Ruger Forum

Gunner_SR9 · December 28th, 2008, 03:58 PM

Hey all,
I just picked up a used Savage package in 7mm Rem mag that I want to use to hunt deer and bear here in PA mainly field hunting but some woods hunting done and with the possibility of taking out west someday for elk, caribou, etc. I want 2 take the cheap simmons scope off of it and put on a Nikon Buckmasters series 4.5-14 power. I know there's the possibility of going to a Mil-Dot reticle and also the BDC Reticle as well as the regular crosshairs. Any ideas what I should do guys?
Gunner out

Iowegan · December 28th, 2008, 07:06 PM

Gunner_SR9, No offence but it sounds like you don't have a lot of hunting experience. First, the scope standard is 1X per 25 yards for deer sized game. Considering your 7mm Mag is quite capable of a kill at 250 yards, that would make your scope's max power 10X. A 7mm Mag has enough energy for a kill well past 250 yards but that's really the practical limit, no matter how powerful the scope or the gun. I would go with a 3.5-10X if it were my gun and there are very sound reasons for my suggestion.

The more magnification you get, the more the scope works against you. You would normally carry your rifle with the scope set on the lowest power. Just in case Bambi jumps up close, you don't have time to be messing with the zoom ring or the AO (parallax) adjustment. For longer distance shots, you usually have plenty of time to fondle the scope. The "wiggle factor" alone is enough to prevent you from using high magnification. Then there's the field of view that shrinks with magnification making it hard to find Bambi. Eye relief gets very critical with higher magnification too.

A Mil-Dot reticle is fine for the target range but in the field, you want a good Dual X reticle so you can actually see them. Same with the BDC ... when your heart is pounding from buck fever, you won't even remember what those silly dots or lines are for.

Nikon makes a good scope for the price as do Burris, Pentax, and several more. Buy some extra grip rings or that 7mm will make your scope slip. Just my suggestions ...

wildwillie · January 13th, 2009, 06:34 AM

My suggestion would be a 4.5x14 VXIII leupold.I have on on my 25-06 and love it.

Bearcat 74 · January 14th, 2009, 07:16 PM

Leupolds are hard to beat, I have sveral VX-II's 3-9x40 and I have a VXII 4-12x40mm that I really like. My longer range gun wears a Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16x40mm with adjustable target turrets they are nice if you are shooting at known range with time to make adjustments.

firescout · January 28th, 2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowegan

...First, the scope standard is 1X per 25 yards for deer sized game. Considering your 7mm Mag is quite capable of a kill at 250 yards, that would make your scope's max power 10X. A 7mm Mag has enough energy for a kill well past 250 yards but that's really the practical limit, no matter how powerful the scope or the gun. I would go with a 3.5-10X if it were my gun and there are very sound reasons for my suggestion.

The more magnification you get, the more the scope works against you. You would normally carry your rifle with the scope set on the lowest power. Just in case Bambi jumps up close, you don't have time to be messing with the zoom ring or the AO (parallax) adjustment. For longer distance shots, you usually have plenty of time to fondle the scope. The "wiggle factor" alone is enough to prevent you from using high magnification. Then there's the field of view that shrinks with magnification making it hard to find Bambi. Eye relief gets very critical with higher magnification too.

A Mil-Dot reticle is fine for the target range but in the field, you want a good Dual X reticle so you can actually see them. Same with the BDC ... when your heart is pounding from buck fever, you won't even remember what those silly dots or lines are for...

Very, very good advice. I usually give similar advice. I favor the lower powered scopes, as my main reason for using a rifle scope is an excellent sight picture, not necessarily magnification. My deer rifle (7mm08) wears a 2-7x Leupold, and I normally use it at 2 or 3x for the best field of view at normal deer ranges.

It seems like 3-9X scopes are the most popular, overall, and I still cannot figure out why.

danlnga · March 17th, 2009, 06:20 AM

I started out years ago with the "hi-power" scopes but after 50+ years of hunting I have settled on the Leupold VXII 2 x 7. I hunt the north Georgia woods as well as Texas hill country & Wyoming. The VXII is an excellent scope & flexible enough to fit all situations in my estimation. The mystique of a 16 power scope is a wonderful thing but I think it works against you except in the ultra long range whistle pig hunting.

Just my thoughts.

freedom45 · March 17th, 2009, 10:42 PM

Gunner SR9: the majority of my hunting rifles wear fixed power scopes and while fixed powers are not in vogue today, their popularity seems to be increasing. Especially, among experienced hunters buying glass at our store. Leupolds FXII series is an example of a great choice in fixed power.

Given that the majority of game is taken under 200 yards, if one is hunting deer or elk the 4X gives plenty of magnification. Magnification however is less critical in scope selection than clarity or the resolution of image. The main advantage of a scope is to place the target and crosshairs on the same focal plane. With fewer lense groups, the fixed power has an advantage in light transmission. The Leupold FXII series offers sophisticated lense coatings and baffling against stray light with a generous field of view. Its lighter in weight and, typically, more durable. Given the quality of the optics, it costs less, too.

I recommend that you visit your favorite shop around dusk and take several scopes outside for several minutes. The FXII, 4X with an exit pupil of nearly 9mm will transmit more light than your dialated pupil, typically around 6.5mm, can use.

I've guided elk hunters for nearly a decade and often those shots come quickly. Basic high quality scopes (no illuminated reticles, no AOs, no mil dots) often allow faster acquisition of the game when seconds can mean the difference between a kill or a miss or, sadly, a wounded animal.

GaCop · March 18th, 2009, 02:19 PM

I've got a Meuller 4.5X14X40AO on my Savage 7mm/08 and love it. Eye relief is critical but to me that's a plus. It forces me to cheek my stock the same way every shot.

Tom

p51mstg · April 9th, 2009, 09:05 AM

I just bought a Nikon Buckmasters series 4.5-14 x 40mm with the standard reticle, and love it. It went on my Mini-14 Target, so it's not a gun I'll be hunting with.

Iowegan, I'm learning a lot from you - thanks!

MrPhil · April 10th, 2009, 08:17 AM

My deer/elk rifle is a cosmetically challenged Savage in 270Win with a Leupold VX1 3-9. Walking around it is at 3x. Works great. It will shoot 1 inch groups from a rest, 3 inch offhand when I'm not too excited. I use it in Western Oregon, a mix of all kinds of terrain.

skip · April 11th, 2009, 01:05 PM

I agree that 9x is plenty of magnification, but I've seen more deer when it's dark - or nearly dark. I would go with a 50 or 56 mm objective if it will fit over your barrel. Heavy dual x crosshairs help a lot too.

axis · April 12th, 2009, 08:54 PM

My 7mm has a leupold Vari X III 6.5 - 20 scope on it and its primary use was for hunting Mouflon Sheep on Lanai. I would set up on a hill and watch all around me. If they came within 300 yards, I would let them have it. the extra magnification sure helps at long ranges to me but like it was mentioned previously if you have one jump up right in front of you , youre out of luck.

Axis

KKBMTGG/go army · October 27th, 2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freedom45

Gunner SR9: the majority of my hunting rifles wear fixed power scopes and while fixed powers are not in vogue today, their popularity seems to be increasing. Especially, among experienced hunters buying glass at our store. Leupolds FXII series is an example of a great choice in fixed power.

Given that the majority of game is taken under 200 yards, if one is hunting deer or elk the 4X gives plenty of magnification. Magnification however is less critical in scope selection than clarity or the resolution of image. The main advantage of a scope is to place the target and crosshairs on the same focal plane. With fewer lense groups, the fixed power has an advantage in light transmission. The Leupold FXII series offers sophisticated lense coatings and baffling against stray light with a generous field of view. Its lighter in weight and, typically, more durable. Given the quality of the optics, it costs less, too.

I recommend that you visit your favorite shop around dusk and take several scopes outside for several minutes. The FXII, 4X with an exit pupil of nearly 9mm will transmit more light than your dialated pupil, typically around 6.5mm, can use.

I've guided elk hunters for nearly a decade and often those shots come quickly. Basic high quality scopes (no illuminated reticles, no AOs, no mil dots) often allow faster acquisition of the game when seconds can mean the difference between a kill or a miss or, sadly, a wounded animal.

I know this is an old post but this and the one from Iowegan on 29 december are very good advice for the novice to midrange experienced hunter.
I'm not real sure where this idea that folks think they need a Hubbell type optic for hunting came from but I would follow these posts advice and apply the KISS principle. Unless your very knowledgeable in their use, mil dots and other such silliness will only distract you.
Personally, I'm a big fan of a good fixed 4 power for hunting.

Tom76 · July 13th, 2011, 03:18 PM

I know this is an old post but I want to give my two cents. I hunt the same terrain in Washington County as you with my M77 in 25-06 which has a Leopold VX-II 3x9-40. And to tell you the truth, I never really take it beyond the 3x except maybe during the summer for a day of groundhog hunting which extends the actual distance of the shot considerably. If I could redo it. I would get a fixed 4x 40 VXII. Just my opinion.