Long range and woods combination. I think my next scope will be a 3-20 of which I haven't seen yet except in pix.
Rifle Scopes Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
- Thread starter gasser
- Start date
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
S&B Precision Hunter in 3-12x42 or 4-16x50. Both available with the P3 mil-dot.
S&B Precision Hunter in 3-12x42 or 4-16x50. Both available with the P3 mil-dot.
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
4.5 to 14 has worked pretty well for me, and is not too difficult to find at all.
4.5 to 14 has worked pretty well for me, and is not too difficult to find at all.
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
depending on the short and long distance you plan to shoot, swarovski z6 or z6i. i'm looking hard at the 2.5-15x44 for a 30.06 i've got. i think the 3-18 is a great all around hunting scope, and i really like the ballistic turret feature.
http://www.sportoptics.com/swarovski-z6i-illuminated-rifle-scope-3-18x50-BT-4A-I.aspx
http://www.sportoptics.com/swarovski-z6i-illuminated-rifle-scope-2-15x56-BT-4AI.aspx
this is a little interactive site about the ballistic turret
http://bt.swarovskioptik.com/
it all depends on the close and long distance and the caliber
depending on the short and long distance you plan to shoot, swarovski z6 or z6i. i'm looking hard at the 2.5-15x44 for a 30.06 i've got. i think the 3-18 is a great all around hunting scope, and i really like the ballistic turret feature.
http://www.sportoptics.com/swarovski-z6i-illuminated-rifle-scope-3-18x50-BT-4A-I.aspx
http://www.sportoptics.com/swarovski-z6i-illuminated-rifle-scope-2-15x56-BT-4AI.aspx
this is a little interactive site about the ballistic turret
http://bt.swarovskioptik.com/
it all depends on the close and long distance and the caliber
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
If one needed a Swarovski, S&B or Kahles to hunt deer, there wouldn't be as many dead deer.
TC
If one needed a Swarovski, S&B or Kahles to hunt deer, there wouldn't be as many dead deer.
TC
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
A 2-7x32 Leupold or similar Nikon. 20x for elk hunting? Right. Some things aren't complicated, unless you make it so.
A 2-7x32 Leupold or similar Nikon. 20x for elk hunting? Right. Some things aren't complicated, unless you make it so.
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
I like the best magnification range I can get....currently using an IOR 3-18 but dont like the weight. Sure you can use a 2-7, but I dont always pack a spotter and it is nice to look at something way out there. Sucks to put a long stalk on an Elk at 10,000 Feet altitude and then when you get close find out it's not a legal bull.
I like the best magnification range I can get....currently using an IOR 3-18 but dont like the weight. Sure you can use a 2-7, but I dont always pack a spotter and it is nice to look at something way out there. Sucks to put a long stalk on an Elk at 10,000 Feet altitude and then when you get close find out it's not a legal bull.
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
The new Leica scopes interest me, good mag range, light weight, but no external turretts. Good deals on them right now too with their trade in program.
The new Leica scopes interest me, good mag range, light weight, but no external turretts. Good deals on them right now too with their trade in program.
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
For hunting I'm a Ziess Conquest fan myself. They have about any magnification range you would need and nice glass/reticles, you won't go broke buying one.
For hunting I'm a Ziess Conquest fan myself. They have about any magnification range you would need and nice glass/reticles, you won't go broke buying one.
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Runamuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For hunting I'm a Ziess Conquest fan myself. They have about any magnification range you would need and nice glass/reticles, you won't go broke buying one. </div></div>
+1, it's what I use here in Montana
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Runamuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For hunting I'm a Ziess Conquest fan myself. They have about any magnification range you would need and nice glass/reticles, you won't go broke buying one. </div></div>
+1, it's what I use here in Montana
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
heck, why not use irons
we are talking about ideal scopes, not "what would work or best bang for the buck". i'd rather have good glass and not need it than need it and not have it. i'm hunting a conquest on a 30.06 and a nightforce on my 280 AI. it all depends on where i'm hunting what i'm using. next year i'm doing that 2.5-15x44 z6i BT on my 30.06, i'm looking forward to 2.5 for stalking around and 15x for longer shots on the pipe lines. you'll never kick your self for taking the next step up.
wegner, the leica's are nice, we have a couple here, and the trade in is a good deal.
heck, why not use irons
we are talking about ideal scopes, not "what would work or best bang for the buck". i'd rather have good glass and not need it than need it and not have it. i'm hunting a conquest on a 30.06 and a nightforce on my 280 AI. it all depends on where i'm hunting what i'm using. next year i'm doing that 2.5-15x44 z6i BT on my 30.06, i'm looking forward to 2.5 for stalking around and 15x for longer shots on the pipe lines. you'll never kick your self for taking the next step up. wegner, the leica's are nice, we have a couple here, and the trade in is a good deal.
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
While I can see the merits of having high enough magnification to see if an animal is legal, my first priority is having a low end that gives me plenty of FOV. I do most of my hunting with a 2.5-10 and the rest with a 3-15. If you can make a 3-15/18/20 work for you, then you pretty much have it made, although weight tends to go up.
Other considerations: The ballistics and performance of your cartridge as well as your ability for accurate shot placement, especially considering slopes and wind. In other words, if you're shooting a light cartridge that's only reliable on elk out to 300 yards in the best of conditions there's no need for more than 10X on the high end.
While I can see the merits of having high enough magnification to see if an animal is legal, my first priority is having a low end that gives me plenty of FOV. I do most of my hunting with a 2.5-10 and the rest with a 3-15. If you can make a 3-15/18/20 work for you, then you pretty much have it made, although weight tends to go up.
Other considerations: The ballistics and performance of your cartridge as well as your ability for accurate shot placement, especially considering slopes and wind. In other words, if you're shooting a light cartridge that's only reliable on elk out to 300 yards in the best of conditions there's no need for more than 10X on the high end.
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LibertyOptics</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Runamuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For hunting I'm a Ziess Conquest fan myself. They have about any magnification range you would need and nice glass/reticles, you won't go broke buying one. </div></div>
+1, it's what I use here in Montana </div></div>
Totally agree here. Depends on what you are shooting as to the reticle. Z800 worked fantastic this year for my 300 RUM on elk and the Zplex worked fine for deer although in the future I think the Z600 would be my choice for a 270 trajectory rifle instead of the Z600. The RUM wears the 4.5-14 and there is no reason for the top end magnification. Elk are not small animals at any range and my Zeiss 10X bino's could see if a bull was worth taking a walk to or not at close to a mile.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LibertyOptics</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Runamuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For hunting I'm a Ziess Conquest fan myself. They have about any magnification range you would need and nice glass/reticles, you won't go broke buying one. </div></div>
+1, it's what I use here in Montana </div></div>
Totally agree here. Depends on what you are shooting as to the reticle. Z800 worked fantastic this year for my 300 RUM on elk and the Zplex worked fine for deer although in the future I think the Z600 would be my choice for a 270 trajectory rifle instead of the Z600. The RUM wears the 4.5-14 and there is no reason for the top end magnification. Elk are not small animals at any range and my Zeiss 10X bino's could see if a bull was worth taking a walk to or not at close to a mile.
Re: Ideal hunting scope for elk and deer
I use leupie vari-x scopes for hunting but most of them I either bought used or inherited. If I were to buy new then a Zeiss Conquest would be my practical choice and a z6i my dream choice.
edit: probably a 3-9 zeiss most of my hunting shots have been inside 400 and while a christmas tree reticle would be nice it's not hard to hold over with a duplex.
I use leupie vari-x scopes for hunting but most of them I either bought used or inherited. If I were to buy new then a Zeiss Conquest would be my practical choice and a z6i my dream choice.
edit: probably a 3-9 zeiss most of my hunting shots have been inside 400 and while a christmas tree reticle would be nice it's not hard to hold over with a duplex.
