What Optic Does Your Big Game Hunting Rifle Use?

[bgarman47]

Firstly, my apologies if this thread is posted in the wrong section, exists elsewhere, etc.

I am a recent transplant from southeast Pennsylvania, and I am noticing that I likely want more than the 1.5-6x42 scope my hunting rifle currently has mounted out here. There's much less densely wooded area, and much more field/farmland.

I plan on asking around with local farmers pre-season for permission to hunt private land so I can use my 240 WBY.

What power range is the optic sitting atop your favorite big-game hunting rifle, and why? Are there features you would place a high level of importance on for hunting here in the Hoosier state?

Thank you!

 

[Jeepster48439]

I use 3-9x on mine. I don't like to take shots over 150yds.

 

[Old Dog]

Ditto above. 3X9 is good for Indiana game distances.

 

[mcapo]

Not sure what you mean by big game in Indiana.

Various magnification ranges on various platforms from red dots to 4x16 but 3x9 is just fine with a nice pair of binos to take a closer look at antlers/buttons, etc.

 

[tcecil88]

I have a Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x on my .30-06, but I bought it to go out west with, but never have. I would consider that my Big Game rifle. My .350L AR that I deer hunt with has a 3-12x on it, but for where I hunt, that is too much. I keep it on 4x typically, but I used 8x last year on the deer I got. As others above have said, a good 3-9x40 will serve you well.

 

[42769vette]

I used to be a 1 rifle for every type hunt (west, east, midwest, whitetail, elk, etc). Over the years Ive kind of re thought that, and went to 1 rifle for all hunting mindset, and its worked out well.

My do all scope is the Razor LHT 3-15x50. Its got a low enough zoom I can hunt timber, and a high enough zoom I can shoot further than I'm comfortable shooting out west.

 

[mcapo]

I used to be a 1 rifle for every type hunt (west, east, midwest, whitetail, elk, etc). Over the years Ive kind of re thought that, and went to 1 rifle for all hunting mindset, and its worked out well.

My do all scope is the Razor LHT 3-15x50. Its got a low enough zoom I can hunt timber, and a high enough zoom I can shoot further than I'm comfortable shooting out west.

I have an older 3x15 Razor. Amazing glass on that scope!

 

[Leadeye]

Woods whitetail is the extent of my Indiana big game hunting, the 2 rifles I use are 1X4 and 2X7.

 

[two70]

I use either 2-10X or 3-9X on almost all of my rifles. I prefer the 2-10x mostly for the lower end, not the upper end. In my experience, 9x is fine out to 300 yards, beyond that it is time to employ my stalking skills instead of my shooting skills.

 

[Gabriel]

I don't hunt big game, but my little game rimfire has a 5-25 on it.

 

[Usmccookie]

3-9x for me, but I’m a novice. Welcome to Indiana

 

[roscott]

2-7x or 2-10x for me, although I shot this guy at 304 yards with a 4-16x44. The magnification was nice for that instance, but I could certainly have done it with the 2-10x.

 

[bgarman47]

Thanks for the responses so far guys; it's really helpful.

I guess I should have mentioned I'm in the Northeast corner of the state, and it's pretty flat out here as best as I can tell. What kind of ranges are you folks typically seeing game here?

I'm used to pines & laurels so thick a 50-100 yard shot is a long poke.

I kind of fall into the "one rifle for many situations" mindset myself. I think the 240 WBY is a very versatile cartridge that can do pretty much everything from varmints, to coyotes, to big game. I guess I am looking for an optic that is as versatile.

 

[42769vette]

Thanks for the responses so far guys; it's really helpful.

I guess I should have mentioned I'm in the Northeast corner of the state, and it's pretty flat out here as best as I can tell. What kind of ranges are you folks typically seeing game here?

I'm used to pines & laurels so thick a 50-100 yard shot is a long poke.

I kind of fall into the "one rifle for many situations" mindset myself. I think the 240 WBY is a very versatile cartridge that can do pretty much everything from varmints, to coyotes, to big game. I guess I am looking for an optic that is as versatile.

RAZOR HD LHT 3-15x50

aaoptics.com

Here is a link to what I use. On 3x, I can do 50 yards in thick brush, with 15x I can go well beyond where I would be comfortable taking a shot.

The 240 weatherby would do anything south of Mule deer in my book.

 

[roscott]

On another note:
Not sure how PA landowners feel, but plenty of landowners in IN can be downright defensive of their deer hunting rights. I would start looking for permission soon, and plan on doing plenty of asking.

Any kind of pre-existing relationship can be helpful, even if it’s just attending the same church or knowing the names of some of their neighbors.

 

[Mij]

3x9 guy myself. Most shots are 50 to 150 yards. Woods rifle cal.

 

[bgarman47]

Thank again for the replies everyone.

I was able to get a really good deal on a new old stock Leica 3.5-14x42 yesterday evening, so I pulled the trigger on that. Since the majority of responses indicate a 3x low end is the right place to be, I figure it's a good fit!

 

[Magyars]

Fixed 4X scope.

 

[drm-hp]

4.5-14 or 4-12
I could live quite comfortably with a good fixed 4x or 6x.

 

[DadSmith]

Fixed 4X scope.

That's what my dad used on his 7mm Remington Magnum we hunted in Colorado a lot when in my youth. His was a 4x Redfield widefield iirc that's what it was called.
He still says anything over 4x is to much even for hunting out west. He bought his scope and savage 7mm back in the 70's.