Need help with scopes for yotes.

[Huntard]

So i typically hunt yotes with a 12ga full choke #2 or #4 buck but im not doing that this year, i want more of a challenge. So i went and bought a marlin 336 .35cal lever action with a bushnell banner 3-9x. Now i know a .35 cal is overkill and i know that it also is not ideal for range esp with the drop off after 300yrds but i like to give myself a challenge so when i switch to what is ideal it will be much easier for me to learn. Plus its a real fun gun. But since i've never done this with a rifle/scope, what do i need to know. Any pointers?

Also im hunting in the catskills in new york, there never arises an opportunity to shoot over 300 yards and 300 is still very very rare for where i hunt. Most of my shots will be within 150 and its thick sometimes so the .35 is pretty ideal, and a nice crossover for deer and bear. But my main focus this season is yotes.

But my main problem is that i have never used a scope for anything but shooting about 100 yards at most with a .22lr, so this is an entirely new game to me.

Any help is really appreciated.

 

[Varminator 911]

I'd sight the gun in to where it's hitting about 1.5 to 2 inches high at 100 yds. This should put it right on at about 160- 175 yds, a little low at 200, and about 15 inches low at 300 yds. If possible verify this out to 300 yds. I'd want it shooting not much more than 2 inches high at the highest point which will be at about 125 yds. Of course this depends on what ammo you are shooting.

While hunting I'd keep the scope set on 3 or 4 power in case you are presented with a close running shot. If you need more power you will usually have time to dial it up for that long shot.

Make sure the scope mounts are tight but not so tight you break the screws.

 

[Huntard]

I'd sight the gun in to where it's hitting about 1.5 to 2 inches high at 100 yds. This should put it right on at about 160- 175 yds, a little low at 200, and about 15 inches low at 300 yds. If possible verify this out to 300 yds. I'd want it shooting not much more than 2 inches high at the highest point which will be at about 125 yds. Of course this depends on what ammo you are shooting.

While hunting I'd keep the scope set on 3 or 4 power in case you are presented with a close running shot. If you need more power you will usually have time to dial it up for that long shot.

Make sure the scope mounts are tight but not so tight you break the screws.

Im going to be using Hornady Leverevolution .35.
It's 50 YDS: +1.66", +3" at 100 yds, 150 YDS: +2.13", -1.3 at 200 yds, 250 YDS: -7.74" and 300 YDS. -17.5"

So i should still dial it in at +1.5 at 100 then?

And do you have a suggestion for a scope, or will a Bushnell Banner 3-9x 40 suffice?

​

 

[Varminator 911]

You can dial it in at +3 inches at 100 yds if you like. This would be great on deer and bear. But on a small animal like a yot I am always thinking I'll shoot over him at intermediate distance, right where the shots often come. At long range I know I've got to hold over it's just a matter of how much. So this is just up to you.

That scope should be fine for your shooting. Doubt you have any thoughts of dialing up at long distance.

 

[Huntard]

You can dial it in at +3 inches at 100 yds if you like. This would be great on deer and bear. But on a small animal like a yot I am always thinking I'll shoot over him at intermediate distance, right where the shots often come. At long range I know I've got to hold over it's just a matter of how much. So this is just up to you.

That scope should be fine for your shooting. Doubt you have any thoughts of dialing up at long distance.

I think im going to go with your first suggestion in regards to how i will dial it in. And no i dont have thoughts of dialing up at long distance. Because again im probably not even going to hunt deer or bear this season, just yotes.

 

[hwy40]

Something to keep in mind. When hunting in close cover keep your scope dialed down to its lowest power. This will help you find your animal in the scope and it will also allow you to see the branches between you and your quarry so that you can thread the needle. Nothing screws with your shots more than branches that deflect your bullets.