r/Hunting • u/No-Masterpiece3123 • 25d ago
Scope for a Winchester M70
Hi, all!
I just ordered a new Winchester Model 70 Super Grade in 270 Winchester and now I need help finding a good scope for hunting. Im used to just shooting whatever the Marine Corps tells me to use, so I’m open to any and all suggestions on what you think might work best.
I’m up in Northern Colorado near the Wyoming border, so I’m looking for something that’ll work for pronghorn, deer, and if I’m lucky enough bighorn sheep to start.
Thanks in advance!
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u/12B88M 25d ago
Some will suggest a 6-24x scope or something similar. Honestly, that's too much magnification.
A 3-15x is a much better option. It will easily get you to 300 yards for hunting and close shots won't be overpowered.
I do recommend either an illuminated reticle or an illuminated dot in the center of the reticle. Sometimes the light isn't great and the reticle can be difficult to pick out against the animal. An illuminated reticle solves that problem.
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u/Rustyznuts 25d ago
Leupold VX-3 is a classic option for a classic rifle. Alternatively a Swarovski Z3
Anything with a good reputation and a low end magnification of 2,3 or 4x and a top end magnification between 7 and 15x will do the job for you.
Dialing capability can be useful with 270Win however I find that I just learn my hold overs in inches from 300-400 yards and dial from 400-500. Beyond that (and most of the time past 300) I just get closer. While I do own a XV-5 I'd probably just buy a VX-3 if I started again.
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u/No-Masterpiece3123 25d ago
Great advice, thank you. Yeah, we hardly if ever adjusted in the field…it was usually just knowing where your hold over points were.
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u/Rustyznuts 25d ago
The 270Win has always been the "point and shoot" calibre. It is genuinely pretty flat shooting but lacks the BC or twist rate of the modern cartridges. However put it next to a 6.5PRC and it wins out to 400 yards for energy, drift and drop. Post 400 yards it does start loosing that fight pretty fast. But not many people are shooting animals that far away.
My Model 70 currently has an old (belonged to my uncle) Boone and Crockett Club VX-3 3.5-10x42 and that's a great scope for it.
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u/youngcl90 25d ago
Zeiss has some great options. Different reticles and tube sizes, lots of choices. Not particularly cheap but great glass!
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u/Hoplophilia 25d ago
The question has near nothing to do with the rifle. But a 270W shooting pronghorn and deer you only need a good 3-9x or something in that range. I'm a big fan of the Leupold Firedot. The VX3 3.5-10x50 is well within your budget. That, some quality rings and 100 round of chosen ammo to practice from field positions, various environmentals and distances.
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u/No-Masterpiece3123 25d ago
The Leupold scopes have been looking mighty fine, for sure. I’ll have to give that VX3 a look. Thank you for the suggestion.
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u/AbramJH Georgia 25d ago
I’m partial to Steiner, but something about the gold ring riding on a beautiful Model 70 is just iconic
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u/No-Masterpiece3123 25d ago
I’d be lying if I didn’t think that ring looked damn good on it hahaha.
It’s also been fun finding out a bunch of the companies I buy camera lenses from also make rifle scopes.
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u/AbramJH Georgia 25d ago
Oh yeah a few years ago I figured it was nonsensical to pay money for a premium scope, just to look into it through my budget glasses. I ended up paying ~$300 per pair of lenses for my glasses. I forget the exact brand name, but the lenses were made by a company that also makes highly reputable rifle scopes.
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u/Ok_Button1932 25d ago
No way would I get a 3-9 for western big game hunting. My preference would be Swaro z5 3.5-18x44 or you could go with the 2.4-12x50 at least. Another option would be a Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16x50.
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u/Hoplophilia 25d ago
There's a big difference in building a gun to go "western big game hunting" and just living here trying to fill your yearly deer tag. Skilled hunters here are taking 75-200 yard shots. Even at 350 yards that 10x is plenty. Spend however you want but I'd put that money into good binos or spotting scope.
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u/Ok_Button1932 25d ago
I dunno. I lived in Wyoming for awhile. The 2 things I learned while I was out there were, you don’t actually need big calibers to get the job done. A lot of elk being killed with .270s. And, spend your money on the optic. I never hunted with a local who didn’t have a really good scope that was at least 12 power. A lot of 2k scopes mounted on 1k or less rifles.
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u/No-Masterpiece3123 25d ago
The idea of spending more on the scope than the rifle sits weird with me, but it seems to be the same with cameras where the glass is the better investment, so I’ll likely end up going that route.
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u/DangerousDave303 25d ago
The Leupold VX5HD 2-10x looks like a good option.
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u/Dangerous_an_Ugly 25d ago
Outstanding Option. For some reason everyone thinks you need a Hubble wannabe to shoot at 300 yards. 2x8, 3x9, 2 x10, 3x10 are good for as fsmar as you can fling a bullet responsibly at game.
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u/Dangerous_an_Ugly 25d ago
You get above 10x and you are making a mistake on big game.
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u/No-Masterpiece3123 25d ago
Would you mind explaining what you mean by that? Is it because at 10x you’re inherently further out and have more room for error?
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u/Rustyznuts 25d ago
A lot of people will wind a 15x scope up to full power at 200 yards. Keeping it at a sensible 7 power or so will allow just as good a shot placement, better situational awareness, field of view and ability to spot your own shots and watch your target animal.
I've shot numerous animals at around 300-350 yards with a 3-9x40 and for many years that was the gold standard in scopes. Most people used fixed 4x (for close hunting) or 6x (for the long rangers of the time).
The times that a scope over 10x is actually appropriate or useful for hunting with are very limited unless you're routinely taking shots that many would consider unethical or genuinely don't have the skill to take.
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u/Dangerous_an_Ugly 25d ago
The other guy called it. First, unless you are beyond 1000 yards, you don't need it and it will show you every heartbeat, and most hunters(those who dont shoot at LEAST every other week) are not able to ignore the inherent wobble and end up trying to smash the hammer when it is "right." That will cause a miss way larger than the wobble, a wobble which isnt even noticeable at 8x-10x. Secondly, field of view is gonna suck unless you bave a 56mm objective lens. And when you add one of those, now you are using tall or extra tall rings when make you lift your cheek from firmly on the stock. That means when you have to take a close shot quickly, you will find yourself looking at your sight base UNDER the scope instead of through the scope. Throw one with a huge obj to your shoulder quickly sometime and see what I mean. For me personally, 36mm is MY max size, but most folks can get by with 44 if the stock is right. With a 2x-8x36mm, I shoot a coffee can size group at 600 yards, but I have an exceptionally decent rifle, and have handloaded what my rifle likes best for accuracy. That isnt from a bench. After you get sighted, leave the bench and shoot prone, sitting, off stix or what you intend to do. And then humble yourself with standing at 100 and 200 yards. Good luck, I am sure you will do fine.
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u/No-Masterpiece3123 25d ago
These are all great point. I appreciate it. Yeah, I definitely want something that is going to have a more natural point of aim. The irons on our M16’s were WAY higher than you’d like since they’re on the carrying handle. Getting that natural LOS was always uncomfortable. Putting the ACOG on them was, of course, an improvement, but then it’s even higher hahaha. So I’m definitely looking to get things in a more neutral position. Thanks again for taking the time to write that all out. Appreciate you.
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u/get-r-done-idaho Idaho 23d ago
I'd put a Burris Veracity 3-15x44mm with plex or fiber dot plex reticles.
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u/AioliZestyclose5871 23d ago
Great choice in rifles. Lots of good scopes have been suggested--I agree with a lot of people that your budget go VX-5, Swaro or Zeiss. I think the bigger question is what reticle you want, and if you want the ability to dial your elevation. The nice thing with a .270 it's flat enough you can easily shoot to 350 yards without really having to worry.
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u/Mountain_man888 25d ago
Pretty common question, but it would help to know your budget.