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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8386616
09/16/21 03:20 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,920
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,920 |
First and foremost, a rifle scope is an aiming device and should hold zero and track reliably, and obviously It should have a usable reticle in all lighting conditions. Then comes glass quality, as any modern day $300'ish class scope has good enough optics to get you past legal shooting light. I'm always amazed at these scope threads that go on an on about glass and not mechanics.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8386618
09/16/21 03:28 AM
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Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 242
TXHunter0619
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 242 |
For what it's work, I liken it to level of comfort and feeling confident in how your rifles are going to perform. If you shoot multiple distances on the same rifle, sure it might be overkill for 200 yard deer, but you also wouldn't want to change the scope on your rifle anytime you change your shooting distance be it for target-fun or hunting. If it's purely hunting I would definitely say I'm "overscoped", but I tend to think of it like bow practice...practice at further distances so at average hunting range it's a chip shot to make an ethical kill.
That said, I'm also the type to shoot long range on the same weapons I take into the field to hunt. I'd never invest in a LR competition gun, but like some have posted above, the more expensive glass is sometimes more important than the rifle when shooting at distance. I have and will continue to invest in glass as I can even tell the difference on my own guns with higher quality glass.
tough times don't last, tough people do
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8386810
09/16/21 02:05 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
Jimbo
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170 |
Overscope? If 98% of those who post on this forum saw my gun collection along with my scopes they would die laughing. To me they are tools, and they have worked well over the years in my hands never letting me down. To me expensive glass still won't compensate for a poor shooter to begin with!
Thursday at 12:45 PM #33 Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8386819
09/16/21 02:22 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,929
Ol Thumper
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,929 |
But all of you saying the old stuff works just fine still drive 1980’s 2 wheel drive trucks and don’t pay thousands upon thousands on leases, corn, blinds, etc etc. Some of you guys make zero sense sometimes Nope I bet a lot of you are driving newer diesel 4X4’s just in case you hit that wet slippery spot going through the gate on the lease you paid $4,000 on pulling in your $30,000 camper you haul 2 times a year to justify the big truck for that reason and don’t forget the $15,000 Ranger to haul all those critters out of the woods and the list goes on but you get my point. Flame On Pilgrims
Last edited by Ol Thumper; 09/16/21 02:23 PM.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8386837
09/16/21 02:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,331
Blank
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,331 |
I only own 3 variable power scopes in the entire gun safe. Leupold 1.75x6X, Leupold 2.5x8X, and a Zeiss 2.5x8X. These for 416, 375 and 300RUM
All other slug shotguns, muzzleloaders, rimfires, and deer rifles wear Leupold fixed 4X or 6X. That works fine for me out to 300 yards. If they look too small, I just get closer!!!
Beer and whiskey, 'cause you can't drink bacon!!
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8386866
09/16/21 03:00 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,701
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,701 |
I’ve had all sorts of scopes with varying power ranges (and fixed powers). As long as a fellow is Ok with the size and weight of a scope, it seems to me that the lower end of the power scale might be the most important. Too much magnification on the lower end could be a problem in the woods. As for the upper magnification, you can use as much of it as you wish. An 8-32 power would not be something I’d want, and my 6.5-20 Leupold is borderline too high at 6.5.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8394577
09/23/21 03:03 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,744
psycho0819
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,744 |
I have 3-9's,a 3-12, 4.5-14's, 6-18, and a 6.5-24. For deer hunting I prefer the 4.5-14x. 4.5 collects light pretty well, gives a decent field of view, and 14x allows me to study them if I need to as well as place a shot fairly precisely. More often than not I end up between 9-12x when shooting something 100-200yds. Below 100yds it's more like 6x.
Tolerance is the virtue of a man without conviction.
The end of the world began the day it was created, and life is a sexually transmitted terminal disease.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: Ol Thumper]
#8396999
09/25/21 12:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,192
LonestarCobra
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,192 |
But all of you saying the old stuff works just fine still drive 1980’s 2 wheel drive trucks and don’t pay thousands upon thousands on leases, corn, blinds, etc etc. Some of you guys make zero sense sometimes Nope I bet a lot of you are driving newer diesel 4X4’s just in case you hit that wet slippery spot going through the gate on the lease you paid $4,000 on pulling in your $30,000 camper you haul 2 times a year to justify the big truck for that reason and don’t forget the $15,000 Ranger to haul all those critters out of the woods and the list goes on but you get my point. Flame On Pilgrims I would say you are spot on judging by all the rigs that come up and down our road from August to February, driving like bats out of he77 and littering the ditches with corn sacks full of beer cans. As for the OP, my rifle will shoot where it is pointed no matter what time of day it is. The scope riding on it does not work like that. So, I opt to make a list of expectations for the scope, and purchase the one that fits the bill. I don’t care about re sale, since I can’t ever remember selling a scope. When I think of overscoped, I think of over magnified. I hunt open wheat fields for the most part, and have some fairly long shots at times, so for me something in the range 6.5-20 or 8-25 works well. I like having a good field of view, and if I were hunting in heavier cover, I would opt for something of lower magnification.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8397175
09/25/21 05:14 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,561
Slow Drifter
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,561 |
I don't think so. 3-9x40's on a couple 308's. 4x30's on my 6.5 Swede and 7x57.
"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones." A. Einstein
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8397254
09/25/21 06:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 898
TKM
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 898 |
Most of mine are 4x16's, doesn't matter where i'm hunting. It is so automatic with me that at times i have the scope ordered or on hand long before i decide to get the next rifle.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8401200
09/29/21 12:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 145
pdotson
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 145 |
I was listening to Remi Warrens podcast the other day and he said spend all you can afford on good glass... Binos and scope. I have a 4-24, 3-15, and 3-9 on my rifles, none of which are on the high high end of scopes but they're all I could justify at the time. I prefer the larger magnification ranges because they can just flat out do more stuff. Can you shoot long range with a 3x9, yes but there are better options.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8402720
09/30/21 08:59 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073
RedSnake
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073 |
No such thing as too much scope.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: RedSnake]
#8402742
09/30/21 09:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,929
Ol Thumper
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,929 |
No such thing as too much scope. My man
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8402963
10/01/21 01:29 AM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 197
Hunter307
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 197 |
Swfa 3-9x42 HD mil/mil here.
Neither over or under scoped. Just right.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8402978
10/01/21 01:40 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,126
Brother in-law
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,126 |
If it helps you see better buy it
Nothing worst than crap scopes and rings
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8408324
10/06/21 12:01 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,730
Mickey Moose
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,730 |
The last scope I bought is way too much for the rifle, but I couldn't find anything else that checked all my feature boxes. It's a 4.5-30x56 on an 18" 223 Wylde AR. The 34 mm tube and 56 mm objective even look ridiculous when mounted.
My botnet is bigger than yours.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8414629
10/11/21 10:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 402
drycreek3189
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 402 |
Most of my rifles wear identical Nikon 2.5X10 scopes. That’s all I’ve ever needed.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: RedSnake]
#8414677
10/11/21 11:14 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,468
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,468 |
No such thing as too much scope. Just weight
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8414741
10/12/21 12:23 AM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,711
10 Gauge
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,711 |
I don’t even think it needs to track that well, on a hunting rifle. As long as it holds zero, I can adapt well enough to whatever tracking issues to get it zeroed as long as it stays zeroed. That’s all I ask of mine.
Tracking reliably is more a function of a target shooting rig. And to be honest I don’t think you can really count on most $300 scopes to track well and last long if you regularly dial adjustments.
Edit- I should probably add the question, how can you really be over-scoped with a variable, if you can dial down the magnification for a close range shot? My personal preference is for a light and robust fixed scope, but I don’t think that makes a high quality variable too much scope. I sense a little bit of envy, or maybe jealousy?
Last edited by Bryan C. Heimann; 10/12/21 12:27 AM.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#8414744
10/12/21 12:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,711
10 Gauge
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,711 |
No such thing as too much scope. Just weight
1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: hook_n_line]
#8414745
10/12/21 12:29 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
I spend a nice amount on my deer rifle scope, mainly because I want to squeeze out every ounce of shooting light I can. I am sure I have missed out on at least one big deer because my scope was not up to snuff when he walked out at last light. I would like for that to not happen again.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#8414747
10/12/21 12:35 AM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,711
10 Gauge
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,711 |
I spend a nice amount on my deer rifle scope, mainly because I want to squeeze out every ounce of shooting light I can. I am sure I have missed out on at least one big deer because my scope was not up to snuff when he walked out at last light. I would like for that to not happen again. If you have the means then why not spend the money? When it comes to a rifle scope you should buy as much quality as you can afford. You can get by on a savage axis or go even cheaper than that at a pawn shop somewhere. But a cheap scope is going to fail way before a cheap rifle. Even in the $300 range there are some very good scopes and also there are some very poor ones. I still shop in the $300-$400 price range, it’s a lot of money to me. But the quality there can vary by a lot! Even between two scopes of the exact same model. But on the high end, you don’t need to shop around as much.
Last edited by Bryan C. Heimann; 10/12/21 12:36 AM.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
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Re: Do you over scope?
[Re: 10 Gauge]
#8414795
10/12/21 01:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
I spend a nice amount on my deer rifle scope, mainly because I want to squeeze out every ounce of shooting light I can. I am sure I have missed out on at least one big deer because my scope was not up to snuff when he walked out at last light. I would like for that to not happen again. If you have the means then why not spend the money? When it comes to a rifle scope you should buy as much quality as you can afford. You can get by on a savage axis or go even cheaper than that at a pawn shop somewhere. But a cheap scope is going to fail way before a cheap rifle. Even in the $300 range there are some very good scopes and also there are some very poor ones. I still shop in the $300-$400 price range, it’s a lot of money to me. But the quality there can vary by a lot! Even between two scopes of the exact same model. But on the high end, you don’t need to shop around as much. I agree that optics are way more important “bang for your buck” wise than your rifle. I also have a pair of very nice binoculars that are so good they almost defy belief. I bought them for hunting out west/up north but with almost any ambient light at all I can make out a buck’s frame and even count big points way past legal shooting light and way past when even the best scope will allow me to do so. I would feel just fine taking my Savage Axis truck gun topped with my Swarovski scope hunting anywhere in the world. But I would feel like I had one hand tied behind my back with a 5K rifle topped with cheap optics and/or carrying cheap binoculars.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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