Question regarding optics for my .25-06 Rem Tikka T3

bmorsh

bmorsh

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I own a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in .25-06 Remington. It is my first hunting caliber purchase (my dad gave me a 7mm Rem Mag which killed me at the range, so I returned it). I was in a rush (having received my PAL and having the bug to get a real rifle) and picked up a scope for it, a Zeiss 3-9x40mm MC Rapid-Z 600. Rifle ran for $900 and the scope (I think) $600+ and then add HST.

I did lots of research on .25-06 Rem before going for it, knowing I was not comfortable to shoot the 7mm Rem Mag all day. I am happy with the .25-06 Rem for Ontario and even mountain games (it is flat shooting and will take down sheep if the wind allows). I'll be shooting 115 gr with it.

I had some help this past weekend (thanks guyz at Silverdale) and sighted it in. I learnt later I can do better so I'll be going in for another day of sighting it in with some different parameters.

But I could not help wonder if I would have been better off with a Nightforce 2.5-10x42mm NXS compact with a Velocity 600 reticle. I know it is a $1,500+ scope, but I'll have only 2 rifles, so might as well get the best for it.

Is it worth getting rid of the Zeiss and getting the Nightforce? Is there really much difference?

I'll be using this for deer in Ontario but possibly sheep in Alberta in a year or two.

Or is this not an adequate sheep rifle and I should simply pick up a .270 WSM sheep rifle later anyway.

Some say a good sheep scope is fixed 6x magnification, and some say a 4-12x magnification. My dad used to use slugs for sheep in Iran, so he just got really close to the game. I know I can't.

Thoughts?
 
Something you don't like about the Zeiss? That reticle is well suited to that cartridge and for shooting out to 600 yards it should do everything you need. The only reason to run a fixed power scope on a sheep rifle is to save weight. Personally I'll put up with a few more ounces for the ability to shoot longer ranges. Not being rude but do you understand how the reticle works? A lot of people don't.
 
I asked my dad and all he does is use fixed power or shotgun (different world in middle east, he still hunts in Iran).

I learnt more about the reticle after posting this question. I ran the calculator Zeiss has with the load I use and it gave me all the info I need. I think I understand how the Z 600 works now.

So, do you think my setup, the Tikka T3 Lite SS + .25-06 Rem + Zeiss 3-9x40mm Z 600 is adequate for possible sheep hunt? Or should I go to a 4-12 and a bigger caliber?
 
Lots of sheep killed every year with a 25-06.....I think stick with what you have for now and re-evaluate in a couple years. Get your 200 yard zero and proper magnification for your load and go have some fun.
 
I have a 25-06 that I use with 115gr VLD's and a 6.5 to 20 with the Rapid Z varmint.

Like sheephunter said it is deadly chambering on sheep, and the combination with the optics will be hard if not impossible to beat with the Rapid reticle and calculator.

Was going to be my long range small critter rifle but, it shoots and handles so nice it may see deers too!

With the Rapid Z just set your magnification and don't touch it again , just like a fixed power with but holdover points and windage hash marks.
 
Thank you sheephunter. I will start for deer in Ontario and see where that takes me. You are correct. I took it to the range again and zero at 200 yards. At 100 yard, once I got used to how to pull the trigger properly, I put 2 shots nearly on top of one another. 3 shots in less than 1 inch.


sheephunter said:
Lots of sheep killed every year with a 25-06.....I think stick with what you have for now and re-evaluate in a couple years. Get your 200 yard zero and proper magnification for your load and go have some fun.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks. I use the 9x magnification at the range, but I think that's not smart. Deer will be 40 to 80 yards max (in Ontario) I have been told. So, I'll set it to 5x or 6x. It's not a target rifle for me, and I don't do varmint yet (well, "yet" being the operative word).

Kelly Timoffee said:
I have a 25-06 that I use with 115gr VLD's and a 6.5 to 20 with the Rapid Z varmint.

Like sheephunter said it is deadly chambering on sheep, and the combination with the optics will be hard if not impossible to beat with the Rapid reticle and calculator.

Was going to be my long range small critter rifle but, it shoots and handles so nice it may see deers too!

With the Rapid Z just set your magnification and don't touch it again , just like a fixed power with but holdover points and windage hash marks.
Click to expand...
 
You could go with a 4.5-14 also. ;)

bmorsh said:
Thanks. I use the 9x magnification at the range, but I think that's not smart. Deer will be 40 to 80 yards max (in Ontario) I have been told. So, I'll set it to 5x or 6x. It's not a target rifle for me, and I don't do varmint yet (well, "yet" being the operative word).
Click to expand...
 
I think what you've got is a pretty beauty setup. I wouldn't be too concerned about getting the Nightforce right now. You have a good scope that will do the job you are asking of it well. It will also get you started into target shooting fairly well, at which time you can decide to get a more expensive, higher magnification scope. I've seen enough people spend $1500+ thinking they would go long range shooting often, but end up only shooting it in hunting season.
 
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