Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Scope recommendations

On a 30-06 shooting mostly 168 gr Barnes. Any recommendations with a max of $500? Will be hunting elk, cold weather, max 400 yard shots I imagine

Many good options that have worked well for me in the PNW. Here's how I've rolled:

1. Burris FFII 3-9x40 with ballistic plex reticle: Works great for shots out to 500 yards.

2. Zeiss conquest 3-9x40 or 3.5-10x44 (you can find these used for under $500.00).

3. Bushnell/Bausch and Lomb elite 4200 2.5-10x40 with rainguard lens coating. I've also used the firefly reticle, but found it too bold/thick. Personal preference I guess..

4. Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40

5. Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42...

If I had a $500.00 limit, this is where I'd start. Above that and I'd be looking for something like this Swarovski 3-9x36 I have on my 338 win mag elk rifle:

I hunt with a 30-06, 500 yards is my top end for practice. I'm happy with the VX3 2x8/B&C. If you were interested in a bit more magnification I'd try the VX3 3x10. But the B&C reticle works well for me -500 yards. The 2.5x8 is a solid all around hunting scope.

Don't eat much for a month or two and look at the VX-3 4.5-14. At 400 yards that 14 power is your friend.

MBhunt, how's the field of view with that 4.5-14. Good for hunting in the timber? I've never used one is the reason I'm asking... I have heard, here, that they can be like looking thru a paper towel roll...

I have several older Leupold 2.5-8 variX-III's on rifles including my 338WinMag that I've used for elk. It does everything I've ever asked it to do and then some. That being said, I don't think the newer Leupold VX-2 3-9 CDS gives up much in comparison.

I'm going with the FX3 6x42

+1 or 6x36 or 3-9x40

Leupold VX-3, 3.5-10 x 40

Can't go wrong

KC

Leupold 3X9 compact, B&C Reticule

I was in the same boat as you.
I ended up talley rings and a Nikon monarch 2.5-10 with bdc. The bdc is nice for quick shots. At 400 yards a 8" target fills the circle at 10 power. Having the low power in the brush is nice. I can see the tip of my barrel.

The Meopta at cameraland would be a contender but id probably grab a 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest from Euro optic for $300 and use the extra $200 in savings for something else like bullets, powder, primers etc. The Leupolds are nice dependable scopes and hold their value well.

If 500 yards is a maximum and your targets are deer sized 8or 9 power should be plenty. My eyes are nothing special and 9x on a Conquest works very well out to 600.

6x36 Leupold. LR reticle if you want but at 400 yards a standard Duplex works fine.

BCHunter666, We've used Leupold 2.5-8's for many years,and had very good luck at ranges out to 400yards.on animals smaller than elk.The low power(2.5)gives you a nice wide field of view in timber.If your ranges are only 400 or a little more,I always opt. for the low power for the short(possibly moving) shots! JMHO. memtb

Straight Leupold 6 power will cover 99 % of your Elk Hunting needs for optic

Regarding my suggestion of the 3X9 with the BC, I recently had a chance to test mine somewhat. Mounted on a 338/06, 210 Nosler with 53 grs of Reloader 15 it's dead on at 100 yards, elevated to the second line of the scope it's 3" high at 200 yards, and I think the third should be pretty close at 400.
I just got a new range finder and will attempt to verify that in a few days.
I expect a 2X8 would be pretty much the same.

2.5-8 or 3-9 Leupolds I'm no long range shooter and either of these will fill my needs out to 400yds.

My '06 wears a Leupold VX3 2.5-8, and IMO, is a near perfect scope for this rifle. The '06 is not necessarily a super long range cartridge, and for ranges out to 300 or so, a top magnification of 8x is way more than adequate for most game.