Rifle scope power for elk

[sdnative13]

this may be a really dumb question but I am going to ask it anyways. Would a scope with these specs 3-9x50 be enough for elk hunting. I only ask as I am pretty new to rifle hunting. I usually hunt with a bow with is just a tad different.

 

[ltdann]

Should work just fine.

 

[lewdogg21]

That will work just fine.

 

[sdnative13]

ok because I was considering picking up a Zeiss Conquest in that model. Anyone have one that can share any insight?

 

[ltdann]

Lordy, you must have money to burn.

When buying a scope, it's best to seriously consider realistically, how far you can accurately shoot. Forget all the talk of shooting an elk in the next zip code, unless you routinely practice shooting into the next zip code.

If you can consistently put holes in a pieplate at 200 yds, that's your max range. If your lucky enough to be able to practice at 300 or 400 and can do the same thing at those ranges, then that's your max effective range.

Most people only practice in the 100-200 yd ranges. If thats you, then you don't need to spend $2000 on a scope. Really, a nikon or leopold, or busnell will get you to 200 yds for alot less money.

A $2K scope isn't going to improve your shooting, only shooting will do that.

My personal limit is 250 yds and that's only if I'm prone, light wind, good visibility and the animal is large and stationary. I' prefer to keep it under 150 yds, if at all possible.

Accuracy is the key here. Being able to put a round inside the kill zone, time after time, is the answer. If you can do that with a cheap $100 scope, why spend $2000?

 

[Deleted member 33033]

Take the Appleseed project shooting course...you will see an instant improvement in your accuracy after the first five hours.

 

[baco]

I am a firm believer in buying the best glass you can afford. And you cant go wrong with the zeiss

 

[BigSurArcher]

The Zeiss Conquest is a great $500 range scope. Very comparable to the Leupold VX3. Leupold offers a lot more when it comes to turrets if you ever want to go that route, but to simply answer your question... YES! Quality 50mm scopes are sweet, and the 3-9 power is all you need for an elk out to a pretty long distance.

 

[sdnative13]

Oh believe me ltdan I definitely do not have 2k to spend on a scope. The conquest runs about 700 from what I've found.

Bigsur I was looking at the leupold and it was also a choice. If I read the website correctly it appeared as though Zeiss will build you custom turrets just like leupold. Maybe I'm wrong

 

[easymoney]

IMHO, great binos are far more necessary for hunting than the scope. You will do far more glassing than scoping and this is especially true for elk. A good 3x9x50 scope will serve you well, but if you don't find em first you can't shoot em...

 

[catchdog]

3x9x50 will work just fine.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

IMHO, great binos are far more necessary for hunting than the scope. You will do far more glassing than scoping and this is especially true for elk. A good 3x9x50 scope will serve you well, but if you don't find em first you can't shoot em...

I must agree. I am taking my Kahles binos and a Vortex Skyline ED 20-60x80 spotting scope on my elk hunt. Not too concerned about the sight since I'm hunting with a bow. Spend money on good glass that you will use the most.

 

[catchdog]

opticplanet.com has the Zeiss conquest for $589 with free shipping. If you need to save a little cash for binos the the Leupold VXII is a very good scope for the money.

 

[sdnative13]

with what was said about binos above I recently read in the most recent issue of Bugle that a bino in 8x32 is more than enough. It further went on to say that due to the design of our eye anything above does not really improve the image. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Bubblehide]

with what was said about binos above I recently read in the most recent issue of Bugle that a bino in 8x32 is more than enough. It further went on to say that due to the design of our eye anything above does not really improve the image. Any thoughts on this?

The glass (as in binoculars) you want to use, can depend on the country your glassing. If your glassing big open country, you"ll want 10x40s or larger; if your glassing thick country with few if any long views, 8x32 would be a good choice. But as has been said, good glass is a key factor.

Keep in mind that Bugle is an archery mag, so not only are they trying to sell a product, but the product is specific to archery hunting. My comment isn't particularly against Bugle or any other hunting mag, but promoting products is simply a fact of how that make a profit.

 

[Sniper Chuck]

"Keep in mind that Bugle is an archery mag, so not only are they trying to sell a product, but the product is specific to archery hunting."

I must respectfully disagree. Not an "archery" mag and not trying to sell anything except Elk hunting and Elk country.

That said I agree with the 8x32's as long as it is excellent glass, ie; Swarovski, Ziess, Leica, etc. As for a rifle scope I prefer the 2.5-8x as it is compact and light. No need for more power unless you can hold that cross hair steady at extended ranges.

 

[ltdann]

I'm the first to agree with "buy the best glass you can afford" when it comes to bino's.

When it comes to scopes, not so much. There are plenty of relatively inexpensive and reliable scopes available that'll do the job at reasonable shooting distances. After all, all your really trying do is place the x-hairs on a 4-6 inch kill zone and elk are big targets. The assumption being that you've identified your target elk with the good binos and made the decision which to shoot.

 

[sancho]

i thought the Zeiss conquest was a $299 scope?

3x9 is just about perfect. when i killed my elk, i used a leupold 3x9 VX2..i briefly worried that i didnt transfer my VX3 from my .257 which is a 3.5-10x. when i looked thru my scope at the elk at 200 yards..it was HUGE in my scope. they are big as horses! i could have hit the animal with a 4x.

i have been very interested in Vortex stuff. i am almost kicking myself for spending leica money on binos..when i could have gotten high end Vortex binos AND a spotting scope for the same money..probably have cash for a tripod too. vortex is built to hunt. you can easily mount it on a tripod. i have to "break" my leicas to do the same.

 

[BigSurArcher]

with what was said about binos above I recently read in the most recent issue of Bugle that a bino in 8x32 is more than enough. It further went on to say that due to the design of our eye anything above does not really improve the image. Any thoughts on this?

I completely disagree, and can easily prove it. An 8x32 has an exit pupil of 4mm. The human eye pupil is only about 4mm during pure daylight. But in low light, ie the best glassing times, the human eye can be anywhere from 5-9mm! Why limit yourself with 4mm of exit pupil with your binos when the eye can make use of more? 8x32's will limit you when glassing in all of these scenarios: Long range, low light, and field judging. They will also offer a smaller FOV. They may be right that our eye cannot see a difference in image quality under optimal conditions when comparing a Swarovski 8x32 to a 10x42, but the eye can definitely see a difference in FOV, magnification, and light. Say it's getting dark or it's first light and you're looking at a bull a couple miles away and trying to decide if he's a 320 bull or a 350 bull or something in between... what would you rather be glassing through? The 10x42 of course!

 

[myfriendis410]

I'll weigh in.

Buy the best glass you can afford, whether it's binos, a spotting scope or a rifle scope (don't forget a good range finder!). What you are paying for is the quality of the glass and the 1/4 wave coating to maximize light transmission. You simply can't go cheap on this. Yes; you will spend 98% of the time behind the binos and spotting scope. Open country IMO requires at least 10X with a large exit pupil to allow you to look into dark timber morning and evening (BTW: 8 X 40 has an exit pupil of 5--I'll trade 1mm for 2X). THAT's most often where you are going to be ID'ing animals. The spotting scope too, and it's going to be your main tool for judging the quality of the animal. Due to the magnification used in a spotting scope, the quality becomes very apparent in low light.

My riflescope is a VXII in 4-12 X 40, with a long range reticle mounted on a tricked out .300 win mag. My eyes are getting older, and that extra bit of magnification can add to your confidence in "picking your spot" when you're about to cut loose. An elk's kill zone is roughly 18", so using a rifle capable of m.o.a. accuracy, sighted for maximum point blank and the use of verified long range dots can put your kill zone out quite a bit further than you would feel comfortable with on deer or hogs. I shoot a lot. I am not able to shoot a lot at long range, but I do whenever possible (I can hit a 5" circle all day long at 500 yards with this setup). Some short range (100 yard) shooting does translate to longer ranges but the only way to be sure of your gear is to put it out at 300, 400 or 500 yards or even longer. Good technique, knowledge of your gun's capabilities (and yours) and a steady rest will get you out way past 300 yards. 'Cause let me tell you; when that trophy of a lifetime stands up at 462 yards, you would really like to be able to hit it well. Of course; you have to judge your own ability and comfort level.

I'm a Leupold fan. I like to buy American and the exchange rate sometimes bites you when buying a European product. I think you will do well with a VXII or VXIII. Personally, I'm afraid to even HANDLE a Swaro' or Steiner or Kahles product for fear of losing all sense of reason and purchasing one, LOL! Really; get the best glass you can affford and practice with your equipment often.