Not Enough Scope for .280 AI

[Idahotrophyhunter]

I am not going to be able to get the Swaro Z3 4-12X for my 280 AI build and are now back at square one. I will be using this for Deer/Elk in the Selway Area we hunt for cross canyon shots out to 400 realistically - possibly 500 yards if I can develop a load/skills needed for that type of shooting.

Would I be under scoped with a 3-9 or 3.5-10x? I really have been impressed with a 3-10x40 burris signature select w/ ballistic plex that is on my .270....Thinking may try it on the Ackley, plus I can get a new one through Natchez for little over $300.00.

Any other suggestions?

 

[SJB358]

I can't see having much trouble seeing elk with a 9-10X scope. They still look pretty big to me at that range.

 

[DrMike]

A nine-power or ten-power scope is more than adequate for large game to five hundred yards. I have few scopes that have greater magnification than ten, and I would have no problem with such shots.

 

[wildgene]

...I'd take a look @ a 4X12 Redfield Revolution w/ the Accu-Range reticle, lot of scope for the money in a liteweight, compact package...

 

[gerry]

Those should be enough like the others said, just make sure your target is big enough to be visible when you practice, on game there will be no issues.

 

[Guy Miner]

I shoot mule deer & coyotes time to time at 400 yards or more, with the 6x Leupold on my .25-06 Rem. It works out just fine.

A large varmint/target type high-magnification scope isn't needed for hunting game at 400+ yards. Especially game as big as elk!

Regards, Guy

 

[FOTIS]

...I'd take a look @ a 4X12 Redfield Revolution w/ the Accu-Range reticle, lot of scope for the money in a liteweight, compact package...

THIS ^^^^^^

 

[EOD Diver]

ITH,
My perennial favorite that is on top of a lot of my rifles is the Leupold Mark AR 3x9x40 with MilDot (115390). It's under a pound, has great optical quality, balances well on a hunting rifle, has a MilDot reticle for windage adjustments and has a COVERED elevation turret. Perched on my old pre-64 M70 270 Win it would help me ring steel at 760 yards on a target roughly the size of an elk's vital zone. This isn't to wow you, but to show you that 9 power is plenty for vitals at 500 yards. Did I mention they go for around three hundred bones? The old saying "If you like something buy two of them, because they're going to quit making it" applies here, as Leupold stopped making this model. The new ones have an uncovered turret. Once you get your load squared away and chrono it at your elevation, you can have Leupold make you a custom elevation turret. I did it the poor man's way and shot a lot at known distances and recorded the location on the .223 specific turret that comes with the scope. If you zero at around three hundred yards, then you're in the money without having to touch your elevation turret to about 325 (like on my antelope at 325 yards this year). Beyond that, you typically have a little time to get an accurate distance and wind reading, pull the cap, dial the distance, adjust for windage and squeeze. I've seen this sequence go wrong too many times with friends who have open turrets that get bumped while hiking or not reset at the end of a range day. Simply put, it's a lot of scope for the money.
Take Care,
Joe

PS-Found my last one on Ebay

 

[truck driver]

I like the 2.5-10 range scopes for something that will reach out though I do have a 1.5-5 on my 30-06 and it has served me well. On the 300Wby I have a 4.5-14 Zeiss because the price was right and I never owned a high quality scope before and made due with the $200 range scope.
My advise is to get the best glass you can afford in the 2.5-10 range and don't look back. Camera Land has some great deals on good glass and I would look there along with Optic planets.

 

[Guest]

You should not have any problems with elk or deer at 400-500yds with a scope that has at least 7-9x at the top end of the range. The deer in Florida are pretty small, ranging from 90-125lbs more or less, and I've looked at a ton of them from 300+ without much trouble, through 7x35 binoculars. I could easily have made shots on them at that range, an elk will be a whole lot bigger at 400 than a 100lb white-tail at 300. I've shot five deer in the last three seasons, with four of the five in the 175-220yd range. In no case was my scope above 6x for any of those shots, and in all but one, it was on lowest power (3 or 4.5x, depending on the scope/rifle). Again, a 130-160lb white-tail at 200yd is smaller at 3x than an elk at 400 at 9x, I bet.

 

[.280 Remington]

I have not had real world/hunting experience with it yet, but have been very impressed with the Burris C4 scope. Clarity is great and it has exposed turrets. You also get a free ballistically matched turret for free with the purchase. I got my 4.5-14x42 1" scope for $350.00. Another to look at and ponder over.

My .02 anyway

 

[Anonymous]

I really like the Fixed 6x… no problems shooting at 300 and I've hit steel to 500 without any issues. I've never found magnification to really be that big of a help at longer ranges…a 6x or 3-9x should be just fine to that range.

 

[gerry]

I have not had real world/hunting experience with it yet, but have been very impressed with the Burris C4 scope. Clarity is great and it has exposed turrets. You also get a free ballistically matched turret for free with the purchase. I got my 4.5-14x42 1" scope for $350.00. Another to look at and ponder over.

My .02 anyway

Good to hear, that is one of the ones I have been looking at. The 3-10 Burris Signature the OP is looking at has a very good reputation, I wouldn't mind one of those too but it is pretty tough to find discontinued scopes around here.

 

[truck driver]

Just checked Optic Planets and they have a Viper Vortex HS 2.5-10x44 30mm BDC reticule for $399.

 

[Elkman]

I only have one scope over 10 power and have been fairly successful hunting elk with them. I would definitely go with the BDC Reticle, because they give you the flexibility to adjust your elevation based on "your" load and bullet. I would buy the best one I could afford. I really like the Zeiss glass but they are pricey. Most of mine are Leupold, and they

 

[tim629]

my 280ai is topped with a 2.5-7 leupold with their long range reticle, I just got it so haven't had a chance to go past 100yards but have no reason to believe it wouldn't be good at the distances you're looking at.

 

[JD338]

I have a VX-3 3.5-10x40mm with CDS dials on my 280 AI. With the 150 gr ABLR at 3100 fps, I can get out to 800 yds with a single rotation of the dial. 10x is more than enough magnification for deer and elk at 800 yds so you will not have a problem at 400-500 yds.

JD338

 

[Idahotrophyhunter]

Project is maxing my budget way to quick...looking at a 3-9x40 burris Ff2 with ballistic plex as this scope has been a rock solid scope for me in the past.

Does anyone have any experience with the new e1 series?

 

[jmad_81]

I have ran a few scopes on my 280 AI. A VXIII 2.5-8x36 and a VXIII4.5-14x40LR, didn't have trouble taking game cleanly with either one out past 400 yards. The 2.5-8 was a bit lighter and made for a very handy package, the 4.5-14 gives me a bit more precision at extended ranges, but in all reality, most of my shots are under 400 yards anyways.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have used a 3.5-10 or similar sized scope for shooting deer for 50 years and have never had the issue of not enough magnification. The game shot at these ranges (to 400 yards) never complained.