4.5-14 or 6.5-20 power

[yotehunter243]

Well im order a new Leupold VX3 Long Range this week. It is going on a custom fast twist 6-284. The gun is going to be a long range coyote calling rig. Where I hunt is wide open river bottoms with ditches and hedge rows. The second job for this gun will be ringing steel at 800+yards. My problem is that im afraid the 4.5-14 wont have enough to really enjoy shooting beyond 800, and 6.5-20 will be to much on the low end. So any advice here?

 

[green 788]

14x will quarter a coyote well beyond the reach of the cartridge, so that really shouldn't be an issue I wouldn't think.

The 14x will have more elevation... check me on that on Leupold's website, but generally the lower the zoom the more headroom.

Dan

 

[yotehunter243]

The 14 power has 116 MOA of adjustment in wind and elevation if I do believe4.5-14 is my first choice but before I make the financial commitment I wanted to hear some opinions. I ran some numbers and the gun should get to 1000 yards with 20-23 moa

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I have and use both. I have at times found myself wanting more power, but I can't ever recalling a time when I wished I had less.

I feel just fine giving up a whopping 1.5x on the bottom end to pick up 6x on the top. If you're worried about running out of elevation at 1k, you're going to need a picatinny rail anyway. Add 20 minutes to the rail & forget about it. I've taken the Leupy 6.5-20's & the 8.5-25's from 750 to 1100yrds w/o any difficulty whatsoever.

Your estimates of the MOA required to reach 1k are spot on. I recommend the larger optic here.

 

[emn83]

glad you brought this up...I've been having the same issue deciding on a new scope for my rifle, to be used for MN deer hunting and yote hunting... wasn't sure the lower end power might be too much for close in shots....now starting to think the higher power might be better

 

[yotehunter243]

My main worry is close running shots but most of the time I whack em before they get to 150 yards anyways. Outlaw I do have a badger ordinance20MOA ramp. Also you believe I should go with the 6.5-20?

 

[Outlaw6.0]

My main worry is close running shots but most of the time I whack em before they get to 150 yards anyways. Outlaw I do have a badger ordinance20MOA ramp. Also you believe I should go with the 6.5-20?

Unless you keep your scope on low power at all times, you're going to struggle with your 20yd running shot on any high end magnification Good choice with the Badger, I run one of those on my 338RUM. I also have Leupy MK4, NightForce (direct mount 20moa) & just received yesterday, a 20moa Murphy Precision Pic rail (WOW!).

Yes, 6.5-20x50 ALL DAY LONG. Will the 14x hurt you? Nope, but allow me to quote Burt Gummer from the Tremors Trilogy: "When you need it & don't have it, you'll sing a different tune."


PS- did I ever answer your PM about trim length?

 

[yotehunter243]

I like that quote, and the movie and yes you did answer my question. If my gun ever gets here and I start shooting I will be to say I will have lots of questions. I will just buy the 20power haha

 

[sendero72]

And the other old saying is "If you can't see it, you can't hit it"! I have a Vortex 6.5-20x50 and a Nightforce 8-32x56 and I have never had a problem with something be too close!

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I like that quote, and the movie and yes you did answer my question. If my gun ever gets here and I start shooting I will be to say I will have lots of questions. I will just buy the 20power haha

No worries brother, that is why we are here. To discuss & learn. Feel free to ask anytime you need, i'll do my best to answer what I can.

And the other old saying is "If you can't see it, you can't hit it"! I have a Vortex 6.5-20x50 and a Nightforce 8-32x56 and I have never had a problem with something be too close!

^^ True that, I too have never felt over powered even with my 8.5-25x50 MK4.



T

 

[yotehunter243]

My biggest concern is just the special occasion a dog slips up behind me and bolt across at 50-80 yards but I guess it goes back to the 80-20 rule 80% of the time I will see the dogs coming to the call for a mile or further. I always have my 22-243 with a 3-9x50 on it for my smaller stands.

 

[Jon Jackoviak]

Hey Yotehunter, it looks like you talked yourself into the 6.5-20x50. LOL

 

[yotehunter243]

I did. This forum is kind of like a support group. Helps me stay focused, that would have been a dang tuff decision to make without some guidance haha

 

[bigngreen]

I've started going down on power simply because of trying to hit things closer or on the move, I've lost more coyotes because of being over powered on my optic than anything. For me 4x on the low end is almost to high, I found 6.5 unworkable for my hunting. But I won't see a coyote coming till they are close, thick sagebrush and rugged terrain.