scope decision

[roundtree]

Ok guys i drew a rifle elk tag and am trying to decide what scope i should use on the hunt. i have a vortex viper6-20x50 with target turret on my rifle now but was thinking of going with a conquest 4.5-14 with the rapid z reticle. this will be a late november hunt and my longest shot will probably be 500 yards. i shoot a 7mm remington mag and planning on using 160 accubonds or something similar. Curious to see what you all would use and why. Thanks

 

[Buffalobob]

I wouldn't change scopes. I would zero the rifle at 100 yards and then I would spin the dial up to a 300 yard hold and know my holdovers for 400 and 500. I would have a drop chart on the stock in case a longer shot was needed.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I wouldn't change scopes. I would zero the rifle at 100 yards and then I would spin the dial up to a 300 yard hold and know my holdovers for 400 and 500. I would have a drop chart on the stock in case a longer shot was needed.

Good advise but I would use a 200 yd zero which would give you almost another 100 yds of point blank range. If you can shoot MOA to 500 yds, with a little practice, you can easily kill an elk to 600 yds or so and the 7RM can get the job done with a good shot at that range.

I don't think you can go wrong with either scope. Which ever you choose, practice with it and know your drops and holdovers for a quick shot. If you're shooting uphill (about 30 degrees) past 300 yds, aim for the lower third of the body to hit mid body on an upward trajectory. If you're shooting downhill, aim for mid body to hit upper third on a downward trajectory.

-Mark

 

[WyoElk2Hunt]

I agree with Montana Zero at 200 and don't change scopes.

 

[roundtree]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

[Buano]

Scope is not an item that will be perfect for all situations.

If hunting open country exclusively, what you have is fine. If hunting thick timber, a minimum power of no more than 3.5x or 4x is much better (and 2x better yet) as elk hunters will often have about 3 seconds to get a shot off in the timber.

I concur that your zero should be 200 yards as this will allow you to hold dead on from point-blank to 250 yards.

I saw a 160 grain Accubond fired from a 7mm Rem mag cartridge FAIL on a shoulder shot elk. Elk was shot at 7 yards (yes, 27 feet) & the bullet didn't make it through the shoulder. Thankfully, the first shot went behind the shoulder & into the lungs! These may be great deer bullets, but I'll never trust them on a trophy elk again.

 

[roundtree]

what bullet would you recommend

 

[Buano]

what bullet would you recommend

Barnes or Nosler Partitions. Neither will fragment.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

The 150 E-Tip will have a better BC than the Partiton, and no deformed lead noses.

 

[roundtree]

i've heard good things about the barnes triple shock. i havent tried handloading them, but the factory loaded federals did not shoot very well out of my gun. are the triple shocks the bullets you are talking about?