Question for those that take large game at 300 to 600 yrds

[Recon$$]

6-10. I want plenty of FOV

 

[Bucklowery]

10x usually is my sweet spot

Thanks

Buck

 

[tysonmax]

Beyond 300 I really want to see my impacts. So I try to stay under 10x, the elk in my profile pic was on 8x @ 534 yards.

 

[Rosebud]

Was in the early 80s when I shot elk.
But good old 3-9x44 Redfield.

 

[Allen Kitts]

I run lots of variable power scopes that start at 4X or 5X and go up to as much as 25X. I always carry at the minimum magnification on the scope in case a close shot presents itself while walking and if its a stationary target at longer distance I get set up and dial as necessary to get a good clear picture of where I am aiming.Generally it is about 12X unless it is a small critter than its higher. I would say 90% of my shots are from 12X to 16X on anything of distance over 500 yards.

 

[Quicksilver338]

10-15, if I have a spotter I end up on the higher magnification. My goal is to spot my impacts or watch the animal after recoil. Most times I'm making an impact call before my spotter.

 

[Catskills]

I tend to hunt open country where shots have averaged 350+ over the decades. For years, my scopes of choice were 3.5x10 Vari-X-IIIs so most longer shots were at 10x. Today, I prefer more magnification and routinely shoot 15-18. I tend to keep scopes at 6x before setting up for a longer shot. In the country I hunt, this has never been a problem….

 

[MachV]

4-16 scopes turned to 16 for shots over 300

 

[Plinker147]

I'm usually and 10-12x. If I'm holding for wind then 15x which is max power on my scopes. If you're shooting 2ndFP like me you have to be on high power for hash to be accurate. Something to remember if your fixing to buy a scope.

 

[Tidus56]

Yep. Acquire target on lower power and turn up as needed. A good tip is not to be too up in power on live game because it is very easy to lose them in the FOV after the impact. Learned through experience.

Made the same error two years ago lost a chance on a cow elk. Now I always have lowest mag and zoom if needed

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I run a few Swarovsi 5-25x scopes. It wouldn't be unusual for me to crank one all the way up once I've got a steady hold on a distant target.

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

Lets just say i use more power than most.

 

[VinceMule]

6-24
8-25
8-32

The reason for the higher power is to examine their rack to see if there are any broken brow tines. I put a lot of money in a hunt to Kansas, was running a 3-12 at the time on a 7 STW. I shot a 320 lb white tail, and a brow tine was broken on the OFF side. I was sure ****ed when I saw the ruined rack because I would have let him walk. Those big bucks fight a LOT, and they break brow tines all the time.

On a big White Tail deer, depending on the area, you should expect to see broken rack from them fighting.

Record book white tails in Kansas are approaching 500 lbs.

 

[Turpentine21]

It seems my eyes are getting worse. I require more magnification than I used to. My hunting is a bit different from most of you. I shoot only does. I have to jack up the power to make sure I don't see little spikes or buttons. I do everything I can to avoid shooting a buck by mistake.