Optic for bears over bait

T

tommy88

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Hey guys. I hunt out east for bears on bait in dense forest. The first shot is generally between 40 and 75 yards and then I have to go and find him in the bush, so shots can be 5 to 20. I was using my deer gun (3006 with a 3-9 scope), but it's just too long and bulky. We can talk about the gun choice somewhere else, but I'm interested in if guys would recommend a 1-4power scope, or a red dot sight. Any particular makes and models would be welcomed aswell
 
tommy88 said:
I kinda like the idea of having a true 1 times on the low end. Also, could anyone recommend a good budget ret dot?
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I had a trijicon 1-8x for a while. Pretty nice scope, but 1X has to be exactly 1X or it looks wrong. Almost like putting on someone else’s glasses or something. The trijicon went a little below 1X. Not much, but enough that I couldn’t just crank it down to 1X and have it look right without a bit of fiddling around with it. For me, I’d rather have a 1.5X min just to avoid that issue. Lots of 1-6X options or thereabouts if you decide to go the LPVO route though.
 
I like LVPO or variable scopes with a 1 to 2X bottom end.. sometimes you just need to sneak a shot between brush and the scope makes vision so much better/clearer.

FFP or SFP? that one I am still working through. Both work, both have their fans. Given the range of FFP with illuminated reticles, the choices here are pretty wide.

have a look at the Athlon Helos BTR G2 2-12... At 2X, you can turn on the ill and have a horseshoe dot... if you need to reach out on deer, you can increase mag and you have a very useful reticle. Glass is really good, low light is good enough for the situations I would hunt in. Quite a short scope.

But it is definitely alot heavier then a pure red dot....

The SFP options all have nice glass too and the reticle you view stays the same. At close range, it really isn't going to matter a whole bunch.

fixed mag prism optic??????

Just try any low mag scope before you buy... some will have severe fish bowl at low mag. What I mean is the core view is good but the edges can be distorted or curved. Some will also offer a really wonky view if you pan the scope.. .feels like you are drunk. Ok when fixed but bad when moving.

Too many choices.

Jerry
 
I set up a Pedersoli Boarbuster Shadow in 45-70 with a Romeo5 2moa red dot, a SpearHead Machine brake & it's a sweet sweet setup.

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Bears over bait at 75yds w/a 30-06 chambering-

Anchor them where they stand & tracking will not be required.

I use a 243 w/ 105gr handloads- 1/2" below the ear opening, passes thru the pallet of the mouth, collapses both lungs, their feet are still under them when gravity drops them where they stand.
 
My youngest sons first big game animal was a bear at 10 yards with a 3-9 on a short rifle but it was a Trijicon accupoint green dot duplex, he had no issue putting the bright green dot under the chin on chest and dropping it. The illuminated dot is all I would suggest and 3x on the low end works great. Red dot would work too, we have some holosun 407/507c that would be ideal on a shorter rifle.
 
I have used a Nikon 2x-7x on the slug gun and it works great at lower power settings. I've never had to crank it up to 7x so it has done the job on a number of occassions.
 
Guess it also comes down to money. The nikons I mentioned, at the time were in the $250-300 range. Even the bushnell 4500 directly above, would be how much new/on EE? Some using LPVO, which is a acronym I had to look up, think nothing of spending $2k. I own a ....few rifles, not every one has premium glass. Here, a close quarters rifle would go, close quarters. I wouldn't chase tiny blacktail in a red willow jungle, or crawl through salal tunnels, with a high end brand. It's a trade off, there's a place we're budget meets value and purpose.

What low power scope is that today?
 
nowarningshot said:
Guess it also comes down to money. The nikons I mentioned, at the time were in the $250-300 range. Even the bushnell 4500 directly above, would be how much new/on EE? Some using LPVO, which is a acronym I had to look up, think nothing of spending $2k. I own a ....few rifles, not every one has premium glass. Here, a close quarters rifle would go, close quarters. I wouldn't chase tiny blacktail in a red willow jungle, or crawl through salal tunnels, with a high end brand. It's a trade off, there's a place we're budget meets value and purpose.

What low power scope is that today?
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Bought myself a 4500 1-4 a few months ago off the EE, paid $280 I think.
 
An Aimpoint PRO on a Remington 7400 carbine or a Remington 760 [SUB][/SUB]/ 7600 Carbine in 30-06 works well for me in a stand. A bit on the expensive side but you can leave the red dot on all day in the stand and then over and over again without worrying about a battery going out. Buy once cry once…
 
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