scope for 15" 308 : what about the size of the FOV and objective sizes.

[kennisondan]

I have seen discussion of what powers for a deer pistol encore, but having used a few 2x Leup. and 4x swift and simmons models, I am not completely taken with the light transmission or the size of the rear glass... seems it is so small and far away and the tendency to black out is a bit higher in the field than I would like..
in terms of :
1. light trnasmission
2.  rear glass size of the optic
3.  field of view..
would you suggest some choices.. I was considering using more 4x fixed on some of the other new short barreled guns, for deer stand use.. but may use a variable for this one.. but if it is too compromised I would change that idea.. I have found the 2x Leup for my uses and my eyes I cannot see if there are small horns and don't want to shoot that for a doe (again)...
if the only thing to do for that viewing problem is to use a binocular, then I can do that and use them with my rifles often for glassing, etc. but I can always use the rifle scope to appraise a buck's horns or a deer's size or to rule out little bitty horns on a big doe imitator with a death wish.. could not use the scope on a rainy day at 80 yards to see little horns and killled a spike once with my 35 rem. contender.. took away from the experience a bit...
thanks in advance.. the 308 is on order.
dk

[Grumulkin]

All the pistol scopes have a smallish field of view especially at the higher settings.  You would be best off using binoculars for evaluating a buck's antlers.

For the best in a variable scope as far as durability and light transmission is concerned, get the Leupold VX III 2.5-8X handgun scope.

[kennisondan]

Thanks master Grumulkin: it is appreciated... does the ocular size being larger seem to help much ? it undoubtedly helps me to have a scope for accuracy, but the image is so small in my 2x leup. ( it is old, though )..

I run my adjustable rifle scopes on 5 or 6 all the time but the oculars are so much larger... and closer to my eyes..
you understand, of course.

We are all lucky to have your advice here, as you have experience few others can rival... thanks again..
dan kennison

[MePlat]

I have Bushnell 3200 elite 2-6X pistol scopes have Simmons gold Medal scopes and Leupold and 1 Redfield.
I have never had any trouble with any of them except an old Leupod 2 power.  I have them on calibers that produce a whole lot more recoil than a 308.
I find that people who have problems with scopes in field of view or finding things in a scope have not used scopes much or have been most rest shooter where they have a lot of time to set things up before the shot.  I like the heavier crosshairs in the 2 power Leupold in the field but not on the firing range even though I can do well with it.  I figure it should be good for shooting at least 300 yards though.

[jhalcott]

  I don't Like the idea of using a scope to "evaluate " a deer or any other animal !  Whether it's on a handgun or any other firearm, a scope is an AIMING DEVICE. Get a pair of binoculars for viewing the scenery. You may get away with the scope viewing on private land, but I cannot believe you can't afford a decent pair of bino's. The depth of view is no where as good with a scope as with binoculars. One eye versus two!  RANT MODE OFF!

[Grumulkin]

I think the larger ocular size does help.  What really helps is more experience in shooting with handgun scopes.  When you use them for awhile, the small image and smaller field of view doesn't bother you so much.  When I first started using handgun scopes, about 5 or 6X was about all the magnification I wanted.  Since going mostly to Leupold 2.5-8X scopes, I pretty much keep them on 8X though if I had a really close shot at a game animal, I would have to turn the power down.

I have used the Leupold 2X fixed power handgun scopes and they were OK.  I like a bit more power and options for target shooting and hunting though.

[kennisondan]

thanks for those replies, guys... I haved used a 4x for years on a 22 mag for squirrels, and picking them up and following them is a chore, but I do it well enough to score consistently.. sitting shots on rabbits to a hundred yards too.. it is the dificulty of keeping a bouncing deer in the scope without it blacking out with a small ocular, and the inablity to see the details at distance that bother me most... have taken the advice to heart though, and will try to use the binos more, and will use more ocular size and variable power.. it seems worth it for both, I don't shoot running deer with a handgun tha is  scoped, but do try to keep up with them and struggle to do so when they are bouncing at closer range...
thanks again...
dk