which is better ?3x9x40 or 50mm or 4x12x40 or 50mm

azn505 · March 24, 2008, 05:37 PM

Hi buying a scope for new rifle i am going to buy looks like i am down to these powers any suggestions. I will be hunting deer and elk in new mexico

Kreyzhorse · March 24, 2008, 06:36 PM

If you are hunting in a place where your shots are going to be long shots, I'd go 4x12 50mm. If you are shooting in wooded areas where a long shot is under 50 yards, I'd go 3x9.

azn505 · March 24, 2008, 07:18 PM

is there even a big difference between these scopes

fisherman66 · March 24, 2008, 07:29 PM

Is weight a factor? The 50mm objective adds a considerable amount of weight, but doesn't utilize the exit pupil increase under typical hunting magnifications.

What's your anticipated shooting distance? If it's inside your MPBR I'd stick with the 3-9x40. If you like shooting at higher power then you *might* see a benefit from the bigger scope.

azn505 · March 24, 2008, 11:09 PM

its up in the mountains in new mexico my shot could be anywhere from 75 yards to about 250-300

hoghunting · March 24, 2008, 11:27 PM

For 75 - 300 yds a 3-9X40 will be perfect for deer and elk. It's not to heavy and bulky, and will mount closer to the action so your cheek will rest against the stock.

fisherman66 · March 25, 2008, 06:22 AM

I agree with the previous rec. With young eyes one can only dilate the pupil ~7mm. At 5-6 power you still retain all useful exit pupil from the scope. At 300 yards 5-6 power should feel like 50 yards unscoped. I imagine you would find the added weight from a 50mm objective to be more of a hinderence than a help. If you were really looking for a light weight set up a 2-7x33 would have max usable pupil size with a magnification of almost 5 power. OTOH The 50mm gives a 7mm exit at 7 power. Small and unneeded increase of power for a large increase of weight.

My parents moved to Ruidoso about 10 years ago. Before that I spent my childhood traipsing around the state. Sure is pretty out there.

azn505 · March 25, 2008, 10:18 AM

yeha iw ent to sprtssman warehouse last night to look at soem scopes i liked the bushnell 3200 series the 4x12x40 was 399.99 but it had ballistic sights is ballistic sights that much on an advantage over regular sights there was 100 difference in the same power scope

fisherman66 · March 25, 2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

is ballistic sights that much on an advantage over regular sights

No, IMO. If you are not shooting beyond 300 yards and you are shooting a high power centerfire rifle putting out around 2700 fps or more then you will have a MPBR of around 275 or so yards with an up/down of 3". Have a +2" at 100 yards and you will never adjust for elevation if your max shot is under 300 yards. Beyond that you will probably need a rangefinder anyhow. I am simplifying the numbers a little, but in practice you'll never know the difference. Once you pick a rifle, ballistic software can polish the numbers to the yard and hundredth of an inch.

essexcounty · March 25, 2008, 03:02 PM

A 3X9X40 is all the scope you need. You don't need more magnification, weight or bulk.........Essex

March 24, 2008, 05:37 PM	#1
azn505 Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Posts: 79	which is better ?3x9x40 or 50mm or 4x12x40 or 50mm Hi buying a scope for new rifle i am going to buy looks like i am down to these powers any suggestions. I will be hunting deer and elk in new mexico

March 24, 2008, 06:36 PM	#2
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	If you are hunting in a place where your shots are going to be long shots, I'd go 4x12 50mm. If you are shooting in wooded areas where a long shot is under 50 yards, I'd go 3x9. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

March 24, 2008, 07:29 PM	#4
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	Is weight a factor? The 50mm objective adds a considerable amount of weight, but doesn't utilize the exit pupil increase under typical hunting magnifications. What's your anticipated shooting distance? If it's inside your MPBR I'd stick with the 3-9x40. If you like shooting at higher power then you might see a benefit from the bigger scope. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

March 25, 2008, 06:22 AM	#7
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	I agree with the previous rec. With young eyes one can only dilate the pupil ~7mm. At 5-6 power you still retain all useful exit pupil from the scope. At 300 yards 5-6 power should feel like 50 yards unscoped. I imagine you would find the added weight from a 50mm objective to be more of a hinderence than a help. If you were really looking for a light weight set up a 2-7x33 would have max usable pupil size with a magnification of almost 5 power. OTOH The 50mm gives a 7mm exit at 7 power. Small and unneeded increase of power for a large increase of weight. My parents moved to Ruidoso about 10 years ago. Before that I spent my childhood traipsing around the state. Sure is pretty out there. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

March 24, 2008, 07:18 PM	#3
azn505 Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Posts: 79	is there even a big difference between these scopes

March 24, 2008, 11:09 PM	#5
azn505 Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Posts: 79	its up in the mountains in new mexico my shot could be anywhere from 75 yards to about 250-300

March 24, 2008, 11:27 PM	#6
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	For 75 - 300 yds a 3-9X40 will be perfect for deer and elk. It's not to heavy and bulky, and will mount closer to the action so your cheek will rest against the stock.

March 25, 2008, 10:18 AM	#8
azn505 Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Posts: 79	yeha iw ent to sprtssman warehouse last night to look at soem scopes i liked the bushnell 3200 series the 4x12x40 was 399.99 but it had ballistic sights is ballistic sights that much on an advantage over regular sights there was 100 difference in the same power scope

March 25, 2008, 03:02 PM	#10
essexcounty Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2005 Posts: 646	A 3X9X40 is all the scope you need. You don't need more magnification, weight or bulk.........Essex