Bushnell Elite 1.25-4x for a game rifle setup

[RealNick]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at a game rifle setup for game hunting here in Victoria. No need for a varmint rig, just larger game. Goats, pigs, deers.

A lot of the Vic state forests are reasonably busy so low zoom is in order and I'm looking at the Bushnell 1.25-4x for this setup.

I'm sure the 1.25-4x will be useful a lot, but do you think I'm going to regret not having that little extra zoom at times? Could always go the trusty 3-9x setup of course...

Any thoughts from someone who's gone down that path?

[Browning]

I've got a Leupold VXR 2-7 IR and its awesome.. To me, sounds just like the thing you're after.. Great in close and good for those little bit longer shots..

[AusC]

For what you've described less magnification definitely sounds to be the winning option.

As you know in that thick bush, a target can sometimes only be 25 - 30m away.

Anything more than 2-3x times is only going to make life harder then.

[VICHunter]

Splitting hairs here a bit but Bushnell also do a 2.5-10x I'm pretty sure.

Split the difference between the 1.25-4x and 3-9x on the low end and get a little extra zoom for the open areas with the 10x.

[VICHunter]

Er, they do two in face.

2.5-10x 40mm - Multi-X

2.5-10x 50mm - Multi-X if you want the bigger objective lens.

[Lorgar]

It's a few more coin but you could also get the 2.5-16x50 in the Elite 6500 series.

If that extra magnification isn't wasted for you.

[Norton]

I've got a Leupold VXR 2-7 IR and its awesome.. To me, sounds just like the thing you're after.. Great in close and good for those little bit longer shots..

I reckon this (or something like it).

The 6500's a top scope but wasted if you're hunting in forest. You'll never use that top end magnification.

[The Brass]

I reckon if you buy a scope to try and do two different jobs you'll end up getting something in the middle which isn't great for either.

If it's going to be a forest gun, hunting gun, get the lower magnification IMO for the field of view.

[SendIt]

The light weight of the lower mag scope is going to be an advantage too which hasn't been mentioned.

A factor to consider.

[yoshie]

The light weight of the lower mag scope is going to be an advantage too which hasn't been mentioned.

A factor to consider.

Yep that's the big advantage of the 1-4 and also field of view. Looking through them is really easy, they can usually be mounted further forward too so you're less likely to cop a busted eyebrow with larger cals

[RealNick]

Weight's a factor I hadn't thought of. That'll be a biggy though...

Field of view is good of course.

Not worried about the recoil though. I'll only be getting something around the .308 range. No magnums, not monsters.

[Aster]

Just my 2c but I find that much more than 4x becomes a hindrance in a lot of the Victoria forest.

Dense as it is.

I think the 2.5-10 Elite or 2.5-16 Elite 6500 get my vote if you want that magnification without losing the field of view of the lower ranges.

I would note that the 2.5-16x50 Elite 6500 isn't what you've call a featherweight scope though. The weight might undo that as an option for you.

[Lorgar]

They do the 2.5-16 in a 42mm Objective too now.

I don't think they always did, it's new maybe?

Save a pinch of weight there and get a lower mounting height too with that option.