Scope Recommendation for .270 Winchester

[SansSouci]

I am not a long range shooter, but on occasion I have opportunity to take shots out to 500 yards or so.

I just bought a Sako AV in .270 Win. It's in pristine condition and appears to have never been fired. I was going to put either a Leupold Vari-X II 3x9 or a VX-3 2.5x8. But now Im enamored of the Leupold VX-3 4.5x14. I go with 40MM objectives because I like my scopes to be a close to barrels as possible.

One of the longest shots I've made was on a buck antelope with my .270 Win & a 130 grain Sierra GameKing. I know that the .270 Win is capable of taking game a long way away. If I am very, very lucky that my new Salo AV .270 Win is as accurate as my Sako AV 7MM Rem Mag (It will shoot way under MOA), I want to be set for an occasion long shot. I do have a lot of desert big horn bonus points, so if my number comes up, I want to be ready and well equipped.

What would you long range hunting guys recommend? Should I go with a 4.5x14 or use one of the scopes I have?

Thanks.

 

[bruce_ventura]

What type of reticles and turrets do your existing scopes have? If the they don't allow accurate elevation hold-offs you will probably need a new scope.

 

[ntg]

If you're stuck on Leupold (and there's nothing wrong with that) I'd get one with the LR Duplex and never look back. Get's you aiming out to 500 and simple...I like them.

 

[FearNoWind]

While I would seriously consider the VX-3 4.5 - 14 x 40mm I would have some reservations due to the limitations in reticle selection. IMO, a hunting scope that doesn't offer a well developed MOA reticle lacks suitability for long range hunting.
IMO, the Boone & Crockett is the closest thing to a decent reticle that they offer in that scope.

 

[SansSouci]

Thanks, guys. I do appreciate your help.

All of my scopes have duplex reticles. So far, I have not experienced a single problem with them. But then again, I have no knowledge of the B&C reticle. I ought to spend some time checking in to it.

Except for a 40 year old Redfield 2x7, all of my scopes are Leupold. I know them, which is why it's reasonable for me to look there first.

I have an approx 25 year-old Vari-X II 4x12 on my 7MM Rem Mag. I LOVE that scope. It has never, ever lost zero. It does have an AO, which I don't need. But what the heck. I had a wife once that I didn't need.

The reality is I probably don't need a 4.5x14 scope on a .270 Win. The VX-III 2.5x8 is probably perfect for it, or maybe my Vari-X II 3x9. But for some reason, I have an itch for a 4.5x14.

40MM objectives are perfect for me. I can use medium height rings with them, which puts my eye right on my scope when I bring my rifle to shoulder while allowing scopes to mount just above barrels.

I don't have to rush into buying anything. My hunting season was over last Sept 14. So I have some time to prepare for the '15 season. But were I pushed in to a decision right now, I'd buy the 4.5x14.

My many thanks to FearNoWind for his putting me on to the B&C reticle. I will have to check in to it. I might wind up with a 4.5x14 with a B&C reticle.

Again, many thanks.

BTW, while I am by no means a long range hunter, I am learning a lot about a side of hunting that I did not know.

Here is one thing to which I am committed: regardless of our hunting preferences, hunters must stick together and support each other lest we surrender ammo to our anti-hunting enemies to use against us. While I am not a long range hunter to the extent of many here, I will defend and support your right to hunt as you see fit. It's long past time that all hunters stick together and go on a united intellectual offensive in order to defeat those who want to take our sport and our heritage from us. We're losing our Second Amendment one tiny compromise at a time. The anti-hunters are using the same strategy in attempt to defeat us.