Scope decided... What mag??

[blazedawg87]

Going with a Nikon Buckmaster.
but which would be better as a double duty (target and hunting)
4.5x14x40 OR 6x18x40
Wanting to reach out to 500 yrd on my budget .308 build but still have a usable hunting rifle

 

[RIDDLE]

4.4-14 is what I would go with. That will plenty.

 

[BHJ]

I have a 6-20 but it's on a strictly target rifle. I would not want to even try to distinguish what I was looking at in the woods with it. It's also big bulky and heavy.
I also have a 4.5x14 on a beanfield rifle in .300RUM and one on a 22-250 varmint rig. It's a lot of scope and I'm not sure I'd want to use either one in the woods.
I know you have made up your mind but
Sounds almost like some QD rings and a target dedicated fixed 10x mildot would be the solution you seek for 500 yards.
Here's a deal on one http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/bushnell.pl?page=bushnell-321040m
Learn to range and shoot with a mil dot and 10x is probably all you'll ever need for any range,
As for a hunting scope here's another deal and you're probably still within budget except for QD rings and a base.http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/default.aspx?productnumber=191037

WOW I didnt see this earlier but here's a deal on a high magnification mil dot unit if you just gotta have that much magnification. I do have a couple of 3-9 elite 3200s that I bought on clearance and wouldnt hesitate to reccomend them to someone on a budget.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/default.aspx?productnumber=460354

 

[Chuckdog]

Unless you're planning to shoot groundhogs @ 300+ yards the 4.5X14 should be plenty. I'd keep it simple for deer hunting. I don't care for parallax and other unnecessary adjustable features to fool with on a hunting rifle. As mentioned above, the QD rings and two scopes would be ideal.

 

[Tx]

I've got a 4.5X14 Mark4 that's been all I need. I don't even think there's that many places in Georgia that you would need that much, but I'm from Tx where there more places to shoot long distance.

 

[blazedawg87]

ok going with 4.5x14.... Mil dot of BDC? Found out you can put in your round and print out a compensation for whatever magnification your using strait from nikons website. i like the easiness of the BDC but would like to learn mil dots for my next build.

 

[blazedawg87]

Well i just sold myself doing research. Found out you can buy turrets for the buckmaster so im going mil dot. And you also get a free nikon cool pix camera when you buy a buckmaster now through the end of the month. Its a win win!
http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-monarch-1-4-1-8moa-high-pro-turret-target-knob-kit.html

 

[1911guy]

I've got a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x50 and it is my favorite hunting scope by far. But where I hunt, 150 yards is by far the max shot I have.

 

[cfair414]

I have one in 3x9x50 that I just listed and its like new. Just going to throw that out there.

 

[Kain8719]

Of the magnification ranges you've given I would say the 4.5-14X, and I might be inclined to say that it could be a little overkill even there. Of course for all around range I am partial to the 2.5-10X scopes for multipurpose roles, should be plenty to reach out to 500 meters, even a 1000 and can go low enough that you can work well in close wooded areas. But that's me and lets be honest the 2.5-10X scopes seem pricier then the 4.5-14X, at least the ones I always want.