Which Scope?

[Jager1]

Ok here's the question I'm going to Colorado for elk in unit 66 first season. I don't know the lay of land but I will be using my 300WSM. I have two choices of scopes to use they both are Leupold VX-3's with the Boone & Crocket rectile one is a 3.5x10 and the other is a 4.5x14.

Which one would you use?

Jager1

 

[GeorgeS]

For elk, the 3.5x-10x. They're large beasts, and if you can't see well enough at 10x magnification to shoot one, you're just too far away.

George

 

[DrMike]

For elk, the 3.5x-10x. They're large beasts, and if you can't see well enough at 10x magnification to shoot one, you're just too far away.

George

+1

Reasoned response that will serve you well.

 

[sask boy]

You sure can't argue with the advice you have received :wink:.
Install it I go get a Elk!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Jager1]

3.5x10 is currently mounted & ready to go! I just received the 14x back from Leopold with some custom work done to it and had an itch!

 

[Dr. Vette]

I had a 4.5-14x44 Zeiss on my 340 Weatherby last year when I took my elk at 450 yards last year. It sure wasn't too much magnification.

Previously I've used other 4.5-14s and done fine, and even a 3-9x40 Leupold with the LR reticle.

I'd say that either one would be just fine.

 

[FOTIS]

For elk, the 3.5x-10x. They're large beasts, and if you can't see well enough at 10x magnification to shoot one, you're just too far away.

George

Bingo!

 

[Oldtrader3]

My thoughts also. I only use 4.5-14x40AO scopes for varmit rifles. My 7mm Rem Mag has a 4-12x50 Swarovski on it but that is the highest magnification game scope that I use. All of the others game scopes are from 3.5-10x42 down to 1.5-5x20, depending on caliber.

I misspoke because I just bought a 3-12x42 HD-5 and installed it on my .270 Win. However for elk, 3.5-10x40 is plenty of scope in almost all situations.

 

[Guy Miner]

For elk, the 3.5x-10x. They're large beasts, and if you can't see well enough at 10x magnification to shoot one, you're just too far away.

George

Yup. No need for more with a target the size of a horse! A few years back I put a 3.5-10x on my son's 6mm Remington - what an outstanding general purpose scope!

For most hunting, I'd likely prefer even the 2.5-8x, if I didn't just stick to a good old fixed six power scope that I usually use.

Guy

 

[HOGWILD338-378]

I would use the one you shoot the best with, Is this a guided hunt or you on your own hunt as Colorado has a lotta private land and ya need to know where you are at all times! Lotta free maps that show this but I would get them early and make sure you know the unit? Kinda like wearing a new pair of boots not knowing the unit?
http://diyhuntingmaps.com/p/co-elk-comp ... id_853=853
Bull success harvest rate around 30% for that GMU, 90% public land in the unit but not many roads in it and a bunch of 14K foot peaks!! Hope ya get a big one :grin: