To scope or not to scope?

Major Sights

Major Sights

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So I am heading out this weekend to sight in the rifles for the deer hunt as I have been super busy every weekend with work for the last 7 weeks just to ensure I got the second week off for the hunt.

The item up for debate is weather or not to scope my rifle or not.


I have a Savage Axis beater gun (which is still mint condition though). A Glenfield 30-30 for walking in the thick stuff, and a CZ-858 cause, well I can.

On the Savage I have usually had a vortex 4-16x50mm Crossfire I (with target turrets) so its quite big and heavy. I used it last year but I ended up taking it off to put on another rifle. I also have a Burris Fast fire II that fits on just perfectly and makes the rifle uber light.

This axis is my tree stand gun, but I have at max 100m that I have a clear line of sight on. And 2/3 of my deer have been taken within 30y right up near our campsite, where we do have 200m of clear line of sight,and last year it was so close the scope was too powerful at 4x and I ended up having to take a second shot as the first didn't hit exactly where was intended.


So whats your opinion?


Burris Fastfire II reddot.

or

Vortex Crossfire 4-16x50mm
 
Under 100 you would be better off with the reddot... as much as I hate reddot's, a 4-16X50mm is a poor choice for the scenario you describe. Why not invest in a good hunting scope in the 1.5-5X, 1.75-6X, 2-7X or 2.5-8X range...

A Leupold VX-1 2-7X33mm won't break the bank but will give you the brightness and larger field of view you need, along with reliable optics.
 
hoytcanon said:
Under 100 you would be better off with the reddot... as much as I hate reddot's, a 4-16X50mm is a poor choice for the scenario you describe. Why not invest in a good hunting scope in the 1.5-5X, 1.75-6X, 2-7X or 2.5-8X range...

A Leupold VX-1 2-7X33mm won't break the bank but will give you the brightness and larger field of view you need, along with reliable optics.
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Agreed, I've got one on my Husqvarna 6.5x55. Although i haven't had the pair out hunting (this year, fingers crossed) at the range its a perfect combo to 200yrds.
 
LOL, this is why gunnutz is funny sometimes. I ask a question about which product I have to use, and am told to go out and buy more. You guys are murder on my checkbook! Sadly at this point a new scope is out of the question I just have to make do with what I have.
 
Go with the Vortex, while not perfect for the close shots, it will help at your max range of 200m. Most of my hunting rifles carry 3-9 power scopes on them and while the close shot is difficult with your scope turned all the way down to 4x it shouldn't be that big of an issue. I know you said, no more money but a set of QD rings like Warne could give you the best of both worlds if you have iron sights on the savage.
 
Major Sights said:
LOL, this is why gunnutz is funny sometimes. I ask a question about which product I have to use, and am told to go out and buy more. You guys are murder on my checkbook! Sadly at this point a new scope is out of the question I just have to make do with what I have.
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Your question was answered in the first sentence of the first response.

If you don't have the money, trade off that 4-16 to a small bore Varmint hunter for a decent scope that better suits your needs.
 
KMG Canada said:
Go with the Vortex, while not perfect for the close shots, it will help at your max range of 200m. Most of my hunting rifles carry 3-9 power scopes on them and while the close shot is difficult with your scope turned all the way down to 4x it shouldn't be that big of an issue. I know you said, no more money but a set of QD rings like Warne could give you the best of both worlds if you have iron sights on the savage.
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No irons on an axis. So that's out.

I would go with the 4-16. I assume your 30-30 has iron sights? So that should be your go to under 100 where the axis with a big scope is less than ideal.

I don't see a point in putting the red dot on the axis, especially if you've already got a bush gun on hand. Scope it so you can take that 200yd shot from camp if a shot presents itself.
 
Personally, I would carry both the 30-30 with open sights, AND the Axis with the Crossfire up the tree stand and have the 30-30 set up to be immediately handy, and the Axis in reserve for a 200 meter shot if it presents itself.

If you can't bear to haul 2 rifles up the tree, I'd bring the open-sighted 30-30.
 
if you are under 40 ... the iron sights on the 30/30 to 125 yds is ok; assuming you can consistently hit inside 6-7 inches at a 100yds you will be fine.
 
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