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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7313996
10/14/18 04:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,602
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
duck & cover
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duck & cover
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,602 |
I like the 2.5-10x a lot for most deer hunting scenarios; although depending on where I am hunting, the venerable dependable 3-9x Burris atop the carbine gets a lot of work, as does the 4x-20x on the long range gun in west texas. ...
If I had to pick one, for deer hunting, the 2.5-10x Trijicon is very good, and still allows me to reach out far enough
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7314013
10/14/18 04:20 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,249
wp75169
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I usually like a fixed 4x or 2-7 for my hinting in the woods. Fortunately I have had some experience shooting long range. They clear cut my place this year and I now have unlimited line of sight down the edge of the hardwoods on the bayou. This year I will be using a 3-18 on a rifle I am very comfortable with out to 350 yards. Probably much farther but I’m not willing to push it.
In truth the 3-18 would have covered any hunting I’ve done in my life but the fixed 4x would not. I sure do like the 4x on a short stout rifle like the 338-06 though.
The FX-2 6x has less field of view than I want. I didn’t notice it until I tried tracking a running pig through the trees. That’s when the lower power shines. A 2X with a red dot is awesome in that scenario.
Now days a 2-12 sounds about perfect for a best all around. But what’s the fun in that.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7314130
10/14/18 05:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,467
Big Fitz
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4.5-14 Leupold with their Boone and Crockett reticle is my favorite for deer/elk/etc. I too leave it on 4.5 and dial up magnification when the situation permits.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7314354
10/14/18 10:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,854
Adchunts
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3-9 on my muzzleloader 4-16 on 6.5 CM 3-9 on another 6.5 CM 2-7 on my .44 Mag pistol 3-9 on my .300 BLK
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#7314535
10/15/18 01:52 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,195
Tactical Cowboy
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Y’all must either be blind, or intend to shoot halfway to Alaska. I’m not sure what you consider “halfway to Alaska”. I guess if you consider 150 yards a long shot, then 300-400 yards is crazy long. But a deer or pronghorn doesn’t look very big at 6x and 350 yards. They don’t even look outsized at 14x, but they are certainly easier to make an accurate shot on at the higher magnification. I’ve shot deer with irons at 150, and more than a few over 200 with a 4x. It’s not that hard. For 95% of the folks hunting (and apparently only a handful of folks on this sight), a 200 yard shot IS pretty far, and 300 might as well be a mile. In such a case a 3-9 or 4-12 would be a much better choice, given you can typically get better glass for less money.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: Tactical Cowboy]
#7314559
10/15/18 02:31 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,260
J.G.
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Y’all must either be blind, or intend to shoot halfway to Alaska. I’m not sure what you consider “halfway to Alaska”. I guess if you consider 150 yards a long shot, then 300-400 yards is crazy long. But a deer or pronghorn doesn’t look very big at 6x and 350 yards. They don’t even look outsized at 14x, but they are certainly easier to make an accurate shot on at the higher magnification. I’ve shot deer with irons at 150, and more than a few over 200 with a 4x. It’s not that hard. For 95% of the folks hunting (and apparently only a handful of folks on this sight), a 200 yard shot IS pretty far, and 300 might as well be a mile. In such a case a 3-9 or 4-12 would be a much better choice, given you can typically get better glass for less money. Only if you can get better glass for less money? If so, I agree. Those that I listed are excellent glass, WITH high magnification available if I need it, for some reason.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7314566
10/15/18 02:40 AM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,158
Scott W
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Yep, only time I'm not on lowest magnification is after I've found my target and have time to zoom in.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7314580
10/15/18 02:50 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,168
Brother in-law
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Back in the day if a rifle had an optic, it was a 4X or 6X fixed power. Then for about 40 years the 3-9 variable power became the new standard. Seems lately everyone has moved up in magnification. I see a lot more 15X-20X on the top end at the range and in hunters hands.
I still use 3-9x40 on most of my deer rifles. What is everyone using now? Probably because of the ffp trend A 2x10 is plenty fine
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7314663
10/15/18 07:57 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,062
Toxarch
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I'll dial mine up even inside 200 if they are walking or standing. I can shoot with both eyes open. Aim small, miss small.
Last edited by Toxarch; 10/15/18 10:12 PM.
It is far more important to be able to hit the target than it is to haggle over who makes a weapon or who pulls a trigger.
� Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7314911
10/15/18 02:42 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,185
scottfromdallas
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Interesting. The responses reflect what I thought. Many people are moving up in magnification.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7314935
10/15/18 03:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
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I suspect the variances you see may reflect the differences in types of hunting and/or terrain also.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7315025
10/15/18 04:10 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,809
Cleric
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Interesting. The responses reflect what I thought. Many people are moving up in magnification. Think optic improvements has a lot to do with it. A number of years ago 3-18 was a lot harder to do while maintaining quality
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7315036
10/15/18 04:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,983
ChadTRG42
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Scopes are being made much better now. Also, I think a lot of shooters are wanting more precision and better rifles that are more capable of better precision. I hear from customers all the time about how they spend good money on a rifle and scope, and can not get the results they want from factory ammo. They plug in the speed written on the box and can not figure out why it shoots bad and/or they are off target at longer ranges. They need something better and more consistent to get that precision. That's where better ammo comes into play. I see this all the time!
But for hunting optics, I shake my head when I see a Hubble telescope on top of a 257 Wby rifle. Hunters think they need 20x-50x power scopes to shoot long range. (and yes, I have seen some 50x power scopes on a hunting rifle!)
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: Cleric]
#7315042
10/15/18 04:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
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Interesting. The responses reflect what I thought. Many people are moving up in magnification. Think optic improvements has a lot to do with it. A number of years ago 3-18 was a lot harder to do while maintaining quality That’s a fact. Weight has gone way down also. My first “ultralight” Leupold scope was a little 3-9x33 that weighed 11 oz. A new Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x40 only weighs 13 oz today. Plus its optical quality is WAY better than the first Leupold 4.5-14x40 I bought 20 years ago. IIRC that scope weighs 19-20 oz.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: ChadTRG42]
#7315067
10/15/18 04:44 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,185
scottfromdallas
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\ But for hunting optics, I shake my head when I see a Hubble telescope on top of a 257 Wby rifle. Hunters think they need 20x-50x power scopes to shoot long range. (and yes, I have seen some 50x power scopes on a hunting rifle!) I am with you on that. Part of a good hunting rifle is balance. Some of the scopes are so heavy and large the rifle doesn't balance well. The current trend is trying to find one scope that is great for both but people end up with compromises. For shooting targets, I like higher magnification, MIL reticles, exposed MIL turrets & Front Focal plane. I don't care about size and weight. I want consistent tracking. For hunting, I like a 2-7, 3-9 or 2-10. I want second focal plane to so it's easy to see on low power, capped turrets so nothing gets bumped and a reasonable weight and size that won't throw off the balance of the rifle. An illuminated mil reticle would make it ideal. I want it to hold zero.
Last edited by scottfromdallas; 10/15/18 04:44 PM.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7315812
10/16/18 09:52 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
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1.75-6 on a 30-30 3-9 on a .270, 30-06 and .243 3.5-10 on a 6.5x55
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7315824
10/16/18 10:21 AM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,398
onlysmith&wesson
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Leupold VX5 HD, 3-15 x 44. Rarely dial it past 6x. At 3x, right at the end of shooting light it gathers more than enough light. I've learned to spend the coin on quality and light gathering clarity rather upper end magnification.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7328253
10/26/18 10:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 484
howl
Bird Dog
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Times have changed from people shooting a lot with iron sights to buying a Hubble and shooting very little. It's apples and oranges.
Average age of hunters is getting older. If you aren't much of a shooter, upping magnification seems like a way to make up for weakening eyes. Doing so actually makes you a worse game shot overall, but if you only take the shots such a system applies to, then your small volume deer shooting might be better.
I use low power variables; 2-7x, etc. I shoot a lot. A good bit of my shooting is with iron sights. Zooming in and picking a hair on a calm animal just isn't part of what I do. My rigs usually won't print as small a group off a bench with the hunting scope, rather than the load testing scope, but if I'm shooting in the field I'm hitting vitals.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: howl]
#7328324
10/26/18 11:48 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,993
ImTheReasonDovesMourn
Snarky Mark
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Times have changed from people shooting a lot with iron sights to buying a Hubble and shooting very little. It's apples and oranges.
Average age of hunters is getting older. If you aren't much of a shooter, upping magnification seems like a way to make up for weakening eyes. Doing so actually makes you a worse game shot overall, but if you only take the shots such a system applies to, then your small volume deer shooting might be better.
I use low power variables; 2-7x, etc. I shoot a lot. A good bit of my shooting is with iron sights. Zooming in and picking a hair on a calm animal just isn't part of what I do. My rigs usually won't print as small a group off a bench with the hunting scope, rather than the load testing scope, but if I'm shooting in the field I'm hitting vitals. A scope makes you a worse shot on game animals than with open sights? A target is a target, whether alive or inanimate. Iron sights also don't gather light, and there's no way to adjust them for parallax. You'll have a hard time convincing many folks that their scope is actually a handicap.
Haha yea I polished that thing for hours.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: ImTheReasonDovesMourn]
#7328428
10/27/18 01:45 AM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,242
Smokey Bear
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Times have changed from people shooting a lot with iron sights to buying a Hubble and shooting very little. It's apples and oranges.
Average age of hunters is getting older. If you aren't much of a shooter, upping magnification seems like a way to make up for weakening eyes. Doing so actually makes you a worse game shot overall, but if you only take the shots such a system applies to, then your small volume deer shooting might be better.
I use low power variables; 2-7x, etc. I shoot a lot. A good bit of my shooting is with iron sights. Zooming in and picking a hair on a calm animal just isn't part of what I do. My rigs usually won't print as small a group off a bench with the hunting scope, rather than the load testing scope, but if I'm shooting in the field I'm hitting vitals. A scope makes you a worse shot on game animals than with open sights? A target is a target, whether alive or inanimate. Iron sights also don't gather light, and there's no way to adjust them for parallax. You'll have a hard time convincing many folks that their scope is actually a handicap. X2 As my eyes have aged a scope on my rifle makes me a far better shot. My son is 19 and he has shot a lot. Not as much now because he is in college. He is no slouch with irons or a scope. What he is capable of with a scoped rifle far surpasses what he can do with irons. The only exception is aerial targets. Before anyone gets heated up about shooting targets out of the air with a rifle, we are shooting skeet with 22's and ARs in a box canyon with a solid back drop. It is a ball.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: ImTheReasonDovesMourn]
#7332622
10/31/18 02:59 AM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 484
howl
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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It's funny to read posts where people think they are disagreeing with you, but really just failed on the reading comprehension.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: howl]
#7332654
10/31/18 03:29 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,993
ImTheReasonDovesMourn
Snarky Mark
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Snarky Mark
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,993 |
It's funny to read posts where people think they are disagreeing with you, but really just failed on the reading comprehension. Then WTF were you trying to say here? If you aren't much of a shooter, upping magnification seems like a way to make up for weakening eyes. Doing so actually makes you a worse game shot overall,
Haha yea I polished that thing for hours.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: ImTheReasonDovesMourn]
#7332792
10/31/18 12:01 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,185
scottfromdallas
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It's funny to read posts where people think they are disagreeing with you, but really just failed on the reading comprehension. Then WTF were you trying to say here? If you aren't much of a shooter, upping magnification seems like a way to make up for weakening eyes. Doing so actually makes you a worse game shot overall, I really don't understand how seeing what you are trying to shoot makes things worse.
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7336021
11/02/18 09:11 PM
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 464
tailchaser93
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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4-12 on my main hunting rifle 4-16 on another one and the rest are 3-9 except for red dot
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Re: Deer Rifle Optics
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7336098
11/02/18 10:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,088
txtrophy85
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I hunted for years with a 3x9 Redfield.
No way would I want to take a 200 yards shot with a 4x scope. Really I wouldn’t want to take a 100 yard shot with one.
Aside from the above mentioned 3x9 I have a 4x16 and a 3x18. I typically leave both on 8x and dial up from there.
On longer shots (250 yards and up) I prefer 12x
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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