I have a .257 Wby Mag (Vanguard) that shoots great. I just have a 3x-9x scope on it and am thinking of getting something a little more powerful. I hunt mainly whitetail deer with it, with some shot opportunities to 200 yds. I also like to shoot paper and have a shooting area that will allow up to 500 yd shots. What power scope do I need for that kind of shooting and still be OK for a 100 yd shot at a deer?

For the ranges you mention, a 3-9 is very adequate.
Mine has a zeiss 3.5-10X on it and I have shote antelope well in excess of 300 yards and had no problem with that level of magnification.

I don't disagree with the 3-9 at all. That being said, I have a Leupold VXIII 4.5-14x40LR with a Boone & Crockett reticle on my 25-06. I've used that combination in Montana for Mulies and it's been great. All that being said, it is a bit of overkill. With a 200 yd zero, pushing just shy of 3000fps MV (115g Nos BalTip), I'm only 20 inches down at 400 yards so there really is no need for the B&C reticle. But it does work.

Nikon has a 4x16 that may be what you're looking for. Covers all the bases.

A 3x9 will get the job done at the ranges you state. Problem for me is a caliber like the 257 Wby will never be brought to its full potential with a 3x9. I have a 8.5x25x50 Leupold on mine. Could be a little excessive but for what I do it's perfect and it lets the 257 Wby stretch out.

quote:

I also like to shoot paper and have a shooting area that will allow up to 500 yd shots.

I just put a 4 X 12-40 Leupold on my elk rifle to give me better vision out to those ranges....

As to 100 yard shots the 4X still is a fine setting

My 264 Win Mag will get a Leupold 4.5-14 of some sort. Depends on what I can find and what their new line may end up being. If you're not familiar, the 264 WM is about the same as the 257 Roy with 120gr. bullets, but the 264 will let you go up to 160gr. bullets if wanted. I plan to use 130gr.

My .257 Wby has a 6 X 24 Burris Signature that will do the trick for this hard hitting, flat shooting round. The only thing I would change today is make it a Ziess Conquest, the difference being lense coatings when shooting into bright sunshine. My grandsons in Tennessee take a dozen whitetails each year with it. A 120 grain Nosler Partition at 3450 fps. The only recovered bullet came from a 180 pound dressed buck, entered between shoulder and throat, recovered with perfect mushroom in opposite side ham, bulged in the skin. What more could you ask for. Good shooting.

Thanks for the help. I think I'm going to get something in the 4-14 class. I want a magnification low enough for hunting shots, but high enough for those long paper shots as well.