25-06 What would you top it with for hunting out west?

[tgearrey]

I've just purchased a 25-06 for hunting Antelope/Deer. I live in the west where open country is the norm. On the other hand I also hunt forested mountainous terrain where short shots are also likely. I shot my deer last year at around 60-75 yards. The year before that I shot one at 280 yards. For these types of conditions what magnification/objective would you top the rifle with? 

[Graybeard]

I'd use a 3-9 or 2.5-8. If it's too far to shoot with 9X it's too far to shoot period. If you're one of those who just absolutely gotta then a 2.5-10 or 3.5-10 would be the most magnification I'd ever stick on a big game hunting rifle of my own but I don't care for any of the scopes in that particular power range. I feel at 10X a need for an AO and the scopes available at that power range just don't have it and even if they did I don't like an AO on a big game rifle so I max out all mine at either 2.5-8 or 3-9 and really feel that the 3-9 is as ideal as it gets for such a scope. The FOV is wide enough for close up shots and the max magnification is adequate for the longest shot I'd ever consider.

[Cement Man]

+1 what GB said, and for exactly the same reasons.  My "out west" rifles wear a straight 6X Sightron SII and a 3X9 Bushnell 4200.  I'm not saying that everyone has the same criteria, or should have.  Suits my needs very well though.

[700xcr]

I hunt the Pacific Northwest,so shots on deer is in the open CPR or wheat stubble fields where ranges up to 450yds. and up. The Elk hunting area is in timber and furthest shot would be 150yds. With that being said I installed a Burris Euro-Diamond 2.5x10x44mm on the new Remington 700xcr in 270wsm. The Euro-Diamond is  30mm  main tube and with the 44mm objective gives plenty of light. On 2.5x at dawn or dusk I can see more and cyrstal clear. This scope has the ballistic plex retical and it is consistent. This is my first Burris and will not be my last.

[one eye joe]

I had a B&L 2.5-10 on mine for a number of years, and it worked great. Made the .25 my "Antelope" specialty gun and replaced the scope with a 4.5-14 mil dot. For all around usage, I think the 2.5-10 will fit your needs perfectly.

[Ahab]

Nothing wrong with a 3x9x40 but most of my pards and me like the plain old 6 power. We have Nikons, Weavers and a Leuy. If you get a chance to look trough a variable at 6x and then a 6 single you will see a clearer, brighter sight picture. There are less optical elements which let more light thru and less seals needed to keep moisture out.

[Catfish]

3 1/2 x 10 VX 111 Leupold or if you want a little cheaper a 3 x 9 VX 11.

[jmckinley]

  I personally use the4.5-14x40 Buckmaster on mine. I know most folks like low power scopes but for my ole eyes I need a little more magnification. My second scope would be the Mueller 3-10x44 which is my favorite scope.  Jess

[kudzu]

My 25-06 encore Pro hunter  is topped with a Sightron 4.5x14x50.
Has worked very well for me.