Scopes for varmints
Question:
>Hi everyone. I’m looking for a bit of advice. I’ve decided to put a >Leupold on my Rem. 700 VS .223
So you’re limiting your shots to 300 yards? >I’m torn between the 6.5-20×40mm and the 8.5-25×40 TARGET model. The >other decision is…..duplex reticle or target dot.(I think it’s a 1/8 >min. dot)
I have a Leupold 6.5-20×40AO with a fine duplex on it. It has it’s uses, but it isn’t really suited to my varminting style (lots of walking, and the occasional shot at a distant crow or fox.) It’s really intended for shooting off a benchrest at a gang of p-dogs. When it is cranked up to 20x, the eye relief is critical. When stalking (and I used it successfully for stalking Wyoming antelope last year) I seldom put it above 12x or 14x because of just this problem. The other problem is that in low light conditions, where your target is poorly lit, the reticle simply vanishes. Of course, if I *insist* on using a varmint style scope for deer stalking I’ve only myself to blame …. >The rifle is mainly for shooting Ground Squirrels (we’re not lucky >enough in Saskatchewan to have decent prairie dog populations). Our >"gophers" are only 6-9 inches tall, so I was thinking the 25x would help >to see the little critters at 250-300 yards.
Eye relief will be critical. Are you shooting of a benchrest or truck? >The rifle also gets some use in the winter as a >coyote buster.
It should be OK for that, provided your target is well illuminated. >Any thoughts, suggestions or experiences would be very greatly >appreciated.
Yup, I think a scope that tops out at 14x would be plenty. Leupold’s 4.5-14×40 or x50 would be more suitable IMO. –Jonathan Jonathan Spencer — forensic firearms examiner Mountjoy Research Centre, Durham, England, DH1 3UR tel: +44 191 386 6107 fax: +44 191 383 0686
Response:
‘m torn between the 6.5-20×40mm and the 8.5-25×40 TARGET model. The other decision is…..duplex reticle or target dot.(I think it’s a 1/8 min. dot) >> IMHO go with the 6.5-20×40 and the duplex reticle. You will probably only use 16-18 or less power on the scope when varmint hunting and the cross hairs give me an excellent sight picture. For target work, I suppose the dot set up would be ok. Jim
Response:
Hi everyone. I’m looking for a bit of advice. I’ve decided to put a Leupold on my Rem. 700 VS .223 and have narrowed down my decision a bit. I’m torn between the 6.5-20×40mm and the 8.5-25×40 TARGET model. The other decision is…..duplex reticle or target dot.(I think it’s a 1/8 min. dot) The rifle is mainly for shooting Ground Squirrels (we’re not lucky enough in Saskatchewan to have decent prairie dog populations). Our "gophers" are only 6-9 inches tall, so I was thinking the 25x would help to see the little critters at 250-300 yards. I realize that mirage may be a problem but I’d like a fair amount of magnification for range work. I do wonder though if the target dot would be too hard to pick up in a hunting situation. The rifle also gets some use in the winter as a coyote buster. Any thoughts, suggestions or experiences would be very greatly appreciated. Gerry in SK.
Response:
David Krawchuk (by way of Alex Vitek )
: Hi everyone. I’m looking for a bit of advice. I’ve decided to put a : Leupold on my Rem. 700 VS .223 and have narrowed down my decision a : bit. Gerry, I can tell you what I’ve learned; however, your email address listed the response that I wrote. Regards, Rick Eads
