Antelope rifle scope

[EdP]

If you are not dialing, and I don't for the same reason as you, don't go over 12x. Not dialing means you will probably be using reticle subtensions for holdover, and they are usually used only at maximum magnification. Otherwise there is too much math involved at a time when time is critical. Beyond 12x your field of view shrinks too much making game difficult to locate, especially for a follow-up shot if needed.

 

[Tonopah]

I zeroed my Ruger No. 1 .257 Wby today. Trigger is heavy but breaks clean. One inch high at 100 yards. 1 1/2 inch group (3 shots -- ammo is expensive). 90 grain bullets clocked 3759 fps average.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I shot my first few antelope with my .30-06 and .308 Win with 3-9x40 scopes. In 1977 I built my .257 Ackley specifically for deer and antelope and put a 6x Leupold on it. That combination worked well for me for about 3 dozen more Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana antelope and 3 bighorn rams and a Dall ram. All were shot at less than 300 yards.

I recently replaced that 6x scope with a 4.5-14x40 Leupold scope with their B&C reticle.

The B&C reticle is what I had on mine. I still have the gun but it’s down south with my dad. Long time ago, my dad hurt his back so we had to skip elk that year, he figured he could manage some pronghorn hunting so we got 2 weatherby rifles, a vanguard in 257wby for me and a mkv in 240wbybfor him. We both had lwupold 4–14 with the B&c reticles.

Those setups are a bit dated now but back then they were amazing, we’d shoot 500yd steel at the sportsman’s club with a hose and both rifles stacked several pronghorns over the years. My dad ended up using his 240wby on his bighorn back in 2009. Next time I’m down south I’m planning to grab those 2 rifles and use them for something.

 

[Kevin270]

I would look in the 3-15 or 4-16 power range.Leupold,Zeiss and Trijicon all make a scope to fit your needs.Good luck.

 

[EdP]

The rifle I shot my first pronghorn with had a 4-16 mounted. Shot was at 402 yds. From that experience and due to the limited field of view, I decided to limit the scopes on my big game rifles to 12X maximum and have never regretted it.

 

[eaglemountainman]

I started converting all my most used hunting rifles from Leupold to Trijicon 3-9X40, some Accupoints with duplex and green center dots, and some Hurons with German #4 reticles.
For an antelope hunt, my choice would be one of the Hurons.
I'm a max 300+/- yd shooter.

 

[cuerro viejo]

RS.1 - 2.5-15x44 FFP

Buy Maven Outdoor Equipment Company RS.1 Riflescopes. Our RS Series Riflescopes stack up with the most celebrated and expensive scopes in the world…bar none.

mavenbuilt.com

 

[kcm2]

I've never thought I needed more than 9x on pronghorn over the decades of hunting them. The vast majority were under 200 yards but to be fair, I wasn't keeping precise track. But I always have good binos, too.

 

[eaglemountainman]

@kcm2
Until I started swapping out to these 3-9 Trijicons, all I used was 2-7x33 and 2.5-8x36 Leupolds. Never felt a need for anything bigger. Of course, I only shoot game out to 300 yds, but I ring steel with them at 500 with no problem.

 

[ridgerunnerrron]

3-9x40

 

[UKwildcatfan]

I have several S&B Klassic 3-12x50s. Zero for 300

 

[Oregonmuley]

I know these days Leupold doesn't get much love but I killed several trailer loads of antelope with a 3x9x40 with the Long Range reticle. Back when you could actually draw tags every year. I guess I was just lucky

 

[14jhudson]

Lots of good info in this thread for another guy looking at scope options!

 

[WoodlandCritter]

If you're not dialing I would recommend the Maven Rs.1 over the RS.2. I personally prefer capped turrets, but also the area I hunt is very thick and brushy. Uncapped turrets probably aren't as big of a concern in antelope country.

 

[RMSeezer]

For western antelope hunting with no dialing, assuming low weight is important, a Swarovski Z3 4-12x50 with BRH or BRX reticle is tough to beat. I have one on a 28 Nosler and have taken antelope (and elk) with it. I struggle to replace it on my rifle due to the extremely low weight. It is optically as clear and bright as any scope I own.

 

[Pilsner]

I shot my first few antelope with my .30-06 and .308 Win with 3-9x40 scopes. In 1977 I built my .257 Ackley specifically for deer and antelope and put a 6x Leupold on it. That combination worked well for me for about 3 dozen more Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana antelope and 3 bighorn rams and a Dall ram. All were shot at less than 300 yards.

I recently replaced that 6x scope with a 4.5-14x40 Leupold scope with their B&C reticle.

Wanna sell that ole 6X Luppy?
I'd be interested.

I know it is verboten to recommend a Leupold on here but a UL 2.5-8x with the CDS turret would be a compelling option in this use case. If the OP was willing to spend the 90 seconds it takes to learn how to dial one.

 

[Tonopah]

Though I wouldn't pick it for an antelope hunt, a nice general purpose scope for a hunting rifle might be a Trijicon Accupoint 3x9x40. Tombstone Tactical in Phoenix has a sale going on and that scope is $765 right now but they will e-mail with a better price and I have asked them to do that for me. Oddly, I have come to like the post/green triangle (BAC) reticle. There are no hold over hash marks and you won't likely be dialing (capped elevation turret) and there is no parallax adjustment either. But I have been surprised how accurate I can be with that set up out to 300 yards or so and target acquisition is deadly fast with that reticle. Trijicon has nice glass and their scopes have a reputation for durability.