Scope Power for Muzzleloader

[clfergus]

Made a 100 yard shot with my remy 870 last year across a field on a buck with iron sights. I got him but after all was said and done I would have liked a scope.

Picked up a new TC Omega this year to use and am going to add a Bushnell banner. Just trying to decide if i want a 1.5 - 4.5X32 power or a 3-9X40. I will hunt a few fields but I will also be in a tree stand in some thick woods. Wondering if the 3 power might be hard on close up shots.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[42769vette]

defintally go 3-9. 3 power will be fine on shots as close as 20 yds

 

[rlynch25]

I would go with the 3-9 also, primarily because of the larger objective lens. The 40mm will pick up more light and that is where a scope is really useful IMHO. I think you'll find that you'll keep the magnification down near the lower end most times.
I have a 3-9x40 on my muzzleloader and keep it at 3x almost exclusively. In the woods you can "lose" the deer with high magnification.

 

[slow1911s]

I wouldn't go above 4x. If you're in thick woods you're not likely to make a shot at the end of the gun's effective range (~150 yds ?) and 4x is plenty of power while still keeping a wide field of view (FOV). Once you get past 3x, any shake you have is only multiplied by the scope. This can be especially troublesome if you're not shooting with some support or a rest.

I used a Tasco red dot on my 870 deer gun for the last 4 seasons I hunted. I thought it was plenty to take shots up to 80 yds.

 

[Sgt Rock]

I agree. Lowest power you can get. 3X is good for just about any shot you're going to take in IN. Any shot is improved by using a rest, I use an old spotting scope tripod bought at a yard sale for $2. Works great.

 

[antsi]

I'm with slow1911 and Sgt Rock; the 1.5-4 power is plenty for deer hunting in Indiana. I'm a lot more often on the 1.5 end than the 4 end. given the same objective diameter, less magnification appears brighter which is a lot more of an issue for Indiana's twilight-dwelling deer than being able to magnify your sight picture on a deer that's 200 yards away. Just me though; maybe others have different hunting conditions?

 

[42769vette]

I'm with slow1911 and Sgt Rock; the 1.5-4 power is plenty for deer hunting in Indiana. I'm a lot more often on the 1.5 end than the 4 end. given the same objective diameter, less magnification appears brighter which is a lot more of an issue for Indiana's twilight-dwelling deer than being able to magnify your sight picture on a deer that's 200 yards away. Just me though; maybe others have different hunting conditions?

i have a 6-18 on my muzzleloader, but my hunting situation is fairly unique. my close shots are usually 100+ and my far shots are 300+. in most indiana areas 3-9 is perfect

 

[clfergus]

i have a 6-18 on my muzzleloader, but my hunting situation is fairly unique. my close shots are usually 100+ and my far shots are 300+. in most indiana areas 3-9 is perfect

I was at gander today. I saw a 2-7X36 bushnell banner I am tempted to get. After coupon it would be 80.00. Little bit more magnification than a 5 power.

 

[clfergus]

Thanks for the input guys. I saw the bushy banner on sale for 79 bucks at Gander today so I bought it. Went with 2-7X36.

figure the 2 power will work well for woods and 7 if I am ever lucky in an open area.