To Scope or Not???
#116540
08/27/2012 2:54 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65
Odin
OP
journeyman
|
OP
journeyman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65 |
I got out last weekend and found a spot to place my treestand for the upcoming season. It's a different spot than I had originally planned and is far tighter than I'd expect to find out here on the prairie (this being my first year hunting the prairie, first year hunting in 20+ years, and first year hunting big game with a handgun). Here's a look from above: The Red Dot is my stand. The Yellow Arrows are my approximate shooting lanes. The Blue is a (dry) drainage that appears in spots to be a hidden deer highway. The "front" two lanes give me shots to about 35-40 yards. The lanes to my far left and right are more like 25 yards max. The only far shot I can imagine is if Big Bruiser decides to amble right across that milo stubble. I've got a Leupold M8-2x scope which I had originally planned to put on my gun (BFR, 475L), but now I'm thinking I should probably stick to open sights and train really hard out to 50 yards or so. FWIW, I'm not dropping the coin on a red dot this year. Maybe next year, but this season it's either the 2x Loopy or Irons. So, what say ye?
Odin
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116541
08/27/2012 3:05 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,057
Gary
Distinguished Master
|
Distinguished Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,057 |
That scope will get you some more shooting time after you can't see the irons any longer.
You can't wait any longer. Join the NRA and start writing your Congressmen and Senators.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116542
08/27/2012 3:09 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608 |
FWIW, I'm not dropping the coin on a red dot this year. Well, there went my 2 cents worth ;-)
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Gary]
#116544
08/27/2012 3:16 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65
Odin
OP
journeyman
|
OP
journeyman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65 |
That scope will get you some more shooting time after you can't see the irons any longer. Gary, do you mean farther into twilight and dusk, or are you talking about when I'm older and crustier and simply can't see anymore?
Last edited by Odin; 08/27/2012 3:22 AM.
Odin
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: s4s4u]
#116545
08/27/2012 3:21 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65
Odin
OP
journeyman
|
OP
journeyman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65 |
Well, there went my 2 cents worth ;-) To be completely honest, I have the coin, but would feel terribly, terribly guilty spending it. All the while I know an Ultradot-30 would probably be the best solution by far. Aarrghh!!
Odin
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116547
08/27/2012 3:46 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 136
Cookie125
member
|
member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 136 |
I think If I had the scope I would go with it if it always for better sighting in dim light, just because when it gets closer to dark I personally have troubles seeing my front sight although I with my red green colorblindness the red front on my revolver is heck to see anyways. Also I know from deer hunting with a bow if it weren't for fiber optic pins I would have passed on a lot more deer as well due to lack of light when in the trees or the shade of a hill. I'm knew to handgun hunting so I may be wrong.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Cookie125]
#116549
08/27/2012 4:16 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 738
98Redline
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 738 |
The scope will be better in the fading light than the irons
A red dot would be better than the scope...(but that is off the table for now)
I can tell you for sure, iron sights disappear when there is still enough light left to take that last minute shot.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: 98Redline]
#116552
08/27/2012 4:42 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65
Odin
OP
journeyman
|
OP
journeyman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65 |
I guess another question I should ask is, how close is too close with a 2x scope?
Last edited by Odin; 08/27/2012 4:43 AM.
Odin
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116555
08/27/2012 5:22 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
Distinguished Master
|
Distinguished Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512 |
I think you can figure that out for yourself. Do some practice on a deer sized target, and see how fast you can get on target. Also, since you are hunting from a fixed position, shooting with both eyes open you should do well.
Ernie the Un-Tactical
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116557
08/27/2012 5:50 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
|
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
.....................................................I've got a Leupold M8-2x scope which I had originally planned to put on my gun (BFR, 475L), but now I'm thinking I should probably stick to open sights and train really hard out to 50 yards or so. So, ..............................what say ye? Ya better start training yesterday; huntin' season is almost here.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#116558
08/27/2012 11:31 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725
500WE
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725 |
I'd scope it, and get to using it.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116559
08/27/2012 11:47 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
I guess another question I should ask is, how close is too close with a 2x scope? I've taken game: squirrels, coyote, 'dillo and deer, at ranges 10 yards and closer with a scope.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: KRal]
#116564
08/27/2012 1:38 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
Shooting Expert
|
Shooting Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359 |
My vote - scope it...i'm with KRal - the scope can and will work fine at close range if you practice target acquisition.
Is that a river/creek/waterway to the South of the stand? Do the deer cross it freely? Where are the deer bedding and how are they accessing the food sources?
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: SChunter]
#116573
08/27/2012 5:54 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 493
SBHunter81
addict
|
addict
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 493 |
I'm a red dot guy, but if you have the scope then yeah I would use it for this season...but as has been mentioned...start shooting as soon as you can.
The God who gave us such a beautiful land, wonderful game, and the sport of hunting is worth knowing.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: SBHunter81]
#116576
08/27/2012 6:20 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 214
Frank1
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 214 |
Leupold 2X is better than red dot.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Frank1]
#116577
08/27/2012 6:31 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608 |
Leupold 2X is better than red dot. In low light I prefer a dot over any pistol scope.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: s4s4u]
#116578
08/27/2012 6:50 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,755
johnwilliams
Shooting Master
|
Shooting Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,755 |
ditto on dot,especially being able to keep both eyes open following/aiming for shot on kicked up game ,not so easy with scope-john
H.H.I.#8190 Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things,and by Him all things consist!
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Ernie]
#116594
08/28/2012 12:23 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65
Odin
OP
journeyman
|
OP
journeyman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65 |
Ya better start training yesterday; huntin' season is almost here. You know Gregg, you are completely right. This spring I volunteered to help a buddy at work get his own business off the ground and my fun time has been cut down to almost nothing. I spent today shoveling rocks and am in the midst of another night driving a desk. I think with a bit of creativity I can be ready. It's exactly 3 months to the season opener. Right now I'm good to 40 with irons in a half-drunken stupor, but I want to be ready ready. My vote - scope it...i'm with KRal - the scope can and will work fine at close range if you practice target acquisition.
Is that a river/creek/waterway to the South of the stand? Do the deer cross it freely? Where are the deer bedding and how are they accessing the food sources? Yeah, that's a river behind my stand. The banks are quite steep and THICK with tall weeds. While the deer do cross the river, I've never seen a spot that shows heavy water traffic. There's also very little evidence showing that they'll slip behind me. They'd be completely in the open if they tried to walk the bank/shore as the far bank is really grassy and open. I'm not sure about bedding areas, but I'm sitting in a major traffic corridor. It is insanely thick and tangled in spots and it wouldn't surprise me if deer were bedding in the super-thick spots. One thing I'd like to do if I can find the time is scout the far north end of the drainage (blue area). I know they use the drainage to mask their movement as I found a well traveled trail there again this year (scouted it last year just a bit too). But I'm not sure what's up there and why they travel between there and my stand so much. They might be bedding up there, dunno. I can only go so far and then the public land stops, but it's probably worth a look. One think I do know is deer like edges and corners and while this isn't my first choice for a stand spot, I'm sure I'll see deer. At least that's what all the hoof prints tell me. Do some practice on a deer sized target, and see how fast you can get on target. Also, since you are hunting from a fixed position, shooting with both eyes open you should do well. Thanks for the tip, Ernie. It's funny, I was working with some big sheets of cardboard in the shop last night and told one of my co-workers that I needed to find some cardboard for target backers. He showed me a huge pile of deer-sized pieces and said, "take all you want, we get tons of this stuff." So I think I'll go ahead and scope it and tack the basement with deer pics torn from gun mags. I'm sure I can squeeze a few minutes a day for target acquisition, even if it has to be when I get home at 2am. Then it's to the range as often as I can to work out the kinks with field/stand shooting. Thanks again for all the help guys.
Odin
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116602
08/28/2012 3:05 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
|
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
Sounds like you have a good plan in progress, Odin. The mental battle is half of it, IMO.
Keep pluggin' away and git the scope mounted and practice, practice... well I think ya know what I mean...
Have you got a load worked out for your BFR .475?
FWIW, for your deer season as you have indicated; any load that shoots good in your .475 L revolver will work; due to its caliber and ballistics at the close ranges you mention. No need to really research out different loads at this late stage of the game.
MHO
Keep us posted (and Post a pic of your BFR if ya git a chance!)
Best of Luck,
Gregg
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Frank1]
#116603
08/28/2012 3:07 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
|
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
Leupold 2X is better than red dot. That debate belongs in a different and (new) thread!
MHO
Gregg
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116604
08/28/2012 3:11 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
|
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
Ya better start training yesterday; huntin' season is almost here. You know Gregg, you are completely right...............................I spent today shoveling rocks ................. Ha ha ha! Sounds like most of my days! Are you an excavator also, like me? ...I hope not; wouldn't wish that on anybody...
Especially in the Rocky Mountains.
Did I say rocky......
Oh my, I AM losing it...
But, it IS the "Off-Life" I have chosen...
...So that I can pursue my "On-Life Passion": HUNTING...
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#116605
08/28/2012 5:36 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65
Odin
OP
journeyman
|
OP
journeyman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65 |
...Have you got a load worked out for your BFR .475? 15 grains of HS-6 behind the 400gr LEE. I'm built like a marathon runner, so it's plenty stout for me, without being brutal. Leupold 2X is better than red dot. That debate belongs in a different and (new) thread!... Where's the "stir the pot" icon??? Ya better start training yesterday; huntin' season is almost here. You know Gregg, you are completely right...............................I spent today shoveling rocks ................. Ha ha ha! Sounds like most of my days! Are you an excavator also, like me? ...I hope not; wouldn't wish that on anybody... I work full time as a pre-press tech for a daily newspaper (anybody remember those?) and part time as a lawn jockey/landscaper. While I did run the skid loader for about two minutes today, the rock shoveling was all by hand.
Odin
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116614
08/28/2012 2:02 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
|
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
15 grains of HS-6 behind the 400gr LEE. I'm built like a marathon runner, so it's plenty stout for me, without being brutal.
That should work.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116615
08/28/2012 2:05 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
|
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
While I did run the skid loader for about two minutes today, the rock shoveling was all by hand. Exactly! Ever laid up a leach field?
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116689
08/29/2012 3:43 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
|
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
...Have you got a load worked out for your BFR .475? 15 grains of HS-6 behind the 400gr LEE. I'm built like a marathon runner, so it's plenty stout for me, without being brutal. Odin, How is that load grouping for you?
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: Odin]
#116695
08/29/2012 4:45 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608 |
15 grains of HS-6 behind the 400gr LEE. Have you clocked that load?
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
|
|
|
Re: To Scope or Not???
[Re: s4s4u]
#116701
08/29/2012 12:55 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331
TCTex.
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331 |
LOL
I am interested just because I have a 480 Ruger...
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb Benjamin Franklin
|
|
|
|
0 registered members (),
104
guests, and 3
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|