Buying scope on Friday. Do I bu ythe 3.5X10X40 or the 4.5X14X44 Thinking of a mil-dot reticle. Both scopes are the same make. I will be using this rifle primarily for hunting when I go west. I will use it here in Mi a little but I'm going to get another rifle for hunting here. Caliber is .300 win. Which would you gus buy? Thanks

4.5-14

Guess it's just my eyes but, I'm phasing out all of my low powered scopes unless they are on 100 yard guns.

Most of my scopes never go below 5-6X even when shots are close and I love to put it on 14-18 when they are about 175 plus out. Makes for less error and it's sure easier on my eyes.

I was at the range Saturday punching some paper at 200 yards and I pulled out one of my rifles that I hunt in short distance places w/. Man, it was tough getting a fine bead at 200.

Some folks don't like high powered scopes because they don'y have great fields of view at higher powers but, that's useless if you are a frequent shooter. I've never had a problem throwing up on game at the higher powers. I'm not talking about hunting in a thicket w/ it set on 14, but when I'm on a right of way or wide open field, I crank it on up to a higher setting.

Good Luck

Reloader

I like what Reloader had to say, and for those pundits who say--lower can be good--well then just put at on 4.5 for those occasions. I am also like Reloader in that I don't have any problems locating game when I bring the rifle to shoulder...
Good Shooting--Don

One way of looking at it is that 14-4.5 = 9.5 X range and 10-3.5 = 6.5 X range.

I could use either but would not need the AO on a 300 mag. that some 14X scopes come with.

I hunt big game with a variable at 4X unless the ranges are close and then I turn it down as far as it will go.

Since you said it was for use out west, and the 300wm has plenty of reach...I too would say 4.5-14. Usually plenty of time out west to dial up the scope and use the addl magnification. I would put a lower power on the MI woods gun though.

I like the availability of extra magnification, too, as long as the objective lens is still 40mm and you don't have to mess with an AO.

Just bear in mind that the mildots are usually calibrated at a specific magnification, usually max magnification. But if you're far enough away that you're trying to calculate wind drift and bullet drop, you'll want max magnification anyway.

Steve

I've killed virtually all my deer with the scope set at 3x, even when shooting 300 yds

Thanks Guys. I went with the 3.5X 10, realizing that for right now I probably won't shoot beyond 400 yds.