Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 3-9x40 for long range?

How many of you think 3-9x40 scope is enough for long range hunting? Say 600 maybe 800 yards.

I have been told 4.5-14 is ideal, while others believe 6-20 is ideal. I have taken a Coues out to 517 yards with my scope on 9x, but I was wondering if 9x is too low for shooting at a 100 pound deer at 600 or extreme and may never happen 800 yards?

Thoughts?

Did the shot feel 83yds shy of max?................

Enrique,

While for such uses I certainly prefer more power and parallax adjustment, a 3-9 can certainly get the job done. If for some reason you don't like/want higher power or sidefocus don't be afraid of a good 3-9--especially since you always have giant binoculars around so you won't need the scope to count points on the rack or anything.

Personally I do better with higher power; seeing the target a bit better, eliminating parallax completely and it helps me judge the wind. But a guy can get a lot done with a really good 3-9 (the SS is my current favorite).

Of course the best idea is to try it with both and see how much a difference it makes to you.

Enrique,

If you read my post on comparing the Minox 3x9 to my Leupold VX3 4.5x14.

I was able to see 6.5 holes at 200 yards with the Minox set on 9x. I had to put the Leupold on 11x to 12x to see those same holes. At 300 yards I was still able to see 6.5 holes with the Minox. With Leupold I had to put it on 14x.

That tells me I can field a lighter maybe more compact scope into the field and it do the job of a heavier longer scope because of the better glass.

The click adjustment on the Minox are true and marked where you can see where to dial up quickly. The turret thing is small though but very doable for a long range hunting shot past 500 yards. It's not like your a sniper and have to dial all over the place.
Take the cap off and a quick dial and you're there.
The Minox has 60 moa and that should be enough to take you to past 800 on a flat shooter.
I bought the BDC reticle, it's not big dots but finer slash marks that don't hinder your view, aka, garbage up your look through.

I don't think a guy can go wrong for $299.00 for the Minox via Doug.

A couple of days ago we were shooting a 10" armor plate gong at 800 yards using a Leupold vx1 cds 3x9, very doable.

i used a Tasco 3-9x40 to repeatedly shoot a 18" gong at 600. i had no visibility issues at all. YMMV of course.

i think 9x is plenty at 600 yards. no experience on live animals but lots of busted pumpkins and milk jugs to prove it

When I took that Coues at 517 yards, my 308 had a 3-9x40TV Tasco World Class from the early 90's. Actually that scope is still on it.
What I figure is the Vortex, Zeiss, and Minox scopes have better glass and overall are better than my old trusty Tasco. That being said, I would have no issue at 600 yards if my Tasco still had plenty of distance left to be max'd out. I might hesitate beyond 600 but I haven't used the newer scopes yet to say for sure.

The experience you guys share is greatly appreciated.

Kique

Be curious to hear about the holdoff or comeups?.............

Minute of duck, kind of like shooting fish in a barrel.

Likely not nearly that tidy................

I shoot out at 725 yds on our local range with the scope set on 6 power all the time, in a variety of calibers.. I never feel handicapped...I can see it just fine...

I think it is more what your eyes get use to using...I actually shoot larger groups at long distance, when I increase a scopes magnification power...

This is certainly true. There are lots of good ones out there now. The three above are all big steps above the old Tasco. Though for LR use, I strongly believe the best value is the SS 3-9. Excellent turrets, dead nuts reliable tracking, tons of travel, very good reticle, very good glass, built to survive Army DM use so it's very tough. Here's mine on my light little 7-08:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmv7tKh5CJU

Howdy fellow coues hunter,

I know that coues hunting is your passion. It is mine too.

I have used a 3-9 x 40 in the past but in recent years I have gone to higher magnification for my coues hunting along with turrets. Last year was a real eyeopener. I was using a 8.5-25 x 50 LR scope and under the same early morning conditions I looked through the other rifle I brought, which my friend was using. The other rifle had a 4.5-14 x 40 AO. I used both set on 12 power to look at a couple of bucks at 400 yds. The difference was very evident. That LR scope ran circles around the 4.5 x 14 due to a clearer and brighter picture. I was so impressed that I put a 4.5-14 x 50 LR on the loaner rifle.

For our specialized coues hunting really high magnification isn't needed but it is nice to have at least 12X instead of 9X. FYI your 3-9 x 40's 9X is really a 8.6X according to Leupold's site. If there were a perfect magnification range for coues hunting I'd say it was 4.5-14 preferably with a 50 mm objective. I realize that some rifles don't lend themselves to the larger objective due to cheek weld. My LR rifles have McMillans or Laminates with higher cheek pieces.

If we ever get together I can show you some of the combinations that fit and work well for me.

Ross

Of all of Leupie's glass,the 4.5-14X would be right amongst my last choice...for anything and especially Hunting.

Keep X's at 10 or less,thank me later..............

What do you guys think of this scope if I decide to go higher magnification?
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexcrossfire6-24x50ao

Kique

Don't start "thinking" and make easy things difficult............

I recently had a chance to shoot steel at 600yd. with a 3.5-10X scope, no problems at all. I can't imagine 9X would make any difference on steel or critters.


Nail

That a big heavy somewhat a specialised scope..The AO adds more bulk to the objective...If you are intending building a medium or heavy long range rig for that to sit on, no big deal. if you want a rifle for walking with, the whole set up might be too heavy.

Personally I think that other than for quite specialised roles, a 4-16 is plenty for most shooting and for out to 600m a good qaulity 3-12 is fine...

Oftenimitated,

I agree with your opinion that 9 or 10X is max for most hunting not for our coues wt. I will admit I don't crank up to 14X often but the 4.5-14 works very well for our situation. We use "big eyes" too but most guys would not be well served with 15 x 56 binos on a tripod.

Enrique,

That scope looks great to me. If the glass in it is as good as my 6.5X32 Vortex binos, it will be fine.

Most of the guys here have eyes like my buddy. He can get by judging antlers at two miles iwth my Nikons set on 7X. I am not kidding here. But I like all the magnification I can get. Therfore I have a 4 1/2-30X50 on my .257 Weatherby. Inside it there is a 6-24X.