What scope power magnification/diameter for western big game up to 500 yard shots?
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memtb
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memtbI have no problem with some one checking a game animal with a scope as long as they are not just scanning to scan area for game.
Unfortunately I've never been in the position to sit their and decided whether or not to shoot.
It's always That's a good animal or no.
How long does the general tag holder have to be so picky?
Yes in a limited game unit but I'm lucky to spot a decent animal on a general tag.
Maybe I just suck at hunting from everything I see on the blip boop box anymore?
Unfortunately I've never been in the position to sit their and decided whether or not to shoot.
It's always That's a good animal or no.
How long does the general tag holder have to be so picky?
Yes in a limited game unit but I'm lucky to spot a decent animal on a general tag.
Maybe I just suck at hunting from everything I see on the blip boop box anymore?
dgr416
Well-Known Member
3x18x50 In Alaska which could be wifd open or close timber too much power on the low enf was not good either .We had a moose charge is when we called him st 20 yatds .I couldnt see him at all in my 6x20 x44 scope too blurry .The sunset ytome also requires a 50 mm scope to get as much light as possible .I made long range shots with my 6x20 scope out to 450 yards but under 50 yards even 6 power was not good on running game or under 30 yards because of small field of view on 6 power .We also had chargimg bears and even on 3 power up close they are hard tl get a running shot on .
I'm sorry but have you been in the bush to long or have you been nipping at ole jack too long? I kinda get were your coming from but it's scary either way. Stay safe brother wish I was their besides where's I'm at. Not to insult in anyway.
RichCoyle
Well-Known Member
S
Sorry to burst your bubble. I have a military optics chart 127 yards from the front porch. I have compared so many optics I have over 100 pages of comparisons. There has been nothing in binoculars no matter how expensive that are as good as Swarovski, expensive Bushnell, Nightforce, Schmidt & Bender, or any other high quality high magnification rifle scope.
Sorry to burst your bubble. I have a military optics chart 127 yards from the front porch. I have compared so many optics I have over 100 pages of comparisons. There has been nothing in binoculars no matter how expensive that are as good as Swarovski, expensive Bushnell, Nightforce, Schmidt & Bender, or any other high quality high magnification rifle scope.
RichCoyle
Well-Known Member
You mentioned Minox. I bought a 13X56X. Later I got a 15X58X. There is no comparison: The 15X is noticably better. And it can't even begin to compete with a good high magnification rifle scope.
On three occasions while hunting when I switched from binoculars to the rifle scope I could discern whether the game was legal or not.
xsn10s
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Well you're in the minority here.
xsn10s
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It looks like those Minox 15X58X weigh over 3 lbs. Who knows how those high magnification scopes weigh. Probably 30 oz or more. Add a heavy rifle lol. Maybe if he went to lighter gear he could pack a spotting scope LOL! We're talking about a 500 yard shot. It isn't that far lol.
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xsn10s
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This whole highjack on spotting scopes got me looking around this morning on weights. Some of the new high quality compact spotting scopes weigh 2 lbs. That a lb. less than the 15X Minox binos. I've been considering a carbon fiber tripod, and the Bog Infinite weighs around 4 lbs. Many here hunt with a 10-12 lb rifle for long range. Switching to say a Howa Supetlite you'll cut the rifle weight to 6lbs or less set up. I'm pretty sure even a light rifle like that could hit consistently out to 500 yards. And you could set up an ARCA for the rifle and spotter.
What would you suggest as a good set of binos? Maybe 12x? I was looking at the Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD.
For 500 yds and in, my Nightforce 2.5-10x 40 is plenty. For practicing beyond that 3-15 or 3-18 is great. I prefer the 15 so the subtensions correspond to a magnification I will actually take a shot at. I dial for elevation and hold for wind.
My furthest kill was a pronghorn at 923 or 928 yds. I was using a 5-25 FFP so turned it to a comfortable magnification and fired. It was at 16-17 power. Practicing out to 1000 yds, I've found I'm typically in the 15 power range for shooting.
I have a 6.5 PRC with the 2.5-10 and my 300 prc wears a Mark 5 3.6-18 FFP. Inside 500 yds, I'm happy with either.
My furthest kill was a pronghorn at 923 or 928 yds. I was using a 5-25 FFP so turned it to a comfortable magnification and fired. It was at 16-17 power. Practicing out to 1000 yds, I've found I'm typically in the 15 power range for shooting.
I have a 6.5 PRC with the 2.5-10 and my 300 prc wears a Mark 5 3.6-18 FFP. Inside 500 yds, I'm happy with either.
10X40/42 binoculars for carry, they're about as large as you want to get for off tripod use. I'd also get binoculars with a range finder, just to save having to carry an extra piece of equipment. Cameraland has a great price on Geovid-R 10X42 binoculars right now. These are old style and very basic, but a great optic still.
If you want "big eyes" I'd skip over 12X and go to 15X minimum. I had a buddy who used Swarovski 15X56 on a tripod for spotting game. You have far less eye fatigue sitting behind binoculars than a spotting scope. Swarovski is out of my budget, but they were awesome to sit behind.
If you want "big eyes" I'd skip over 12X and go to 15X minimum. I had a buddy who used Swarovski 15X56 on a tripod for spotting game. You have far less eye fatigue sitting behind binoculars than a spotting scope. Swarovski is out of my budget, but they were awesome to sit behind.
