Greengt88
Well-Known Member
The Amplus 6 line was one I had interest in. My original thought was a German/Austrian made optic.
Bear Rifle Optic Suggestions
- Thread starter Greengt88
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mackgee
Well-Known Member
As a guy that hunts and lives in Alaska, and kills a ton of bears yearly…I would say that you need something with the best glass you can find, that transmits a maximum percentage of light. I've used the Nightforce, and though they are rugged, the eyebox on every one has been a nightmare, especially when trying to get a shot off in an awkward position. I can recall probably 3 different black bears that I found at last light that I couldn't get a shot on them because I couldn't make out the bear in a shadow using the Nightforce for that one year. Ever since then I have been using Schmidt and Bender scopes exclusively and haven't had that same problem since. I have a couple of Klassik 2.5-10x56mm that I really like in low light, and a few Polar's as well, but that is probably out of your price range. The Klassik is well under your range and in my opinion is a steal at the price you get them at. Another option is the Swaro Z6 2.5-15x56mm…another good piece of glass that allows you make a shot at last light. Both the Klassik and Z6 are within the price range you stated. Good luck!
Jeremy
Jeremy
MagnumManiac
Well-Known Member
I have 5 300WM rifles ranging from a Kimber 8400 Select, Remington Sendero II switch barrel, Remington LR, another Kimber 8400 and a Win Model 70 EW. The Kimber Select wears the Leupold Vari XIII, which is my most used stalking rifle, the other Kimber has a Bushnell Elite 5-15x40 on it and all the other have 4.5-27x50 scopes in FFP or SFP, I really have no preference except in F-class where I prefer the FFP scope and MIL dots for windage.
Cheers.
marksman1941
Well-Known Member
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I ran a swaro z6 2-12 for a couple years and thought it was pretty stellar for an all around option. However, I'm in the middle of making a "****ed off bear" rifle in 375/08, and that's getting my vx3 1.75-6. Lighter, quicker to move, fast target acquisition, generous eye box.
A couple years ago my brother called me on a Sunday and said he had wounded a bear that dove into a thicket in a ravine, and he wanted backup going in after it. I drug along my .300 win with a 3-15, and very quickly realized that was not the rifle for packing into a ****ed off bear situation. I quickly became a fan of lower power, faster optics in the tight woods we have here.
A couple years ago my brother called me on a Sunday and said he had wounded a bear that dove into a thicket in a ravine, and he wanted backup going in after it. I drug along my .300 win with a 3-15, and very quickly realized that was not the rifle for packing into a ****ed off bear situation. I quickly became a fan of lower power, faster optics in the tight woods we have here.
FireFlyFishing
Well-Known Member
Oh…You need a good LPVO. Nightforce, Vortex Razor come to mind for me.
Trijjicon 3-9 Credo with Lit reticle and mil dots is one way to look. I have one and so far am a fan of it.
I also have a 3.5-10 NF their SHV version and like it as well. This with a Lit reticle would be the cats on a bruin. One would be amazed at how many reticles blend into the dark side of a bruin especiallty at low light.
Now shooting at bears @ 500 yds is another conversation.......
wwbrown
Well-Known Member
Good point about having a low power option when hunting over bait, the two guns I use on bears over bait both sport 1.5-6x42 scopes and I don't know if I have ever taken them off of 1.5 except when sighting in. Remember to turn the power down to its minimum after sighting in. Too many folks try to find the right spot of black to shoot on the entirely black animal, because they cranked their scope up to max magnification when sighting in and not turning the power down to a minimum.
Even the gun I use for stalk and hunt is a 2-10 power and it stays on 2 until I need to shoot in the open. It is nice to have the fast pointing 2 power on the gun should I ever have to go after a wounded bear in the brush.
dennisinaz
Well-Known Member
I have a Trijicon Credo 1-4 on my bear rifle and my back up scope is a VX3 2.5-8. Talley mounts. I can switch scopes and hit within an inch of where originally sighted every time.
I agree with this guy
Bears are bigger than most of the whitetails I see, and I've often taken whitetails out to 300 yards with a Leupold 2-7. Higher power for this range can be a handicap, especially in terms of weight and field of view. As previously stated, my Zeiss Diavari 3-9x36mm was more than capable back in the '90s. You'd think today's version would be even brighter. Long Range Shooting is seldom necessary for bears and probably not a good idea. You should be able to get closer.
std7mag
Well-Known Member
Ok, things to bear in mind.
1) PA doesn't allow bait.
2) PA doesn't allow dogs for hunting big game.
3) most of PA's bear hunting is done with drives.
4) unless you're sitting on a farmers field, where he just harvested his corn, shots on bear in PA are mostly within 100 yards.
1) PA doesn't allow bait.
2) PA doesn't allow dogs for hunting big game.
3) most of PA's bear hunting is done with drives.
4) unless you're sitting on a farmers field, where he just harvested his corn, shots on bear in PA are mostly within 100 yards.
RH300UM
Well-Known Member
^^^^^^
^^^^^^^ This!!It's what I run on my guide rifle.
Works great. It's been abused and used. Still holds zero and functions perfectly
Hammerdown
Well-Known Member
I have a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10X42 on one of my 308 Winchesters. It runs a #3 Lilja 1-10 5R twist. Cut at 24 inches. This rifle is amazing on all accounts.
I hope y'all have a great hunting season.
I hope y'all have a great hunting season.
Bearman375
Well-Known Member
Magnum mania has a great point! I'll 3rd his opinion
