Scope power

[jager]

Okay...I've got a question for you modern firearm hunters.

What magnification scope do you use and what type of hunting do you use it for?

[jackelope]

i've always used a 3-9x40 scope till this year. sold the gun and scope and now am running a 4-12x40 and a 4.5-14x40. we hunt rifle deer in eastern wa.
3-9 has always served me just fine and some say the perfect scope for most everything is a fixed 6x.

[boneaddict]

2x7 leopold, several rifles, for everything.

[batch]

i've always used a 3-9x40 scope till this year. sold the gun and scope and now am running a 4-12x40 and a 4.5-14x40. we hunt rifle deer in eastern wa.
3-9 has always served me just fine and some say the perfect scope for most everything is a fixed 6x.

  when you use higher magnifications it shows all your little movements more. i usually leave all my variables on 6x

[jackelope]

i did find it a lot nicer sighting in with the bigger magnification stuff...
i would imagine it would be nice for working up a load for your rifle too if you're a reloader.

[huntnphool]

I have several Nikons that I use but my go to is either the 3-9X40 or 4-16X50. Open sage mule deer hunting for me.

[mossback91]

3-9x40 does work............I also like fixed power scope though for ease of use and always gonna be the same

I would say that higher power scopes do sight in nicely jack!! easier to see the little circle your trying to hit!

[huntnphool]

I should add that even though I use variable scopes, they seldom leave 6-7 power.

[Intruder]

Tough to beat a 3-9x40 or 3-9X42 as the best "all around" scope out there.  If you really get into longer range shooting then going up to something that is in the 4-12 or 4-14 range may be justifiable.   

[addicted]

always had a 3-9x40 in wa. for deer.

over here there is a large use of solid 6, 7, and 8x56 scopes over here.

i've been running a 3-12x56 for night hunting pigs and i find that anything over 5 or 6 power under 100 yards doesnt leave enough in the scope to contrast against in order to see the animal.  having the ability to go up to 12 is nice because they are very picky abou the deer shot here with their strict heard control and having that little extra can be the difference between a schemall reh and a geist.

[Bean Counter]

I've always had a 3-9x40 on my .30-06. I've toyed with the idea of upping the scope to a 4-14 or sth but then I'd feel like I'd need a magnum rifle or something. Then I realized the scope didn't need improvement--my marksmanship did.  3-9 will beon my rifle for at least a few more years.

[Gobble]

The 3 x 9 x 40 Leupold on my 30-06 is a tack driving combo 

[Huntbear]

For my deer gun, I used to use a 3-9x40.  Now that I am getting older and seem to be going blind   I have gone to a 4-14x50.  A little higher magnification, and better to see in the timber right at daylight or dusk.(For me anyway, the 50 mm. objective really helps me in the low light)  My scope stays on 4 power unless I need it to be higher.  I missed a chance at a nice buck one time, had left my scope on 7 power, dang thing stood up in a thicket 20 ft. from me.  Could not find his vitals area in the scope, just hair.  He of course turned and melted into that jungled mess, and was gone.

If you have good eyes, and you hunt the wetside, a fixed power is great, or a small variable.  I know a guy uses a 2-7x32 on his 300 Savage, gets his deer every year.

If you are hunting east side, then you may want some higher magnification for the longer shots that will present themselves.  Just remember, the more magnification, the heavier the scope usually.

[Straight Shooter]

For general hunting, a 3-9x40 is very hard to beat.  You have the low range for 25 yard shots and the higher range for 200+ yard shots.  I also like the 4.5-14 or 4-16 for varmint/predator.

[jackelope]

it's interesting to me a lot of you guys saying the 3x is what you need for the short range stuff, while the 4-14 or 12 or whatever is considered usable for the long range stuff. is there that much difference between 3x and 4x? i'm using 4-12 simply because thats what i have. i've always used 3-9 and agree it's about perfect for deer hunting.

the other thing that irks me a little is my scope has the bullet drop reticle but the manual says it is only useful at full zoom...12x?
anyone else have this type reticle and is that limit normal?