Ideal magnification for Dall sheep hunting

[JW@TRACT]

While this certainly can be a situation where 100 replies are 100 different answers, it's worth asking. What is everyone's preferred magnification range for an Alaskan Dall sheep hunt? Would you forsake some of your magnification for a lighter optic?

 

[Mykolaivka887]

10x binos, 60x spotting scope, and 2-7x variable rifle scope are what I advise my clients to bring.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

10x binos with a wide field of view.

60x Spotting scope with the option of running a 1.6x extender for 96x in the right atmospheric conditions.

10x rifle scope.

 

[adventure907]

10 x 25 Pocket Bino's (I use Zeiss)

60x Spotting Scope (Swaro)

3 x 9 Rifle Scope

 

[MaraviaDave]

12x NL Pure binocular
-with forehead rest
-stud / bino adapter for mounting to tripod

ATX / STX 95 mm spotting scope

NF 2.5-10x42 NXS rifle scope

From my perspective, cutting weight should not be focused on optics, rifle (~9 lbs), backpack or boots.

 

[Snyd]

Whatever trips your trigger. I've spotted a lot of legal rams with 10x42 binos and 17-52x60 spotter. Killed a few with 2.5-8x36 Leupold on my Kimber 325 and one with a 4X Leupold on my Freedom Arms 454 revolver.

These guys did it another way...

 

[cbeard64]

I use 12x Swaro NL, 20-60x Swaro spotting scope, and Leupold 4.5-14x Vari X-3 rifle scope.

 

[madcalfe]

10x42 binos
60x spotter
I generally prefer a 4-16x, 3-18x scope.
I ran a kahles k318i for 2 years till it shit the bed then switched to a ATACR 4-16x42
I'm fine with running 30-33oz scopes. but that new march fx 1.5x15x42 definitely caught my attention at 26oz.

 

[mtwarden]

Not sure it's "ideal" but my plan is to bring 10x42's, 20-60x65 spotter and a 3.5-10 rifle scope (all Swaros)

 

[Mykolaivka887]

Not sure it's "ideal" but my plan is to bring 10x42's, 20-60x65 spotter and a 3.5-10 rifle scope (all Swaros)

Perfect setup. I'd say it's ideal.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I’ll be using 10x42 EL’s, a 20-60x65 ats and a 3-10 SHV.

 

[NilsBackstrom]

10x42 binos
20-60x65 swaro ATS
4,5-14x40 leupold vx-3 HD CDS

 

[JW@TRACT]

Whatever trips your trigger. I've spotted a lot of legal rams with 10x42 binos and 17-52x60 spotter. Killed a few with 2.5-8x36 Leupold on my Kimber 325 and one with a 4X Leupold on my Freedom Arms 454 revolver.

These guys did it another way...

Outstanding work with the wheel gun!

 

[dreamingWest]

Ideal...
I'll say 12x42 NLs and 65x ATX with phoneskope. My experience sheep hunting is long days (sunlight) and a lot of midday glassing so you can get by with less exit pupil.

Rifle Scope: Like every other hunt 2-10, 3-12.

 

[WCB]

I like 12-20x on scopes...usually low end on those will be 3-4x. I'd say 4-16x is perfect.

I have never in my life had a high magnification scope ant thought "man wish I had less magnification"...why? because I can just turn the magnification down. I am however glad on longer shots I had more magnification. (yeah I know 7x can be shot out to 1,000yds blah blah blah).

 

[JW@TRACT]

Great responses guys. Wide range of opinions with a common thread being good spotting scope and bino work supersedes the scope magnification.

 

[Grassymike]

What you should be getting out of this thread is Tract needs to have a 65mm spotter in their lineup...

 

[Steve O]

Started 25 years ago with 10x42 Leica Trinovids, a 65mm Zeiss Diascope, and 3.5-10 Leupold

Did a couple desert hunts with Swaro 10x42 ELs, 95mm ATX/BTX and 3-15 Leupold

The ones I have left will be done with Swaro 12x NLs, 50mm ATC, and 3-15 Leupold.

 

[JW@TRACT]

What you should be getting out of this thread is Tract needs to have a 65mm spotter in their lineup...

noted

 

[Westy35]

12x NL Pure binocular
-with forehead rest
-stud / bino adapter for mounting to tripod

ATX / STX 95 mm spotting scope

NF 2.5-10x42 NXS rifle scope

From my perspective, cutting weight should not be focused on optics, rifle (~9 lbs), backpack or boots.

Curious on your experience with the forehead rest. When does it help, and how does it help?