Rifle scope for elk hunting

[T3-OleMan]

Zeiss Victory Diavari 4-16x50. With RZ800. The Swro Z6 was just as bright at dark! But, I wanted German Glass and got it.
Good luck.

 

[Timber338]

Interesting post. I always keep my 4.5-14 VX3 on 6x when hunting through the forests. When I shoot off-hand at the range for practice ... 6x. It's my favorite all around power setting.

For my longer shots I always like that I can crank up to 14x though ... has 14x made a shot possible where 6x would not have worked? probably not. My longest kill shot on an elk was with a 3-9x set at 9.

It really is amazing how we always get way more than we need in our gear, but like others have mentioned, it's that "what if" scenario. I like to know I can make a long shot if it's the only shot available.

 

[Riverman]

Swarovski Z5 Ballistic Turret 3.5-18x on my .300 Weatherby
Swarovski Z5 Ballistic Turret 3.5-18x on my 7mm STW
Leupold 2.5-8x on my .338 Win Mag.
Leupold 3.5-10x on my 300WSM
Leupold 2.5-8x on my 30/06
Leupold 3.5-10x on my .280 Remington
Leupold 2.5-6x on my .416 Taylor
Leupold 1.75-5x on my .375 H&H

 

[foggybottombob]

Elk hunted for the first time last year and used the only rifle I had. Win .270 with an old Swaro 4x scope. Shot a cow at 320 yards.

This year I have a .300 win mag and a Swaro Z5 3.5-18 ballistic turret. I plan to keep it on 3.5x most of the time.

 

[RTK]

Hunted every thing for years with a 3x9, worked great. Next came the 4.5x14 and I thought how did I ever get by with the other. Now I use a 5.5x22 with turrets and moa reticle, I am in hog heaven. Remember you can always turn them down, but ya can't turn them up if you don't have it.

 

[silvertip-co]

Actually a fixed 6x is the smartest way to go for western big game hunting. Its lighter, clearer, and you'll find you make all your shots easily out to 400y even i f you are punching paper with a 4" bullseye. And you dont have to lug around the extra 6oz of wt that most variables add on. Good luck.

 

[winmag]

I hunt western game, in western states, cause I live here, & I would not go with a scope I couldn't turn down in the thick & nasty country, or turn up in the open country often in the same day.

If its strictly on a LR only rig why wouldn't you want more than 6x? If you hunted here, there, & everywhere you find critters why not be able to turn it down?

To each thier own I guess, but if ounces count that much I'd buy a featherweight rifle, trade the bic lighter in for paper matches, don't cary any water, or rope, cause you can drink out of a creek, & braid sinew or vines, or, just stay in the pickup.
In short, it just wouldn't do for my style of anywhere, any time any critter in North America hunting. I gotta cover country of all types.

Then again I'm "far from an expert" as mentioned in your earlier post.....

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Actually a fixed 6x is the smartest way to go for western big game hunting.

I respectfully disagree. I have 2 Leupold VXIII 4.5x14s, one on my 25-06 Antelope rifle and one on my .300 Wby Elk rifle. Started out over 50 years ago with a Weaver K4 on my 30-06 and have experienced the steady increase in quality and power in our riflescopes. My Leupolds are the finest optics (for the $$$) and perform outstanding. The real benefit of variable power is being able to use the setting that fits the area and situation you are hunting. If I was limited to 6x while hunting Antelope and I saw several bucks at 400 yds+, I would have to get out my binos and start looking. With my optics I can crank it up to the setting I am comfortable with, make my decision and shoot...without ever taking my eyes off the 2 animals. Same situation on Elk or Deer.

That is my take. I have 10 Leupold VXIIIs, all varible powers. From a 3x9 compact on my .17 HMR to a 6 x 20 on a .220 Swift Ackley Imp. They all do their job remarkably well.