Anyone use 4-24 VX6 for long-range hunting?

[ShooterJohn]

Hey everyone,
The VX6 has caught my attention, building an elk hunting rig off a tikka action, proof carbon barrel, and Raven-euro MT-32 stock. It’s not the lightest rig, but I built it for accuracy.
Walking on the scope now, love the magnification range of the VX6, but not happy that it’s second focal plane, and a limited amount of reticles.
Has anyone out there put this scope through its paces?
Mike

 

[SloppyJ]

There's a whole leupold thread that's very recent you should read.

 

[ShooterJohn]

There's a whole leupold thread that's very recent you should read.

I did a search, but nothing was obvious. Do you have a link to the thread? What is the jist of the thread?

 

[ReddingArcher]

I did a search, but nothing was obvious. Do you have a link to the thread? What is the jist of the thread?

You’re gonna want to avoid Leupold like the plague. They are notorious for not holding zero with even minimal use.

 

[Kurts86]

Regardless of the Leupold issues I can’t see using a 4-24x second focal plane scope to hunt. You will find yourself using the middle of that magnification range with inaccurate/math heavy hold offs for wind.

 

[ShooterJohn]

I would prefer 1st focal plane, but my 1st priority is having a low power (3-4x) when walking through thicker bush, but the ability to use 24x for longer shots. The 6x zoom ration really appeals to me. My logic was when I’m making the longer shots, I’m almost always at full magnification. I already have a VX5HD and have been pleased with it.

 

[Kurts86]

If you are taking shots in the last 15 minutes of light with a 24x 50mm objective you will often find that you need to back off your max power to 8-12x to get the exit pupil into the 4-5mm range. I’ve had to do this multiple times in the last few years with a 20x FFP scope.

There really isn’t value to having 24x on a hunting scope and there is a severe diminishing return that’s starts between 10-15x. Relying on higher magnification is a crutch and a disadvantage to spot your own shots.