Scope magnification for a .204
 

Will be ordering my Rem 700 VTR in .204 cal in a few hours.(YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY).
I am deciding between 4 -16 X 44m or a 4 - 16mm x 50mm model, both with illuminated reticles.
Both scopes can be had in 6 - 24 power as well, other features equal.
Very little difference physically but I did notice the eye relief goes from 3 to 3.2 " on one brand and 3.8" on 4 x 16 and 4.1" on the 6 - 24 model.

I don't know a lot about eye relief, is longer eye relief more forgiving if you are shooting in a hurry?
Also, is going bigger on a 204 a waste of money and weight. It will be strictly a coyote (possibly fox)
Thanks' in advance for everyone time.
Ken

Personally, I would go with a 4-16x44 for a varmint gun.

If it will be strictly a coyote/fox gun i would not go any bigger than 3-9x40 or maybe 4-12x40. If you are calling the shots should be inside 150yds the majority of the time anyways and even if they are out to 350 or so the 9x is all you will need. I do a lot of coyote calling and have used a .204 and .22-250 and all ive ever used was a 3-9x40 and never felt like i was under scoped. The overall weight should be less aswell, which is nice for carrying the gun. This is of course just my opinioin. Congrats on the gun and good choice of caliber!

Long time shooter of the 204. I now own a cooper and have a fixed 12 power leupold on it. plan on shooting out a distance then I prefer to see the exact point im shooting at. I started out with a bushnell 5x15x40. Ithink? then moved up to a leupold 4-14 VX-L 50.
I realized that I didnt need to change magnification so went with the fixed. Even at 10 yards if your view is full of fur your gonna hit it. The illusion that your steadier with a 9 power in my opinion is false. Your always gonna move. with a 12 or more if you can get it steady you going to hit it. My Brother uses a VX-L 6-20x 56 on his weatherby. I have video evidence 555 yards off a Bale. Love the 204.
Good luck yote hunting I love it. Sometimes they hold up a long way off. Dont always come charging in.
**** I have 2 weeks of work left and now i'm all jacked up to call some dogs.

Go with the 6-24......better to have the extra magnification if you need it then not to have it.

choices
 

Although I have never shot at a coyote with my 204, several gophers have vanished upon impact. I seldom if ever use my max magnifacation when out hunting, but always use it at the range. So if you are not planning a lot of range time for you and your new rod, I'd go 3-9 or 4-12. I wouldn't bother with a 50mm front element as not much coyote action is at first light or dusk. FS

I fall on the side of lower power scopes for coyote rifles. A 3-9 is all you need. I'd rather save weight than have more magnification when it comes to coyotes. Last year I shot a coyote at 500 yds with a variable set on 5X.
Ditto for the 50mm objective...more cost, more weight and not really needed. Go light is my preference for a general purpose rifle. You'll appreciate less weight when the snow gets deep (or you get old, like me).

I do have long-range rifles, and they have the big scopes, but if I only had one coyote rifle I'd have a relatively low-power variable on it.

And don't worry about eye relief on a 204. Not an issue.

triggerpress
www.coyoteschool.blogspot.com

My coyote rig doubles as my gopher rig. So I have a 6-20 Zeiss on top. I shoot a lot of called coyotes and not once have I ever had too much magnification. Stays on 6 unless the shot gets long. 20 is real nice in the gopher patch. If the extra half pound is an issue, maybe its time to hit the gym.

X2


Both of my .204's wear 4-16x44 Sightrons (big sky) with HHR reticules, good for gophers to yotey's best scope for the dollar, IMHO

(and they mount MUCH lower then most scopes in their class)

Scope
 

I used a 3-12 power on my rem 700 VTR for 2 years until I bought a NF 5.5-22X56. Now I have rails on all my rifles and swap it between guns. It weighs 32OZ but the magnification is well worth the added weight and is very nice for the long range shots. Furthest yote so far was 482 meters (520 yards). I love my nightforce scope. Well worth the money as it will last a lifetime.

I agree....I don't care much for 50mm objectives personally.

LC

I disagree, because 6 millimeters of scope more than the
44mm isnt going to break your back, your wallet perhaps.

I would say to go at least 20 magnification, sure the 12x will do, but you will feel more confident at the limits of whatever range your shooting it
to, and some Carnot shooters like to push their limits.

I actually prefer 40mm, don't care much for the bigger ones.....I am "old school" I guess.

LC

I have not idea what a Carnot is, but in my opinion, pushing your limits should be left to shooting targets, not living animals.

Haha, sorry it's the spell check in this f'n iphone, I meant to say varmint.

How about approaching your limits instead of exceeding your limits then? Is that alright with you?

Bigger objective
 

I have found the bigger obj way better for gathering light especially on full moon nights..... Not that I hunt coyotes at night or anything.

have a look at a used schmidt and bender 8 x 56 have a couple of friends using them on thier foxing rifles ( 243 and 22-250) awesome scope and bombproof ( just make sure the recticule is the a7 ) i have one myself to go on a .223

If you plan on shooting gophers with it in the summer as well go with higher magnification. I have a 6-24 and its usually stuck on 12 for almost everything including paper. Once I got used to 12x 9 seems underpowered and I feel like I need to crank it up. Plus the .204 is such an accurate long range round might as well have the magnification for those fun 300yard gopher shots!

my preference for coyotes ranges from 2-7x32 (33) to 4x12x40.

To the OP, you're going to have to make your own decision based on your own experiences. See if you can borrow spare scopes from a friend(s) in either low-mid power or mid-high power, use them on a few hunts and then decide.

We could (and will...) go back and forth on this and many other optics questions. You'll have to develop your own preferences based on your own experiences.

Good luck. Whatever magnification range you choose, buy the best quality that you can afford. This you will not soon regret.

6-24x50

6x24x50 on my 204. Like shooting with HD tv.

On my 204 i have a 6-20x44. On my 22-250 I have a 6-18x42. Both overkill for coyotes as a 4-12 or 3-9 are all you need.

I have a 3x9x40 that I had kicking around on mine, but I would like to get something like a 16. I have a 4x12x50 on my 270wsm and feel that is perfect for it but could use some more help on the yotes. My bro has a 16 on his and I like it.

I got a 3-9x40 sitting on mine and it works fine. I leave it on 6x most of the time, and crank her to 9 if I need it. A bigger objective would be nice though.

I know eh?