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Posted: 5/18/2012 9:22:31 AM EDT

what power scope is everyone using on elk. they are telling me most shots are about 200yds but some shoot out to about 400. I looked at leupold VX II or a VXIII. considering a 3.5-10X40mm, 4-12X40mm or a 4.5-14X40mm. Any suggestions

Posted: 5/18/2012 9:23:07 AM EDT

[#1]

this is on a 30-06

Posted: 5/18/2012 2:03:56 PM EDT

[#2]

3.5-10x40 will easily take you out to 400 yards IMHO. Also it will give you a wider field of view on low power in case you happen to jump elk close. While hiking/riding always have your scope on the lowest power just for that reason.

As far as VXII vs. VXIII spend what's in your budget. Don't overspend and have to live on top romen for a month, but if you have the cash you won't regret getting the VXIII instead.

Posted: 5/18/2012 8:55:48 PM EDT

[#3]

Ya the leupolds are good optics. I have a couple. I agree the VX III are hard to beat. I figured 10X would be enough but just wanted everyones opinion.

Posted: 5/19/2012 6:30:59 AM EDT

[#4]

10X is more than sufficient.

Nikon makes good scopes also.

Posted: 5/19/2012 10:34:37 PM EDT

[#5]

Dad has a 4.5x10x50 VX11on his 338WM that has been through hell and done fine.

I have a 3x9x50 VX11 on my 45/70 that has been through the same.

They have taken a pounding in the boats and snogos.

We went with the 50mm objectives because the moose tend to come out towards dark and with us wearing glasses we needed all the help we could get.

Posted: 5/20/2012 9:41:49 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Dad has a 4.5x10x50 VX11on his 338WM that has been through hell and done fine.

I have a 3x9x50 VX11 on my 45/70 that has been through the same.

They have taken a pounding in the boats and snogos.
We went with the 50mm objectives because the moose tend to come out towards dark and with us wearing glasses we needed all the help we could get.

50mm do let a lot of light in, but they are bulky. I spend most of my time hunting either horseback or on
foot so every bit I can shave off on width (try riding with a big rifle and scope under your leg) and weight tends to get shaved off.

If a hunter is doing more motorized or doesn't mind the extra the little bit of extra bulk they're a great option.

When my older sister bought her last scope I talked her into a 50mm Nikon, she loves it. Nikon's Buckmaster (mid grade series) seem just a little bit brighter to me than the Leupold VXII's and about the same as a VXIII for less money. Both companies make a good product, but for a tough scope without springing for a Nightforce Leupold seems to be where it's at.

Posted: 5/28/2012 9:09:42 AM EDT

[#7]

I've said this a lot in the deer forum.

I'm running a 6-18X40 Cabela's Pine Ridge on my 30-06. It would be amazing for 200-400 yard shots.

It worked even down to my 50 yard short on my deer last fall. Good clarity, a tad fuzzy at 18x, still visible though.

For the money it was a great choice.

Posted: 7/1/2012 7:53:33 PM EDT

[#8]

I may be the only guy running a 1-4 Millet, but most of my elk are taken at less than 100 yds.

Posted: 7/1/2012 10:22:47 PM EDT

[#9]

A good 2-7x or 3-9x is all you need.

Posted: 7/3/2012 6:09:53 AM EDT

[#10]

I really like the B&C reticles.; although any similar system in a decent scope would be fine as well.

Posted: 7/3/2012 7:06:29 AM EDT

[#11]

Anything Leupold makes would be a safe bet. I even bought my dad a VXI for Christmas last year, the one with the Long-Range Reticle. That thing is as bright as could be and dead on.

I just picked up a Savage 7mm not too long ago and put a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42mm scope on it. It's a sweet scope, and much less than a VXIII.

Posted: 7/3/2012 4:07:03 PM EDT

[#12]

I prefer smaller lighter scopes. My 30-06 wears a 1.5-4.5 x 32 Bushnell Banner. I also limit myself to 300 yards. I had a 3-9 and it always stayed on 4 x anyway.

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Posted: 7/3/2012 8:41:27 PM EDT

[#13]

3-9x40 or 2.5-10x40 would work great for large game for the ranges listed.

Posted: 7/6/2012 7:41:01 PM EDT

[#14]

i ended up purchasing a Leupold VX III 3.5-10X40mm with the CDS dial. I've already sent leupold the data to have the dial made. leupold said that it should get me out to 550yds which is much farther than i plan on shooting with the rifle anyway. The scope is bright and clear. As always, like mentioned above, you cant go wrong with a leupold. I now own 3 and they are all great.

Posted: 7/6/2012 8:28:55 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
i ended up purchasing a Leupold VX III 3.5-10X40mm with the CDS dial. I've already sent leupold the data to have the dial made. leupold said that it should get me out to 550yds which is much farther than i plan on shooting with the rifle anyway. The scope is bright and clear. As always, like mentioned above, you cant go wrong with a leupold. I now own 3 and they are all great.

That will be a great scope.

I use a VX-III 1.5-5 on my 375 Ruger for Elk and a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 on a 30-06 Deer and Antelope.

Posted: 11/19/2012 6:42:55 PM EDT

[#16]

vX III 4.5 x 14 x 40 LR 30 mm tube great low light scope

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