22-250 scope for coyotes

[nate larson]

My wife just got me a Tikka T3 Lite 22-250 for my 30th b-day and now I am trying to figure out what scope to put on it. I will mainly be using it for a calling setup in North Dakota but would also like to use it in Southern MN as well. I was thinking a 4-12 x 40. How well will the 40mm work in the winter with a full moon? I don't really want to strap a 50mm on if I don't have to. I don't want to spend a fortune and the two that jump out at me are the Redfield Revolution and the Nikon Buckmaster. Any input would be appreciated.

[Fish&Fowl]

I have the same gun and love it. I have the Nikon Monarch 4x16x40mm and it is a really clear scope. I always had Leupolds but I'm sold on Nikon now. Best thing to do is look through a few of them, especially on the highest power, to compare clarity.

[troutkingmaster]

I have a 4.5x14 Buckmasters mounted on my savage. It is a great scope, great light transmission. I also like the fact that the parallax setting is on a drum by the windage/elevation so you can set it while looking through the scope, not like the leupolds where it is out front, not that you need it all that often.

[Grayfox]

Nate,

I think the 4-12x40 would be fine but if your going to use it for night hunting you might want one with a heavier reticle so you can pick it up at night. I personally use a lit reticle at night and I'm not sure what the scopes you've mentioned have but a friend tried using his leopold with the fine reticle and he had a heck of a time seeing it at night.

[Potsie]

Nate,

I personally use a lit reticle at night and I'm not sure what the scopes you've mentioned have but a friend tried using his leopold with the fine reticle and he had a heck of a time seeing it at night.

I completely agree! I can see great at night through my Leupold with a 40mm lense, but the standard duplex reticle is impossible to see against dark objects at night. I've looked at deer through it in the morning before shooting starts, and although I was able to clearly see the the crosshairs that were against the background and could probably hit that shot, I couldn't see the crosshairs on the deer itself. Dark on dark just doesn't work and pinpoint accuracy would be next to impossible. I'd definitely look into a tritium or battery powered reticle for night hunting.

[farmallnutz]

Not that my gun matters Remington 700 22-250, but i put a Swift 6x18x44 on and it was reasonably priced. Model 669, I have shot several yotes at night without good lighting and good snow cover. It has done really well for me in all conditions and I have attached the sun shade for day time.

[nate larson]

Thanks for all your help! I am trying to decide between a 3-9 50mm and 4-14.5 40mm. Can anyone recommend a reticle that isn't lit but still shows up decent at night? Right now I am leaning towards the Nikon Buckmaster with the Nikoplex reticle. I will primarily be hunting during the day but I would like the option of hunting a few times a year under a full moon.

[PurpleFloyd]

I have a Nikon Coyote Special scope on my predator rifle and that is designed to work with the ballistics of the 22-250. It does have that donut reticle though and if that is something you can get used to they are great. If you need the intact crosshairs to shoot straight then maybe not.

Mine is the 4.5-14x40 on a Remington model predator chambered in .17 fireball.

[HunterLee]

The standard duplex is plenty good for night hunting, I have a leupold 4-12. There isn't much different between the 40 and 50 at night, but at dusk my vx2 is alot better than my vx 1.

If you don't think you need the 4-12 i would get leupold vx 2, not that more expensive unless you jump to the 4-12. But personally i like the 12 power for longer shots.

I would never use one of those coyote special scopes they seem tough to get a real fine bead, fine for close in but for your type i would stay standard.

[PurpleFloyd]

Actually they are very good for getting on a target quickly and getting a shot. They are just a bit different and you have to adjust your thinking. Not much different than debating a peep sight vs the adjustable iron sights.

[Jackpine Rob]

With scopes, you really do get what you pay for - for the most part.

The difference between a Leopuld VX1 and VXIII is night and day - quite literally. If you're planning to shoot at night - at least the VXIII. Some of the Nikons and Burris's will do the same thing for roughly the same price.

With GOOD glass, the gray hours of dusk and dawn become bright - and night-time is doable. With marginal or OK glass, forget it.

Thats a fact.

The brightness/light transmission of a scope is HUGE in marginal conditions, and you really need to think about that when putting glass on a coyote gun.