Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 3X9 for 257wby?

Thinking about using my spare Burris FF II 3X9X40 on a new 257 wby until I can put something like a 4.5 to 14 etc. Anyone out there using a 3X9 on their 257wby? I know the gun is capable of so much more. Thanks

If it's too far away to shoot with a 9X scope, it's way too far away to shoot with a .257 Weatherby, or anything else you can shoot from your shoulder...

JMHO.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I've got a 3x12 on my Mark V Ultralight. When I'm using a bipod I like the additional magnification, but if you're shooting off-hand , the 3x9 should be fine.

Thanks muledeer, 3X9's are all I've ever used most of my life anyway, seems they are usually quite a bit cheaper than similar powered scopes. Have never felt the need for more scope.

If i were shooting one of those flat shooters-- i'd take a good look at the RR800, and RR600 series of scopes here-- www.rapidreticle.com for the best of ballistic reticles, in a quality unit.

31 bertram -- should have made clear I was talking about shots on big game in the hunting fields. If you're shooting 1000 yard targets or sniping for the military or SWAT, you may have other needs.

A good to excellent 3-9 is plenty of scope for shooting game within a quarter-mile, and that's plenty far away, whether you're using a bipod or not. After all, a riflescope is an aiming device, nothing more. Other optical functions must be handled by binoculars and spotting scopes.

Thanks again, just looking to use it for Alabama whitetails, will probably never see a shot over 300 yds max, I've just always wanted a 257wby, took me 20 yrs to afford one, it's a beautiful wood 1987 mark V, never been shot.

A 3-9x50 would be about perfect as far as a variable; a fixed 8x (like an 8x42 or larger objective) wouldn't be a bad choice either.

The key (as I am QUICKLY learning) is to get the finest quality glass you can afford. A higher quality glass, such as the Leupie VX-IIIs, or top level Sightrons (SIIs/SIIIs), in a lower power rating will give you far better optical quality than a lower quality scope with higher magnification.

On that rifle, a nice, gloss Leupie VX-III 3-9x50mm with the B&C reticle would just go together like peas and carrots.

I really can not imagine needing more than 9x to shoot at a big game animal. once you get above say 10x, you really need an adjustable objective and I do not like AO for big game rifles, just one more thing to cause problems. I have a leupold 4.5x14 on a 220 swift and if the focus know gets turned, you can have a close shot, say 50 yards, and find the scope to be out of focus. for big game hunting, I think the more things you can eliminate up front, the better your chances for success. I had a 4.5x14 on my 257 weatherby and eventually sold both.

I have a 3X9 on my Weatherby Ultramark and I've taken shots out to 374 yards on deer with no problems. You can go to 10X I guess, but anything bigger than 10X and a 40mm objective is a waste. jorge

Now if it were me, I would be keying on the 4-12x Leupold. Much of the shooting (I assume) will be at the bench; the 33% more magnification is useful for that and the usefulness of the scope in the field is not diminished. I have an old Vari-x II with a target turret added that is one of my go-to scopes for testing new rifles. If you want to do informal target shooting out to 300 yards (and you should, if you expect to want to shoot animals at that range) the added power is a plus.

But I agree with the advice you are getting that 9x will be adequate for most any field big game application. I just think a little more high end magnification will add to the enjoyment of this gun you have so lusted for.

Last sunday we were out busting basketball sized rocks at ranges out to 700 yards with a 3x9 scoped 270... no problem at all. You can always get more magnification but I can't really see where it's needed.

I may be old fashioned, but I feel that for a "Normal Shooter" a fixed Quality 4X will get you out a long ways. I think a lot of shooters can't tell the diffrence between 200 and 400 yards. I've been looking thru optics for going on 45 years and I sure can't. I came to the conclusion years ago that Western shooters could do very well with a fixed 6. I base this on six or seven years imersed in the South Texas bush country. Here in Northern New England a 4X can sometimes be too much.. I own some 3X9 variables, a 4X12 and one 6X24. A Good 10X is all I need and can make use of. I have no quarrel with those who can wring the best out of, say a 4X14 they are better than I am. What I have trouble with the hype is necessary. Sounds good on paper but I can't imagine dropping into a field position and needing these sort of optics.....I'm probably going to get flamed pretty bad............but I'd like to hear it anyway..........Essex

No need to worry about flames. You'll probably get a bunch of "ah yep". Starting with this one.

Still, for the .257, a 8x fixed would be NICE. A 6x wouldn't be far behind. A 3-9x seems tailor-made.

Spend the $$$ on the finest quality scope you can get even if you have to skimp on the higher-end magnification or go with a fixed over a variable. You'll not be sorry with that trade if it must be made.

congrats on the nice 257 find. I really do not see how you will improve much on the burris ff II 3x9, you can spend a whole lot more money but quality will not be exponential (did I spell that right?). a leupold 4.5x14x50 AO would be way cool but only an advantage for very long shots.

For a long time I had a Vari-X III 3.5-10X40 on a 26" 270 Wby. Not once did I ever wish I had a higher powered scope on that rifle.

2.5-8x, 3-9x, 3.5-10x ... relatively speaking, they are interchangeable ... it's more a matter of opinion when comparing "equal quality glass" in those magnifications ...

once in the realm of good glass, pick the scope that best fits the look of the rifle, and fits the way you can mount it to accomodate you and the way you set up behind the scope. Muledeer said it best when he said

If you have enough magnification that your reticle does not obscure your aiming point, you're good to go...

My Mk. V. .257 Wby. wears a 2.5x8 Leupold VXIII. I have never seen the need for more magnification, nor for more light gathering capability. I have been able to make shots on game at ranges of over 300 yards, with no difficulty. This is a fairly light scope, and fits well in scabbards and gun cases, as well.

Boy, I sure am glad I posted here and got second opinions, I really felt like the 3x9 would be a good match. Thank you all for the help

31 bertram,

Do you have room in your calulations for one more opinion?

The scope I would recomend if you can afford about $425 would be a 3-15X Sightron II. I compared it with a 4-12X Swarovski outside the store after sunset. It easily was clearer and just as bright. Some get very indignant about the idea someone can get a very good look with a bigger glass at the head on the game before they shoot; or decide not to shoot because it was not what they wanted. Binocs are fun, but you can't shoot them.