Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Full circle on scope preferences

After several decades of shooting and hunting, it seems my opion on scopes has kind of come back to where it was thirty years ago. Dependability issues aside, it seems that there is not much as versatile on a big game rifle as the good old variable along the lines of a 3X9, at least for my purposes. I'll include in that general category all the 2X7s, and 3.5X10s and similar. The lower powers work fine for hunting in almost any conditions and the upper limit works good for developing loads and for shooting varmits as a tune up for big game.
It's amazing how long that the answer to so many hunting questions has been a 270 or 30/06 with a 3X9 scope.

Fred

I agree that a 3-9x scope is a good choice for hunting. Though IMHO if a 3-9x is good a 3-12x is even better....................DJ

Fred, 3-9x40's are tough to beat!

My first scope was a secondhand 3-9x40 Weaver and my 270 wore one for over ten years. Great for eastern Montana.


Quick question, what scope did you go with on your T3 243?

I like the 3-9-40mm also.The last couple of years hunting with the 3.5-10-40mm there has been no real difference.Their both so darn close.

My circle has led back to the straight 4X - even though in most circles a 30-06 with a 4X is considered a primitive weapon.

The next rifles I plan on picking up (Model 81 .358 & Model 78 45-70) will have 4x fixed power scopes.

30-06 with a good 3-9 is awfully hard to beat.

Damn old pharts had it right... grin...

+1

I also like the lower powered variables (1-4) on my medium and big bore rifles.

...we usually do.....

I wonder what percentage of the "campfire hunts" a .270 or an '06 with a 3-9x or a 4x scope wouldn't work. Me thinks very little.

I've gone really full circle, from shooting competition in high school with aperture sights back to apertures and opens.

I love shooting aperature sights, but on a hunt I care about, much prefer a scope. That whole single focal plane thing.

Goodnews I suspect you are(as usual) co-rekt

I'll give you "usually".

Tanks.....please excuse me while I go drool in my porridge

Get that man a bib!

JM

Fred-I totally concur about the 3-9 as long as it's wearing a 40 or a 42 that is. My old 3-9 Leo and on my Burris BP's are tough as nails and keep on a ticking.

Not much we can't do with a 270 or 06 (that's tough 4 me to say...grin), Nozlers and a good 3-9.

Dober

I often feel out of step , so to speak, when I advise other shooters to use a 2-7 or 3-9 scope for hunting. My last purchase was a pre '74 3x Leupold in Ex cond . I use the 2.5-8 and 2-7 almost all the time , good magnification , compact and looks good on a hunting rifle, I only shoot to about 250 yds or so , a big scope is not required for my style.I still have my 1st Leupold a 3-9 x 42 , 32 yo bought in 1978 and still as good as the day it was made. Out of my 25 Leupold's only 2 are 3.5-10 the rest are smaller, obviously I'm with you Fred!!! Regards Ian.

Sam
This is embarrassing... I've been changing scopes so much I couldn'r remember I had to go look. Sam, I've gor a Nikon Monarch 4X12 on the T3 243- On the 204, I've got a new Nikon Monarch 3X12, which they sent me to replace another 4X12 that had died. It's a good scope but not much eye relief- Wouldn't want it on a 6 pound 338 Lapua AI!

Fred

12x would be nice(especially on a 243) but like you said a 3-9x is versatile and still has plenty of power.