Somewhere near a 4.5-14 is where I’d be, quality & clear is nice. I don’t care for ‘busy’ reticles.
My partner took a guy coyote hunting a few years back. He showed up with his higher magnified, scoped, 22-250. When the coyote surprised him at 30 yards he didn’t have a chance, thick cover.
We usually have semi-auto shotguns with ‘T’ shot, plug removed.
I see you hunt in open areas. When I do, a scoped 243 is my choice.
