bushnell 3200 5-15-40 or 5-15-50

[forum052001]

I want to know which one is a better choice a 5-15-40 or 5-15-50. I have a 300. rem ultra mag and i hunt deer and plan on elk and moose.

[Graybeard]

Both are WAY more scope than needed. Forget what the rag writers say. Get you a scope with a max power no higher than 9X or 10X with a bottom power of 2.5x to 3x with a 40-44 MM objective and you'll have all the scope you'll ever need and actually be less disadvantaged than the huge scope would put you at.

GB

[TheOpticZone]

If you have decided on the Elite 3200 5-15, than I would go with the 40mm objective.  No need to have the 50mm under normal hunting situations.

[Zachary]

I want to know which one is a better choice a 5-15-40 or 5-15-50. I have a 300. rem ultra mag and i hunt deer and plan on elk and moose.

A poll was taken on this site many months ago and I believe that the average shot on game was well under 200 yards.

A 300 Ultra mag is essentially for three purposes: 1) to kill large - I mean really large - game at closer ranges, 2) kill average sized game at really LONG ranges, and 3) just something to have that really makes a big BOOM.  Unfortunately, most people have bought the Ultra Mags for the third reason, and I myself fall partly into that category.

However, believing that there is at least a little truth in all of the magazine hype, the Ultra Mags are indeed capable of taking really long shots - that is if YOU are capable of taking such long shots.

I say this because, if you are capable of shooting a deer at 400 yards with the Ultra, then I don't think that a 15x scope will too much.  Granted, the biggest "if" is if you can shoot that far.

Under normal circumstances, your standard 3x-9x magnification is all that you need, and, as such, anything more than 12x is too much.  Then again, for deer hunting, all you really truly need is .270 or 30-06 and, as such, anything more than that, like an Ultra Mag, is too much.

As for objective size, that being 40 or 50mm, please, please, please understand that a 40mm objective with excellent optics is better than a 50mm objective with just good optics.  As such, please don't think that "bigger" is always better.  Bigger is only "better" when the optics are the same.  As such, it would be much better if you got, say, a 4200 with 40mm objectives, than a 3200 with 50mm objectives.

Zachary

[Doc Contender]

Also depends are where your going to hunt. Wooded area or open area.
I been to western  Colorado the last two years in the national forest. Only found one area with a open shot range of over 250 yards(measures by bushnell range finder) all other areas where less than a hunderd yards.
Most shots in the national forest  are going to 50 yards or less. Graybeard
is right 5 to 15 too much.

[onestar]

How can someone tell this man that a 5x15 scope is too much scope or deer hunting?  You say you only need a 9x scope?  How many of you ever tried to make a 300 yard shot with a 9x scope, if so you know how big the deer looks too.  My point is that you can't shoot what you can't see.  The only time I would see an advantage to a lower power scope than a 5x is when game is on the move at a close distance and I'd rather take my chances on 5x than not being able to place a shot due to lack of magnification at longer ranges.  I have great vision and I still can not place a long shot on a deer at low magnification.  Place is the operative word.

[KN]

I shoot prarie dogs using a 3000 Elite (older B&L) 5x15x50 and never use it above 9 or 10x. And that is at ranges way farther than 300yds. If you can't see a deer sized animal with a 9x scope at 300yds I would say you have no business shooting at one that far away. Just my opinion.  KN