Sat for a few hours in SSW Ontario this morning calling coyotes at the edge of an empty farmer's field. Saw nothing other than birds, but as one sits in the cold wind I couldn't help but ponder on my choice of scope.
I'm shooting (well, holding) a bolt action 243 with handloaded 58gr V-MAX projectiles. Sighted in my rifle at 100 yards so guessing my range is 150-200 yards.
My current scope is a 6-24 x 42mm. My buddy was using a 4-16 x 40mm on his bolt 223. Both of our scopes have adjustable parallax. Neither feature illuminated reticle.
If something popped out at 20 yards, I would have a real hard time getting my 6X scope on target quickly. Even at 100 yards, my field of view at 24X is not great. I think I'm over-scoped.
Now I'm thinking about replacing my 6-24 x 42 with a 4-12 x 40mm. Maybe illuminated reticle for first and last light?
So, I was wondering, what others who are coyote hunting use on their centerfire less-than-270-caliber firearms? Is 3-9x40mm enough? Is the 50mm objective lens the be-all-end-all? Do you care about the lower end zoom or the higher end zoom? Do you like illuminated reticles? Do you care about parallax adjustment?
Thanks!
PS If you don't use a centerfire rifle for coyotes, would also be curious as to what you use on your 22 WMR or other 100+ yard firearm.
I'm shooting (well, holding) a bolt action 243 with handloaded 58gr V-MAX projectiles. Sighted in my rifle at 100 yards so guessing my range is 150-200 yards.
My current scope is a 6-24 x 42mm. My buddy was using a 4-16 x 40mm on his bolt 223. Both of our scopes have adjustable parallax. Neither feature illuminated reticle.
If something popped out at 20 yards, I would have a real hard time getting my 6X scope on target quickly. Even at 100 yards, my field of view at 24X is not great. I think I'm over-scoped.
Now I'm thinking about replacing my 6-24 x 42 with a 4-12 x 40mm. Maybe illuminated reticle for first and last light?
So, I was wondering, what others who are coyote hunting use on their centerfire less-than-270-caliber firearms? Is 3-9x40mm enough? Is the 50mm objective lens the be-all-end-all? Do you care about the lower end zoom or the higher end zoom? Do you like illuminated reticles? Do you care about parallax adjustment?
Thanks!
PS If you don't use a centerfire rifle for coyotes, would also be curious as to what you use on your 22 WMR or other 100+ yard firearm.