Shooting at western game

[Rol_P]

My outfitter in south western Montana uses a straight 6x scope for his personal hunting and I have set my 2-10 variable at 6x and left it there for the duration of my Montana hunting.

Do you fellas experienced in western hunting crank up the power to shoot at game out around 400yds? If so how high? Thanks for insight which helps me move along (up) the learning curve. Have a Great Day and stay warm and safe wherever you are.

 

[DrMike]

As my eyes have aged, I find myself using either 9X or 10X for shots over 300 yards. I no longer own a single power scope. Truthfully, for the overwhelming majority of shots I've ever taken, a 6X scope would be enough, even today. If I'm uncomfortable with the sight picture, I will attempt to get closer. I consider myself a hunter and not a shooter.

 

[Thebear_78]

I have mostly 3-9 or 3.5-10 scopes on my longer range hunting rifles 300+ yards. On carbines I have a couple low power variables 1-4 and 1.5-5. I have a couple straight 2.5x scopes one a scout both on medium heavy calibers.

Truthfully while hunting a straight 6x would probably get it all done. I shot a moose at 280 yards with the 2.5x scout and had no problem whatsoever placing my shot.

My longest shot on game was 519 yards on a big bull caribou using. 10x, I could have probably made that shot at 6x just as easily.

For my ultra light 270 project I am seriously considering a leupy 6x36 or 6x42 from the custom shop with CDS turret and post duplex reticle. I think that would be a dandy big game getter.

I feel often it's out desire to shoot small groups at targets that pushes for such high magnification on our hunting scopes. Shooting at the right type of target will really help shooting groups at surprisibg ranges with lower power scopes. A large green or orange circle works well for that.

 

[Elkman]

I typically do when and if the situation allows. Usually from about 300 on. I like to see the twigs branches or stuff that might be in the way. I want to know what is behind the animal, and be assured that I am interpreting the angle correctly. In addition duplex crosswires cover a lot of the animal out at 600 yards. I have always done that even when I was young. I usually have my scope set on 5 unless I am in heavy timber then I turn it down to 3.5.

 

[6mm Remington]

I have 6x and 4x Leupolds on my 30-06 and my 6mm Remington and don't really feel handicapped. On my new rifle in the works though I am thinking about getting a variable. Thinking about it anyway.

David

 

[Elkman]

Like the bear, I use a 1/2" orange aiming point at 1 to 300 and a 3" inch beyond. It does help the eye to focus, and concentrate on the spot.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I concur and also use mostly 3 or 3.5x10 scope, plus a few 5-15 scopes. I set most of them at 3-5x and go from there. My newer HD5 scopes require 14x for using the BDC ladder but I just move them to that magnification before firing, not for scouting

 

[PJGunner]

I haven't taken too many really long range shots. One Mule deer at 427 paces back in the 70's with a .308 and a 3X El Paso Weaver. A cow elk at 530 yards laser measured, eupold 3x9 set at 9X for the shot. One cow elk at 350 yards with a 3x9 Leupold set at 3X. :shock: Made the shot anyway. Most of the game I've taken has been at 200 yards or under, mostly under.
Paul B.

 

[Guy Miner]

Most of the hunting my son and I do is with fixed six power scopes. Both are Leupold. His has the 36mm objective and mine has the 42mm version. Love those scopes!

I've taken game from about 20 yards to over 400 yards, with the 6x scope, and it hasn't been a problem.

We do have rifles with variable power scopes, but mostly we just grab the good old 6x scopes and use them. I like the simplicity of the fixed power scopes. That 42mm version is exceptionally clear and bright! The Leupold scopes seem to have a very generous "eye box" allowing the shooter to line up behind the scope quickly and easily, getting on target fast.

Guy

 

[truck driver]

All of my long range hunting here in the East has been for vamints, ground hogs that I couldn't out smart and get close to. The .257 Roberts with a 6X and latter a 12X has been my long range gun and optics. The 12X didn't come around until I bought another 30-06 to replace it for bigger game which I placed a 1.5-5 on top of it. The 6X now sits on top my .22 but will see service on my TC Contender from now and then. A rifle scope on a pistol, talk about cheek weld HA. Here in the east when hunting farms and fence rows I keep my scopes turned down as low as possible since one never knows when a deer will jump out and it's easier to get on them quick with a lower setting.
With all that said 6X will get the job done and not much more is needed as long as you know were your hunting and what is in the back round.The key word is Hunting.

 

[Vince]

My outfitter in south western Montana uses a straight 6x scope for his personal hunting and I have set my 2-10 variable at 6x and left it there for the duration of my Montana hunting.

Do you fellas experienced in western hunting crank up the power to shoot at game out around 400yds? If so how high? Thanks for insight which helps me move along (up) the learning curve. Have a Great Day and stay warm and safe wherever you are.

I use the power setting that allows my reticle to be dead on at the lines on my ballistic drop reticle.
This is based on velocity. I keep it turned all the way down on it's lowest setting until a further shot opportunity presents itself. Then I crank it up. Closer shots aren't going to be off enough to matter.
My 6.5x284 runs a 5-25 X 50 with a Z800 reticle. The .338 Win Mag runs a 3-15 X 50 with a Z600 reticle. The 30-06 runs a Conquest 3-9 X 42 with the same Z600 as the .338.
So I use two settings. The lowest and whichever power the Zeiss ballistic program tells me matches my velocity.

Vince

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[JD338]

I like the flexibility of a variable scope. I favorite is the Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36mm.
It covers me well out to 600 yds. I shot by bull elk at 350 yds and the scope was set at 6x.

If I were to ever go with a fixed power, it would be a Leupold 6x42mm.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Jim, I do think very highly of that 2.5-8x Leupold. I remember a long time ago, old Finn Aagaard commenting that it might very well be the perfect all-around hunting scope. I figured Finn knew what the heck he was talking about.

Had one on a .300 Win mag, and foolishly sold the scope along with the rifle quite a few years ago. My buddy is still using both the rifle and the scope, very happily.

Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

Guy, I have owned several 2.5-8x36 Leupold's. That was my main scope, until I developed cataracts, and other later eye issues from old age. Now I need a 10x scope to see most caliber bullet holes at 100 yards. That was why I changed.

 

[Bruce Mc]

I have Leupold 3-9s, 2-7s, 4-1s, and 6s. When I hunt with the variables it seems they are always set on six. I recently put a 6x on a new .270 win featherweight and it worked out real well. I like the glass and I haven't had any problems resolving an aiming point out to 400 yds. I don't feel comfortable shooting in the field much further than that.

 

[SJB358]

I'm a 3x9, 2.5x10, 3.5x10 shooter for the most part. I've got a few 4X Leupolds that still work very well for me. Thinking I'm going to give a 6x42 a shot pretty quickly.

 

[sask boy]

I have used variable powered scopes for most of my hunting usually setting them on 6X. Last 4 or 5 years I have been moving it up to 10X for shots over that 300 yard mark & I have had very good success for a old guy :mrgreen:.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Anonymous]

I have used a 6x quite a lot and been perfectly happy with it.

In fact, my current 3x9 has shot every critter set on 6x....it is likely getting replaced with a 6x42 in the future.

6x is perfect for open country and mountains where close encounters and forests don't exist.

 

[cloverleaf]

I know of at least three guys who shoot a 6x36 Leupold. Not to say that you should or have to. They are probably "older set ups" and put together when variables didn't have much of a reputation. They just work. That said I turn my 3-9 down to 4x most of the time, 6X for my last pronghorn hunt. If you have time and opportunity I guess the higher powers are fine. They do exaggerate my "wobble" and tend to slow your shots down IMHO. 4X was always good enough for Dad. CL

 

[pre6422hornet]

All mine are 3x9x40 in big game rigs.

I have never wanted more when hunting. I have wanted less though in the dark timber in Colorado.