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Jeff in TX
Senior MemberJ&D Ranch - North Central TXPosts: 2,548 Senior Member
Changing scopes
My new barrel job on my Tikka was completed today and will ship tomorrow. I'm looking forward to shooting the new 6.5 Creedmoor. I love the Leupold VX6 1-6 scope that is currently on it. I caved to pressure to change scopes. My buddy and son said you need to go up in power. No I don't I said, I'm good for as far as I need to shoot with 6x. At least go to 14 or 15X. Not going to happen, never needed that magnification and never will.
My buddy is having Short Action Custom build his custom 6.5 CM, you need to go higher magnification he said. You'll need it for our antelope hunt next year.
Curiosity got the best of me and I started looking at scopes and finally caved to the pressure. I wouldn't budge going over 10X. I narrowed my search down to three scopes. The Nightforce 2X10, Swarovski 1.75X10 and Leupolds VX5HD 2X10 duplex with fire dot reticle. Both the NF and Swarovski came in at $1800 and $1900. The Leupold VX5 came in at $900.
I went the Leupold, at less than half the price of the other two and Leupolds best glass, it seemed like a great choice. Though to be honest, I've heard so many great things about NF, I've never owned one and if it wasn't for the stiff price I would have gone with it.
My son said, you should have gone bigger! Then he said said well Leupold is only using HD glass. Why don't they use 4K glass. My response was simple, "bite me"!
This is one of those choices I really didn't need to make. But on the flip side I have a great scope in search of a new rifle.
My buddy is having Short Action Custom build his custom 6.5 CM, you need to go higher magnification he said. You'll need it for our antelope hunt next year.
Curiosity got the best of me and I started looking at scopes and finally caved to the pressure. I wouldn't budge going over 10X. I narrowed my search down to three scopes. The Nightforce 2X10, Swarovski 1.75X10 and Leupolds VX5HD 2X10 duplex with fire dot reticle. Both the NF and Swarovski came in at $1800 and $1900. The Leupold VX5 came in at $900.
I went the Leupold, at less than half the price of the other two and Leupolds best glass, it seemed like a great choice. Though to be honest, I've heard so many great things about NF, I've never owned one and if it wasn't for the stiff price I would have gone with it.
My son said, you should have gone bigger! Then he said said well Leupold is only using HD glass. Why don't they use 4K glass. My response was simple, "bite me"!
This is one of those choices I really didn't need to make. But on the flip side I have a great scope in search of a new rifle.
Distance is not an issue, but the wind can make it interesting!
John 3: 1-21
John 3: 1-21
Replies
Sometimes you don't.
Even growing up I shot a Redfiield 2x7 wide field on my .270. Most of the time my power range stays on 4 or 5. I don’t contend with mirage as much on hot summer days. Also when shooting moving targets it’s much easier to acquire lead and shoot at lower powers. Plus I’m just plain stubborn and won’t consider going higher. It’s a principle thing with me.
John 3: 1-21
Hunting? Obvious P.I.D. of targets would require about 15x in some cases. But then again 15x glass usually bottoms at 3x which is a great low magnification for 50-100 yards.
I won't tell a man to defy his principles unless its immoral. Glass choice isn't a moral conundrum, so, whatever tickles your fancy. Unless you're trying to shoot elk at 1200 meters with a 4x scope... might have some objections then. Haha.
For the record, I recently shot a PRS match out to 1250 yards, and never dialed up above 8x
"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
The longest show I recall making on an antelope was with an old Lyman 1-5x scope, set at 5x. The rifle was a .284 Winchester. I thought I was shooting at a doe, and over estimated the range a bit. Turned out to be a yearling buck, but the range was still close to 300 yards.
Past 300 yards, just about any bullet, regardless of MV and BC, will start dropping like a hip roofed tool box (did I get that right, Mike?). But, if you are comfortable with the longer shots and can make them, 10x sounds good.
Also, one last thing. I've never hunted any game animal with a scope whose magnification was over 9x, and never felt like I didn't have enough magnification.
Oops. One more last thing. If you don't already had a good range finder, spend the money you saved by not buying the pricier glass on a quality range finder. You'll be glad you did.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
My rifle was finished and shipped yesterday. I'm hoping it's here tomorrow or Thursday. I'll have the new scope on and ready to shoot it shortly after it arrives. I actually went out to the range and weed wacked and cut all the grass in preparation. My cows have been slacking in keeping the grass down!
John 3: 1-21
That's pretty much true. A few years back I ran a bunch of data through QuickLoad on various "hot chamberings". Turned out none, (even the mighty .50 BMG) when fired perfectly parallel to gravity with the bore 5'6" above ground level would make it even 500 yards before hitting the dirt. Most hit the dirt way before that.
Mike
N454casull
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.