Rifle Scopes Low Power Varible Optic on 16" Boltgun?

[JaneDoe]

Not sure if this should go in Optics, Bolt Action Rifles or the Hunting Section.

I have been thinking of putting together a 16" 308 bolt action rifle with a SWFA 1-6 for a eastern woods hunting setup.

Recently, most of my hunting has been from a treestand with a crossbow or a 300 Blackout SBR, so my shots have been 10-75 or so yards.

I am thinking that I'd like something with (1) more energy for a possible hog hunt or shots across a few of the fields, 250 yards max, on the property I currently hunt without taking a full sized rifle and scope combo and (2) having a low power scope for short range shots. Plus the bolt action doesn't get the same sideways look from some land owners that the AR does.

I don't think the scope magnification or barrel length will limit me but will actually be easy to carry in the Virginia woods.

I haven't seen any rifles set up this way but think it would work well. Am I missing anything here?

 

[dinmax82]

My setup for hunting out of my blind is a 16" 6.5CM and SB 1-4 scope. Avg shot under 100, furthest is 250.

 

[Dag34]

What's your budget?

My first choice would be a 2.5-10x42 nxs followed by a 1-8 then 1-6.

I am completing my ideal Virginia deer rifle now. 308 with 18 inch barrel suppressed and a 3-20 on top. I think it will be a great all around east coast hunting rifle.

 

[45user]

I just ordered tango6 2-10x40 mrad/mil FFP from opticsplanet for my short barreled remmy
review seems to be good on Japan-assembled tango6 so trying my luck
I will let you know my impression of the scope when I get it if interested
45

 

[CONDTN1]

following. I just had an 18" .308 built and I am in the same boat. I will be using mine to kill critters along with the occasional steel target shooting out to as far as I can shoot. I have considered everything upwards of 3-18 power all the way down to and RMR..

 

[Drifter™]

One thing I dislike about the low power variables is the lack of parallax adjustment. I want the capability of making a longish shot even with a rifle primarily suited for short range. The lack of "focus" seems more limiting than low magnification.

Something like the NF 2.5-10x42 serves as a good compromise between the big and little scopes. I also like the NF 1-4x, but the fixed 75-yard parallax is somewhat limiting.

 

[BCP]

IMHO it would be fine but a 2.5-8 might be a better idea especially if you are looking for a lightweight "hunting" optic.

You could get away with a 4X hunting scope as well.

One thing I dislike about the low power variables is the lack of parallax adjustment. I want the capability of making a longish shot even with a rifle primarily suited for short range. The lack of "focus" seems more limiting than low magnification.

Something like the NF 2.5-10x42 serves as a good compromise between the big and little scopes. I also like the NF 1-4x, but the fixed 75-yard parallax is somewhat limiting.

My 18" AR with a 1-4 PST was consistently hitting clay birds at 300 yards and held ~2MOA at 600, they are fine for hunting. I even managed a 10 shot 180 score in F class LOL.

 

[DustyRoads91]

I love my nightforce nxs compact 2.5-10 x 32 Was sitting on a 16" Larue PredatOBR 7.62. Now it's sitting on a 20" rem 700 sps TAC. Works good from 50 all the way to 500. Haven't tried past that yet.

 

[fxdrider]

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-strike-eagle-1-6x24-riflescope-ar-bdc-reticle

 

[CSTactical]

Grab a Strike Eagle and get a free mesh Vortex hat with it! (While supplies last)
https://www.cstactical.com/vortex-strike-eagle-1-6x24-ar-bdc-reticle-moa

 

[CM^2]

I have been using a 1-4x Vortex PST on hogs with great success since last December. 3 hunts. 3 hogs. Shortest shot was 25yds (dont forget vertical offset at close range). Longest shot was ~150.

Rifle is an FN TSR in 308. Round is an Accubond 180.

I threw this together thinking it would be a temporary set up, but i like it so well, i'm going to keep it set up like this. Once you get the dope on reticle/velocity combo, it works just great.

 

[JaneDoe]

One thing I dislike about the low power variables is the lack of parallax adjustment. I want the capability of making a longish shot even with a rifle primarily suited for short range. The lack of "focus" seems more limiting than low magnification.

Something like the NF 2.5-10x42 serves as a good compromise between the big and little scopes. I also like the NF 1-4x, but the fixed 75-yard parallax is somewhat limiting.

Everyone, thanks for all the responses. Drifter, I hadn't considered the lack of parallax adjustment.

I think I'll put one together this spring/summer with a 1-6 or 1-8 and be ready for the fall. My first "real" scope was a Leupold 3.5-10, that I still have, and the 3.5 is more magnification than I want on the low end, so maybe the NF 2.5-10 would present the same problem. I have a SWFA 1-6 on an AR, so I am familiar with it and like the reticle but will look at the Vortex 1-6 and Trijicon Accupower 1-8 now too.

I was set on 308 just for the variety of bullets available but am now considering 6.5CM too, already have dies for both.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I think you're over complicating a very simple setup. What you're looking for is exactly what your grandfathers 30-30 was built for. There's nothing wrong with a simple setup and a dedicated woods gun doesn't need a high feature set. A 30-30 lever gun also won't make you stand out from your ordinary fudd in the eyes of a landowner since it seems to be a concern of yours. Add a good 1-4 and you're set. It's not tacticool but I'd give it serious consideration.

 

[Rerun7]

If you want a 1x scope that SWFA is pretty slick. The reticle design is awesome. I had one for a while but swapped for a vortex 2.5-10x32 for a little more magnification. They are hard to beat imo for an affordable short/mid range hunting scope.

 

[JaneDoe]

I think you're over complicating a very simple setup. What you're looking for is exactly what your grandfathers 30-30 was built for. There's nothing wrong with a simple setup and a dedicated woods gun doesn't need a high feature set. A 30-30 lever gun also won't make you stand out from your ordinary fudd in the eyes of a landowner since it seems to be a concern of yours. Add a good 1-4 and you're set. It's not tacticool but I'd give it serious consideration.

I hadn't even considered a lever gun! That may be a great solution.

 

[Drifter™]

FWIW, I've done a lot of eastern woods hunting with a variety of setups, and feel that 1x on the low end is unnecessary unless you're shooting at driven game (moving targets). 2.5x is fine on the low end for most rifle hunting in the woods. I dial a 2.5-10x all the way down, but when using a 1-4x in the woods, it's usually set on 2.5x. Most shots range from 15 to 75 yards, though longer shots might occur when encountering fields, logging roads, power lines, etc while traveling to wooded locations. But there is some benefit to the smaller size of 1x scopes.

For me, the scope decision for a woods rifle comes down to whether I want the small size of a 1x scope, or the parallax adjustment of a slightly larger scope. Your own preferences, hunting style, and type of terrain should factor into your decision.

 

[AMAC79]

+1 on the NXS 2.5-10s. I have a 2.5-10x42 on 20" 308 bolt gun and a 2.5-10x32 on a 16" gasser. They are great for up close in the woods out to 800 yds (where all 308s supposedly hit an invisible wall and die). I've never felt that 2.5 was too much on the low end.

 

[Dantrom]

Not as flashy but I have a weaver classic 2.5-7 on a hunting rifle and I must admit I have been very pleased with the clarity and it holds zero on all of the setups I ever switched it to and it only cost me a little under $200.

 

[Ed-G]

My current U.P. of Michigan deer gun is a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun with a Bushnell 1-6.5x24 w/BTR-2 illuminated reticle. I usually keep it on +/- 2.5x and rarely 1x. The illuminated reticle is a big plus in the first and last 15 minutes of shooting time. The 24mm objective is not the best, it really hurts in the first and last 15 minutes. I think a larger front objective would be a better way to go. I do have a 2.5-10x42 Nightforce on a 5.56 SPRish AR that I used in a 3-gun match. I was really surprised how well it worked at really close (2-3 yard) targets on 2.5x and the 10x on 4" flippers at 200 yards. I think my choice on a shorter barreled bolt gun would be the 2.5-10x42 Nightforce. I would prefer the illumination control be the more traditional dial.