Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Best scope short range for Bear Hunting

I've used the VX-2 1-4X20, VX-3i 1.5-5X20, and the FX-II 2.5X20 on short-range woods rifles.

The 2.5 is the most rugged, but the eyebox is harder to get settled into. Not hard, just not as easy as the other two. Also less FOV than the two variables when on low power, still good, but less. Eye relief is very generous. It's also the lightest.

The VX-2 is shorter and lighter than the 3i, FOV slightly more one low power, but the 3i has just a tad more magnification, though there is no real field difference. Glass may be a touch better with the 3i.

In my mind, the combination of lightness, eye relief, FOV, size, ease of use, and glass quality make the VX-2 the best value, but real world differences aren't that great. I presently own all three.

Pretty much any shotgun scope or Close Quarter Combat scope...or a Red Dot.

I have 2 Whiskey 5's with illuminated reticle and so far so good really liking them....how they hold up will be the determining factor

VX3 1.5 - 5

I've used Leupold VX 2, 3, and a Bushnell Trophy back in the day. The issue will be seeing the crosshairs on a black target at the end of daylight. Go to Cabelas and try out a few. I hunted this year with a Burris E1 3-9x40. I'd consider that scope or their E1 2-7x35 with Burris Plex. I really like the Burris E1. So far they've been true to zero and stay zeroed. I've hunted them hard for 16-17 hunts since November and have taken some falls. I've shot them a couple of times - no zero shift. So far, so good.

You don't hunt much........ grin

A generalized statement that is very true.

VX-6 glass is better, which would be an issue in dim light.

DF

I wish Bushnell had not discontinued the Elite 6500 Series 1.25-8x32mm scope.

Seven years ago, I picked that one above all others I considered for short/long-range bear hunts: https://imgur.com/tWMO09m

I think it's ideal given that it can go all the way down to almost 1:1 ratio and all the way up to 8-power. It has 5" of eye relief, so my .375 Wby does make it smack me in the eye.

I used a Vortex Strikefire on a 336 35 Rem. Worked so good I left it on and use it for Hogs.

Ever think about good old open sights. Short range and dark screams open sights to me.

I'm no bear hunting expert, but I shot my first one this year at about 50 feet. Leupold 2-12x42 with illuminated LR duplex. I had plenty of FOV at 2 power, and shot him in the head with a 110TTSX (black bear, Forbes 270). I've settled on this as a very hard to beat all-around scope. I don't ever see myself needing less than two power for FOV. I don't think I'll need more than 12x either. That illuminated little red dot in the center is awfully nice in the dark timber. And the LR duplex allows me to make hits out quite a ways without worrying about a hunting scope tracking correclty. A very versatile 'set it and forget it' scope.

I used to just use the Redfield sight on my 35. But was hard to see at last light. There are no shooting hours for pigs !

I've got a Leupold VX-R 3-9x40 with the illuminated Ballistic FireDot reticle. I bought it because of a situation that arose last year while trying to hit an elk in the neck at last light. It's probably just about perfect for what you need.

See Page 1 of https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...-or-outta-buying-this-scope#Post12469668 for my comments on it.


Okie John

+1 on the VXR. This scope isn't talked about much, but mine has held zero and tracked well. The illuminated dot is very adjustable and works well.

Good scope IMOP.

Lefty

From packing rifles all over BC and much of Alberta, since 1964, working in bear country often solo, I prefer the Leupy 1.75x6 MHD to any other scope for most purposes.

I have about 50 scopes, Swaro, Zeiss, B&L, Bushnell, Leupy and some Euro models and after about 150 rifles over 50+ years, drilling, combo guns, levers, autoloaders and most makes of bolt guns plus singleshots, I still take the Leupy for almost all my hunting.

For Black Bears, you CANNOT shoot here after 1/2 hour past sunset OR before sunrise and this Leupy works just fine then, BTDT, many times. I like a pair of these in Talley QDS for each of my favourite rifles and never have had an issue in 22 years of using them. HTH.