Thread: 400+ Bunny Scope

Being a scrub hunter my 3-9 loopy has served me well. Now the knees arent what they used to be the relaxing 400+ bunny thing is under development. I have already asked about reloading and now would like experiences and opinions on a suitable scope.
Budget $500. I know its not much but its a start. I am not looking to push the 1000 mark with this rig (yet) 2nd hand is fine. I suppose external adjustments are a must????????
What sort of mag should I be after? At least 16X ??

My advise is to save your money for something better than what $500 can buy you

Originally Posted by Terminator

My advise is to save your money for something better than what $500 can buy you

Thanks Terminator. But I want it NOW!!smiley:smiley:smiley:
Seriously, If the bunny thing lights my fire I will invest at a later date. Just after something that will do the job in the mean time

Originally Posted by Tone

Thanks Terminator. But I want it NOW!!smiley:smiley:smiley:
Seriously, If the bunny thing lights my fire I will invest at a later date. Just after something that will do the job in the mean time

Keep an eye on TM etc for 6-20 or 8-25 scope VX III LR or similar.

I have several & dial them regularly with out issue.

But once cry once........

You need to future proof yourself & you need a good scope with plenty of mag to shoot bunnies way out there.......waiting for a flame.....

They are quite hard to discern at distance & can blend in very well, a quality dialable scope is very helpful for 500-1000 yard shots on rabbits.

What calibre/pills are you going to use ?

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

What calibre/pills are you going to use ?

.243, Not sure yet on the pill

Good calibre choice there Tone, Kiwi Greg loves the 243 for uber long range bunny bustin:grin:

You dont need 20 or 24 power to hit rabbits, you need to learn how to hold still.

I've shot shit loads with scopes in the 14 power range out to 700 meters, he's asking about 400 meters not 2000. I'd be happy to shoot them at that range on 9 power.

Its got more to do with "how" you do it than what gear you have

Originally Posted by crzyman

You dont need 20 or 24 power to hit rabbits, you need to learn how to hold still.

I've shot shit loads with scopes in the 14 power range out to 700 meters, he's asking about 400 meters not 2000. I'd be happy to shoot them at that range on 9 power.

Its got more to do with "how" you do it than what gear you have

Yep fair enough.... but more mag makes it easier other wise we would still be using fixed 4 powers........

The day Gavin said "Fucken Cock Smokers"
I remember it well, he had told me that he had brought in a 4x14x40 VX3 CDS for a mate and that it would accompany my 22.243 that i had just purchased of him well and it was only $800+ delivered.
So i have a look at Optic zone and after a cock up with another scope i bite the bullet and order one, i wait for a week and it arrives, nice, sleek, crisp and a good price!
After another week i check the credit card for a final total for the scope, yippy $530.00 delivered all up!!.
And that was the day that Gavin said "Fucken Cock Smokers"

If you get lucky like me it is well worth the money for a VX3 CDS but you have to get Lucky. "Do you feel lucky punk, well do ya"

Good luck with what ever ya get mate.

Gday Gav

G'Day Fella's,

This has already been mentioned and I also reckon you need At Least 20x if not 25x or more, for longer range (400+meters) sniping of bunnies.
My current long ranger has an older 6.5-20 Leupold BR on it and once you get out past 500m, even the 1/8" dot reticule covers up a lot of the target!
Keep an eye out for a fixed 24x scope, but you may have problems with the fixed power and mirage in the hot weather.

Hope that helps

Doh!
Homer

More mag makes it harder to hold still, the key to hitting a small target. The first LR Norway shot I struggled to shoot steel at 1000 yards, Norway made me turn my scope down from 20 to 6 and ding, ding, ding

around 15 power is all you need I reckon. I had a 6-24 scope, found I mostly used it on 12-14 and rarely used the high power. Replaced it with a 3-15 which also has a much more useful low power too. Also, with better glass, you don't need as much magnification

Originally Posted by crzyman

More mag makes it harder to hold still, the key to hitting a small target. The first LR Norway shot I struggled to shoot steel at 1000 yards, Norway made me turn my scope down from 20 to 6 and ding, ding, ding

I respectfully disagree.
More mag doesn't make it harder to hold still, more mag makes it much more obvious how much you are moving relative to the target.......

You are both correct (Kiwi Greg and Crzyman) the higher mag emphasises the unsteadiness; using a lower mag is useful for a person who may be put off when observing the degree of unsteadiness - both have their place. If you can hold steady aka bench-rest, then in mirage-free conditions, the higher mag certainly produces an enhanced sight picture.
A relatively cheap scope - but one that I've had a few years of good use from (dialling I might add) is a 4.5-14x40 Swift Premier with mil dot. It's brighter in dim conditions than my Loopy VXIII of same power. The Swift might fold up in time to come but it's never given me a problem to date and has seen quite a bit of use. It sits on and suits my 222. Only drawback is that its AO adjustment is at the front obj bell instead of at the turret housing.
If you can afford it though - buy once cry once.
I would endorse the comment above that around 14 is optimum as you will find that above that you will very often pick up way too much mirage for confident shooting (much like emphasised unsteadiness at the higher magnifications).
My 2c worth.

OK so after doing a bit of Maths. I reckon I can shell out $1000 (Buy once cry once?) Been seriously looking at vortex bushnell and Weavers. I want a 6ish to 20ish x 50, Tactical turrets. I have absolutley done my head in looking at all the various options! Any particular one you favour? FFP? SFP? I know FFP will be dearer however is it worth it knowing its a hunting set up and follow up shots my not always allow for dialing up
Also which reticle is a good choice?