Scope for hog hunting

[boltbilder]

I want to take a guided hog hunt in so cal. I have a Remington bdl in 270.
I want to spend up to about $300. Please give recommendations, thanks

[Demontweak]

For less than $300, go buy a 3-9-40, Leupold VX-II, Nikon Buckmaster, or Bushnell Elite 3200. all will be very durable and accurate.

[Full Clip]

What range shots are you looking to take?

[Fjold]

Nothing over 4X on the lower end of an adjustable scope. I personnaly like the 2.5X or 3X on the lower end of my scopes for medium and big game hunting. A quality 3-9X like recommended above would be a good choice.

[boltbilder]

Having never taken any large game I would leave the range to my guide. I assume around 100-250 yards.

[Asmodeous]

I'm interested in this as well. I just got a Tikka T3 hunter in 30-06 and I need a scope. I wanted one that I could use for both boar and deer. I am planning on doing a guided boar hunt as well.

I was actually looking at the Leupold VX-II 3-9x40mm Matte Wide Duplex. My main concern with this one is am I over scoping myself here ? I've been reading quite a bit and I have seen a lot of recommendations for a 2-7x33 scope instead. It seems like the 40mm scope is good if I want to hunt at night because the larger lens will capture more of the available light.

boltbilder, not trying to hijack you thread, this seems relavent to both of us.

What do you guys think ?

[bruce_ventura]

For CA pig hunting (or deer for that matter), I would favor 2-7 (or even 1.5-6) over 3-9. Hike with the scope on 2X, just in case you jump and animal. Assuming you're hunting in the condor area, you'll probably go with 130 gr TSX for 270 (168 gr for 30-06), or similar.

The 270 Win is a flat-shooting cartridge. Zero the scope at 200 yds and your point blank range will be >250 yds. Your guide will get you closer than that. IMHO, you just don't need 9X, but you might need the wide field of view and the large exit pupil of a 2X mag. There is no significant difference in brightness between 2-7x32 and 3-9X40.

[Asmodeous]

So maybe the Leupold 2-7x33 VX-II scope would be a better choice. I can't imagine needed more then 5x magnification even if I was going to shoot a deer as well and I like the idea of being able to get as low as 2x magnification.

boltbilder, what scopes have you looked at ?

[boltbilder]

i have not looked at one scope yet; just getting some good opinions.

[GeoffLinder]

+1 on 2-3x on low end at most. 2-7 or 3-9x are both good matchups to a .270 hunting rifle.

[BearWhoHunts]

I would look for Vortex scopes on optics planet. I just got a 4x12 diamond back for my .308 and it is amazing. Definitely rivals more expensive scopes that I have shot through. I am perfectly happy. Optics Planet shipped it quickly and had good customer service on one of my returns! It looks like they are still on sale and have free shipping!

http://www.opticsplanet.net/vortex-riflescopes.html

[Asmodeous]

I ended up going with the Leupold 2-7x33 VX-II. I got it out the door for under 300 bux shipped.

[Whiterabbit]

I missed the boat, but you won't regret it. I use the VX-II also and though my experience is quite limited, the scope is awesome. Did some winter hunting in a couple feet of snow, and the difference between the VX II and VX I from a buddy was amazing.

[Asmodeous]

Thanks for the reply, glad to know I didn't waste my cash =)

[stockranger]

So maybe the Leupold 2-7x33 VX-II scope would be a better choice. I can't imagine needed more then 5x magnification even if I was going to shoot a deer as well and I like the idea of being able to get as low as 2x magnification.

boltbilder, what scopes have you looked at ?

I would recomend the 2-7x33 vx-II

Or the 1-4x20 vxII

I live and hunt in southern ca. If you have never been hunting in the coast range i can tell you it is thick bush, steep canyons, and limited visibility mostly. I would be expecting shots to be under 100 yards. Certainly under 200 yards.

I use a 1.5-5x20 vx3. I pretty much keep it on 1.5 all the time. You can bust running rabbits or other game at short distances 10 yards or less with no problem. You can dial it up to 5 if a target presents itself way out there. It has everything a hunting scope needs and nothing it doesn't. I started hunting with 4.5-14 and slowly I have decided I need less and less power until I ended up with the 1.5-5. I can also shoot moa groups at the range no problem.

The compact size and light weight combined with the big FOV makes the 20mm scopes a no brainer for me.

The difference in 1.5x and 2x on the low end is pretty small and both are suitable for coast range hunting. 2-7 may offer you a little more versatility at the range or plinking since the .270 can shoot so far.