Does anyone use powered scope

[Borngeechee]

I'm thinking about a 1-4x24 for my 20 inch barreled .338 "brush" gun. Any pros or cons to this type of scope for shots under 400 yards?

[ATbuckhunter]

I use the classic 3-9X40 scope. I think its the perfect scope for most conditions. You could shoot out to 400 yards with that scope if you wanted, but its going to take some practice. 

[Jaeger]

I use a vx-6 1-6x on my 20" .338 federal and its great.  I never need the 6x in the woods and usually leave it at 1x if I'm in the thick stuff and 2x or 3x if I'm sitting on stand, never needed more than 4 in the woods.

 

My bolt rifle has the 1-4 on it and I can sight in and shoot tight groups out past 200yds (my ranges max.) with it set on 4x.

 

The only difference I see between tmy newer 1-6 and the old 1-4 is the new 1-6 is a 30mm and the 1-4x24 is a 1" scope.

 

The newer 1-6 is brighter at all powers but as I've posted elsewhere, it's bulkier than the 1-4.

 

1-4 is all you'll ever need for big game out to ~250 yds.  Past that the 338 fed starts to drop a bit too much for my confidence on game.

[Larry]

First I would ask if when you are talking about a 338 brush gun are you talking about a 338 marlin or a 338 win mag. If it’s the marlin a 1x4x24mm scope is fine I use that scope on my 444 marlin. If you’re talking about the 338 win mag then go with a 3x9 40 to 50mm.

[Jaeger]

First I would ask if when you are talking about a 338 brush gun are you talking about a 338 marlin or a 338 win mag. If it’s the marlin a 1x4x24mm scope is fine I use that scope on my 444 marlin. If you’re talking about the 338 win mag then go with a 3x9 40 to 50mm.

Great point Larry,

 

Guess I just thought 338 Federal or marlin when he said 20" brush gun.

 

If its a 338 win or other mag. then that's a whole other ball game.  

 

If it's a 20" magnum I hope it has a muzzle break and great ear muffs!!

[hunterintheshadows]

i use a 3-9 on most of my guns. my 264mag and my .338 mag have larger 16 and 24x scopes on them, but i use them for long range shooting in bean fields and long range target. not r3eally neccessary for hunting though.

[dbHunterNY]

4x at 400 yards and even a little less makes for a pretty small target to hold the cross hairs on.  also unless it's a real good scope a 24mm objective turn up to 4x won't pull in as much light.  most all my guns have 3-9x 30 or 40mm scopes on them.  I do most of my hunting in the woods too.  I would at least go with a 1-6 x 30mm and wouldn't be shooting that far.  aim small miss small.  if you're just trying to keep the cross hairs on the tiny image of the deer you're not aiming small.

[eagle rider]

Variable 3-9 covers most everything you can ever need.  

[ny hunter]

I also use 3x9 x40 on all my guns..........I leave them all on 5 power and never had any problems I hsve more if i should ever need it..

[wildcat junkie]

I had a 1-4X20 Leupold on an 870 for turkey & deer. It was so fast to acquire, that I tried shooting trap with it & actually did quite well. I think I broke 21/25.

 

Mount it as low as possible & it will serve you well for a brush gun.

Edited July 19, 2015 by wildcat junkie

[wildcat junkie]

4x at 400 yards and even a little less makes for a pretty small target to hold the cross hairs on.  also unless it's a real good scope a 24mm objective turn up to 4x won't pull in as much light.  most all my guns have 3-9x 30 or 40mm scopes on them.  I do most of my hunting in the woods too.  I would at least go with a 1-6 x 30mm and wouldn't be shooting that far.  aim small miss small.  if you're just trying to keep the cross hairs on the tiny image of the deer you're not aiming small.

The large objective lens pulling in more light is a myth. While it may allow more light in, an objective lens that is larger than the power rating by more than a factor of 5 will allow more light in than the pupil of the human eye will admit. The objective lens diameter divided by power is called exit pupil & an exit pupil of over 5mm is wasted.

 

A 20mm objective lens @ 4 power will admit all of the light that the human eye can admit. (20/4 = 5)

Edited July 19, 2015 by wildcat junkie

[jjb4900]

I used a Leupold VX 3 in 1.5-5 for years.......never thought I didn't have enough scope.

[Five Seasons]

I have a 3 to 9 Nixon on my mz and a vx2 1 to 4 leupold on my browning 12 gauge.

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[ants]

I have a Nikon 2-7x32 on my muzzle loader. Something like that might be a good fit for a gun that is mainly going to be a close up "brush gun" but may also see some farther shots.

[dbHunterNY]

The large objective lens pulling in more light is a myth. While it may allow more light in, an objective lens that is larger than the power rating by more than a factor of 5 will allow more light in than the pupil of the human eye will admit. The objective lens diameter divided by power is called exit pupil & an exit pupil of over 5mm is wasted.

 

A 20mm objective lens @ 4 power will admit all of the light that the human eye can admit. (20/4 = 5)

 

as an engineer I love science.  I have a great deal of respect for an individual that uses hard facts opposed to one that says I'm right because I'm just right.  many scopes fall above and below exit pupil diameter and this sound info explains why few will contest a 3-9x40mm scope in low light will appear brighter at 3 power versus 9 power.  very noticeable difference.  40mm/9x = 4.4 which is less than 5.  40mm/3x = 13.3 which is way more than can be used.  the higher power requires the larger objective so a 3-9x40mm is only a larger than necessary when on the lower end of it's magnification range.  I stand by what I said with a 24mm scope at 4x being not as bright.  all of us have slightly different exit pupil diameters at low light that can range from 5-7mm is my understanding.  some have healthier or bigger eyes than others but age being a big factor some of us younger bucks might be closer to 7.  we also aren't taking into account the quality of optics/lens coatings which can vary light transmission by a small percentage.  I believe the math assumes 100% transmission or assumes it to be a constant.

disagree sir?

 

 

[sailinghudson25]

What are we talking about here.  Magnification, on a battery light recticle as a "powered" scope.

 

I like low power scope because of field of view.  I NY distance is rarely a problem.  A lot of really successful hunters using just a shotgun or a 30-30.

 

I am very picky on the rectile and the range of the eye relief.  Some scope are very picky on where your eye lines up.  Range of distance, as well ass being off slightly up/down or right/left.  Some scope you have to hunt to find a good sight picture, while others are just on instantly.  Well thought out mounting distance and a selection of rings to get the height right is key to a good scope mounting.

 

I like thick rectiles and maybe a recticle with contrast.  Some Nikon scopes have a reflective shimmer to them.  My Nikon slughunter transitions from black to orange to help me see it in low light.  I have a few bushnell firefly scopes that actually glow in the dark.

 

An illuminated rectile is nice, but your asking for temptation there. 

 

A good scope test is to try to read stuff at a distance.  A good scope will be easier to read stuff with.  Like reading boxes of stuff at the store.  It's not easy comparing scopes in a well light building.....