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Just purchased a bolt action .308 for hog and deer hunting in the South and Midwest. As far as scopes go I'm leaning towards a Leupold fixed 4X or their 1.25-4X with illuminated reticle. What do you think? Would something like a 3-9X be a better choice? Thanks.

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I like 4x scopes. You don't need more to hit anything out to 400 yards and better. In fact, you don't need that much scope to do it.

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Think of it this way� You could hit a gallon milk jug at 400 with a 4x or 6x. So a deer's shoulder or heart/lung kill zone would be easy to drill..

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Originally Posted by JoeBob
I like 4x scopes. You don't need more to hit anything out to 400 yards and better. In fact, you don't need that much scope to do it.


I agree. 1X per 100yd is ample. 1.5X is nice. 2.5X @ 400yd is marginal but doable in decent light.

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You will not regret the Leupold FXII 4X. Weaver has 4X (K4) might want look at that.

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Originally Posted by J4Me
Just purchased a bolt action .308 for hog and deer hunting in the South and Midwest. As far as scopes go I'm leaning towards a Leupold fixed 4X or their 1.25-4X with illuminated reticle. What do you think? Would something like a 3-9X be a better choice? Thanks.


Having both 1.5 x 4s and straight 4 powers... I am finding that I like the 1.5 x 4 better...

I usually have it setting at 2.5 or so.. and anything within 200 yds ( were 99% of all game are taken) it has always been more than enough magnification...

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4x Nikon on my 308. Seems to work just fine.

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Great....thanks! Glad to get some advice from guys that have actually done it!

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I find 4X to be too much scope most of the time. I see no advantage to being stuck with a fixed power. A 1-4X or 2-7X gives some very useable low powers and enough magnification for some precision at longer ranges. A 3-9X is as big as I would go and would probably recommend a 2-7X as about perfect on a hunting rifle. I use 1-4X's on my AR's for fast close range shooting.



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They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
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Originally Posted by bangeye
4x Nikon on my 308. Seems to work just fine.


There was just one of these in the classifieds

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I had a VX-II 1x4 on my 7600 and an M8 4x on my Sako. No issues. I say had as I sold the 7600 and changed to a 2x7 on the bolt. No real reason other than to try something different. I guess if push came to shove, I'd say I preferred the M8 for the sight picture and brightness, especially in lower light conditions, dreary days, and swamps. Not much difference in reality though.


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I'd opt for something other than the 1-4x scopes to get a bigger objective. The 20/24 mm objectives are not bright enough to do a good job on deer in poor light at the end of legal shooting hours. The exception to that might be high end Euro scopes. A Zeiss/Swaro/S&B 1.1-4x24 MIGHT be bright enough. I know for a fact that my VX3 1.5-5 and my VX-II 1.1-4 are not bright enough to suit me and cannot begin to compare to my 1.5-6x42 Euros. Just a casual glance in low light makes the difference obvious.

I would for absolutely certain get a first focal plane reticle.

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Miles,

Where do you draw the line in the last few minutes of legal, with regard to possible recovery problems; distance, cover?

Passed on a Buck this year in the last few minutes at around 150 in an open field. Too much chance of a run off and not being able to follow. Leupold 1.5-5 on 5x.

Last edited by battue; 01/17/14.

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Something over twenty years ago, I picked up a pair of 4X Zeiss scopes that someone traded in as not enough scope. One of them went on a .308 and it is still there. I have been perfectly happy with it and I have witnesses to verify a bit over 500 yard kill with it. Agree, too far, and I will not do it again, but it does work. jack


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I've spent my whole hunting career with fixed 4X's. I've had variables but seldom ever on hunting rifles. A fixed 4X gets the job done but with that said I'm switching to a 3-9X for this year. It will be nice to be able to crank up the power ring for a change.

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You are on the right track with a Leupold 4x. I've come full circle back to mostly fixed power scopes. You will find a 4x perfectly fine on even long shots at big game. I'm also a big fan of the Leupold 6x36 as my eyes are no longer what they used to be.

The first high power metallic silhouette match ever held in the state of Missouri (August 1979) was won with a 30/06 on which was mounted a Leupold M8 4x28. I had no problem holding on the 500m rams nor on the 385m turkeys.

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The only downside to a fixed 4x these days is that it is almost a specialty item and a nice 2-7x that is just a light and pretty much as reliable can be had for generally the same or less money and is much easier to find.

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I don't see much of 4X scopes still being manufactured except by Leupold.

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MM, I did the same thing,.hunted 4X for 30+ years bought a 3-9 Nikon and now I'm looking to go back to a 4X

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Originally Posted by moosemike
I don't see much of 4X scopes still being manufactured except by Leupold.


The Weaver is really nice except for that funky front bell shape that really limits mounting range.

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