-
- Species
- Whitetails
- Big Game
- Small Game
- Birds
- Special Methods
- Bow Hunting
-
- Species
- Bass
- Trout
- More Freshwater
- Saltwater
- Special Methods
- Fly Fishing
AnswersASK YOUR QUESTION
Print
Email
Share
Answers
Browse By
Top Users
Q:
What would you recommend for a riflescope (powerwise) for a gun that will be used in brush country and probably never take over a 200 yard shot. I purchased a 2-7x power scope but now am thinking twice that I should have gone 3-9x...help!
Question by BigWoodsHunter57. Uploaded on July 01, 2009
Answer QuestionADVERTISEMENT
Today on Field & Stream
Loading...
Visit Our Sister Sites at Bonnier Corporation
| Enthusiast | Kiteboarding | QUAD | SKI | Skiing | Scuba Diving | Sport Diver | TransWorld Ride BMX | TransWorld Business | TransWorld Motocross | TransWorld SKATEboarding, | TransWorld SNOWboarding | TransWorld SURF | WakeBoarding | WaterSki | Warren Miller Entertainment | WindSurfing |
|---|---|
| Travel | Caribbean Travel & Life | Destination Weddings & Honeymoon | Islands | Meeting Traveler | Resorts & Great Hotels |
| Lifestyle & Shelter | Florida Travel & Life | Garden Design | Home Ft. Lauderdale | Home Miami |
| Luxury | SNOW | Spa |
| Marine | Boating Life | Cruising World | Fly Fishing in Salt Waters | Power Cruising | Marlin | Motor Boating | Sailing World | Salt Water Sportsman | Sport Fishing | Yachting | NewBoats.com | UsedBoats.com | YachtBroker.com |
| Outdoor | Field & Stream | Outdoor Life | SHOT Business |
| Parenting | Babytalk | Parenting |
| Science | Popular Science | Science Illustrated |
| Saveur | Saveur |
| Working Mother Media | Working Mother |
| Entertainment / Events | World Entertainment Services | World Sports & Marketing |
FieldandStream.com is part of the Bonnier Outdoor Group Network
Copyright © 2009 Bonnier Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Answers (20)
2-7x should be excellent. Small magnifications work best for heavy brush. I actually use a 1-4X and a 1.5-6x. More magnification is great but 4x works just fine for 250 yard shots. Some people are accurate with a 2x to very long ranges.
i have several of both 2-7 and 3-9 and hunt the brush and heavy cover with the chance of a 2 to 3 hundred yard shot as well . and have never found to be lacking with the 2-7 for the longer shots , but what you gain with 2 power over 3 power for quick close shots is a big deal .if i had to pick just one it would be a 2-7 . you wont be sorry .
I had a 2x7 on my 30-30 and had no problems with it, but when I replaced it with see thru sights and a nikon 3x9 I gained the ability to shot quick close shots with open sights and gained the ability to shot further as well. I should have started with the 3x9 and see thru's.
2-7 is perfect for what you want. Just keep it on 2 power. Lower power much easier to pick target up faster.
I agree with the above posts. A 2-7x sounds perfect for your situation. I hunt similar country and use a 2.5-8x. Keep it dialed down when in the thick stuff.
I think that you will be happier with the 2-7 turned down to the lowest setting when you're in the woods. Much bigger field of view. Are you in Northern Maine?
On low power I don't see much difference between 2 and 3 power, but when you want the high end I definitely prefer the 9 power. I also had buyers remorse on the 2x9 and was happier with the 3x9 that I replaced it with. Depends on how "brushy" the area is you are hunting and if you have potential to get a longer shot. It really comes down to personal preference, if you're wishing you had the option of 9 power then maybe that's what you need.
Agreed, I prefer the 2x7 over the 3x9. I hunt in upstate New York and all of my shots have been less than 300 yards. The 2x gives you the ability to find the target faster and helps with a running target. The only times I used above 7x on my 3x9 is to double as a spotting scope at the range.
Don't woorry you'll be fine with the 2x7.
Good luck and good hunting.
You made the right choice, a 3-9x would be a handicap in that situation. In fact, I would go with a 1.5-5x in your shoes.
hey thanks for the input guys!! definetly makes me feel a little better about my purchase..and libertyfirst yes I am live in Northern Maine...and most of the shots that I have the oppurtunity for are not long range so I think I will be fine with the 2-7x..thanks again guys
2x-7x scopes are one of the most useful scopes out there. I have 2 of them. I usually set my 2x-7x and 3x-9x's on '3' or '4' anyway and usually forget to turn 'em up and make the shots right there. Higher powers are ok for the range or varmint shooting.
You'll be fine dude!
I use a 1-4 on my slug gun, which is used for the same type of hunting area you are talking about.
Agreed that 2-7 should be good. 3-9x is also viable, but maybe a little much. Save the money you would spend on magnification and upsize the objective to 50mm and the tube to 30mm and you'll be lethal!
rem700-06 what part of up state ny you hunt. thats where i live is up state
I'm gonna go against the grain here! I recently bought a Tikka T3 270 win. After doing some research and humbling myself to the realization that 200-250 yards is my absolute max shot I put a Leupold FXII 4 x 33 on my rifle. I know the common trend is to use a variable. I would not trade that scope for anything. I could easily see well enough to shoot a deer at 250 yards. It is durable and yes in the thick bush it will work.
I had a 3-9 x 40 Bushnell on my old rifle and it would not stay on target. This one has not budged since I sighted it in.
Everyone has addressed the short game here so I'll take the other end. If you are shooting deer sized game at a max range of 200 yards then the gain you get on 8 and 9x is minimal. There is quite a bit of difference in most 2-7 and 3-9 scopes though. Look at your scope is it a 32mm vs a 40/44/50mm obj? Also lens coatings and quality might be lower on that scope, just depends on what kind it is. I would prefer that power for the job you described. I'd get a Leupold but other than that its wide open.
2-7x will be fine... if you were hunting prairie dogs and deer out to 400 yards, you might consider getting a 3-9x. I hunted your conditions many years with a fixed 2.5x and did very well. In the trees and with running deer, you want it on 2x anyway. I only used 9x for standing deer that were well over 200 yards.
2-7x will be fine... if you were hunting prairie dogs and deer out to 400 yards, you might consider getting a 3-9x. I hunted your conditions many years with a fixed 2.5x and did very well. In the trees and with running deer, you want it on 2x anyway. I only used 9x for standing deer that were well over 200 yards.
Conner, I usually hunt in and around the southern Adirondacks, I grew up in Herkimer county, but I'm looking for some places around albany to hunt now.
Post an Answer
2-7x should be excellent. Small magnifications work best for heavy brush. I actually use a 1-4X and a 1.5-6x. More magnification is great but 4x works just fine for 250 yard shots. Some people are accurate with a 2x to very long ranges.
i have several of both 2-7 and 3-9 and hunt the brush and heavy cover with the chance of a 2 to 3 hundred yard shot as well . and have never found to be lacking with the 2-7 for the longer shots , but what you gain with 2 power over 3 power for quick close shots is a big deal .if i had to pick just one it would be a 2-7 . you wont be sorry .
I had a 2x7 on my 30-30 and had no problems with it, but when I replaced it with see thru sights and a nikon 3x9 I gained the ability to shot quick close shots with open sights and gained the ability to shot further as well. I should have started with the 3x9 and see thru's.
2-7 is perfect for what you want. Just keep it on 2 power. Lower power much easier to pick target up faster.
I agree with the above posts. A 2-7x sounds perfect for your situation. I hunt similar country and use a 2.5-8x. Keep it dialed down when in the thick stuff.
I think that you will be happier with the 2-7 turned down to the lowest setting when you're in the woods. Much bigger field of view. Are you in Northern Maine?
On low power I don't see much difference between 2 and 3 power, but when you want the high end I definitely prefer the 9 power. I also had buyers remorse on the 2x9 and was happier with the 3x9 that I replaced it with. Depends on how "brushy" the area is you are hunting and if you have potential to get a longer shot. It really comes down to personal preference, if you're wishing you had the option of 9 power then maybe that's what you need.
Agreed, I prefer the 2x7 over the 3x9. I hunt in upstate New York and all of my shots have been less than 300 yards. The 2x gives you the ability to find the target faster and helps with a running target. The only times I used above 7x on my 3x9 is to double as a spotting scope at the range.
Don't woorry you'll be fine with the 2x7.
Good luck and good hunting.
You made the right choice, a 3-9x would be a handicap in that situation. In fact, I would go with a 1.5-5x in your shoes.
I use a 1-4 on my slug gun, which is used for the same type of hunting area you are talking about.
Agreed that 2-7 should be good. 3-9x is also viable, but maybe a little much. Save the money you would spend on magnification and upsize the objective to 50mm and the tube to 30mm and you'll be lethal!
hey thanks for the input guys!! definetly makes me feel a little better about my purchase..and libertyfirst yes I am live in Northern Maine...and most of the shots that I have the oppurtunity for are not long range so I think I will be fine with the 2-7x..thanks again guys
2x-7x scopes are one of the most useful scopes out there. I have 2 of them. I usually set my 2x-7x and 3x-9x's on '3' or '4' anyway and usually forget to turn 'em up and make the shots right there. Higher powers are ok for the range or varmint shooting.
You'll be fine dude!
rem700-06 what part of up state ny you hunt. thats where i live is up state
I'm gonna go against the grain here! I recently bought a Tikka T3 270 win. After doing some research and humbling myself to the realization that 200-250 yards is my absolute max shot I put a Leupold FXII 4 x 33 on my rifle. I know the common trend is to use a variable. I would not trade that scope for anything. I could easily see well enough to shoot a deer at 250 yards. It is durable and yes in the thick bush it will work.
I had a 3-9 x 40 Bushnell on my old rifle and it would not stay on target. This one has not budged since I sighted it in.
Everyone has addressed the short game here so I'll take the other end. If you are shooting deer sized game at a max range of 200 yards then the gain you get on 8 and 9x is minimal. There is quite a bit of difference in most 2-7 and 3-9 scopes though. Look at your scope is it a 32mm vs a 40/44/50mm obj? Also lens coatings and quality might be lower on that scope, just depends on what kind it is. I would prefer that power for the job you described. I'd get a Leupold but other than that its wide open.
2-7x will be fine... if you were hunting prairie dogs and deer out to 400 yards, you might consider getting a 3-9x. I hunted your conditions many years with a fixed 2.5x and did very well. In the trees and with running deer, you want it on 2x anyway. I only used 9x for standing deer that were well over 200 yards.
2-7x will be fine... if you were hunting prairie dogs and deer out to 400 yards, you might consider getting a 3-9x. I hunted your conditions many years with a fixed 2.5x and did very well. In the trees and with running deer, you want it on 2x anyway. I only used 9x for standing deer that were well over 200 yards.
Conner, I usually hunt in and around the southern Adirondacks, I grew up in Herkimer county, but I'm looking for some places around albany to hunt now.
Post an Answer