New Varmint/Target rifle what size scope

[trebark]

Originally Posted by notahd

I'm looking at the 400-700 yard shots on varmints.

400+ with a 22-250.....hope you can dope the wind really well.

[Catfish]

Your friend is dumping it because it is to big for his need so if your are simlar it will be to much for you too. I often carry a 224 TTH with an 8 1/2 x 25 X Leupold on it, but I also have an AR with a 3 x 9 Leupold on it for those that are under 275 yrds. I carry the AR on 3X and every coyote I`ve killed with it so far it has been set on 3X, and I have some close to 300 yrds. with it. From the bench the bigger the better, not so in the field. I would say something in the 4 x 12 range would be your best bet. If you going to try to reach out there with it get a scope with traget knobs and a good range finder.

[notahd]

It is my understanding that jolly ol St. Nick AKA wife has a weaver 6 -24X42 in the bag for christmas. I still might look into the other for my 6mm BR when he get 's back into town.

[LewisH]

The guys have been telling you that high magnification fixed power scopes are no good for varmint or all around hunting, and they're absolutely right!

The field of view is small, and it's nearly impossible find the target fast enough at reasonable ranges.

I once had the experience of trying to shoot a coyote at about 30 yards with a 20X fixed power scope. All I could see at first was fur, and by the time I figured out which end was which, the critter had skedaddled.

Stick to variable power scopes for hunting. That 35X scope is really only appropriate for benchrest shooting.

[Ron Ankeny]

400+ with a 22-250.....hope you can dope the wind really well.

All you need is a good spotter and a town of patient p-dogs.

[Buano]

You have a beautiful sounding heavy varmint rifle in the works. At the ranges & uses you listed go with a 6.5-20 variable power scope. At 6.5 you will be able to get on your target, & if you have time crank up to 20x for the precision placement.

A 35x scope will give you precision aiming — IF (big if) you can get on the target. A 35x fixed power is strictly a target scope.

The most powerful low-power I would consider would view about 8x but 5 or 6 is ideal. As long as you have low power to get on the target you can have as high of an upper range as you can find. If you can afford one, the Bushnell 6500 4.5-30x50 lets you get on target at low power & then zoom in for precision placement. There are other expensive scopes with similar zoom like the Swarovski Z6 series or even the March scopes if your budget allows. For me, I would drop a Leupold 6.5-20 on, but I've already got one sitting in my shed since I sold my .22-250.