3x9x40 Scope on Varmint Rifle: Stupid?

C

Clevinger

New member
I use 3x9x40 scopes where I hunt as there aren't shots beyond 200 yards. I also like heavier rifles. Would a bull barrel rifle with a smaller scope like that look stupid?
 
I'd go for more magnification on a varmint rifle because you're shooting at smaller targets, so higher magnification is desirable especially at long range. But that's just my preference.
 
I'd want a little more scope than that. That would be fine for hunting large game but would be lacking for varminting.
 
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Big ar on the right...24" bull barrel with a 50mm lens, now has a 40mm lens. Urban camo ar is 20" with a 30 mm lens.
 
@clevinger: Actually it sounds sensible, although you didn't mention the cartridge. I would be inclined to scope a .204 ruger differently from a .22 hornet. In any case, I think your idea would work fine for your conditions.

I know it is the current rage to mount a 6 x 20 on a .22 long rifle. However, I sometimes get the feeling that many folks "over-glass", or in other words choose a scope that has more magnification than is usable for the cartridge or their specific hunting conditions.

For me, at anything beyond 12 power, the sight picture gets difficult to hold steady. Even my heartbeat moves it. As for distant ranges, hitting tiny varmints beyond 250 yards becomes problematic for me, regardless of the cartridge. But then again, I'm not always the best marksman here.
 
Well, I put a Nikon 6-18x40 on one of my rifles, but it was an 8mm Mauser. If I had a precision varmint rifle that was capable of hitting a squirrel at 200 yards, I'd consider putting a similar scope on it.

Some may consider it "over-glassing" but my general rule of thumb is 9-power max magnification for every 100 yards. So a 3-9x40 for 100 yards, a 6-18x40 or 6-18x50 for 200 yards.
 
At 200 yards it is more than needed. If you were shooting at small targets at far greater ranges then you might need more.
 
I have a 3-9 X 40 on my 257 Weatherby but I don't hunt varmints with it and I do wish I'd gone with 50 MM objective.
 
7X is plenty good for prairie dogs to 300 yards, I discovered. :)

1/4-minute cross hairs are gonna subtend the same amount of critter with a 4X scope as with a 20X scope. I dunno. I've been able to shoot sub-MOA at 500 yards with 10X. I sorta take it for granted that if anything's within 500 yards and I can see it clearly in the scope, my only real problem is wind.

And, no, I don't see where a 3x9 on a bull-barrel rifle would look stupid. :)
 
Thats what I have on my "varmint" rifle, but im only hunting paper.... what will you be hunting, and at what range?
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Mainly deer, but occasionally coyotes in January-February if it's above 0 degrees F in Minnesota.

The scope is plenty for my needs, but I don't want to get snickered at by fellow hunters putting a smaller scope on a bull barrel rifle. :(
 
I would not go bigger. 9x is plenty for a coyote as far out as you should be trying to shoot it. I doubt anyone will snicker, but if they are, just snicker back because they are over-glassed. 9x will give you a good field of view and you will still be able to clearly see your target.
 
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If "looks" are your main concern, maybe you need to re-evaluate the priorities. A 24x scope that reaches 1/2 way to the muzzle of a 200 yard capable carbine would qualify as "odd".
 
If "looks" are your main concern, maybe you need to re-evaluate the priorities. A 24x scope that reaches 1/2 way to the muzzle of a 200 yard capable carbine would qualify as "odd".
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The main concern is what I want for hunting. It just happens to be a little different than what a lot of people tend to do, and I am trying to gauge if it will look odd or not.
 
my question would be who cares what others think about the looks of your rifle?

target aquisition and time to engagment i would feel is much more important. that being said if you have no need for an optic to bring this in close view at long range then it would seem kinda odd to me to have a bigger scope.

but then again i am somewhat cursed by utility
 
No it won't look odd, especially if you have one with exposed turrets.
I'm not usually one to let looks be the deciding factor, but they so always cross my mind.

If it's really a problem and you don't want to buy. new scope, you could always tart it up with flip up caps, a sun shade and turrets if it doesn't have them. But it should look fine anyway.
 
imo 3-9 power scope's more than sufficient for coyote and deer size game well past 200 yds.
I'm more concerned about rifle balance than looks,so I wouldn't really worry about what anyone thought about my hunting rig
 
I'm an "always have more than you need available" kind of guy when it comes to hunting varmints. You can always turn the scope down if you don't need all that power....But there is no reason why a 3x9 scope won't work just fine.
 
If it works (and it certainly should for your stated purpose) then don't be concerned about how it "looks".
I see 1x-4X scopes on heavy barrel AR's and never give it a second thought.
 
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