this setup together while living in southern Alberta, spending a lot of time employed in farmers fields. It rode the backseat and took coyotes at distances other guys thought I had zero chance.
Now I’m back in Ontario the scope is always on 4. I’ve used higher magnifying maybe a few times just to ID. Once to take a fox by the chicken coop. Id much prefer a lighter/smaller 2-7 on a lighter gun for all day back country hikes.
My furthest deer kill during the control hunt (shotgun/muzzleloader) was 202 yards on a huge buck. But have had 4 kills over 100 yards ans 1 right at 100 yards all with the shotgun. I use a 3-9x40 on this set up
During rifle, my furthest was 550 and 525 and these particular two were shot using a 4.5-27 power scope
During rifle, my furthest was 550 and 525 and these particular two were shot using a 4.5-27 power scope
I have a 2-7 power Burris on my 308 and it’s perfect as far as I’m concerned. I’d feel comfortable shooting a bit farther in field hunting situations when it’s cranked up to 7 and when it’s down at 2 I get a good FOV in the bush
