Multi purpose scope

jrock

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I've been having a hard time trying to find the perfect scope for my .243 win. I hunt small ground squirrels (6" tall) all the way up to deer at 400 yards. I put a bushnell banner 6x24x40 on it back in the day and have been frustrated with every aspect of it. For ground squirrels, the reticule is too wide at 300 yards and covers up the target. 6x power in 40mm objective is too small for fast coyote hunting in sage brush where they can pop out at 50 yards for a spit second. It's been bearable for deer as I'm not usually within 100 yards of them but they do fill up the whole view. Obviously I do more of the small game hunting than deer. I'm going to move a Vortex 4x16x44 HS from another gun and see if that does better. Maybe the perfect scope doesn't exist?
 
Take a look at the FFP version of the Viper HSLR. The Reticle MOA pattern is fine enough to see very small targets just fine, and when you turn down to low magnification, there is plenty of field of view for the close in fast movers, plus the ability to measure rather than guess the right lead on that critter.
 
Dont go for a first focal plane scope. They are 'flavour of the month' but will not aid your hunting one scrap. FFP is for easier range estimation but will block the tiny targets at 400.
Get a variable 4-16 not too high a range unless you envisage yourself popping a deer at 1000yds.
Dont bother with 30mm scopes as they dont give you any advantage at 400yds.
Get a reticle that is easy to aquire but has fine centre hairs. SS Mil Quads are nice but just a German No 4 style is good too.
 
I remember those "good" times in Europe when we were flooded with FFP scopes in the 1970/80 and had almost no other choice ... :cool: Personally, I think FFP is c...p and SFP is much more practical for precise shooting.
 
For you guys who are down on FFP scopes blocking the target, I don't know which scope turned you off, but the HSLR I use has center lines that are only 0.15 thick, and open center 0.45 wide, and a dot 0.15 in diameter. Target has to be pretty small to hide behind that. Give it a look, maybe times have changed.
 
For you guys who are down on FFP scopes blocking the target, I don't know which scope turned you off, but the HSLR I use has center lines that are only 0.15 thick, and open center 0.45 wide, and a dot 0.15 in diameter. Target has to be pretty small to hide behind that. Give it a look, maybe times have changed.

I agree, FFP are good for what they were designed for. But why does Jrock need a FFP scope? It is designed and marketed so those with the need to estimate distance using a mildot/radian system and can do it at all powers not just the one.
The compromise is that the crosshairs HAVE to be very fine at low mag because at high mag they would be too large.
If jrock needs a scope that performs at ranges from 80 to 400 with a crosshair that allows quick acquisition close up but fine control downrange he is better to sava da money and get a 2ndFP scope.
This is just my opinion and I havnt used all the scopes mentioned.
 
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