Scope magnification for a .270wsm?

[Alberta Bigbore]

So I hummed and hawed for a long while ... And finally bought a .270wsm for next to nothing after I found a great deal

So since I'm a Savage fan and bought a Savage model 14 American Classic.... I'll be looking at a gloss finish scope

Was thinking about power range for this .270wsm, as it is a new caliber for me..... And if I should bother with the Leupold Boone and Crocket reticle on a .270wsm....i own other ballistic reticles and they seem to work ok.

Was thinking...

Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40mm w/ B&C reticle
Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40mm w/ B&C reticle

[209x50]

4.5-14 all the way!

[gramps73]

Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40mm w/ B&C reticle

This is the scope that i have on mine, the rifle and caliber are capable of some amazing things. Great choice..and happy shooting

G73

[32-40win]

either one is a nice scope, you will see more mirage on the 14 on a day like today. I have a 2.5- 10 with a dot reticle and a target elevation knob, nice for silohuettes and gophers and yotes. The 2.5 is a little better for field of aquisition in the bushier areas.

[Dick284]

What is the intended style of hunting that this rifle will see?

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by Dick284

What is the intended style of hunting that this rifle will see?

variable..... Walking cutlines, ground blind, traveling oil roads, sitting on the edge of a field with a bogpod in front of me..... I bought this rifle to be my "hey I'm going deer hunting today" rifle . I'm full aware its capable of moose and elk.. But primarily its my new "just deer" gun.

[Dick284]

What is your maximum effective range to take game?

[Alberta Bigbore]

id say 300yards on a bogpod/steady rest.. Minute of whitetail offhand at 100yards...... haven't practiced any further as most shot are under 200.... More so under 100yards. In my hunting.....


...just looking for a scope that will be able to match the 270wsm's abilities... even if "I am not at that level".... So I can work my way up to it without making more that one... Large scope $$. Investment

[Homesteader]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

variable..... Walking outlines, ground blind, traveling oil roads, sitting on the edge of a field with a bogpod in front of me..... I bought this rifle to be my "hey I'm going deer hunting today" rifle . I'm full aware its capable of moose and elk.. But primarily its my new "just deer" gun.

2-7, 2.5-8, or go big and get a 3-9. Unless you are sitting and shooting past 600yds, then hey go big. Last moose I took was 190 yds, scope was on 2 power, never occured to me to turn it way up to 7 power. I could see what I was shooting at just fine.

It's a hunting rifle, and you specify general purpose. I'll get tarred, and feathered for this, but I see no need for 14x on a general purpose hunting rifle. Spend good $$ on a quality scope of 9x or less, and I think you will be very pleased with the outcome. Zeiss, Minox, Leupold in no particular order. I like my 2.5-8 leupys some don't, I'm very impressed with Minox's 3-9x40, it has a little heavier reticle then the leupold, and for sure heavier then the Zeiss. It seems a little easier to see in low light brush conditions.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

id say 300yards on a bogpod/steady rest.. Minute of whitetail offhand at 100yards......

Poor light conditions?

[Alberta Bigbore]

You bet.. Midnight with spotlights. Jks.



A scope that can handle all day hunting

I edited the post u quoted off of btw

[Dick284]

No problem Mikey.

After asking and your quick answers.
I think the 3.5 to 10 is the better match for you.

That's coming from a guy who has a 4-16 on his 270WSM.

[32-40win]

Homesteader is right in what he is saying in my view also, my 2.5-10 will never go onto my 7-08 or 338wm. for hunting. Too big of a scope for all day carry, and not the best low light scope either. Across a cutblock or a field the 9 power is enough in most cases, if it isn't, you likely are farther than you may want to be.

[MooseHuntr]

I would go with the 3.5-10, that's lots of scope for what you will be using it for. You will also have more field of view with the 3.5-10 over the 14x.

[Alberta Bigbore]

thx guys.... Now what about the B&C reticle Leupold offers? I've had the varmint. And also own a SA.B.R. Reticle and they did and do work pretty good.


I've only ever hunted high powered center fire for big game with a duplex reticle

[elkhunter11]

3.5-10 would be plenty of magnification.

[gitrdun]

Originally Posted by gramps73

Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40mm w/ B&C reticle

This is the scope that i have on mine, the rifle and caliber are capable of some amazing things. Great choice..and happy shooting

G73

X2- that's what's on my .270WSM also, but without the BC recticle.

[Mike_W]

Mike A VX3 in 4.5 x 14 x 40 B&C is what I got to go on my 270 WSM and guess what its field of view and performance in low light is adjustable from 4.5 to 14?!?!
Your scope dosnt always have to be on 14x I actually carry on about 6 but enjoy the flexability of having the 14x

[Stinky Coyote]

either mag will work good, i had to offhand a sheep last year in a hurry at 35 yrds and 4.5x didn't slow me down at all but the year before that trying to find a ewe in the trees at 300-ish on 14x sure slowed me down, had to back it off lol....and then again when dialing in coyotes at 400-800 i'm glad to have that 14x top end...it is more than enough, i dial up so just use standard duplex

a zeiss rapid-z 800 would match your set up pretty good, since it has enough pop to take on deer size critters to almost that range and more than enough to take on coyotes to that and further....a b&c reticle would be better than nothing however and i can see why you'd want to stick to an american scope for that american gun....for what you described the 3.5-10 b&c would be a good match imo, i push the cartridge to its limits and require something to get me to 800 and beyond

couple things i live by and hope i never forget, always turn the magnification to minimum when any shooting is done.....and dial the turret back down to zero......so always ready for hunting and anything in normal ranges in a hurry

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

I have a Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 with B|C reticle on one 270WSM and a VX3 4.5-14x40 with BC reticle on another. GREAT COMBIO with 140gr Accubonds.

A Leupold VX2 4-12x40 AO with LRD reticle would be another good pick.

[Pathfinder76]

Fixed 6X.

I was shooting 8" targets at 630 yds Saturday with a 3.5-10 and could have done that with a fixed 6X scope. The need for 10X at 300yds is a completely ridiculous notion.

4.5-14. Magnification is your friend on a speedster like the 270WSM.

[taz1977]

I use 4-14x50 on mine and love it gives good magnification close and far

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by taz1977

I use 4-14x50 on mine and love it gives good magnification close and far

I’m sure that 7 years later, the OP has made his decision.

[owlhoot]

LOL, I never noticed the original date until I read the whole thread
What did the OP go with?

[taz1977]

Originally Posted by Dick284

I’m sure that 7 years later, the OP has made his decision.

Lol didn't even noticed

[Highlander44]

X2 on the Leupold VX5HD- wide range of magnification for close up, or longer shots.

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by Dick284

I’m sure that 7 years later, the OP has made his decision.

Haha I always wonder why people bring back an old thread like this when it’s asking for advice. Either way I have a 270wsm and put the 3.5x10x40 with b&c reticle on it. I hunt Montana and that is more than enough for all I’ve done here. Great scope and a great round!

[Big pete]

I have a 6-24x50 on my custom 270 wsm

[taz1977]

Originally Posted by Big pete

I have a 6-24x50 on my custom 270 wsm

Wow that's alot for a 270wsm I would think for me that is