Sheep hunting optics options
- Thread starter ChiefG
- Start date
Leupold vx5 windplex 3-15 4mm
This. Got a couple ewes at 300, another at 170 and my ram at 35 yards with my 800 yard set up lol. Same year I got my ram I killed 3 more bucks or bulls with a bow all of them further than my rifle kill. I would hunt sheep with my 20” 308 Sako 90 peak with a fixed 2.5x ultralight and just took that antelope hunting and got a nice one at 200. Not hard to have your 50 yard holds memorized or on a decal from a 200 zero and then every 50 to 450 and easy to hit well too if you try it at range. Scope doesn’t make gun any more accurate. Sheep is more about finding them, that is all the battle, sealing the deal is the east part. Less (weight and setup data noise) will be more.
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As mentioned above already, there a some very good options out there, with weight and quality of glass being most important on a sheep rifle.
We hear lots about the long range shots on sheep, but in reality, there are more sheep shot within reasonable distances, and you have already stipulated your range limit. My longest shot on sheep to date has been 300 yards (all others less than 180 yards), and just 110 yards for mountain goat (the others were shot within bow range).
Pick the magnification range that will get you the scope you will be happy with for that maximum distance, but still be able to dial down for shorter distances While various manufacturers make great glass in the magnification ranges you will decide on, watch their weights as they can vary significantly. I was interested in a particular product until I found out that the scope weighed 29 ounces! Swarovski makes some great scopes that are fairly lightweight (approx. 1 pound), as does Leupold. I also like Trijicon, but am not up on their newer products.
The rifles I use for my mountain hunts all wear Leupolds; mostly for their weight, quality of glass and reticle options, and lastly affordability. I have VX-3's in 2.5-8x36, 3.5-10x40, 3.4-14x40 and VX-5HD's in 3.5-15x44 and a VX-6HD 2-13x42, all w/ B&C reticles. Todate they have all performed well, and the only one I have had to send back for service was the one where I slipped and fell, with the scope hitting the rocks first. I mailed it to Korth, they repaired the scope and mailed it bac to me and it was back on my rifle in 11 days! (Warranty and customer service is another consideration I did not cover above) As may be evident by my scope choices and field experience, I am a hunter first and prefer SFP scopes. I also like the simplicity and speed if use of the B&C reticles (no need to take extra time to dial), but this is my preference. My binos are RF too for this reason.
We hear lots about the long range shots on sheep, but in reality, there are more sheep shot within reasonable distances, and you have already stipulated your range limit. My longest shot on sheep to date has been 300 yards (all others less than 180 yards), and just 110 yards for mountain goat (the others were shot within bow range).
Pick the magnification range that will get you the scope you will be happy with for that maximum distance, but still be able to dial down for shorter distances While various manufacturers make great glass in the magnification ranges you will decide on, watch their weights as they can vary significantly. I was interested in a particular product until I found out that the scope weighed 29 ounces! Swarovski makes some great scopes that are fairly lightweight (approx. 1 pound), as does Leupold. I also like Trijicon, but am not up on their newer products.
The rifles I use for my mountain hunts all wear Leupolds; mostly for their weight, quality of glass and reticle options, and lastly affordability. I have VX-3's in 2.5-8x36, 3.5-10x40, 3.4-14x40 and VX-5HD's in 3.5-15x44 and a VX-6HD 2-13x42, all w/ B&C reticles. Todate they have all performed well, and the only one I have had to send back for service was the one where I slipped and fell, with the scope hitting the rocks first. I mailed it to Korth, they repaired the scope and mailed it bac to me and it was back on my rifle in 11 days! (Warranty and customer service is another consideration I did not cover above) As may be evident by my scope choices and field experience, I am a hunter first and prefer SFP scopes. I also like the simplicity and speed if use of the B&C reticles (no need to take extra time to dial), but this is my preference. My binos are RF too for this reason.
I love both the Swarovski Z3 3-10X42 BRH and the Z5 3-18X44 BRX. Both are great optics for hunting in the mountains but in keeping with travelling light and cutting ounces wherever possible, I really lean towards the Z3. I have several of them on different rifles but all of my lightweight rifles have the Z3.
Big bore dinosaur
CGN frequent flyer
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- NORT OF COW.TOWN.EH
Ran the ziess conquest 4-20. But the open turrets where to worrisome.
switch to the vortex LW hunter.
Couldnt be happier. Nice glass
switch to the vortex LW hunter.
Couldnt be happier. Nice glass
