New scope for a western hunt?

[jaybr]

Hey folks, new guy here from VA.

I've hunted most of my life here in VA (and I'm old) with a few hog hunts in the south. I've taken a lot of whitetail with bow, muzzleloader, and mostly shotgun, only a few with rifle. Never shot game past 200 yds.
I just picked up a Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed in 7mm PRC and planning an elk hunt out west next year. I'm trying to decide on a scope for this rifle and could use some advice.
I'm flexible on criteria as I have no experience out west, but here's where I'm at.
Max magnification 15-20
compact and light weight
zero lock exposed elevation turrets
Open to FFP or SFP
max range 600yds (with lots of practice)
Budget < $1500 but I will most likely purchase through Expertvoice where I get some really good discounts.

I currently have several Burris (including a first gen eliminator), and a few really old Nikon's, the last scope I purchased was a Vortex Viper I have on a T3x 6.5 creed. While I've had good luck with all of these, I'm not brand loyal so open to suggestions.

Right now I'm looking at:
Leica Amplus 6 3x18x44
Steiner H6Xi 3x18x50
Burris Veracity PH, and a couple of the XTRs (the HUD in the Veracity is interesting)
Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44

Some of these don't list the weight, but I'd like to keep that as low as feasible.

Nightforce, Vortex, and Zeiss are also available

Appreciate the help

​

 

[ZiaHunter]

Over the years have had nearly every major manufacturer's scopes mounted on some type of rifle both hunting and precision. Been living and hunting in the Southwest for my whole adult life and if I was planning on mounting scope on a new rifle today would probably go with Swaro. Excellent glass with good color rendition and light gathering properties which are critical because many times the opportunity to harvest is either at dawn or dusk. I would recommend SFP that has a minimum magnification of no greater than five and my personal preference would be a 3-15X. FFP reticles are too difficult to see in low power especially in low light conditions and generally keep my magnification at the lowest power and dial up when necessary. Best of luck.

 

[tacoman69]

Trijicon tenmile of those listed. Pretty lightweight,The ffp reticle isn't terrible (most are) and they have a reputation for being solid which is the most important thing on a scope for western hunting.

 

[Aftermath]

https://cameralandny.com/shop/swarovski-optik-z5-3-5-18x50-brs-70104/1c89a050-9efd-013d-d96f-00163ecd2826?variation=3906473&query=swarovski

 

[Secant]

My quick thoughts:

600 yards is a bit of a jump from never shooting game past 200 yards. Unless you're an active competitor, I'd say pull yourself back to maybe 350-400 yards max, which will cover almost all opportunities anyways. Depending on where/how you hunt, 100 - 300 yards might be pretty realistic for most opportunities.

7 PRC is completely doable, but you should be honest with yourself regarding how you are able to manage recoil, spot shots, and how well you do or don't shoot that rifle, particularly when shooting positionally (not from a bench).

Compact scopes don't matter for a daytime bolt gun optic, I wouldn't consider length or size at all. Don't save weight on the optic - if the difference of 8-20 ounces matters, you're in no shape to go hunting anyways. Sorry, but that's real.

For specific scope options, I'd work a few more hours and look to get a used Minox ZP5 3-15, used NF ATACR 4-16x42, or a used MK5 3.6-18. All of which can be found in the PX for sub $2000.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

I'm taking a ZCO 4-20 and a Leupold MK4HD 6-24 on my Mule deer hunt this year. One on a 6.5cm and the other on a 6arc gg.

I like the reticles better in the MK4HD than the MK5.

Out of the choices listed, the Steiner T6X would probably be the best option. I have a 2-15 on a gas gun, neat little optic. Illumination might come in handy.

A NF NX8 should also be in the conversation. The NF 4-16x42 is the perfect hunting scope under $2500, but i wouldn't expect to find one with a Mil-C for under 2k.

 

[NateVA]

You should be able to get a NF NX8 4-32x50 F1 with MIL-C reticle on EV for about your budget max. But of your choices, the Trijicon Tenmile would be my pick given that it's built to be rugged. Don't be like this guy who made a video 3 months ago about how zero shift is an exaggerated issue and then this week he's got a 12+ MOA zero shift that caused him to completely miss a pronghorn.

 

[mrmarklin]

Elk are big animals. Anything like 12-15 X is way over scoped. 6X is more than adequate. I use a S&B 1.5-6x42 scope on my .300 Wby for this.
I seriously doubt any western guide will let you shoot more than 400 yards. I seriously don’t see the situation arising.