Scopes

[Havin' Fun]

One more interesting question.

I know the 3x9 is very popular. However! Why is it so popular when condition typically will restrict how far you shoot to under 200 yards. In most cases around 100 is pretty normal(especially in wooded areas). So my question is, why not a 2x7? This again was suggested by a gun dealer and to be honest, makes some good sense.

Opinions????

[irvingdog]

"More" must somehow be better. I prefer quicker target aquisition than to be able to identify while hair follicle the bullet is going to hit. 2-7 X 32 is a great choice.

The guns I use out west are a different story.

[lawdog]

There are a lot of variables there and "out west" variable is a big one. The extra power doesn't hurt you, if you don't want it, don't crank it up. It does however, help in some circumstances. The other thing you usually get when you go to a bigger scope is a larger mm objective lens which will gather light better (usually 32mm vs. 40 mm). This can be a big issue in the woods where it is sometimes darker... The difference between 2 & 3 on the bottom end isn't much!

[BigDaddy]

I have a 2x7 VXII and like it. The low profile fits the gun well and is less to potentially bang around in the woods.

I recently read a scope article in Field and Stream that said there was virtually no difference in light gathering between 33mm and 40mm. I'm not sure that I believe that.

[CodyDawg]

I have to disagree with Lawdog on this one (it ain't very often we disagree however). The % difference between a 2X and 3X is quite a bit, noticable to my eye for sure. The difference between a 7X and a 9X is less so. Also, be sure to compare the ACTUAL magnifications, which are not exactly round numbers.

[leechlake]

big daddy, I can't remember the specific number regarding the objective size but it's basically this. You're pupil can gather only so much light, if the objective gathers more it is irrelevent because you're pupil only takes in the light it can. Like I said I can't remember the number but your pupil takes in lets say a unit of 4. A 32mm ojective divided by a scope at 4X equals 8, if it's a 40mm obj equals 10, either way your pupil only can take in 4 so neither scopes objective helps you past your eyes ability at 4. I apologize for not remembering the exact numbers but the point is your eye keeps you from utilizing the scopes abilities at most "hunting" powers, I suppose at 12X the objective is important though. Regarding scopes powers I have 1-4 and 2-7's for hunting in Minnesota, for deer moving through the woods I prefer to be able to find them with a wider field of view at the low power, most deer I shoot are not standing still (I'm not talking taking foolish running shots just deer that are walking or trotting through trees). At 50- yards or so, a normal range for shooting deer in the woods, I could care less that my scope is on 2X, I can still hit the deer in the correct spot. Hope some of the above helps.

[catman71]

has anyone ever used a scope mounted in the middle of the barrel, like on a "Scout" gun? Can you aquire your target any faster? Any brand or size suggestions?

[lawdog]

I don't disagree with you Cody that proportionally there is a difference, but really I can't say that I've ever been able to find something at 2x that I couldn't have found at 3x or vice versa. That was my point. I think 99 hunters out of 100 would have equally good luck with 2/7x32 as with 3/9x40. Most of us don't really work on the extreme ends of the spectrum often enough to utilize much of the differences. Actually, when you get right down to it, for most hunting in Minnesota I'd say a 1.5-5 would be more than adequate... Gosh, my Grandpa in Wisconsin shot more deer than anybody I've known or will ever know and never used anything better than a fixed 4x32 scope.

[Rogue Hunter]

Leechlake,

The articles I've read on buying binoculars say the pupil opening is 5 mm. So, the optimum for light transmision into the eye would be binos and scopes that are 6x30, 7x35, 8x40, 10x50, etc. Binos of say 6x20, 8x24, 10x25 won't let enough light to pass through...thus, dark images on even the brightest day. Dust and dawn--low light conditions--are when this comes into play the most, whether your lining-up a shot at a deer or scouting a new duck hole.

I would whole-heartedly agree that a fixed 4x is more than enough for ANY rifle shooter in MN...but don't tell my brother I said that...he'd dis-own me! LOL

Rogue

[Muddog]

Scopes of higher power need larger objective lens which will gather more light. I have a cheep 6x24 with a 32mm objective lens. Let me tell you in dim light the 24 power is worthless.

You do have to remember that what they put on the lenses is as important as the size.

In dim light, the more light you can get in your eye the better you can see.

On my .25 cal I think 3x9 is a good scope. 3 power for the 120 gr big stuff. 9 power for the 85 gr little stuff. Now on my .22 Hornet, I have a 1.25x4. I won't be trying to hit stuff 200yds away.

A 1 power pistol scope mounted scout style on a rifle is very quick. You do have to remember to keep both eyes open. Like open sites, but with cross hairs.

If you have a 3x9 do you have to set it on 9 power?

[woodview]

Totally agree with the MN hunting - you don't need much if 50 yards is your average shot and 100 is pushing it. Too much power in thicker woods and you can end up watching a hole in the trees thinking the deer was about to come out there only to realize he was 10-15 away from that spot.

Stronger scope has come in handy in WY not because I'm gonna take a 600+ yd shot but out there counting tines is important and I've seen some 3X3s that are huge, so a little extra can come in handy.

Not every manufacturer does it the same and a lot of times their ratings don't tell the entire story. i.e. coatings on the lens, etc. can make a big difference.

I actually went to stores at dusk to check out scopes and talked guys into walking to the parking lot just to let me compare powers and manufactureres.

One last point - I'm big on walking out of the store with "the exact one" you like. i.e. my brother shoots a certain gun out west and when I tried it I thought it was one of the smoothest actioned and shooting guns I've handled. When window shopping I'll ocassionally try that same gun and a couple times have had to double check that it was the same model. Kind of like automobiles put together on Mondays and Fridays have way more problems.

On a scope it may not be so noticeable but..