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$400 scope budget |
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muleymaddness
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/04/2008 Status: Offline Points: 119 |
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Posted: June/13/2011 at 10:39 |
If you had a budget for $400 scope; which would you choose? It'll go on a Rem 700 7mm. Shot distances - unknown. I've got a Colorado mule deer hunt planned and I whitetail hunt here in Texas. I put in for elk, mule deer, and sheep in about 5 western states - so shot distance will vary from year to year. I'm thinking the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40; but wondered if the 9x would be enough. Your opinions are appreciated.
Edited by muleymaddness - June/13/2011 at 10:40 |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14962 |
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Over your price if you can get there this is what I bought:
If not I would probably go with a 6x42 Super Sniper because for under $300 you can have reliable knobs to dial in correction to compensate for trajectory and you can kill game a long way off with it. Past about 300 yds it becomes difficult to guess the bullet drop and you need either BDC marks on the reticle or target tactical knobs to dial in correction. Leupold FX3 6x42 with long range duplex is another fine choice but more money. |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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I like your original thought - the 3-9X40 Conquest. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. The tracking on mine was excellent, and although the turret markings are not ideal for dialing correction, they would do. 9x is more than enough for me for just about any hunting ranges. If, like most hunters, your shots are 300 yards and in, this scope would be a great match for your 7 mag when sighted in for MPBR.
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-Matt
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muleymaddness
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/04/2008 Status: Offline Points: 119 |
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What does MPBR stand for? Would you think most shots I will encounter will be 300 yards and in based on the hunts I plan on doing over the years?
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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MPBR = Maximum Point Blank Range.
I would speculate that 90+% of elk, mule deer, and sheep taken nationwide are with shots taken within 300 yards. |
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-Matt
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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If you load a 140 grain accubond at 3200 fps, a typical 280 yard zero, 5000 feet elevation, 39 deg. F trajectory has an impact 3.2 inches high at 150 yards and 4.9 inches low at 350 yards. With that setup, decent accuracy from your rifle, and a good center-of-vital hold, you should be good to 350 yards.
You also have an even 10 inches of drop at 400 yards. A high vital hold (still on hair) should be good even at that distance. I would dial the 2 1/2 moa in that situation, however. Practice is paramount. Your actual trajectory will vary from these approximates due to environmental factors. You will need to shoot in field conditions similar to those you will hunt in to verify. With any shots past 300 yards, wind drift can become problematic. Edited by Bitterroot Bulls - June/13/2011 at 11:57 |
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-Matt
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muleymaddness
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/04/2008 Status: Offline Points: 119 |
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Good advice. I think I'll opt for the Zeiss 3-9x40. It's simple, sleek, and highly mentioned on this website. Beyond 350 yards, I think there are too many variables to consider and unless you have significant knowledge of these factors, probably shouldn't be taking the shot.
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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Very reasonable evaluation. |
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-Matt
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Yes, the 3-9X40 Conquest is precisely what I'd get within that budget, and yes, 9X is plenty magnification for hunting any big game on earth at typical shot distances that 95+% of us have any business attempting at live game animals.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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