Scope power

[lamrith]

Getting to be time to put some better glass on my Grendel. This gun is a combined range and hunting gun. My local members range is 25-135yrds, public range goes to 200 with once a month 600yrd (only 600 no mid range) shooting. Hunting is only a month a year, but the primary reason I built the gun. I want to find a scope that can handle dual duty for me.

I think my biggest challenge will be that currently I have a 6-28x40 scope, so I am used to being grossly overscoped. I never bring a spotting scope to the range as I can see 223 hits @ 200yrds thru my scope

My chances of shooting over 600yrds are almost nill. I have never been around a location offering that sort of distance let alone often enough to warrant a scope designed to do it. So what power would you recommend for dual duty? I think the classic hunting 3-9 would just not be enough, but I think 6-28 is to much and would be problematic in hunting situations when something pops up close in.

I was thinking maybe a 4-12x or 4-14x? My budget is quite limited, but I would like to get an idea of what people recommend so I can start looking around and keeping my eyes open for people selling, etc..

This one has had my attention for a very long time, and seems to have really good reviews.
PrimaryArms 4-14X44 FFP Scope

[wraith1516]

45 degree sight on pic rail of handguard or off scope tube it is the set up I use for coyote and deer faster sighting for close up stuff and more magnification for the longer range angle mount with a halo sight

[montana]

If your sitting in a tree stand, size and weight will be no problem. If your young and enjoy lugging around big heavy scopes knock yourself out. Where I live and hunt in Montana, the slope seems to go up hill both ways Hunting past 300 yards for anything bigger than a wolf with a Grendel is not an option for me so I prefer smaller, lighter scopes. The Nikon 2X7X32 or the Weaver2.5X7X32 are my favorite hunting scopes. The optics have never failed me and have a life time warranty. I have bigger and heavier scopes for target shooting but for hunting and hiking, size and weight is very important to me especially with aging knees and an expanding back side.

[kmon]

Going to try a 2.5X10 Vortex Viper PST FFP mil/mil on the Grendel being built now. 10X on the high end is not the greatest at longer range but lots of targets have been shot a long way with that power but I am also looking at weight on a hunting rig.

It will be mostly hunting with some shooting to 800 yards. I like a low magnification available on my hunting scopes, have killed coyotes and hogs at 300+ yards with scopes set at 2.5 and 3.

[lamrith]

Thanks for the info guys! I didn't notice that Primary Arms was so heavy, something I will have to keep in mind for sure.

[NugginFutz]

As a rule, the greater the magnification range, the more lenses and glass is involved, which translates to weight. I've a couple of Bushnell 4.5-30x50 Elite Tacticals, and they are heavy. Versatile - yes. but heavy.

[lamrith]

Looks like that bushnell is 24oz. Hrmm, the Primary Arms is 24oz, my existing BSA is 23, so at least I would not be adding any noticeable weight.

That said it would be nice to drop some if I can. Need to weigh the gun as it sits now, got a feeling it is a bit on the porky side.