Time for a scope upgrade?

Morning all

Having an issue I suppose most of us come into at some stage. 99% of my hunting is and has been bush stalking with the odd clearings out to 150ish but generally within 50m. I'm now wanting to, and getting invites to go and do some medium/longer range hunting on the tops, kind of 250-500.

Currently have a Lupy 3x9x40 mounted on my suppressed Tikka 308. Does me well, shot me plenty of animals. But again this has generally been bush and the odd farm in between.

I would say the majority of my hunting will continue to be in the bush but want to find a nice in-between as I don't necessarily feel under powered, but I think I would feel a bit more comfortable taking an accurate, deadly shot with a bit more magnification at a longer distance if needed and not just wounding the animal.

Another rifle is out of the question, as of late it's been a mission to get out as it is, so although I can justify it to myself, the boss not so much. However, I am looking at a slight upgrade that would be good for both depending on the situation.

So I'm currently looking at flicking off my current 3x9x40 and getting the VX-3i 4.5x14.40. Any thoughts to this from the members would be welcome, I know there is a multitude of info on here with people far more experienced than I am.

Cheers

I find that 3x is okay in the bush and finding close animals in the scope hasn't been an issue. For me only being able to go down to 4.5x in the bush wouldn't be ideal.

The extra 5x at the longer end would be handy but if you're doing most of your hunting in the bush I don't think it'd be worth the compromise.

That’s kind of what I’m procrastinating over. Is sometimes I only just pick up the animal if it’s within 15 on the lower magnification. Cheers for the input.

I'm with camenzie - I would stick with what you have, or maybe an upgrade to a better scope with the same mag range.

I had no trouble lining up a small sika yearling at 420m right on dark last week with a Leupy VX3 2.5-8x36 HD, 9x will be fine to 500m (unless you plan to headshoot them...)

I have owned a Leupold 4.5-14x and the fov on 4.5x is not good. Wouldn’t recommend it for bush stalking.

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Originally Posted by Cigar

I'm with camenzie - I would stick with what you have, or maybe an upgrade to a better scope with the same mag range.

I had no trouble lining up a small sika yearling at 420m right on dark last week with a Leupy VX3 2.5-8x36 HD, 9x will be fine to 500m (unless you plan to headshoot them...)

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Haha oh mate if only I was good enough for that at 20! 😂

Rogee, cheers mate appreciate the input. Might be worth looking at an upgrade with same mag then. But then I ask myself after hearing that, “why try fix what ain’t broken”

Got a Burris 6x 2-12x40 if that’s of interest. Ballistic plex reticle gives you hold over points 100,200,300,400 & 500yds.

DONT DO IT...Mate....just dont. either save up your pennies and get something newer and higher grade in say 3-15 3-18 or just stick with what you have got.
reason I say this..I tried a 4x12 and a 4.5x15 both good scopes and HATED them both with vengence..... Ron has a 4.5x14 on the 7mm mag...have a look through it next time you meet up...great out long,suckymoto in close.....
Ive taken deer out to 350 with my 3x9x40mm and because I dont twiddle n fiddle with knobs thats as far as I will shoot anyway...it would be Kentucky windage past that so rangefinder and drop chart territory..not my cuppa tea.
knowing where you normally hunt I would say going DOWN in magnification to something like the pig plex Ron has on rossi would be upgrade.... I have actually gone away from the 3x9x40 on main rifle and put fixed 4 power on it..it wore fixed 3x for a bit too.... but that has other rifle to suit it better.
my open country/varmit rifles dont have more than 3x9 on them...the 4.5x15 was good but really shit on dusk compared to 3x9
thats my milage..others will have different ideas.

Maybe a one of these would be of interest to you with a max magnification range of 12-15 power but low enough magnification for bush hunting too.

- Vixen V1 3-12x44
- Burris Signature HD 3-15x44
- Athlon Argos HMR 2-12x42
- Zeiss Conquest 3-15x42
- Zeiss V4 3-12x44
- Swarovski Z5i 2.4-12x50

my Vixen 2.5-15x50 scope covers all those scenarios and is an excellent low-light scope with a wide-angle view @2.5 perfect for bush hunting, it also has an illuminated reticle.
value for money price wise

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Originally Posted by Scottie

So I'm currently looking at flicking off my current 3x9x40 and getting the VX-3i 4.5x14.40.

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I went through the same process and hated the VX-3i 4.5-14x40. Field of view was far too narrow and the eye relief was unforgiving, plus as others have said, 4.5x was too much for the bush. My VX-1 3-9x40 was a much more usable scope and I regret selling it. The VX-3i has also been sold and glad to see it gone!

A 4-12 Z3 Swaro is the scope for you. Will be a great scope for your whole life and only needs to get two extra deer over a poorer scope and its paid for itself ( and it will get you a lot more than that). Otherwise the 2-12 Burris offered would be worth checking out
I used a 4x32 Kahles for a long time and never found 4x too much in the bush. Good rifle fit and good quality optics makes a big difference

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Originally Posted by Shearer

I have owned a Leupold 4.5-14x and the fov on 4.5x is not good. Wouldn’t recommend it for bush stalking.

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It's even worse at 14x :D

This guy is kinda old school but he also knows what's what mostly..worth your patience listening to him on what scope.

No 7 in the vid list

https://archive.org/details/GunBlue490

I would look at a vx5 2 - 10x44
Better glass so will be able to shoot at animals at distance much better plus it will have better fov then what you have now a 2x

In saying that i have a credmore with a vx3i 2.5-10 and shoot gongs at 850 with it with out an issue
lots of people have way more zoom on top then they actually require in the field

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Originally Posted by MB

I went through the same process and hated the VX-3i 4.5-14x40. Field of view was far too narrow and the eye relief was unforgiving, plus as others have said, 4.5x was too much for the bush. My VX-1 3-9x40 was a much more usable scope and I regret selling it. The VX-3i has also been sold and glad to see it gone!

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Cheers mate. Glad im not the only one been through this recently. I see there have been a few 4.5-14 for sale recently...

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Originally Posted by Liam258

Maybe a one of these would be of interest to you with a max magnification range of 12-15 power but low enough magnification for bush hunting too.

- Vixen V1 3-12x44
- Burris Signature HD 3-15x44
- Athlon Argos HMR 2-12x42
- Zeiss Conquest 3-15x42
- Zeiss V4 3-12x44
- Swarovski Z5i 2.4-12x50

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Cheers bro will do my research on them. Appreciate it.

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

Got a Burris 6x 2-12x40 if that’s of interest. Ballistic plex reticle gives you hold over points 100,200,300,400 & 500yds.

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Cheers bro, will have a nosy and do some more research. Appreciate it.

What is the budget range?

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

DONT DO IT...Mate....just dont. either save up your pennies and get something newer and higher grade in say 3-15 3-18 or just stick with what you have got.
reason I say this..I tried a 4x12 and a 4.5x15 both good scopes and HATED them both with vengence..... Ron has a 4.5x14 on the 7mm mag...have a look through it next time you meet up...great out long,suckymoto in close.....
Ive taken deer out to 350 with my 3x9x40mm and because I dont twiddle n fiddle with knobs thats as far as I will shoot anyway...it would be Kentucky windage past that so rangefinder and drop chart territory..not my cuppa tea.
knowing where you normally hunt I would say going DOWN in magnification to something like the pig plex Ron has on rossi would be upgrade.... I have actually gone away from the 3x9x40 on main rifle and put fixed 4 power on it..it wore fixed 3x for a bit too.... but that has other rifle to suit it better.
my open country/varmit rifles dont have more than 3x9 on them...the 4.5x15 was good but really shit on dusk compared to 3x9
thats my milage..others will have different ideas.

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Mate, appreciate it cheers!

Haha to be fair mate, i'm in the same boat! I prefer the simplistic stalk, point, shoot and everything else seems to be over my head but that could just be me sticking to what I know haha! 90% of the hunting up here aside from the Sika tops and Ruahines is bush so I guess maybe the answer is get a bit more proficient with what I have and not try change it....

Appreciate the feedback.

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Originally Posted by Preacher

What is the budget range?

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To be honest mate I haven't quite decided. I'm picking the boss would be happy with 800ish (could probably push it out to 1000 with some credits!) on top of flicking off my current one which I'd probably get 400-500 maybe.

The delta 2.5-15 will cover all you need

Another very important consideration with choosing a scope for shooting longer ranges is whether you intend to dial the elevation or use some other method to get the correct zero at these longer ranges. Personally I'm a fan of dialing the elevation for the correct distance. To do this you need a scope which has a user friendly elevation dial, preferably with a zero stop to minimise stuff ups in the field. There are plenty of good options. Leupold ZL, Swarovski BT, Delta optical. A good range finder is also essential for this type of shooting, You can't hit it reliably if you don't know how far away it is, distances in the field can be very deceiving. Having said all that, any shot out to about 300m holdover would do the trick. (you still need to know the distance though). most suitable calibers when zeroed at 200m will be about 22/26cm low at 300, so that means your still holding high shoulder on a deer. after that dialing is the only way to go. As for magnification at ranges past 300m you will really appreciate a scope which will give you 15 power or greater but in order to get that and keep a lower magnification for bush hunting you will need to spend some decent money to get something with something like a 3 power base mag and a max mag of 15 power or more. My 2 cents.

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Originally Posted by zeropak

Another very important consideration with choosing a scope for shooting longer ranges is whether you intend to dial the elevation or use some other method to get the correct zero at these longer ranges. Personally I'm a fan of dialing the elevation for the correct distance. To do this you need a scope which has a user friendly elevation dial, preferably with a zero stop to minimise stuff ups in the field. There are plenty of good options. Leupold ZL, Swarovski BT, Delta optical. A good range finder is also essential for this type of shooting, You can't hit it reliably if you don't know how far away it is, distances in the field can be very deceiving. Having said all that, any shot out to about 300m holdover would do the trick. (you still need to know the distance though). most suitable calibers when zeroed at 200m will be about 22/26cm low at 300, so that means your still holding high shoulder on a deer. after that dialing is the only way to go. As for magnification at ranges past 300m you will really appreciate a scope which will give you 15 power or greater but in order to get that and keep a lower magnification for bush hunting you will need to spend some decent money to get something with something like a 3 power base mag and a max mag of 15 power or more. My 2 cents.

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Appreciate it mate.

Yeah have a decent range finder already which have used a couple times now since getting it and it's made a difference already on some of the clearings. Not that -200 makes a huge difference. Still typically point and shoot at that range and feel fairly comfortable it's going to be a good hit.

I've been looking at the the CDS system on the Leupys, seem to take the thinking out of it. Correct me if i'm wrong but seems as though you range, dial, shoot and it's custom to your load. I wont be reloading and will stick to the trusty Fed blue box 150gr. Maybe its a matter of switching to a 3x9 CDS system.

Think i'll be paying a visit to the local again.

My view (haha) is 3x is a much as I would ever stick on a rifle at the bottom end. I've even found 3x too much at times, like animals on the other side of a clump of flax and you are trying to resolve an eye or something the like that fills the entire field of view. It's bloody frustrating to spend the time stalking in close only to realise you are right on the animals and could just about touch them. It turns into a mind fark when you can see the outline of the deer and work out where it is but can't resolve the sight picture in the scope because you're on microscope mode and trying to work out which hair you're aiming at...

I've got a 2-10x40 Minox on my main rifle at the moment, the older type Z5 with the Schott glass on it. It's the equivalent of a lot of other Euro scopes in the price range but - I find the eyebox and parallax settings a lot more forgiving that everything else I compared it too. Also it seems to be a little brighter and slightly less edge distortion than the Zeiss unit I was also comparing it to at the time (which was a 6x scope vs the 5x of the Minox). I spent a lot of time going between them side by side and ended up with one eye through them both binocular style - I was trying to convince myself to spend more on the Zeiss as I wanted it and amazingly had the wifes financial approval. Just the role reversal of her waiting for me while I shopped was not to her liking haha.

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Originally Posted by Scottie

Appreciate it mate.

Yeah have a decent range finder already which have used a couple times now since getting it and it's made a difference already on some of the clearings. Not that -200 makes a huge difference. Still typically point and shoot at that range and feel fairly comfortable it's going to be a good hit.

I've been looking at the the CDS system on the Leupys, seem to take the thinking out of it. Correct me if i'm wrong but seems as though you range, dial, shoot and it's custom to your load. I wont be reloading and will stick to the trusty Fed blue box 150gr. Maybe its a matter of switching to a 3x9 CDS system.

Think i'll be paying a visit to the local again.

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There are some good ballistic programs out there to help you. Swarovski has an excellent one on their website for use with their scopes. Another option (which I am now using) is Strelok Pro which is an app you install on your phone. The trickiest part is calculating (guessing) the muzzle velocity for your load. Unless of course you have have access to a chronograph. but once you have the data inputted you can then verify the POI at longer ranges which will quickly tell you if your MV is correct. In Strelok Pro once you have done your estimates and checked the actual POI at a longer range. i.e. 500m, it will then calculate your actual MV based on the drop from your zero distance to your 500m impact point.
If your a leupold fan then the CDS system is great. Otherwise its hard to beat the Swarovski BT. Although the BT system may not be as robust if your doing some bush bashing.

I'll join in with everyone else in saying a 4.5-14 Leupold is not the answer. I've got one on my .223 and although I don't mind it for open country the eyebox and field of view are both lacking for bush hunting.

https://www.huntingnut.com/index.php...intBlankOnline

ballistics programme...dead easy to use and free...put in what you KNOW...best guess the rest.... play with your zerod range...its eye opening that is for sure.

I've never been in favour of higher magnification scopes on hunting rifles, seen too many stuff ups over 35 years of guiding. You dont need high magnification to shoot a long ways out, but you do need good glass - bloody good glass! 2-3X is great for bottom end in the bush, and 10X should be fine way out to 5-600 and beyond. The VX3 are just too limited, eye box is fussy, and FOV aint that great. However the VX5 is an excellent all-round scope. If it was readily available in mil, 2-10, and dialable for that rare long shot, then I'd be all over it.
Spend as much as you possibly can and then some. Buy once, cry once. And then if you want to extend out beyond 300, then practice, practice, practice!

I'll just agree with most cause it's correct
2.5-10x ? should do all you want
The occasional Z3 or Leupy VX3 vxi3 and similar comes up here for around the price your looking at.

Thanks all.

Really appreciate the honest feedback. You've made up my mind based on your expensive trials haha but I do appreciate it.

Will look for something in the same bottom end magnification that I can potentially dial out if needed (and spend some more time out on the farm getting comfortable shooting out further).

All legends.

while your out on farm...screw scope up to 9 power and measure a fence battern in reticle..then pace it out....... instant rangefinder if deer is near fence LOL.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

while your out on farm...screw scope up to 9 power and measure a fence battern in reticle..then pace it out....... instant rangefinder if deer is near fence LOL.

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Haha words from a man who has this method on point by the sounds :XD:

Save for the vx5 mate

Try a 2.4-12x50 z5 swaro. Pretty handy power range.

I use a 3-15 power weaver super slam as my general scope, not the lightest thing around but covers everything from up close to 500m no worries. I'd be another vote for something with a 3 power bottom end for the close stuff

Sorry to jump an old post but.... I have recently picked up a vixen 3-12x40. I am very very impressed with the clarity of the glass, weight, price and sleek no frills design. Sighted in at 200m with no point of aim shift through the magnification range. It's a great little package and in my personal opinion its either on par with,
or slightly better the the leading brands with similar mag range. I've found myself having a hard time choosing which rifle to take out now I have the vixen. An I'm seriously contemplating getting another one.