7mm08

[bskib]

what power of scope should I put my x bolt 7mmo8 I will be hunting deer 300yds tops

[waterhaulerhunter]

3-9x40 in the best quality scope you can afford.

[leeaspell]

3-9x40?

[north american hunter]

You'd probably only need a 3-9, 2.5-10 or a 3.5-10, I wouldn't think you'd need anymore power than that.

[bskib]

thanks guys for your help

[Ormachek]

I like to run a fixed 6power.

[Big Racks]

I upsized to 4-12x40's and 4.5-14x40's from my 3-9's. Personal preference only, in general the 3-9's are just fine for those ranges.

[xxclaro]

Originally Posted by Ormachek

I like to run a fixed 6power.

That would probably be my choice too, for the conditions specified. Leupold 6x42 should fill the bill well.

[dogslayer403]

Originally Posted by Ormachek

I like to run a fixed 6power.

Then leave the 3-9 on 6

[duceman]

Originally Posted by dogslayer403

Then leave the 3-9 on 6

not the same; compare the 2 side by side sometime, you'll see the difference, lee

[west250]

I had a 3-9 on mine, but upgraded to a 3.5-10 for next hunting season. I think any of the scope powers mentioned would do the trick but I like the versatility of a variable.

[dogslayer403]

Originally Posted by duceman

not the same; compare the 2 side by side sometime, you'll see the difference, lee

It was intended as light humor i even used a smily face lol

[Highlander44]

3-9 with a mil-dot or similar reticle which can help you range animals on those cold or foggy mornings where your rangefinder won't work...have a look at the Leupold Mark AR

[harv3589]

Leupold FX3 6x42 for me...

[rembo]

Go with a variable.
Something in a 2.5-8, 3-9 or 3.5-10

Fixed powers are like a truck with one gear.

[bskib]

I put a vx3 2.5 by 8 36mm leupold on it its a browning x bolt hunter have not shot it yet!

[Jordan Smith]

Originally Posted by rembo

Go with a variable.
Something in a 2.5-8, 3-9 or 3.5-10

Fixed powers are like a truck with one gear.

A really awesome, clear, bright, reliable, durable, efficient gear!

[Dick284]

300 yds max, and for big game....... You really could get by with a straight 4 power.

Fixed 6 would be about perfect
3-9 is a no brainer
2.5-10 is thought provoking

Or.

Anything in between.

Optics are kind of a personal preference sort of thing, IMO.

[gtr]

All that sounds reasonable.

[Pathfinder76]

I have shot a fairly wide variety of game under a fairly wide variety of conditions with a fairly wide variety of cartridges and rifles over the years. But a great many of them have been taken with the same Leupold FX II 6X36 scope and it has been great in every way.

Fixed powers are like a truck with one gear.

........


Priceless.....well put Rembo.

A variable is hard to beat. Maybe in the 70s a fixed yielded more reliability despite the power handicap. ...today not so much. Compare field of views, eye relief and weights (if important to you). Field of view will be particularly important in the bush at closer yardage shots. Hard to go wrong with a zeiss 3-9. Weaver grand slam scopes are decent too.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Precisionshooter

Fixed powers are like a truck with one gear.

........


Priceless.....well put Rembo.

A variable is hard to beat. Maybe in the 70s a fixed yielded more reliability despite the power handicap. ...today not so much. Compare field of views, eye relief and weights (if important to you). Field of view will be particularly important in the bush at closer yardage shots. Hard to go wrong with a zeiss 3-9. Weaver grand slam scopes are decent too.

What is your experience hunting with a fixed power scope? I have shot game from 20 yds to 430 yds (quite successfully) with a fixed 6X scope. I understand if you have trouble finding targets in your scope, but a little practice will fix that problem.

[Dean2]

The suggested 3x9s will work fine. There are also some very good top end scopes with great optics, larger power ranges and very light weight. Check out the Swaro Z5s. 3.5x18x44 and weighs less than a pound, works in one inch rings. Makes a great scope for game up close, paper or longer distance varmint shooting. all in one scope.

If money is not an issue check out some of the newer zoom factors by March etc. I like the Swarovski z6 2.5-15x56. Fl glass, excellent field of view and large exit pupil. Weight and bulk is not for everyone. Cm adjustments work for me even though I prefer 1/4 moa. You have lots to chose from.

[6.5 shooter]

Originally Posted by chuck

What is your experience hunting with a fixed power scope? I have shot game from 20 yds to 430 yds (quite successfully) with a fixed 6X scope. I understand if you have trouble finding targets in your scope, but a little practice will fix that problem.

LOL very true words indeed.

4x-6x is a great start... scopes are cheaper, quality of optics is better, no dicking around tring to figure out which dot to use!what power is it on etc.Most new hunters are nervous to begin with so why complicate it ?

Most all my variables live on one power for most of my hunting needs. (and are slowly being traded off for good fix powers)
IF you feel you need a variable 2.5-8 is a great choice.

[ak-71]

May I ask a newbie question - there an advantage/difference in 3-9 over 2-7 magnification for practical hunting ranges?

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by ak-71

May I ask a newbie question - there an advantage/difference in 3-9 over 2-7 magnification for practical hunting ranges?

One and two power scopes work better in tight bush or at very close ranges. Much bigger field of view and easier to pickup the game. The 7 versus 9 is not much of a handicap at longer distance. If you shoot mostly on the open prairies, higher magnification is a big plus, for 300 yards and under 7 or 9 is plenty.

[Pathfinder76]

The reality is that there is much more to the discussion of which power or range of powers you should have on top of your rifle. There is weight, overall bulk, the ability to mount a scope low enough to properly see through, the ability to mount a scope without compromising the loading port, it's ocular size, it's objective size, it's durability, optical quality, reticle usability, eye relief etc etc. Unfortunately most people look at one or two of these things and completely ignore the rest. A big mistake in my opinion.

[Mulehahn]

My 7-08 is a Ruger compact, I got it to be a nice light rifle that I could use in variety of conditions so I went with a 2-7. Having grown up in BC and literally stumbled across animals so close the lower magnification is handy, and at the range I can comfortably hold a 3.5" group out to 300yds in actual shooting positions. I know a lot of guys will be like that is crappy, but I am talking an ultra thin, short barrel and off hand or crouching, not off of a bench with a proper rest. Have to think in real world

Originally Posted by Mulehahn

Have to think in real world

lol... well I think you mean in your world (or application). Other scopes are every bit as real...