Optic Overkill?

[willbaforce]

Don't think the HD5 5-25 is an overkill for a Tikka, Let is know how it goes.

 

[Phil Giordano]

To me, the more I get aged, the less magnification I like. Usually, my session at the shooting range is from 100 to 300 meters, and the most powerful scope I own is a S&B 2.5/10 x, on my 300wby. I feel at home shooting up to 350 mt with it. In more recent times I like so much shooting my 8x68S with a Swar 1/6, a magnification I find enough up to 300 and perfect to work on the 200/250 distance. You don't need an high x to shot tight groups, nor to do it in real hunting conditions. In fact, you'll have less wobbling and less perception of your breathe and heartbeat with a low power scope. Moreover, you'll have less field and a less immediate eye relief with an high x ratio. As I am also a bowhunter, I use to shot up to 70 mt with by bowhunting setup - so, zero magnification and no reticle (just a pin) at 70 with a non steady device. Let me say : yes, to me anything more than a 10x, maybe max 14x (despite I don't like the latter all that much...), it's an overkill for hunting - and mostly with a 30.06. Maybe it's just me : but I feel that the real challenge (and fun) is to get as close as possible - not as far as possible...

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I put a 3.5-10X 40 Leupold VX3HD on my 25-'06 Ruger No.1. Perfect.

I love Zeiss optics, but I do not like 30mm tubes and overly large objective lenses... bulk and weight are the problem.

@Nevada Mike
My 3-9x40 Zeiss is a one inch tube.
It is the cheaper Terra but an excellent bit of kit for the price.
Bob

 

[Nevada Mike]

I have a pair of Zeiss 10 X 40 rubber armoured binos that I bought in Munich about 20 years ago. God glass and still going strong.

 

[ZG47]

I put a Leupold VX3-HD 4.5-14 x 40 CDS onto my .25-06, I wanted that little bit of extra magnification for those longer shots. The first year that I had it on that rifle I took a coues deer buck at 420 yards.

That magnification range and objective size appear to be the practical maximum for hunting unless you have helicopter/aeroplane OR motor vehicle transport to your base camp and/or hunting area. I remember a guy who had a Sako 75 SS chambered to .223 Remington, which he used for NZDA competition shooting and hunting. He was and still is: a responsible hunter who will take clear shots as opposed to desperate shots. One of those people with whom you will always be happy to hunt, shoot and share the bush.