For the Long Range Hunters

[Sakoman]

Looking for thoughts on a scope for long range hunting / shooting. Something good for out to 1000 yards. I was thinking 5-25x50mm? Lots of options it seems not all good. What are you all having luck with?

[marky_mark]

Originally Posted by Sakoman

Looking for thoughts on a scope for long range hunting / shooting. Something good for out to 1000 yards. I was thinking 5-25x50mm? Lots of options it seems not all good. What are you all having luck with?

I like having the extra magnification to be able to differentiate animals from a long ways away. They say that you don’t need it for shooting, and it makes it harder to spot impacts. Which makes sense. But I like making sure that I’m shooting the right critter from longer distances away. Personal best is 671 on an antelope. 1000 yards is a long waysssssss

[Ncameron]

Having shot target out to 900m I can say that 24x magnification seemed near enough most days in the summer. I think there were a few people shooting up to 50x but most days you'll find mirage / heat waves make it impractical to use that high of magnification.

I had a Bushnell Elite Tactical and it worked just fine for me. The reticle was simple and a little on the thick side but it worked great.

[obsessed1]

My longest shot on game was a shade over 700 yds on a coyote. 18x
My long range hunting rigs wear a 6-24 and a 6-18. I find it's plenty of magnification. I shoot these guns to 1000yds on 8" plates and have no issue seeing the target....

[waldedw]

Zeiss 6.5x20x50mm was on my 300 RUM no problems seeing farther than I would take a shot at an animal, I try to stay under 650 or so as that's where my comfort range starts to end, but 650 yards is a ways out there as you will find out.

My longest kill is 565 on a bull elk, he went 30 yards and piled up, and that's really not considered long range these day's, heck some guy's would call that a chip shot.

I have a sig sauer BDX 2400 range finder and sierra 3 scope combo on my 300 RUM now and on my 6.5 PRC, I have them calibrated with the app but have not had a chance to take them all the way out, they say they are accurate to 800 yards, we'll see, the scope is 4.5 x 14 x 50mm which should be lot's for 800 yards.

[TAK Precision]

I shoot past 1000 with a 5.5x22 and rarely do I ever go to full magnification unless I need the extra moa that the reticle provides. It's a SFP scope.

[catnthehat]

Clarity is more important to me than magnification, the only way to find out what suits you is to try and look through as many scopes as you can that other people own at the range, shooters are usually pretty receptive that way if you politely ask questions.
The 16X Leupold MMK4 that II owned for a bit was a great scope, but it would not be what I would use for a hunting scope.
My 8-32 Tac vector would be fine and is a great scope out to 1K, but many would not use it as it is Chinese made.
Cat

[OldRussian]

I would take a good look at the Leupold Mk5HD line. They are lights weight compared to the comparable scopes in the class. FFP, covered wind, and locking elevation. I have the 5-25 on my PRS rig and like it. I know the lower mag one is a quarter pound lighter and enough to get it done.

I have a 3-15x44 vx5hd on my hunting rifle. I think it is the perfect hunting scope. Fairly light, locking elevation, clear glass. Furthest I have shot game was 466m with it. My rifle is 9lbs scoped and loaded with 300wm. I am comfortable out to 600m with it. With a lighter recoiling calibre and heavier rifle I would have no problem using that scope out to 1000.

In the end I think a Mk5 of vx5hd would fit the bill. Be sure to practice lots and have a dialed in setup before shooting at game at long range.

[Redneck 7]

I have a mark 5hd 5-25x56 and it’s a beautiful optic, I haven’t shot it out to 1000m yet but it’s on a build I plan on shooting 1500m. If I were you, I’d look at a mark 5 HD in either 3.6-18x44 or a 5-25x56, but I’d first think of what I’d use it more for. Target shooting and not to much hunting, I’d use the 5-25. If it was more hunting, I’d like the 3.6-18, not really for the weight difference but for the size itself.

Depending what your budget is, I’d look at a nightforce SHV, then if you want to upgrade one day or buy once cry once. Buy a Leupold Mark 5.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Soon you can stay at home and shoot your animal two farms over off your deck!

[58thecat]

My 1905 BSA 303 has a slide sight out to 2000 yards.....
Came with the rifle....

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

My 1905 BSA 303 has a slide sight out to 2000 yards.....
Came with the rifle....

Yeah but that sight was designed for "flock shooting" ( volley fire)
Cat

[Osky]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

My 1905 BSA 303 has a slide sight out to 2000 yards.....
Came with the rifle....

I have a 1917 6.5x55 GS and I think the open sights are the same.
Good luck with that.

Osky

[OldRussian]

Originally Posted by Redneck 7

I have a mark 5hd 5-25x56 and it’s a beautiful optic, I haven’t shot it out to 1000m yet but it’s on a build I plan on shooting 1500m. If I were you, I’d look at a mark 5 HD in either 3.6-18x44 or a 5-25x56, but I’d first think of what I’d use it more for. Target shooting and not to much hunting, I’d use the 5-25. If it was more hunting, I’d like the 3.6-18, not really for the weight difference but for the size itself.

Depending what your budget is, I’d look at a nightforce SHV, then if you want to upgrade one day or buy once cry once. Buy a Leupold Mark 5.

This Redneck gets it!

[Natek]

I run a sig tango 6. 5-30x56. I love the electronic level inside the scope so you never need to take your eye out of the scope to know your level. Turrets have been accurate. My buddy practiced with the rifle a d took a mule deer at 800 yards with my 300RUM this year. Pm me if you want to see the video.

[Redneck 7]

Originally Posted by OldRussian

This Redneck gets it!

Haha thanks Old Russian, I really like my Mark 5. I liked it so much I even bought a Mark 6 in 3-18x44 for my coyote rifle which is a .243. It’s a mild build that one day I could even use for a couple prs matches. I plan on using both rifles next year for matches.

But the compact size of the Mark 6 really has my brain going. I like the small package that can still have a huge impact for taking a long shot.

For the OP, my long range rifle I have for hunting has a Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 CDS ZL model. It’s a very great piece of glass, I haven’t use the cds dial yet but I have the original MOA dial set up and dope for out to 600 yards. I hit my 10”x10” plate first time dialling out to 500 yards. That would be my limit for taking game with that rifle. It’s another route you could consider that’s a little more budget friendly. It returned to zero perfect and I dialled it a lot back and fourth from 0 to 250 while hiking bush and cut lines for my moose draw.

[waldedw]

Yup I have a VX-5HD in 2-10x42 sitting on my bench because I swaped it out for a sig sauer BDX system with a sierra 3 in 4.5 - 14 x 50 I had it on my 257 WM and it was everything I wanted but I had the sig range finder and combo on another rifle so figured I should marry this one up also. I might have to buy a new rifle so I have something to mount that VX5 on

[Sakoman]

Originally Posted by OldRussian

I would take a good look at the Leupold Mk5HD line. They are lights weight compared to the comparable scopes in the class. FFP, covered wind, and locking elevation. I have the 5-25 on my PRS rig and like it. I know the lower mag one is a quarter pound lighter and enough to get it done.

I have a 3-15x44 vx5hd on my hunting rifle. I think it is the perfect hunting scope. Fairly light, locking elevation, clear glass. Furthest I have shot game was 466m with it. My rifle is 9lbs scoped and loaded with 300wm. I am comfortable out to 600m with it. With a lighter recoiling calibre and heavier rifle I would have no problem using that scope out to 1000.

In the end I think a Mk5 of vx5hd would fit the bill. Be sure to practice lots and have a dialed in setup before shooting at game at long range.

I have looked at them and am very intrigued...The 4-20x52 has really got me thinking.

[trooper]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Clarity is more important to me than magnification, the only way to find out what suits you is to try and look through as many scopes as you can that other people own at the range, shooters are usually pretty receptive that way if you politely ask questions.
The 16X Leupold MMK4 that II owned for a bit was a great scope, but it would not be what I would use for a hunting scope.
My 8-32 Tac vector would be fine and is a great scope out to 1K, but many would not use it as it is Chinese made.
Cat

I read somewhere that most if not all scope glass if manufactured in the PRC. can anyone verify that? Also, I just purchased a Leupold Mark 8 M5C2 3-25x56mm. I cant wait to mount it and test it.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Osky

I have a 1917 6.5x55 GS and I think the open sights are the same.
Good luck with that.

Osky

a whole lot of luck....