Using tactical scope for hunting fields...

350tracker

350tracker

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I know tactical scopes can be used for hunting but..........I’m looking at setup my 7 mm R.M. rifle for hunting my fields and thought I had it all figured out with my new Zeiss 600Z reticle but came across pictures of a setup that Rembo has on his 7 mm STW with a tactical scope and started thinking, would a tactical scope be more practical for shooting at long distance and use my Zeiss for varmint hunting. I do have a Leupold 4-14 tactical that will be kicking around if I decide to sell my 223. Any thoughts on this ?
 
Lots of guys use them, though mostly the LR inclined. Most "tactical" scopes are too heavy for most hunters' tastes. That said, the Nightforce 2.5-10x32 looks like it would make a fine scope for the guy that wants top quality glass for a rifle that is Sendero-esque and plans to hunt at moderately long distances. Not good for going past about 800 yards I think, but most LR guys won't even go that far.

The pros are that scopes like Nightforce, SB and Leupold Mark 4 are very rugged and well built. They have great glass and easily adjusted turrets. But if you're not going to adjust your turrets for a long shot there's very little point to using a tactical scope. They're heavier and built for a niche market and if you're going to drop that kind of money, you should be using the capabilities of the scope, else you're just a poseur. Same sort of thing as a guy that has a jacked up 3/4 ton diesel with 35" tires that he uses to drive back and forth to work and kids' soccer games.
 
I've been fighting the urge to take the Leupold MRT 2.5-8x M2 off of my service rifle and put it on my hunting rifle for the last couple of months. I have a 3-9x Leupold VXII with target turrets on it now but the height of the turrets bug me when I'm carrying the rifle.
 
I guess the answer for you really lies within.
IF you are using your turrets to make precise come ups rather than guessing about how much to hold over, the tactical type scopes make perfect sense. If you are the more typical hunter who just guesses about holdover and hopes they have held over the correct amount, then the added weight, cost and work required to dial in the tactical type scope to the various yardages may not be worth the added costs, time and weight.
For any long range work taking the time to figure out what your comeups really are and noting them for future use makes precise and ethical long range hunting fairly easy asuming you make use of the rest of the supportive technology, like LRFs and Kestrels.
I would suggest that only you can really decide which type of hunter you want to be.
 
Thanks guy’s for your input. My intentions with this tactical scope is to do my homework and dial in distance ranged and to eliminate guess work with hold over. This rifle will be used for shooting from my towers so weight is not really a factor. I’m still undecided at this time. Thanks again...
 
Well, you've got the scope and the rifle...why the hell not? All it costs is the price of a rail scope base and (possibly) new rings. Then you're off to the races.
 
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