Deciding on a scope to take out west

BBCKFN has it right and so very well said!! I have a few of the mentioned. Totally agree about bottom end magnification being as or more important. Leupold vx-6 2-12 firedot. I thought I wanted a little more top end so got a Z-4 4-16. Defiantly can shoot steel better longer but I keep picking up the firedot since I am so comfortable with it on all my other rigs. Go figure! No wrong answers go hunt!!
 
My .300 WBY is topped with an old 3.5-10 X 40mm Vari-X III, served me well for almost 30 years. It's my go-to ELk rifle 500 Yrds is about the norm out here.
I tried to Change it once and bought a 6-25 X 50mm Viper but when it came down to changing the scope I couldn't figure why I would mess with the .247" groups I was getting. The Viper went on another rifle. I've had great luck with Vortex optics though.
 
It's just me but I would save my money to spent on the hunting trip . Clean your lens' and keep them clean in all my years I have never shot an elk at over 150 - 200 yards . If you just have to have a new scope stay with which ever focal plane you are used to , don't switch from second to first or first to second and as close to the same style of reticle as you can because that is what you know the feel of and are comfortable using .
 
We kill elk every year with 6x SWFA SS's, 6x36 Leupold's 3x9 SWFA SS and a couple 4.5x14 Zeiss's as well. Never been or felt handicapped with a 6x scope for killing elk, from 50 yards out to 600 they work well. Not saying you don't want the extra power but there are plenty of X's to resolve and make completely good killing shots on elk with a 6x scope. You can spend a lot of money and I am sure they are all good but sometimes extra magnification while hunting over field rests doesn't help a person. Good luck on your hunt.
 
Bmccart said:
Im going to be going on my first elk hunt next fall and im going to be buying a new scope for my rifle before then. Ill be shooting a 300 wby, i dont plan on shooting over 500 yds maybe 600 max. I currently have a 4-16x50 vortex crossfire 2 on the rifle and shot 500 with it for the first time the other day and needless to say i need a better piece of glass.

I found the Vortex viper HS 6-24x50 on sale today for an awesome deal (about 50% off). I personally havent had any issues with any of the lower end vortex scopes i have, (crossfire 2 and diamondbacks). This viper seems to have good reviews but it seems like everybody talks like the vortex's are junk. Whats everybodys opinion on them on here?

Also, it seems that most people say that you dont need anything over a 12-14 power for that distance but i feel like the 16 that i have is the least that i would want for shooting that 5-600 range.

The other few scopes that i have been looking at are the burris veracity 4-20x50 FFP, Bushnell Nitro 5-20x44 and possibly the Leupold vx5hd 3-15x44. Any other suggestions or helpful tips are appreciated. Id like to keep it under $800 but ill spend a little more if its really worth it.
Click to expand...

Have been shooting SWFA fixed power (10x-16x - own 5.) for years. Taken Moose, Elk, Deer, Bear and Antelope at 100 to 500 yds, with them. The SWFA's are a very good scope, for the money.

However, I recently purchased an Athlon ARES ETR 4.5 - 30 x 56 / $1200.
(BTR = $850)The Athlon is a great scope! SPOT ON turrets! First class glass. The reticle is a little busy for a guy who prefers to dial his dope, but workable.
 
Bmccart said:
Im going to be going on my first elk hunt next fall and im going to be buying a new scope for my rifle before then. Ill be shooting a 300 wby, i dont plan on shooting over 500 yds maybe 600 max. I currently have a 4-16x50 vortex crossfire 2 on the rifle and shot 500 with it for the first time the other day and needless to say i need a better piece of glass.

I found the Vortex viper HS 6-24x50 on sale today for an awesome deal (about 50% off). I personally havent had any issues with any of the lower end vortex scopes i have, (crossfire 2 and diamondbacks). This viper seems to have good reviews but it seems like everybody talks like the vortex's are junk. Whats everybodys opinion on them on here?

Also, it seems that most people say that you dont need anything over a 12-14 power for that distance but i feel like the 16 that i have is the least that i would want for shooting that 5-600 range.

The other few scopes that i have been looking at are the burris veracity 4-20x50 FFP, Bushnell Nitro 5-20x44 and possibly the Leupold vx5hd 3-15x44. Any other suggestions or helpful tips are appreciated. Id like to keep it under $800 but ill spend a little more if its really worth it.
Click to expand...
I am a fan of Vortex...no issues with the PST GEN 2'S. Every bit as good as anyone elses in their respective price ranges.
 
Nightforce NX8 3.5 - 15 x 50 with FFP and choice of lighted reticles. 30 oz.
No, not inexpensive but certainly rugged and with world class quality and materials.
There are several NX8 scopes from which to choose if you want something less powerful or more powerful.

For less money but still very good quality:
Bushnell Elite LRTS 4.5 - 18 x 44 FFP, mil/mil. 29 OZ.
I have this scope on my new 6.5 PRC Browning X-Bolt Pro and it is excellent for hunting here in Nevada.

Eric B.
 
It sounds like your fairly price sensitive, based on your previous purchase. I'd suggest a vx3i 4.5-14. Well within your budget, has the CDS, and allows you to make a 500 yard shot with ease.
Glass clarity trumps the magnification range. You get what you pay for with glass.
 
EuroOptic is clearing out Vortex for some reason. I had a Razor and liked it. Sold it and the Tikka it was mounted on and upgraded to Sako TRG and a Nightforce ATACR. Liked all of the aforementioned.

Lifetime warranties with no questions asked from Leupold make them attractive. I bought a 25.06 pawn shop special with a goofy Leupold and sent it back. No questions were asked and a new one arrived in the mail. Leupold will machine you an elevation turret if you buy into their certain level scopes at no charge. BTW, the pawn shop did not recognize the K98 Masuer action it was build up from, neither the Hart barrel. All they knew was the scope was busted.
 
Wolf76 said:
It sounds like your fairly price sensitive, based on your previous purchase. I'd suggest a vx3i 4.5-14. Well within your budget, has the CDS, and allows you to make a 500 yard shot with ease.
Glass clarity trumps the magnification range. You get what you pay for with glass.
Click to expand...
I agree and as a rule of thumb as it was explained to me "spend more for the optic than the rifle."
 
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