First pronghorn hunt. Upgrade scope?

[Bean Counter]

So I have  a 50 year old Remington .270 rifle and a scope that's about as old. It seems as though it was high quality BITD but its a fixed 6x power. I've shot it on the range but haven't taken it on a hunt yet.  I appreciate the antiquity of having an old scope on an old rifle. However I don't have any family attachment to the rifle to be sentimental about it.

On the range, it hits me in the safety glasses now and then. IDK if it can just be slid forward and rezeroed or if I have to keep it there based on the scopes's eye relief or other specs. I'm wondering if for the open plains country of Wyoming if something that zooms to 10 or 12x would be  a worthwhile investment. Maybe $500-600. I have the ability to get 25% off Zeiss scopes. My wife will most certainly kibosh my dreams of a wildlife telephoto lens for my DSLR if I make such an investment but the tag I've drawn is a Boone and Crocket quality hunt.

[Bob33]

I don't believe that optical quality in riflescopes is a significant requirement for antelope hunting. It is done primarily in open country, in daylight conditions.

I do believe that while 6x magnification is adequate, more is better - I think 10x or 12x is ideal. Too much magnification can be problematic because of limited field of view; you need to see what's going on around the animal you're targeting so another doesn't walk behind it or in front as you're about to shoot.

[elkaholic123]

Bean your inbox is overflowing.... I have a scope for sale in the classifieds 

[Bean Counter]

  hit it again

[Bob33]

FWIW: These are the number of pronghorns I have killed at various distances over the years. As you can see, most are in the 200 to 300 yard range but also several in the 300 to 400 yard range. They're pretty small targets, and wind is usually a factor which can limit ethical shot distance.

Yards   #

1-50   2
51-100   5
101-150   4
151-200   7
201-250   15
251-300   11
301-350   9
351-400   8
401-450   3

[thinkingman]

A 3-12X or 3-15X is very practical.
Wide for the surprise shots at 3X and can really see them at 12X for longer ranges.

[Bill W]

6x is adequate for 400-500 yard pronghorn shots but you will find the wind will be the limiting factor for the distance shot.   I'd zero your rifle for either 3 1/2 inches high at 100 yards or a 300 yard zero.   Anything inside of 350 is "put the crosshairs where you want and pull the trigger" unless you are trying to shoot a skinny neck.

Beyond that there's about 8-10 inches of hold over at 400 and a total of 24 at 500.  Again you will find the wind will limit the distance you feel confident in shooting.

I popped one at 450 yards one year and needed 30 inches of windage.

My rifle was a .25-06 Remington Varmint Special with a 4-12 BDC scope on it.   

One valuable piece of equipment you will need even more than a new scope is a good bipod.  You'll need that way more than a new scope.

One valuable tip - check the ground for prickly pear cactus before assuming the prone position for a shot.

[Bean Counter]

I could see needing the 2x or 3x end for a mountain hunt with forests. I've always been intrigued by the idea of owning a 10x or 12x fixed scope. Since it would be going in the .270 it could become a dedicated plains gun.

Opinions?

[Bob33]

I could see needing the 2x or 3x end for a mountain hunt with forests. I've always been intrigued by the idea of owning a 10x or 12x fixed scope. Since it would be going in the .270 it could become a dedicated plains gun.

Opinions?

I've only killed two antelope (of 64) closer than 50 yards. I don't see the need for a low power scope on a dedicated antelope rifle. However, I also don't see why a 3-10 or 3-12 couldn't do the same and more.

[bobcat]

Leupold 4.5-14x40.   

[Curly]

BC, don't be a tighta$$ or overthink it.  Just get a decent variable scope like has been suggested.

[grundy53]

Personally I wouldn't buy a 10X or 12X fixed for hunting. I would only consider those for a dedicated target gun. Even then I'd probably go for a variable.

[Bean Counter]

BC, don't be a tighta$$ or overthink it.  Just get a decent variable scope like has been suggested.

Yessir! 

[Curly]

I hope  you know I was mostly joking. 

[Bean Counter]

Dudes! This is what's on there, now. They're still selling for $100-200 on ebay 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1968-magazine-ad-723-Bushnells-Scopechief-IV-Insta-Focus-Binoculars-/371388785908?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56787f24f4