Shoot2Hunt University

[Nine Banger]

 

[Schmo]

Assuming I was using a 2.5-8x or 3-9x, why wouldn’t I want my scope on 8x or 9x at 400 yards? At that range, I am shooting from a supported position with a 10 pound rifle and a moderately recoiling cartridge. What am I missing by being on 8x or 9x?

Just saying. I ain’t walking around with my scope on max magnification. That’s a really good way to miss an opportunity. If you have time, and want to be on 9x at 400, it’s not terrible. But I prefer 6 or 7x. It’s easier to have target panic when zoomed in too much. Plus, at a lower mag, I have better FOV, which gives me a greater chance of being able to see the animal during recoil, and I can see other game that surround the one I’m shooting

 

[Bluumoon]

Assuming I was using a 2.5-8x or 3-9x, why wouldn’t I want my scope on 8x or 9x at 400 yards? At that range, I am shooting from a supported position with a 10 pound rifle and a moderately recoiling cartridge. What am I missing by being on 8x or 9x?

Maybe nothing, maybe you’ll find walking around at 4-6x would let you spot shots/ keep running animal in view better from a less than perfect position. It’s just one more thing to think about in the moment, ie am I at full zoom to get a correct hold.

 

[Schmo]

I’ve killed running deer at 25-75 yards several times on 8x, even if I prefer them standing still.

How do you find vitals on a running deer at 25 yards on 8x? You’re only gonna see fur in the scope

 

[Q_Sertorius]

If my questions are dumb, just assume I want to get them out of my system now.

Additionally, with no offense to anyone here, I want to get the most I can out of the course, so I expect to show up with a system that works and use that to improve my abilities. If you haven’t been, please preface your advice with a qualifier.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

How do you find vitals on a running deer at 25 yards on 8x? You’re only gonna see fur in the scope

You aim at its nose. I’m not kidding.

 

[Brontosaurus]

Yes, you can agree or disagree with it all you want, but it’s all nitpicking and irrelevant.

If I am using a variable scope, it’s always set on the max power (usually 8x). Your experience may be different, but in 30 years of hunting with a scoped rifle, it’s never been a hindrance to me. I’ve killed running deer at 25-75 yards several times on 8x, even if I prefer them standing still.

And, for the course, I’m bringing my fixed 6x scopes, so again, this just isn’t a concern.

I also prefer 8X on vari power scopes. Just a personal thing. On my old NF SHV I loved that 8 to 9X range but in hindsight I think it was the reticle. And on the rs 1.2 I liked it at 8x just cause. Something with that mag range just works for me. And I've had no issue leaving it on that and killing elk from 60 to 200 yds.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

See folks this is why variable power scopes are the devil for hunting. They cause WAY more issues than they “solve” in the shooting process.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

How do you find vitals on a running deer at 25 yards on 8x? You’re only gonna see fur in the scope

Not correct.

 

[Bluumoon]

If my questions are dumb, just assume I want to get them out of my system now.

Additionally, with no offense to anyone here, I want to get the most I can out of the course, so I expect to show up with a system that works and use that to improve my abilities. If you haven’t been, please preface your advice with a qualifier.

We all did and do suck. You should absolutely test the things you are questioning. I thought I had my stuff dialed in and ready to roll for class. Guess which asshole immediately had an ND because they didn’t paintpen/loctite a trigger assembly.

 

[Schmo]

Not correct

I guess I’m wrong, and spoke out of turn. I’m just not sure how you have a clear picture of the vitals with that combination.

 

[Ajsomp]

See folks this is why variable power scopes are the devil for hunting. They cause WAY more issues than they “solve” in the shooting process.

Fixed 6 for the win

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I guess I’m wrong, and spoke out of turn. I’m just not sure how you have a clear picture of the vitals with that combination.

You’re correct it’s not “ideal” but still perfectly killable is what I’m saying.

I kill big game animals under 50 yards every year in the woods or in very brushy terrain. I also normally kill big game animals at very long ranges. My variable scopes almost never leave somewhere in the 6-8X range. They are basically treated as a fixed power scope.

An 8x50 fixed power scope with a good hunting reticle is all a person needs for nearly all western big game hunting, from sub 50 yards to 800+ yards.

Dicking around with zoom has proven to be the difference between kills and missed animals far too often. This is particularly observed when someone is so zoomed in that when the animal moves or they have to change body position, they then cannot require the animal in their scope. It also adds a step in the shot process that is nearly always not needed to make good hits.

There are always “unique” situations like a deer running at 25 yards, where maybe that’s not the “ideal” optic. But it still works just fine in most cases.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Fixed 6 for the win

Yes sir. A fixed 6x50 and/or 8x50 that’s reliable and has a good reticle is the dream. Likely to never exist

 

[Schmo]

You’re correct it’s not “ideal” but still perfectly killable is what I’m saying.

I kill big game animals under 50 yards every year in the woods or in very brushy terrain. I also normally kill big game animals at very long ranges. My variable scopes almost never leave somewhere in the 6-8X range. They are basically treated as a fixed power scope.

An 8x50 fixed power scope with a good hunting reticle is all a person needs for nearly all western big game hunting, from sub 50 yards to 800+ yards.

Dicking around with zoom has proven to be the difference between kills and missed animals far too often. This is particularly observed when someone is so zoomed in that when the animal moves or they have to change body position, they then cannot require the animal in their scope. It also adds a step in the shot process that is nearly always not needed to make good hits.

There are always “unique” situations like a deer running at 25 yards, where maybe that’s not the “ideal” optic. But it still works just fine in most cases.

I get what you’re saying. I hunt with an RS1.2 set on 6x. It only gets dialed higher for certain situations where I have time. But the 6x lets me handle almost any situation I’ll have.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I guess I’m wrong, and spoke out of turn. I’m just not sure how you have a clear picture of the vitals with that combination.

I practiced on groundhogs and squirrels for years, but like most things, it starts with some napkin math of how much you expect the animal to move while you are shooting (2-3 feet).

It’s quite practicable to keep a target in your scope at 8x. If you are used to always having it on 8x or always use a fixed power, necessity breeds familiarity. I go back and forth on whether I prefer a fixed 6x, 8x or 10x more. For deer hunting in woods, I lean towards 6x. Except for varmints, I don’t like anything above 10x. And even then, I’m using a fixed 12x. I agree with Johnny that fixed power scopes rule for hunting.

If you are shooting at a deer running flat out, then presumably it is a lateral mover (left to right or right to left), straight towards you, or straight away. I won’t shoot at a running deer quartering away from me. On a quartering to shot, halve the lead. I wouldn’t shoot past about 75 yards on a lateral mover. I’m 3/3 on lateral movers with 25-30 yards, 40-50 yards, and 60-70 yards. I’ll probably get a rodeo now, if only due to hubris…

On a lateral mover, I am using its nose as the aiming point to get the lead approximately right. If the head is down, then all the vitals (brain, spine, chest cavity) are roughly in line with the nose. You are going to hit something important. If that statement doesn’t sit right with you, that’s fine. You do you. I’ve hit the spine in the neck just forward of the shoulder once this way, the spine and shoulder once, and the high lungs once. Each of those deer tumbled tail over head. If the head is up, it’s harder, but I am aiming at the spot where a horizontal line through the chest intersects with the nose.

If it is running straight away, I am aiming for the base of the back of its head. That gives me a reasonable chance at a brain or spine shot. I have never actually taken this shot.

If it is running straight towards me, I aim at the center of its chest. I’m 4/4 on that shot, but it’s not my preferred shot because the bullet often ends up in the stomach after going through the chest cavity. Even using puny little bullets like a 117-120-grain BTSP from a .25-06 or .257 Roberts.

 

[Ajsomp]

Yes sir. A fixed 6x50 and/or 8x50 that’s reliable and has a good reticle is the dream. Likely to never exist

I really like the Swfa- I’d tweak the reticle a bit. I don’t know anyone holding 10 mils of elevation. 50 mm objective would be a nice touch for added light gathering- even if the 3-9 and 6x do really well in low light in my experience.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Yes sir. A fixed 6x50 and/or 8x50 that’s reliable and has a good reticle is the dream. Likely to never exist

I thought 6x42 was all that was needed because of the 7mm exit pupil?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I thought 6x42 was all that was needed because of the 7mm exit pupil?

That’s a great scope.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I really like the Swfa- I’d tweak the reticle a bit. I don’t know anyone holding 10 mils of elevation. 50 mm objective would be a nice touch for added light gathering- even if the 3-9 and 6x do really well in low light in my experience.

The 50 requirement is for FOV. Which is king when finding targets and keeping them in sight picture during the shot.