Hunting scope questions?

[Shawn_Guinn]

Hunting scope help, I’m suffering paralysis by analysis. I’ve been a die hard bowhunter most of my life. I got bow tuning and arrows and builds down pat lol. I’ve always been a casual rifle hunter and my scopes are just hold high up until my Nikon with BDC from 10 plus years ago nothing wrong with it I did kill deer out to 450 plus yards but I’m upgrading my rifle this year and scope. I’m going to place a deposit on the new seekins element hunter in 7 prc this week or next. I’ve got a budget of 1k too 1.5k for a scope and I get some decent military discounts being prior service. I’m pretty sure I’m going Leica Amplus 6 plus but I’m in a dilemma over 3-18 x44 or the 2.5-15x56 if course some of my friend say nothing less than 20 power others say 44 won’t let enough light in for shooting at dusk. I’m open to other scopes as well. In my mind 15 power is plenty of adjustment for shooting past 500 yards. I have a 5 x20 now and I’ve missed a 40 yard shot a few years ago on an old massive 2x2 in my mind at 5x it was just to much. I may be using incorrect verbiage if so i apologize I’m pretty new to some of the wording. I’m looking for a more precise lighter set up to play with and get better at longer range hunting and shooting. All my hunting is in Idaho if that makes a difference I do hunt pretty open terrain for the most part most of my shots are 200 to 350 yards but I’ve passed on longer shot opportunities due to my inexperience at shooting distance and lack of what I would call more capable equipment.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Swfa 3-9, 3-15, or 5-20
Maven rs 1.2
Trijicon tenmile 3-18
Nightforce nx8 4-32

How far are you placing to kill animals? 7 prc is way overkill for most applications

 

[ScreamingPotato]

I don't want anything more than 12 power for a hunting scope, targets are another matter.

 

[sndmn11]

if course some of my friend say nothing less than 20 power others say 44 won’t let enough light in for shooting at dusk.

These people can't be trusted going forward

Swfa 3-9,
Maven rs 1.2

200-300yds? Choose one of these.

 

[Koda_]

I have a 5 x20 now and I’ve missed a 40 yard shot a few years ago on an old massive 2x2 in my mind at 5x it was just to much.

Pick the scope that has the widest FOV at the lowest zoom, should be no less than 30-35ft FOV min as a good baseline.
5x at 100yds is too powerful will have a narrow FOV.

 

[Shawn_Guinn]

Swfa 3-9, 3-15, or 5-20
Maven rs 1.2
Trijicon tenmile 3-18
Nightforce nx8 4-32

How far are you placing to kill animals? 7 prc is way overkill for most applications

I do get land owner cow tags from time to time and if I’m not archery successful I do get to hunt rifle spikes. I have a 6.5 creedmoor now but want something punchier and a good do it all round. I’m pretty set on the 7 prc in a light package. My other thought was 300 win or 300 prc. If I had a 7 mm to start off I would not upgrade the whole gun I might just build it out. Plus it’s America why not own more than one gun I always have a back up bow and a recurve and a bow fishing bow and maybe another 1 or 2 my wife is not aware of.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

6.5 creed is a good do it all round

 

[Jebel]

Between the two Amplus models you list, I chose the 3-18x44 because I think 44mm is plenty, I prefer to mount lower than a 56mm will allow, and a saved a couple ounces in weight. 18x magnification isn't necessary and 15x is plenty. No bad choices between those two models. And I agree with you that having a low end of 3x or 2.5x is as important as the high end.