Scope recommendations

[Hodgessj]

I have a 7mm that I use for elk hunting. Looking to upgrade the scope from a 3-9x50. Any suggestions?

 

[atmat]

Can you share more info? E.g, are you asking for brand or magnification range or objective size or reticle or etc.? What weight range? What are you shooting at and how far? Dialable or set and forget?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

What about just getting a higher quality 3-9ish scope?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Take a look at the Steiner Predator 4 & 8 Series Scopes. Excellent optics and build quality and many different power ratios to choose from. Right now during our Year End Sale you'll get some amazing deals.
As a long standing supporting vendor here on the forum it is our pleasure to assist in discussing different options and opportunities with you. Please give a call, 516-217-1000, when you have a few moments

 

[35WhelenAI]

As was said above, what kind of hunting ranges are you looking at and what 7mm are you shooting? 7mm-08, 7mm Rem Mag, etc.

Have you had to turn down shots due to magnification/because optics weren't allowing early morning/late day target acquisition with your current scope?

Is your current scope a Leupold 3-9x50 of some sort, by chance? A good hunting friend and mentor had one on his '06 M70 Featherweight. It was more of a campfire talking point than a benefit in the field based on comparing to my identical 3-9x40 Leupold, but gave him confidence he had an "edge".

For me 50mm is overdoing it. Both aesthetically and functionally for elk (Colorado) hunting that I have been a part of. It ruins the balance (for me) of the gun with the scope sitting up high.

With most hunting guns it makes you come up off the stock due to the necessary high mounts, adds a bit of weight and doesn't add enough extra light capability vs 40mm in the same scopes from my experience in any legal shooting hours situation. From my understanding 50mm objectives got their first traction in European hunting where they hunt at night. Elk in the USA cannot be hunted at night.

First thought is go with a 3-9x40mm in a good brand mid range scope.

A 40mm objective paired with decent glass internals is plenty to allow any shooting during legal hours, early in the day or late.

As you know, elk are big critters and at 400 yds for instance, 9X is plenty in my opinion and experience during 30 years of elk hunting. For instance, the 50 mm obj adds $100 to the price tag of a Leupold VX3HD 3.5-10 vs a 40 mm. Lots of really good 40mm scope options that could up your optical game by spending on a bit better glass vs than the same scope in 50mm, depending on what scope you currently have.

Lots of thoughts, but it's a stab at what you are looking for until a few more details are shared with the collective.

 

[Hodgessj]

Thanks for the responses. Sorry for the delay, been busy with holiday stuff. The current scope is a 3-9x50 vxII. It is on a 7mm Remington mag. Probably looking more for set and forget. Max shot length where we hung wouod be like 600 to 700 yards and that’s rare. Average shot would be 100 to 300 yards. The scope was on the hun when I bought it. Thinking a 4-12 or 4-16 x40 or 44 would be suitable. Thanks for your thoughts and opinions.

 

[Mountainrancher]

Nightforce shv 3-10

 

[35WhelenAI]

VX-II 3-9x40 is the scope I swapped out for a VX3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS ZL last off season. No flies on the VX-II, was on my gun 20 seasons. The change was to get a bit better glass and dialing came with it. No option for non-dialing. But "a bit better" is legit with respect to the glass vs the VX-II in my comparison. Seems to focus better at longer ranges, more crisp.

It was 3/3 on dialing deer this year from a 100 yd zero. The VX-II would have done the same thing zeroing for a 300 yd MPBR. I am not sold that dialing is the cats meow for my hunting however it worked well.

However if you know it's most likely to be 100-300 yds, a 3-9-ish is a hard one to beat and can easily stretch to longer range.

Wish I had experience with the Maven C series, but hope the experience from the Leupold scopes is helpful.