Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Scope For New Sako 85 Hunter .300 WinMag

Nightforce is an outstanding optic company and build very durable optics.

That said, I have a couple 5.5-22 NFs, but neither are on a sporter weight gun.

My primary "all around" rifle is a first cousin to your Sako 85. It is a T3 .308, and wears a 2.5-10 Nightforce. I find the 10X more than enough for longer range shots.

My personal T3 .300 WM hunting rifle wears a fixed 10X, and again, I find that plenty of scope for hunting.

Also bear in mind your typical hunting environment. As an example, I hunting in the rural Rockies, often in the transition range between high desert and alpine. Shots can be rather long, yet still I find the 10X on top end to be fine.

Figure out what typical ranges are for you, close and far, as well as environment, and buy an optic accordingly.

Don't focus on "possibles" that are extremely unlikely. stick with reality. Lots of guys talk about how they need scope X because they could "possibly" get a 1,000 yard shot on an elk, though they have never shot a big game animal past 300 yards in their life, and most common shots for them are 200 and closer.

If you were building a heavy barrel precision rifle, the 5.5-22 would be appropriate. On a sporter weight rifle, it is quite out of proportion.

Since it seems that you are just getting into the longer range precision shooting game, I will offer another tidbit.

Skip the velocity reticle. Decide what would work best for you, Mils or MOA, and standardize on one or the other for your scopes. Learn how to dial, estimate range, trajectory etc, with Mils or MOA and roll with it.

BTW, if you have any doubt about the effectiveness of a 10X optic, I would suggest that you search for "Scenar shooter" s posts. He has a bunch of pictures of fine western big game animals that he shot using a fixed 10X Schmidt & Bender.

As far as Nightforce goes, a 2.5-10x42 would be an outstanding scope that would last a lifetime and never need upgraded.

Happy hunting!

Thanks Sagebrush, much appreciated advice!!

I still really like the Leupold 6x42's. You can find nice used ones for a song. They are about the perfect big game scope IMO.

SWFA 6x MIL/QUAD would work for you, 299.00. Spend the rest on ammo.

Too much scope for hunting or defense. Get something no higher than 3x on the low end. 2x would be better since 5x and 6x erectors are in your budget.

Also recommend LOTS of dry firing before shooting it. A PAST recoil shield and probably reduced recoil ammo to start will be a good addition. It is easier to avoid ever getting a flinch than it is to get rid of one.

3x for hunting elk??????

Maybe if you are in the swamp, dark timber, oak thicket, over a food plot, or a whiteout, but not for elk in the mountains on a calm day.

Elk often are shot across meadows, clear cuts, or from ridges overlooking dark timber. 90% of our groups' shots are at least 300 yards with a chunk between 500 and 600 just b/c that's the distance from the ridge to the bench below where we sit on opening day waiting for the locals to push them from below.

For an elk rifle to be zeroed at 200 yards, I'm not too hip on trying to zero on 3X. Not too sure I could see a 3 inch target very well at all, especially with a reticle covering the target.

Talley 2 piece mounts plus Leupold 3x10 CDS

"on the low end" suggests a variable scope. "5x and 6x erectors" means the variable will have 10x or more magnification when turned all the way up. I'm not much on shooting game past 300 yards, but I get by on targets with a 10x out to 600.

I do suggest you check your zero on the lowest setting of a variable scope after you have it done at higher powers. Funny things can happen. A diamond several inches across will let you use the crosshairs to center by the angles. Or just use a big square and aim for the corner letting the crosshairs ride the edges.