Scopes for goats

[JGBowman]

Currently rocken a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm on my 300 win mag. When I go to the range with the load I worked up I can bang the 8in plate at 300 yards no problem. I have a goat hunt booked for Kodiak Island. The outfitter said most shot opportunities occur within 200 yards.

Incase the opportunity comes beyond 200 or 300 yards. Is the scope I have adequate? Do I need something with a higher magnification?

I never though I needed something more than 15 power. But this year I was looking at a lot of whitetails 400+ yards and had the thought about getting a scope with high magnification.

Any input will be greatly appreciated!

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[Bigred323]

I would say no. I run a vx6hd 3-18 power.

Made two “longer” shots this year at 300 and one at 465 with power set at 9-10 x. Don’t really see anytime would go over that really

 

[Gravel Road]

You do not need more than 15x, and you really don't need that much.

 

[LightFoot]

Currently rocken a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm on my 300 win mag. When I go to the range with the load I worked up I can bang the 8in plate at 300 yards no problem. I have a goat hunt booked for Kodiak Island. The outfitter said most shot opportunities occur within 200 yards.

Incase the opportunity comes beyond 200 or 300 yards. Is the scope I have adequate? Do I need something with a higher magnification?

I never though I needed something more than 15 power. But this year I was looking at a lot of whitetails 400+ yards and had the thought about getting a scope with high magnification.

Any input will be greatly appreciated!

​

6x is enough for 300y.
Your scope is more than adequate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[croben]

You don’t need more magnification at those distances. Just curious, what does your grouping look like at 300/200/100 yards with that rifle? I know you didn’t say you shoot 8in groups at 300 yards, but if that’s the case that would mean you are a 2.67 MOA shooter right now with your rifle. I would look at investing in some training and really get yourself and your current setup dialed in. Get in the mountains and do positional shooting too. That will likely pay off huge for you when your hunt comes around. Good luck with your hunt and keep us posted!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Ive used a trijicon 3-9 and a NightForce 3-10. Both were more than adequate and are known to be reliable and durable.

 

[JGBowman]

You don’t need more magnification at those distances. Just curious, what does your grouping look like at 300/200/100 yards with that rifle? I know you didn’t say you shoot 8in groups at 300 yards, but if that’s the case that would mean you are a 2.67 MOA shooter right now with your rifle. I would look at investing in some training and really get yourself and your current setup dialed in. Get in the mountains and do positional shooting too. That will likely pay off huge for you when your hunt comes around. Good luck with your hunt and keep us posted!

My concern with my current magnification is from my lack of experience shooting or having shot opportunities while hunting at longer ranges. Most of the time in PA your shot opportunities are less than 100 yards. This year I tired getting a doe at a further distance, never got the chance but was able to look at deer in neighboring fields 400+ yards away. Then I had the thought, would more magnification help? But based off the input received what I have is adequate.

I think the best thing I can do is take your advice. Train and dial in my current setup.

 

[MuleyFever]

On animals that I have killed out to 500 yards I have never even thought to put my magnification over 10x on a 2.5x15 Credo.

 

[Bigred323]

My concern with my current magnification is from my lack of experience shooting or having shot opportunities while hunting at longer ranges. Most of the time in PA your shot opportunities are less than 100 yards. This year I tired getting a doe at a further distance, never got the chance but was able to look at deer in neighboring fields 400+ yards away. Then I had the thought, would more magnification help? But based off the input received what I have is adequate.

I think the best thing I can do is take your advice. Train and dial in my current setup.

Yea man.

I’m by no means a long range shooter, but I spent a lot of time shooting farther distances these last couple of years for a sheep and goat hunt (without any training or classes) and It seemed that when you zoomed in too much, there was much more movement of the reticles when trying to focus on the target so I figured would not be good when shooting an actual animal.

I have no idea if that’s a hard fact, but just what I seemed to notice when putting rounds down range.