For all you backcountry hunters (specifically sheep hunters). If money was not an option what scope would you run for backcountry hunting? On the flip-side what is the best value or budget option around the 1000 dollar mark in your opinion? I have been running a 4.5-29x scope off one of my PRS rigs and feel like a 3-15 with simpler reticle would be the way to go. Thanks for the input in advance!
Sheep hunting optics options
- Thread starter ChiefG
- Start date
coleman1495
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Whitecourt
Are you looking for the ability to dial for drop? Also I am guessing you want the scope to be as light as possible.
The Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 BT might be the ultimate choice for you if dialing for drop is a requirement. This scope tracks very reliably, good optical quality, and is very lightweight.It is however over your budget with a price of ~1500$.
If you just want a basic scope without the ability to dial elevation, Leupold makes some really nice options. There is multiple Leupold scopes that would work nicely.
The Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 BT might be the ultimate choice for you if dialing for drop is a requirement. This scope tracks very reliably, good optical quality, and is very lightweight.It is however over your budget with a price of ~1500$.
If you just want a basic scope without the ability to dial elevation, Leupold makes some really nice options. There is multiple Leupold scopes that would work nicely.
islandhunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- princeton b.c.
After I found out that my vx-3 4.5-14x B&C was not holding zero last year I had to throw on a VX3I 2.5-8x36 B&C for a stone sheep hunt. I was slightly concerned about having lower magnification, but soon realized that in the field 8X is more than ample on sheep sized targets at 500 yards(my absolute max range). I will definitely be leaving that scope on my Kimber montana .270win
To clarify yes, I want the ability to dial a drop. I'm running a Christensen in 6.5 so I would say 500 meters is my cut off point for where I myself personally wouldn't take a shot any further on an animal with this setup. I was playing with my buddies Zeiss v6 and loved it...I just don't have that in the bank at this point.
I was asking questions about the V6 Zeiss a little while ago. The answer I got back was while it has great glass, at that price point you can get equivalent glass with better features in a Nightforce or other high-end tactical style scope. However, my opinion for a sheep hunting rifle is to go with a lightweight scope with higher quality glass. I'm a fan of leupold stuff. The vx5-hd is very nice. Heavier than I like for a lightweight rifle though. I'd really want to look into the Swarovski v3 scopes or Leica ER line up and see what they weigh and if they have a good dial turret design that won't get easily turned on a hunt.
In my mind it's all about weight when hunting sheep and goats. Ounces make pounds and pounds makes pain they say.
In my mind it's all about weight when hunting sheep and goats. Ounces make pounds and pounds makes pain they say.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
Another option would be to buy a Leupold vx3 3.5-10 with a 30mm tube off the EE then send it to Korth and have a ballistic turret installed and calibrated to the bullet you intend to shoot. Its not expensive to have a turret installed, a friend of mine did this and it works well.
Leupold VX 111 I 4.5-14x40 with CDS ! I like the extra power with the SAME weight and SIZE . My FAV ! jmo RJ
I have gotten 3 nice sheep so far, the longest shot was 160yds. I always go lightweight and simple. My sheep guns wear light 20" barrels and 2.5-8x Leupolds. Every ounce feels like a pound when you are huffing and puffing from climbing.
Too HEAVY ! jmo RJ
Schmidt and Bender PMII ultrashort 5-20x50. Short and compact, excellent glass and good magnification. I like to be able to verify through my scope what I am shooting at. Try to tell me you can judge a sheep at anything over 100yds with a 3-9 scope. Also, I have a TT315M scope. The excellent glass makes up for the 3-15 magnification and you can see finer details at distance without the 20-25 power magnification that other scopes have. Those would be my 2 choices, S&B ultrashort 5-20x50 or Tangent Theta 315M.
Edit: Budget scope. Leupold 6-18 power. Leupold seem to have better glass than other manufacturers. VX2 6-18 AO should run you about $600 and change.
Edit: Budget scope. Leupold 6-18 power. Leupold seem to have better glass than other manufacturers. VX2 6-18 AO should run you about $600 and change.
Depends on what your weight objective for the rifle is (if you have one) and how much the rifle weighs... I've been using a vx5HD 3-15 for nearly a year, and been quite happy with that. Heavier than I have chosen in the past, but on my Kimber Mtn Ascent the package weight is still 6.6lbs. Has 38MOA of vertical adjustment in the dial for me, which is enough to reach 1000yds without holdover on most modern cartridges. The vx-3 options with a CDS dial are also great. My personal opinion, the Swaro system isn't versatile enough for my liking, if adjustments need to be made on your zero, it is a pain in the ass in the field, from what I have seen. MOA or MIL on the dial keeps things simple.
