We have been blind sided by gimmicks, advertising and sales. It's so refreshing to have someone cut through the bulls$&t and get back to basics. Thank you so much👍
I have personal experience with the warranty support of both Bushnell and Leupold. For all but their non-warranted bargain scopes, their warranty is gold. If they cannot repair, they will replace with equal or better. Others may be similar, but I cannot say from experience. Thank you for your comments. Happy shooting. God bless.
@@douglaspollard4585 They would of been Chinese knock offs mate This is why Leupold will only Warranty their Top End products as GunBlue490 pointed out. I recently brought a Chinese knock off of a Leupold Mark III 4-24x50 from WISH for AU$122.00. The scope itself is no way a X24 plus a few other issues. But a Genuine Leupold Mark III Retails for $2,700. I knew when I brought it that it was a faker and I got refunded for it and got to keep the Scope. I am really loving my new Vortex Crossfire II 4-16X50 It has an unlimited lifetime warranty and only cost AU$500.00 The day I brought it I looked at a $1,000 Weatherby and the Vortex takes the cake easily. Happy Hunting bro, Take care, Skorp - Western Australia.
@@douglaspollard4585 Leupold does their manufacturing in the US. Only thing asian about them is the glass. They also have a warranty on pretty much everything they sell because the odds of needing a repair are low. I know this because I live in the region and everyone shoots Leupolds. If they sucked then no one would use them.
GunBlue490 Absolutely right about the Leupold warranty only had to access it once. They checked it out readjusted parralax and whatnot and l had it back inside two weeks. OUTSTANDING🇨🇦🤠
Agree Sir, Had a scope I bought with a warranty. Called and talked to them and they said send in the scope. Had a new scope in about ten days. When your retired on a fixed income this is a great option. This was with the Bushnell company. Thank you
Excellent presentation. I found it to be very informative, accurate AND realistic. These days everyone on UA-cam and elsewhere seem to think they are experts, nothing could be further from the truth. I've spent almost 30 years in the proffession of arms as an Infantryman leading and teaching soldiers how to shoot and kill. It's not often that I can look at UA-cam and find credibility... Thanks for what you do.
I've harvested 11 Mule Deer in Southern New Mexico, all of them taken with a Savage 110E 30/06 with a Tasco 4X scope. Every year just before season I'd go out and shoot a nice little 1" group at 100yds and was good to go. No gadgets, no weirdo reticals, no over engineering.....even in wide open spaces 4X is all you need !! Most of the shots were 25 to 75 yards with a couple 100+ so anyway just put the crosshairs on him and pull the trigger. I'm deadly accurate with this setup, I'm deadly accurate with an M16 as well, Rifle Expert USMC, those peep sights were great.
Thank you sir. Just spent 2 hours in the shop yesterday 🙃 seeing if I might want more glass than I have now, 1.5/4 x 20 HD3 Leupold with a AR tactical reticle, omg guess what the HD stands for! I feel comfy out to 400 in the 308, I am confident that She could do more but that'll do for now.
WELL SPOKEN..., You don't need massive magnification. The scope industry is ridiculous. When I was young, we used a Weaver 4x32 and did just fine. I understand we have the Long Range Hunter Crowd of today and their need for super high power scopes, but Not in my real world hunting applications.
"We have girlie men that don't like to learn how to shoot".....Love it!!! I knew I found a true professional when you didn't just toss your Cabelas book on the bench. EXCELLENT video, my hat's off to you, sir!
"a dental check on a prairie dog..." that one had me rolling!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 the LORD bless you sir! and I love the east coast accent I am from New York...forgetabowdit!
Don't ever make a big ticket firearm purchase WITHOUT sitting down and listening to this man. I mean listen to him, seriously. You won't ever go wrong. These are real nuggets of good advice.
LOVE this! Everybody and their dog thinks they can go buy all this fancy stuff and snipe anything between the eyes out to 1000 yds and they dont know how to pull the trigger. Listen to this guy! Priceless knowledge. Thanks for taking the time to share
Thank you GunBlue for sharing your experience and wisdom. You have clearly articulated my true needs. Being new to scopes I really did not know where to begin. "Simple is better". As a young man I used an antique Lyman peep sight and never had problems. Now that I am 65 a scope is not only needed but wow, what a joy.
You actually remind me of Jack O’Connor, my favorite hunting/guns author. I always thought he made sense. He said, sight hunting calibers like the 270, 30-06, and 7mm mag, 3” high at 100 yards. Thank you for sharing your very practical knowledge.
My career mirrors yours regarding law enforcement,....instructor, sniper/observer, weapons expert in court testimony, etc., etc.....yadda yadda lol......to say the least I'm impressed. Nice job my friend. It's great to see others that "pass it on" to help the regular guy....
Excellent discussion on scope selection for hunting purposes. Honest and straight forward advice that will help you not break the bank and bag some game. Remember as GunBlue states so adequately, we are hunting not celestial star gazing... Hilarious but very true! Enjoy and thanks GunBlue...
Just found this video and boy am I fortunate. I was getting bogged down in so many details trying to select my first scope for hunting Sambar in the Victorian high country in Australia. You really helped clear away the marketing BS and concentrate on the basic necessities. Thanks for taking the time to make this helpful video
As I new hunter, this is one of the best videos I have watched so far. I also very much appreciate your very funny sense of humor. Thank you for keeping things simple. You are a great instructor.
What I like most about your videos? SENSIBLE INFORMATION! Thanks for bringing your knowledge and passion to some of us that want to learn, without making hundreds of dollars worth of mistakes.
This is the most informative video on hunting I have ever seen. Thanks for taking the time to make this video, I know a few guys that need to watch this :P
I own a browning .270 wsm and after 25 yrs. my longest kill on deer to date is 214 steps(214 yrs.) and that's not because I did'nt have opportunity to take longer shots.I know when I can see descent horns at that range with my naked eye the game is on,especially hunting in the piney woods.Anything inside 250 yrs.I know is dead meat dropping like a rock.I agree with the old boy,I don't want to be a sniper deer hunter.I do that kind of shooting on paper targets because they can't run off wounded to die.Most of my deer kills are inside 100 yrds.
@@raulthepig5821 heel to heel.. you are saying you step when walking 30 " go ahead and measure 30" from a wall and put a tape. Now put one heel against the wall and put your other heel on your mark. That's a long step. I bet you try this and you discover you are off.
Again heel to heel my steps are about 19.5" at 6'1 a yard is about as far as I can step maximally doing a long stride feeling a stretch every step. I call a step 18" or .5 yards so if I walk out from my shot to an animal that's 2 normal steps a yard. Have to do a comic long stride to do a full yard a step and that's hard unless you're on flat earth. I've done this time and time again using my range finder it's about a yard every 2 steps.
@@pbgd3 Maybe I didn't say it, my 2.5 foot step is my average step. If you measure just one step that is not average and may be off considerable. A good way to determine your average step size is to walk at your normal gait, say over 100 yards or longer, and count your steps. Doing this several times will be more accurate. Divide the number of feet covered by number of steps taken. That is your average step. Units would be foot/step. 214 yards covered with 214 steps is 3 foot steps, indeed a long step. According to the University of Iowa, the average person’s walking step length is 2.5 feet (30 inches). So I guess I'm average.
I just wanted to say I am humbled that you have spent the time helping an amateur fox hunter enjoy what I love. I find the wilderness ( in Oz we call it the Bush) a place of worship. Though I can drill 3 overlapping rounds in a 100m target with a 22 Hornet and taken a few foxes out to around 150m and pretty good shot with shotgun and clays, I have to admit I am not confident to nail a running fox. I normally track then and then whistle so they stop and look back for a second. I hate educating a fox to a whistle and then letting him go. Your advice and wisdom on my shooting needs has been invaluable. I know a couple of old timers who could shoot a flying swallow with a .22 open sights as it swooped over water, Legends! God bless you, Roger
Modern marketing and its practice of creating needs, just to make sales, and equating that to the old snake oil salesman... A classic and practical Yankee you are through and through. Fantastic! Thanks for the instruction.
This is without a doubt the best how to video I have ever watched. I think it should be mandatory for everyone who is trying to find the right scope to watch. Thank you very much!
I had been looking through the internet for information on rifle scopes as I am planning to buy one. None of the reviews or articles that I came across are as good as your video. Thanks a ton of sharing such comprehensive information about scopes. This is really helpful. Cheers.
I just watched this video again. Thank you for being knowledgeable and practical. I was just at the range last weekend and am getting more accurate (steady pull, no flinch ...) and was getting tempted to get a fancy scope. You helped quell that. Thanks.
Once again, a breath of fresh air and common sense. My grandfather pulled elk and mule deer at range in eastern Washington with his Remington 721 / 270 with a very basic scope into his 70s. I now own that gun, and I find no need for a fancy reticle and mitten friendly turrets. Learning how to use your tool is the key.
Clarity, light and positive adjustments in a sleek hunting scope are not readily available now. The exceptional hunting scopes are quite expensive now days. The way you teach, and even your personality reminds me of the caliber of the mentors, for different disciplines, I had as a young man. I’ve tried to honor my mentors by embodying the same traits. Over the years people have come to me readily when they have questions. It makes feel as though I am passing along what was given to me. Thank you for passing your knowledge to younger generations. Much appreciated. I’m very glad you are telling hunters directly about ethics and respect for game. Also the truth about realistic hunting distances. I was mentored on the development of wildcats, and have developed proprietary cartridges. I have heavy hunting rifles chambered in these cartridges. With my charts and Barns and Stroud split image range finders, I am able to deliver accuracy at one mile. But even with my knowledge, skill and those rifles, I do not go past 700 or maybe 800 yards in perfect conditions. I could easily go more than 1000 yards into the vitals, but I worry about making a clean kill. 99% of the time, I’m inside 200 yards. Even always using partition bullets, If I lost a nice buck or bull that I put a lethal shot into, I would be ashamed. I hope every young or inexperienced hunter watches and accepts what you are saying. Thank you.
I learned like... so much. It is scary how clear and useful this youtube is. I am going to watch it again this week. It is not just about scopes, but clearly about how to properly down a target and conceptualize it all. WOW! thank you!!
Thats as straight forward as it gets right there. Cuts right through all the B.S. and marketing crap thats so prevalent these days. That is 59 minutes of wisdom you can take to the bank from a man who has the credentials. thanks for all the info. Young hunters and shooters need to turn of the latest hunting shows and watch this fellas videos before they are further corrupted !!
I really appreciate your practical advice on the scopes. I have been shooting 50 years, but you taught me what I already assumed was true. Thanks for your giving me confidence.
One last note: I must say your video was the very best informative I have watched. I wish to thank you, you have definately helped me in trying to make a decision for my first scope for my .270 I am just learning to hunt out here in Montana and was getting very confused with all the many options etc... You have made it very clear, I was looking at buying a scope with all the bells & whistles when I don't need all that. I hope you don't mind my other comments but, I thought it is a consideration
This video was just great I learned and also laughed a bit here and there. I am a 25 year Navy veteran living in Massachusetts. It was a great video! Thank you!
True story! I grew up in the western plains. I think the whole long range fad and taking pot shots at deer and Elk at 500 or more yards is more about hunter ego than anything else. I know guys that only fire their weapon once a year, then want to engage in such activity. Hunter ethics should be considered more. We as hunters should be humane enough to make sure we inflict a quick death on the animal. We owe them that much. My personal limits with my .270 is 250 yards without a prop. I practice at least bi weekly shooting.
Vortex is an excellent scope and I own two myself. One of them might be the same model you speak of. I can vouch for their warranty through a friend that they are pretty much no questions asked. He lost his footing in a ravine and dropped his scope right on the elevation turret. He paid for shipping only to get a next generation scope of the same model or type. He was ecstatic!
I’m in the process of setting up a rifle right now for long range elk hunting, it has nothing to do with ego and everything to do with maximizing my chance of filling the freezer in a 1 week season on a hunt that I will have over 5 grand into before including the opportunity cost of shutting my truck down for a week. Not everyone lives in a elk state and gets to go hunting after work, for people like me were the out of state tag alone is $700 it’s simply about maximizing the chance of filling the tag. I do agree hunting ethics is paramount, that’s where practice, proper gear selection, and being honest with yourself about your capabilities comes into play.
My friend has a weatherby 30-378 that I would feel confident in a long shot that would still have plenty of power. But where I hunt I have never had a shot over 200yards.
@@Dcm193 I hunted with a long bow for years, guided rifle hu ters for even more years. I personally ally witnessed more elk and deer wou ded by rifle hunters.
@@mikewyd53 did you guide them with bows and I based my claim off of the plethora of “what kind of blood is this” or the “anyone have any dogs” post that is mostly in archery season.
@@Dcm193 Guided rifle hunters, hunted with other locals during bow season. Bow hunters get close, have put in a lot of practice and understand their equipment. Too many rifle hunters show up with a rifle they have not fired much, while believing that 400 to 800 yard shots are easy.
@@mikewyd53 so what are your thoughts on people who actually train with rifles and know their equipment. What about tree stands, feeders, using cameras to just find out what time a deer walks a trail and then just sitting beside that trail? What is more ethical close with a sub par bullet or long with more skill and better quality equipment?
I don't think Mr Blue considers himself a comedian but I am always surprised at how much I laugh at his hilarious commentary. These videos are historical gold.
Great video. Your knowledge about what good shooting is all about is clear. My experience selling scopes at a retail shooting sports store, as well as my experience as an SDM Instructor indicates novice shooter's want what they perceive Uncle Sam uses: mil scaled range finding reticle, FFP, BDC reticle function, BDC elevation dial function, high magnification, elevation and windage adjustment increments matched to reticle scale. These novice shooter's get their notions of what they need from what they've gleaned from their internet experts; yet, the novice shooter does not know how any of the listed scope features work, or why they may be important. So, after these novice shooters get their "ideal" scope they have absolutely no comprehension of how to benefit from the scope's features; yet, they do not have any interest in learning how to use the features, since they fear the simple math those features require. They also go onto the range to zero without any comprehension of what an MOA is, that's to say, from shooting a group, they do not know the amount of sight movement necessary for line of sight and bullet impact to intersect at target distance. Now, add in that these shooters do not know how to follow through to call their shots, they will typically spend a whole day at the range to get a zero or they will leave the range convinced the scope is broken. It's insane. The bottom-line is these folks think that having the equipment that Uncle Sam has is the equivalent of knowing how to shoot. They know nothing about the principles of marksmanship, the elements and factors of a steady position, wind and weather effects, shooter/target analysis, exterior ballistics, zeroing, or range finding; and, they don't care. These folks are easy to spot on the range and I leave them alone. Why cast pearls to swine? I now only train those who value training enough to pay for it.
You are entirely correct. It's the unfortunate consequence of what I call the lost two generations of shooters, where this information was not learned at Dad's knee, creating a vacuum that was filled by unscrupulous writers and sales promotions, and further fostered by a culture of the blind leading the blind that values the military features you speak of without understanding that they have little or no application to sporting use.
@@GunBlue490 Interestingly enough, at one time I thought I knew how to shoot having shot to the High Master Long Range Club level. That's when I was invited by the USAMU to assist them in the delivery of the SDM course. I had to be trained to do that, which required me to memorize the curriculum. That's when I realized I did not know anything about good shooting and why up to that point I could not compete with any in the USAMU Service Rifle Section. I had earlier just thought those guys had some secrets. The fact was no secrets at all just knowledge of what's important to good shooting and skill developed from practice with the knowledge. Again, your videos are awesome and a great service to both shooting enthusiasts as well as hunters.
I like this guy because he explains everything. I couldn't watch the fast videos of people speed talking like you are a 30 year veteran hunter and know everything they do. I also couldn't watch the people that try to entertain you and make the video like an infomercial. I found this video and watched the entire thing from start to finish because it was easy to follow, very detailed and packed with factual information. I fell victim to the $150.00 scope purchase. Bought the thing based on over 150+ great reviews and figured it was an affordable scope and I didn't want to spend $500+ after spending $800+. Worst train of thought ever. Let's just say that I spent 150 dollars for a bench scope that can't even hold zero. I'm not you sir, but I will say that I've been blessed with the skill to hit my targets at 200+ yards from many different positions and will hopefully only get better with time. One thing I've learned in my very limited experience is not to go cheap on a scope, for two main reasons... Firstly, you just bought a rifle for upwards of the 800 mark and you put a cheap scope on it? Once that scope is on the gun it becomes part of the gun so why would you hinder your own capabilities with that gun by going cheap? The second reason is because you're just throwing your money away. You would be better off adding another 150 to that and buying a fairly decent scope like the Leupold VR-3 or something that has been time tested, proven to be reliable etc. Anyway, I'm getting off on a rant, just want to say Sir, your videos are great and thank you very much for sharing your experience with all of us. +1 for going on rants about all the bells and whistles people think they need and they really don't. I couldn't agree more... Simple math can get you out to over 300 yards easily...
Best advise I have ever heard! This has changed my way of thinking completely, and everything has improved. Sort of the K.I.S.S. method. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!! Really like your videos!
I'm a complete newbie and after watching your video I realized that the scope I ordered would not be the best fit for me. Fortunately I can still cancel/return it and using the information you provided I now understand what to look for. I guess my only regret is that I didn't find your video sooner, I've probably spent at least 30 hours watching videos and reading reviews of optics that I just don't need. Thanks again!
I'm always glad to learn that my videos have been helpful in what has truly become an unnecessarily complicated market, for such an essentially uncomplicated sighting device.
My initial thought was I'm not watching this hour-long video. Before I know it the video is over and I have to say it's worth the time. Sir, thank you for a no BS straightforward video.
Thank you very much. Look at it this way... In a classroom, students would be paying me $150.00/hr. tuition for my shooting lectures, and you'd have to put up with others interrupting the hour. Pretty good deal. ;-)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I, for one, am willing to shut my mouth, open my ears so I may listen to every word you say. Please keep teaching so shooters like myself can become better.
I have been watching many youtube videos on Scopes just to get more information, and this video hits the mark and really makes sense. Looking back to at my experience with hunting and scopes that I have used in the past, my success rate was much higher with a simpler setup, and I have been hunting for the past 48 years. So, great job chief, and Thank You for your service.
This is the most informative knowledge on scopes I have seen. Thanks for giving all your info. Scopes like everything else has to keep coming up with something new to convince people they need new.
I've always been a MPBR hunter myself, and I really appreciate hearing your ideas back up my own thinking, including your preference for a simple reticle. However, the size of your target in a deer ("basketball sized") is a little off, in my opinion. To be nearly 100% proficient in the MPBR hunting style, you have to include margin for error. I can see you don't need to, being a professional. But Joe hunter, who is taught to use MPBR should leave room for error, unless all of his groups on his test targets determining his own personal maximum range are one inch groups. Being an average shot myself (a little shaky), I shrink the size of my MPBR target zone to six inches for deer. So I'm at around 325 yards with a 270WSM. If I shake a little, I'm still within your 10 inch kill circle. When I shoot, they die, even at the end of my MPBR, even if I shake. You have to qualify your MPBR by adjusting not just according to the cartridge capability, but also the shooter's group sizing. If your average group size is five inches, your mpbr shrinks accordingly.
You are entirely correct. My commentary presumes the sum of all error; ballistic (trajectory and wind), human, firearm, and ammunition. When a shooter, using whatever system, combined with his/her skillset, can keep shots consistently within the basketball size kill zone at any given reasonable range, that shooter is fundamentally prepared to hunt deer. I neglected to persue that point, simply because I instinctively consider the sum as a whole, while it's not at all reckoned by everyone. If I wasn't clear on that point, I should have been. My goal with this video was to help guide a person in scope selection, and while I gave an overview of these matters, I had no intention to delve deeply into shooting instruction. If you watch my series on precision shooting with handguns, I think you'll see what you refer to with great clarity. I appreciate your comments. Thank you.
@@roadrunner7828 thanks so what you are saying its the maximum distance you can point and shoot with a drop that will still be within the kill zone, say 1-1.5" with a fox?
@@rogbec01 Yes, think of it as a circle with the center being your line of sight. Depending on the size of your target the size of this circle will vary, on a fox it will be relatively small compared to a deer. The maximum point blank range will be the farthest distance you can aim center of your target and your bullet will not rise or fall below your target area on you're animal. As stated above there are factors that you will need to take into account to calculate your mpbr. Good luck, shoot straight.
Thank you! This was so helpful. It's difficult to sift through the people who are paid to "review" things vs. giving honest info. Thank you for being the later.
Mr Gun Blue, I just recently found your videos and became a subscriber. May I commend you on your work because you are rare man theses days in that you have real experience to draw on and you are able to get to the real facts to make someone a better shooter. Most hunters and shooters I encounter today think they can buy enough gadgets or a certain cartridge or sight that will make up for their lack of knowledge and experience. I have worked in the gunsmith trade for nearly 46 years and have been a competitive rifle shooter and hunter for longer than that. It is truly gratifying to hear some common sense applied to our favorite pursuits for a change. I definitely plan to enjoy the rest of your videos in the near future. Thank you for your work!
I have always found I am a much better shot when I use the lower power on my scopes. Not to long ago I put a 1.5x5 Leopold dangerous game scope on my 30-06 and that field of vision is wonderful. Last years elk was a 235 yard shot to the back of the head. The only place he went was down.
Please keep sharing your knowledge! Thank you so much! It's hard to watch some of the videos for 5 minutes but after finishing this 59 minute video I actually looked for more! There is great need and appetite for your knowledge and style and also lack of impartiality. Please stay the way you are, not owned.....
As usual, the best dope on any subject he covers. Met a guy yesterday buying another hunting rifle. He had taken two deer this season, and spent $$$ doing that. He said when you spend that kinda money you don't want any equipment failures, so two rifles, two scopes.
One of the most informative videos on not only scope choice but hunting in general. And delivered in a very entertaining style. Thanks kind sir for making this video.
Liked that trajectory diagram showing the apex of the parabola. The most fun part was his description of the [long] 'celestial' telescope that this fellow camper had. Thx for the outstanding organized presentation.
Your expertise & wealth of knowledge led me away from the conventionally recommended 3-9 bdc scope to a 2-7 duplex for my slug gun. I’m excited to practice becoming proficient with a simple crosshair reticle, wider field of view, & more forgiving amount of eye relief.
The need for 50mm objectives eludes me for any hunting rifle. Bigger is seldom better when it comes to sighting equipment for the field. The scope companies are very acutely aware of the gullible factor and use it. If someone doen't have a good cheek weld, I recommend competent instruction, and worry about scopes when they can hit something. A scope improves vision; NOT markmanship.
You must be a valued customer at Cabela's to receive a hard cover catalog. You Sir are a great resource to people like me that know nothing. Thank God for You Tube videos!
I like how well you edited yourself, a couple times I laughed because as soon as I started to think "oh here we go" you edited out the end of your rant and jumped ahead to where you were back on topic. haha!good stuff really informative not only on optic but also shooting philosophy.
Thanks for clearing up a lot of the garbage and hype regarding scopes. I have a zeiss 2- 8 42 duplex reticle, had been thinking of changing it for something fancier that's illuminated with a bigger range etc. The gun cleaning video was also very helpful, the amount of gun cleaners scrubbers and cleaning equipment etc i have gathered over the years is crazy. Will keep it simple in future. From Ireland
Agree with GunBlues approach to selecting optics based on areas being hunted. When deciding on a "one gun do-all" for North America in the late 70's I opted for a Ruger M77 in 30-06. When it came to the optics decision a Leupold VariX-II 2-7X33 was what I settled on. My reasoning being that since I reside in NY and most hunting would be done in the Eastern US and Canada where the I felt that field of view was the more important criteria, and should I get out to the plains states and further west the 7 power was there. Considered 3-9s but felt the loss of FOV was not worth the gain in magnification for my purposes. The only regret is not spending the extra $50 for the Winchester Model 70, silky smooth bolt and trigger. M77 has served me well and is a great rifle, but $50 is $50 when you are fresh out of the service trying to get on your feet.
Dan Congden Well said. I was in the same boat plus l knew very little about it. I walked into a gunshop in Med. Hat Alberta and said “hep me” l walked out of there with an M77 and a Leupold 4x. To me it was the most beautiful flawless smoothest accurate thing l ever had in my hands ha ha 🇨🇦🤠
Much wisdom in what you say. I have heard many times where the deer comes out of the brush and the hunter says they could not get on it because they could not find it in the scope....scope was set on 7 to 9 power so they had no field of view. I heard one story this past season where a nice buck was shot most likely back in the gut area by a young hunter and they never found it. The range was less than 30 yards from their elevated ladder stand...all the kid shot at was hair because that is all that was visible in the scope. What a terrible waste.
Hope that building project is going well! You reminded me about “real hunting”. I’m so thankful I harvested my first buck the real way. An old 30/30 while sitting on my butt and leaned up against a persimmon tree. He was a 7 pointer, and all my work and hunting paid off. Bless his soul and ours too! Thanks brother! Keep rocking!
Was in the market for a new scope to replace the fixed 4x scope on the Model 1917 Enfield I hunt with. Your video was just great solid advice that everyone should heed. Your advice on sighting the scope was spot on to what I was taught along time ago. I and my son sight the scopes at 50 yards an inch high. That way when we shoot at any deer up 150 yards it will be between an inch high and an inch low of the aim point but the deer will be dead. I don't have time or inclination to fool with bullet drop or other fancy reticules. I also understand my limitations and know I have no business taking shots at animals more than a 150 yards away. Great Video.
You are the best!!! Thank you you for all this info!! I recently got an older Rem 700 in 22-250 and want to scope it. Great info leading to my choices, Thank Again All the best to you, you're a world treasure in this field of knowledge Sir! Love your videos!
Admittedly, I have binge watching GunBlue490 videos for no other reason than to listen to a kindred spirit. I work in a environment where real man talk and subjects are scare as deer on opening day. I keep actively looking for a good kindred "non-girly man" work environment but, it is getting exhaustingly harder and harder to find such welcoming and like minded places. Thank you kindly for your videos and hard work, sir! BTW, I agree wholeheartedly that most reticles on the market today look more like they belong on a nuclear class submarine than on a hunting rig. Actually, that whole snippet on rifle scope marketing fallacies was spot-on!
I very much like your style of being realistic and bringing some home truths, even to me, about being honest about out capabilities... So me sitting at a bench in a range knock spots off, ain't really cutting the mustard. It a refreshing cast of reality... Just subscribed...
Your video's a extremely helpful Thank you for explaining things for regular folks with little o no knowledge so we can understand. I have nobody to teach me so, instructions such as yours really are helpful.
I recently bought a .222..... what a sweet round. Great video.... thanks. I've been shooting woodchucks for many years. I have guns that reach way out, but nothing is better than shooting/hunting at a range or distance that is within my ability. A lot of people claim to consistently make shots at ridiculous distances, I don't buy their claims. A chuck at 300 is a good shot. Also, I think a lot of varmint hunters get too concerned about velocity and scope magnification. Accuracy is most important, and scope quality in regard to glass is more important than magnification
You are precisely correct in all regards. Chuck shooters tend to lie more than fishermen. At least a fisherman has to bring home evidence, or his story doesn't count! Anyone who has hunted woodchuck knows that they are extremely difficult to spot, even within 200 yards, hiding under shade, and they never present the classic standing shot when anyone is within sight.
I've jst moved from variable mag to fixed and it's transformed my shooting. You always know exactly what you're seeing, you know where your hold-over and windage points will put your shot. Great advice there.
I'm not new to firearms, but being extremely new to rifles and with very little knowledge of scopes, you have helped me tremendously in my research for a scope. I now feel much better equipped to use my budget in a more intelligent way. THANK you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Outstanding video sir! Loved the no- nonsense approach. You really helped me narrow down the many options I was considering. I am in a position to spend a little more money than I usually have for a good scope. I was torn between reticules. Im in California and rarely see a shot further than 250 yds. I will be going with a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 on top of a Remington 700 30-06 mainly for Blacktail and Bear. Thanks again for the great video
One thing I run into with the lower power scopes for varmint hunting is the rectal will completely cover ground squirrels at the longer distances that we shoot out here in California.
A very thoughtful and intelligent video. If I go to my local Cabela's here in Maine most of the scopes are 3-9X with many being in the 4-12x range. They carry very few scopes in the 1-4x-1.5-5x range. these lower power scopes are what's needed in the woods of Maine. I can add to the problem that most of the scopes also have BDC gimmicks on them as well. Again, not needed. This is another example of retailers telling us what we want. Thank you
Michael Schooley We're practically neighbors. What you observed there and at other stores prompted this video. Yes, scope power is rarely a friend of the whitetail hunter.
Michael Schooley same thing down here in LA. I have a couple stands where I may be able to take a 150-200 yard shot. I think my longest shot is probably at 100 yards. I’ve started looking for scopes that are 3 power or under. Boggles my mind and I ask family and friends that buy these scopes that start at 6 power what they need that for. It’s going to be totally useless on a deer rifle here.
Couple of suggestions for you from a video perspective...shoot closeups of your materials and insert them where you point out each one...really hard to see and digest written material we can't see...love your relaxed and confident presentation :-) The detail you present is great :-)
Great information which cuts thru the bs of optics and bullet trajectory. You taught me a lot about point blank definition, using the sketched example trajectory. I can see why the best shooters are from the game hunters, who have to deal with a totally unpredictable moving target.
Quality Information here, I'm looking into hunting and trying to look into good folks to learn from but they're so far and few in between. I'm always a man who believes less is more and I'm certainly glad this man steered me on the right track of scopes and not listening to the other "hunters" I know personally that have more accessories than an 18 year old girl at highschool prom.
We have been blind sided by gimmicks, advertising and sales. It's so refreshing to have someone cut through the bulls$&t and get back to basics.
Thank you so much👍
I'm happy that my efforts were helpful to you! You are quite welcome.
Happy Easter!
So true with cheap 16x44 one makes bullseye on 200yards+ its all about the shooter and not the scopes at the end.
You're absolutely right. In every aspect of life they will try to sell you something you don't need. Same in the gun industry.
I have personal experience with the warranty support of both Bushnell and Leupold. For all but their non-warranted bargain scopes, their warranty is gold. If they cannot repair, they will replace with equal or better. Others may be similar, but I cannot say from experience. Thank you for your comments. Happy shooting. God bless.
@@douglaspollard4585 They would of been Chinese knock offs mate This is why Leupold will only Warranty their Top End products as GunBlue490 pointed out. I recently brought a Chinese knock off of a Leupold Mark III 4-24x50 from WISH for AU$122.00. The scope itself is no way a X24 plus a few other issues. But a Genuine Leupold Mark III Retails for $2,700. I knew when I brought it that it was a faker and I got refunded for it and got to keep the Scope.
I am really loving my new Vortex Crossfire II 4-16X50 It has an unlimited lifetime warranty and only cost AU$500.00
The day I brought it I looked at a $1,000 Weatherby and the Vortex takes the cake easily. Happy Hunting bro, Take care, Skorp - Western Australia.
@@douglaspollard4585 Leupold does their manufacturing in the US. Only thing asian about them is the glass. They also have a warranty on pretty much everything they sell because the odds of needing a repair are low. I know this because I live in the region and everyone shoots Leupolds. If they sucked then no one would use them.
GunBlue490 Absolutely right about the Leupold warranty only had to access it once. They checked it out readjusted parralax and whatnot and l had it back inside two weeks. OUTSTANDING🇨🇦🤠
Agree Sir, Had a scope I bought with a warranty. Called and talked to them and they said send in the scope. Had a new scope in about ten days. When your retired on a fixed income this is a great option. This was with the Bushnell company. Thank you
Both are excellent companies
The forgotten art of riflecraft - "If the guy learned to shoot, he would not need all that crap" Well said.
Excellent presentation. I found it to be very informative, accurate AND realistic. These days everyone on UA-cam and elsewhere seem to think they are experts, nothing could be further from the truth. I've spent almost 30 years in the proffession of arms as an Infantryman leading and teaching soldiers how to shoot and kill. It's not often that I can look at UA-cam and find credibility... Thanks for what you do.
I've harvested 11 Mule Deer in Southern New Mexico, all of them taken with a Savage 110E 30/06 with a Tasco 4X scope. Every year just before season I'd go out and shoot a nice little 1" group at 100yds and was good to go. No gadgets, no weirdo reticals, no over engineering.....even in wide open spaces 4X is all you need !! Most of the shots were 25 to 75 yards with a couple 100+ so anyway just put the crosshairs on him and pull the trigger. I'm deadly accurate with this setup, I'm deadly accurate with an M16 as well, Rifle Expert USMC, those peep sights were great.
Thank you sir.
Just spent 2 hours in the shop yesterday 🙃 seeing if I might want more glass than I have now, 1.5/4 x 20 HD3 Leupold with a AR tactical reticle, omg guess what the HD stands for! I feel comfy out to 400 in the 308, I am confident that She could do more but that'll do for now.
You are correct for sure, nothing fancy for me and all is good.
WELL SPOKEN..., You don't need massive magnification. The scope industry is ridiculous. When I was young, we used a Weaver 4x32 and did just fine. I understand we have the Long Range Hunter Crowd of today and their need for super high power scopes, but Not in my real world hunting applications.
"We have girlie men that don't like to learn how to shoot".....Love it!!!
I knew I found a true professional when you didn't just toss your Cabelas book on the bench.
EXCELLENT video, my hat's off to you, sir!
The best video on rifle scopes hands down.
3 years later I put this video on my watch later but see this and realize I should watch it now
W
Agreed. I haven’t heard bullet ballistics explained that way since I was in the army in 73
Check out nutnfancys take on scopes.. hes got alot of experience and as a firearm reviewer hes looking thru alot of different glass
"a dental check on a prairie dog..." that one had me rolling!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 the LORD bless you sir! and I love the east coast accent I am from New York...forgetabowdit!
You sound like my late father... and that's a very good thing. Straight up, common sense, logical analysis.
Thanks.
Don't ever make a big ticket firearm purchase WITHOUT sitting down and listening to this man. I mean listen to him, seriously. You won't ever go wrong. These are real nuggets of good advice.
LOVE this! Everybody and their dog thinks they can go buy all this fancy stuff and snipe anything between the eyes out to 1000 yds and they dont know how to pull the trigger. Listen to this guy! Priceless knowledge. Thanks for taking the time to share
Thank you GunBlue for sharing your experience and wisdom. You have clearly articulated my true needs. Being new to scopes I really did not know where to begin. "Simple is better". As a young man I used an antique Lyman peep sight and never had problems. Now that I am 65 a scope is not only needed but wow, what a joy.
You actually remind me of Jack O’Connor, my favorite hunting/guns author. I always thought he made sense. He said, sight hunting calibers like the 270, 30-06, and 7mm mag, 3” high at 100 yards. Thank you for sharing your very practical knowledge.
My career mirrors yours regarding law enforcement,....instructor, sniper/observer, weapons expert in court testimony, etc., etc.....yadda yadda lol......to say the least I'm impressed. Nice job my friend. It's great to see others that "pass it on" to help the regular guy....
45:37 "If you want to perform a dental check on a prarie dog at 300 yds..." Excellent!
What about proctologists? Ophthalmologists?
160ager, I thought that was hilarious.
Man, I almost fell out of my chair laughing on the dental check comment.... So true... let’s get back to basics everybody...
Excellent discussion on scope selection for hunting purposes. Honest and straight forward advice that will help you not break the bank and bag some game. Remember as GunBlue states so adequately, we are hunting not celestial star gazing... Hilarious but very true! Enjoy and thanks GunBlue...
Just found this video and boy am I fortunate. I was getting bogged down in so many details trying to select my first scope for hunting Sambar in the Victorian high country in Australia.
You really helped clear away the marketing BS and concentrate on the basic necessities.
Thanks for taking the time to make this helpful video
As I new hunter, this is one of the best videos I have watched so far. I also very much appreciate your very funny sense of humor. Thank you for keeping things simple. You are a great instructor.
What I like most about your videos? SENSIBLE INFORMATION! Thanks for bringing your knowledge and passion to some of us that want to learn, without making hundreds of dollars worth of mistakes.
This is the most informative video on hunting I have ever seen. Thanks for taking the time to make this video, I know a few guys that need to watch this :P
I own a browning .270 wsm and after 25 yrs. my longest kill on deer to date is 214 steps(214 yrs.) and that's not because I did'nt have opportunity to take longer shots.I know when I can see descent horns at that range with my naked eye the game is on,especially hunting in the piney woods.Anything inside 250 yrs.I know is dead meat dropping like a rock.I agree with the old boy,I don't want to be a sniper deer hunter.I do that kind of shooting on paper targets because they can't run off wounded to die.Most of my deer kills are inside 100 yrds.
214 steps is well under 214 yards. I'm 6'1 and I'm more like a 2 feet a regular step. If you have 3 full feet heel to heel that's a LONG step
@@pbgd3 My average step is 2.5 feet. 100 yard would be 120 steps, 200 yards 240 steps.
@@raulthepig5821 heel to heel.. you are saying you step when walking 30 " go ahead and measure 30" from a wall and put a tape. Now put one heel against the wall and put your other heel on your mark. That's a long step. I bet you try this and you discover you are off.
Again heel to heel my steps are about 19.5" at 6'1 a yard is about as far as I can step maximally doing a long stride feeling a stretch every step. I call a step 18" or .5 yards so if I walk out from my shot to an animal that's 2 normal steps a yard. Have to do a comic long stride to do a full yard a step and that's hard unless you're on flat earth. I've done this time and time again using my range finder it's about a yard every 2 steps.
@@pbgd3 Maybe I didn't say it, my 2.5 foot step is my average step. If you measure just one step that is not average and may be off considerable. A good way to determine your average step size is to walk at your normal gait, say over 100 yards or longer, and count your steps. Doing this several times will be more accurate. Divide the number of feet covered by number of steps taken. That is your average step. Units would be foot/step. 214 yards covered with 214 steps is 3 foot steps, indeed a long step. According to the University of Iowa, the average person’s walking step length is 2.5 feet (30 inches). So I guess I'm average.
I just wanted to say I am humbled that you have spent the time helping an amateur fox hunter enjoy what I love. I find the wilderness ( in Oz we call it the Bush) a place of worship. Though I can drill 3 overlapping rounds in a 100m target with a 22 Hornet and taken a few foxes out to around 150m and pretty good shot with shotgun and clays, I have to admit I am not confident to nail a running fox. I normally track then and then whistle so they stop and look back for a second. I hate educating a fox to a whistle and then letting him go. Your advice and wisdom on my shooting needs has been invaluable. I know a couple of old timers who could shoot a flying swallow with a .22 open sights as it swooped over water, Legends! God bless you, Roger
Modern marketing and its practice of creating needs, just to make sales, and equating that to the old snake oil salesman... A classic and practical Yankee you are through and through. Fantastic! Thanks for the instruction.
Very likely the best youtube video on this subject. Take the time to watch it all the way through!
Yes. This is the best. Complete too.
This is without a doubt the best how to video I have ever watched. I think it should be mandatory for everyone who is trying to find the right scope to watch. Thank you very much!
I had been looking through the internet for information on rifle scopes as I am planning to buy one. None of the reviews or articles that I came across are as good as your video. Thanks a ton of sharing such comprehensive information about scopes. This is really helpful. Cheers.
Mark, I appreciate your comment. Thank you for taking the time.
I just watched this video again. Thank you for being knowledgeable and practical.
I was just at the range last weekend and am getting more accurate (steady pull, no flinch ...) and was getting tempted to get a fancy scope.
You helped quell that.
Thanks.
Total entertainment, a credit to you SIR, as you say "Less is more" you leave a positive message for all those who are looking and learning.
Once again, a breath of fresh air and common sense. My grandfather pulled elk and mule deer at range in eastern Washington with his Remington 721 / 270 with a very basic scope into his 70s. I now own that gun, and I find no need for a fancy reticle and mitten friendly turrets. Learning how to use your tool is the key.
Thanks for your service . Iron sights never fog up.
Old eyes do. CATARACTS.
For the novice hunter (me), trying to negotiate this field, this was fantastic. More is less. Thanks again.
"Less Is More" . Durp !
Clarity, light and positive adjustments in a sleek hunting scope are not readily available now. The exceptional hunting scopes are quite expensive now days.
The way you teach, and even your personality reminds me of the caliber of the mentors, for different disciplines, I had as a young man. I’ve tried to honor my mentors by embodying the same traits. Over the years people have come to me readily when they have questions. It makes feel as though I am passing along what was given to me. Thank you for passing your knowledge to younger generations. Much appreciated.
I’m very glad you are telling hunters directly about ethics and respect for game. Also the truth about realistic hunting distances. I was mentored on the development of wildcats, and have developed proprietary cartridges. I have heavy hunting rifles chambered in these cartridges.
With my charts and Barns and Stroud split image range finders, I am able to deliver accuracy at one mile. But even with my knowledge, skill and those rifles, I do not go past 700 or maybe 800 yards in perfect conditions. I could easily go more than 1000 yards into the vitals, but I worry about making a clean kill. 99% of the time, I’m inside 200 yards. Even always using partition bullets, If I lost a nice buck or bull that I put a lethal shot into, I would be ashamed. I hope every young or inexperienced hunter watches and accepts what you are saying. Thank you.
I'm new to hunting and I've been trying to get good info, all I could get is crap about paper sniping. This was the biggest help, thank you.
I learned like... so much. It is scary how clear and useful this youtube is. I am going to watch it again this week. It is not just about scopes, but clearly about how to properly down a target and conceptualize it all. WOW! thank you!!
Thats as straight forward as it gets right there. Cuts right through all the B.S. and marketing crap thats so prevalent these days. That is 59 minutes of wisdom you can take to the bank from a man who has the credentials. thanks for all the info. Young hunters and shooters need to turn of the latest hunting shows and watch this fellas videos before they are further corrupted !!
I really appreciate your practical advice on the scopes. I have been shooting 50 years, but you taught me what I already assumed was true. Thanks for your giving me confidence.
enjoy your sense of humor as well as your passion/expertise
What scense of humor?
Elisa Battle im glad someone else sees his humour
I DO like and appreciate his scense of humor. I was being sarcastic. Love this man.
One last note: I must say your video was the very best informative I have watched.
I wish to thank you, you have definately helped me in trying to make a decision for my first scope for my .270 I am just learning to hunt out here in Montana and was getting very confused with all the many options etc... You have made it very clear, I was looking at buying a scope with all the bells & whistles when I don't need all that.
I hope you don't mind my other comments but, I thought it is a consideration
Superb advice and information, much appreciated .
John,
England, UK
This video was just great I learned and also laughed a bit here and there. I am a 25 year Navy veteran living in Massachusetts. It was a great video! Thank you!
True story! I grew up in the western plains. I think the whole long range fad and taking pot shots at deer and Elk at 500 or more yards is more about hunter ego than anything else. I know guys that only fire their weapon once a year, then want to engage in such activity. Hunter ethics should be considered more. We as hunters should be humane enough to make sure we inflict a quick death on the animal. We owe them that much. My personal limits with my .270 is 250 yards without a prop. I practice at least bi weekly shooting.
@@LivingBetterOutdoors 3x9x40 Vortex. Sighted dead on at 200 yards
Vortex is an excellent scope and I own two myself. One of them might be the same model you speak of. I can vouch for their warranty through a friend that they are pretty much no questions asked. He lost his footing in a ravine and dropped his scope right on the elevation turret. He paid for shipping only to get a next generation scope of the same model or type. He was ecstatic!
@@Jeff_Seely that’s good to know
I’m in the process of setting up a rifle right now for long range elk hunting, it has nothing to do with ego and everything to do with maximizing my chance of filling the freezer in a 1 week season on a hunt that I will have over 5 grand into before including the opportunity cost of shutting my truck down for a week. Not everyone lives in a elk state and gets to go hunting after work, for people like me were the out of state tag alone is $700 it’s simply about maximizing the chance of filling the tag. I do agree hunting ethics is paramount, that’s where practice, proper gear selection, and being honest with yourself about your capabilities comes into play.
My friend has a weatherby 30-378 that I would feel confident in a long shot that would still have plenty of power. But where I hunt I have never had a shot over 200yards.
Thank you for 16:41. More "experts" need to speak up about the lack of ethics involved in the long range "shooting" of game.
What about the ethics of bow hunting? That wounds the most deer.
@@Dcm193 I hunted with a long bow for years, guided rifle hu ters for even more years. I personally ally witnessed more elk and deer wou ded by rifle hunters.
@@mikewyd53 did you guide them with bows and I based my claim off of the plethora of “what kind of blood is this” or the “anyone have any dogs” post that is mostly in archery season.
@@Dcm193 Guided rifle hunters, hunted with other locals during bow season. Bow hunters get close, have put in a lot of practice and understand their equipment. Too many rifle hunters show up with a rifle they have not fired much, while believing that 400 to 800 yard shots are easy.
@@mikewyd53 so what are your thoughts on people who actually train with rifles and know their equipment. What about tree stands, feeders, using cameras to just find out what time a deer walks a trail and then just sitting beside that trail? What is more ethical close with a sub par bullet or long with more skill and better quality equipment?
I came for some guidelines on scopes but got a full course on firearms, ethics, scopes and so much more. Incredible information, thankyou very much
I don't think Mr Blue considers himself a comedian but I am always surprised at how much I laugh at his hilarious commentary. These videos are historical gold.
Great video. Your knowledge about what good shooting is all about is clear.
My experience selling scopes at a retail shooting sports store, as well as my experience as an SDM Instructor indicates novice shooter's want what they perceive Uncle Sam uses: mil scaled range finding reticle, FFP, BDC reticle function, BDC elevation dial function, high magnification, elevation and windage adjustment increments matched to reticle scale. These novice shooter's get their notions of what they need from what they've gleaned from their internet experts; yet, the novice shooter does not know how any of the listed scope features work, or why they may be important. So, after these novice shooters get their "ideal" scope they have absolutely no comprehension of how to benefit from the scope's features; yet, they do not have any interest in learning how to use the features, since they fear the simple math those features require. They also go onto the range to zero without any comprehension of what an MOA is, that's to say, from shooting a group, they do not know the amount of sight movement necessary for line of sight and bullet impact to intersect at target distance. Now, add in that these shooters do not know how to follow through to call their shots, they will typically spend a whole day at the range to get a zero or they will leave the range convinced the scope is broken. It's insane. The bottom-line is these folks think that having the equipment that Uncle Sam has is the equivalent of knowing how to shoot. They know nothing about the principles of marksmanship, the elements and factors of a steady position, wind and weather effects, shooter/target analysis, exterior ballistics, zeroing, or range finding; and, they don't care. These folks are easy to spot on the range and I leave them alone. Why cast pearls to swine? I now only train those who value training enough to pay for it.
You are entirely correct. It's the unfortunate consequence of what I call the lost two generations of shooters, where this information was not learned at Dad's knee, creating a vacuum that was filled by unscrupulous writers and sales promotions, and further fostered by a culture of the blind leading the blind that values the military features you speak of without understanding that they have little or no application to sporting use.
@@GunBlue490
Interestingly enough, at one time I thought I knew how to shoot having shot to the High Master Long Range Club level. That's when I was invited by the USAMU to assist them in the delivery of the SDM course. I had to be trained to do that, which required me to memorize the curriculum. That's when I realized I did not know anything about good shooting and why up to that point I could not compete with any in the USAMU Service Rifle Section. I had earlier just thought those guys had some secrets. The fact was no secrets at all just knowledge of what's important to good shooting and skill developed from practice with the knowledge. Again, your videos are awesome and a great service to both shooting enthusiasts as well as hunters.
I like this guy because he explains everything. I couldn't watch the fast videos of people speed talking like you are a 30 year veteran hunter and know everything they do. I also couldn't watch the people that try to entertain you and make the video like an infomercial. I found this video and watched the entire thing from start to finish because it was easy to follow, very detailed and packed with factual information. I fell victim to the $150.00 scope purchase. Bought the thing based on over 150+ great reviews and figured it was an affordable scope and I didn't want to spend $500+ after spending $800+. Worst train of thought ever. Let's just say that I spent 150 dollars for a bench scope that can't even hold zero. I'm not you sir, but I will say that I've been blessed with the skill to hit my targets at 200+ yards from many different positions and will hopefully only get better with time. One thing I've learned in my very limited experience is not to go cheap on a scope, for two main reasons... Firstly, you just bought a rifle for upwards of the 800 mark and you put a cheap scope on it? Once that scope is on the gun it becomes part of the gun so why would you hinder your own capabilities with that gun by going cheap? The second reason is because you're just throwing your money away. You would be better off adding another 150 to that and buying a fairly decent scope like the Leupold VR-3 or something that has been time tested, proven to be reliable etc. Anyway, I'm getting off on a rant, just want to say Sir, your videos are great and thank you very much for sharing your experience with all of us. +1 for going on rants about all the bells and whistles people think they need and they really don't. I couldn't agree more... Simple math can get you out to over 300 yards easily...
My go to scope for hinting is a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36 with a standard duplex reticle. Perfection.
strat1080
That's a very nice all purpose scope.
Best advise I have ever heard! This has changed my way of thinking completely, and everything has improved. Sort of the K.I.S.S. method. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!! Really like your videos!
I'm a complete newbie and after watching your video I realized that the scope I ordered would not be the best fit for me. Fortunately I can still cancel/return it and using the information you provided I now understand what to look for. I guess my only regret is that I didn't find your video sooner, I've probably spent at least 30 hours watching videos and reading reviews of optics that I just don't need. Thanks again!
I'm always glad to learn that my videos have been helpful in what has truly become an unnecessarily complicated market, for such an essentially uncomplicated sighting device.
My initial thought was I'm not watching this hour-long video. Before I know it the video is over and I have to say it's worth the time. Sir, thank you for a no BS straightforward video.
Thank you very much. Look at it this way... In a classroom, students would be paying me $150.00/hr. tuition for my shooting lectures, and you'd have to put up with others interrupting the hour. Pretty good deal. ;-)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I, for one, am willing to shut my mouth, open my ears so I may listen to every word you say. Please keep teaching so shooters like myself can become better.
Thank you, Jon. I'll be back. For now, too many outdoor chores that can't wait while the sun shines!
I have been watching many youtube videos on Scopes just to get more information, and this video hits the mark and really makes sense. Looking back to at my experience with hunting and scopes that I have used in the past, my success rate was much higher with a simpler setup, and I have been hunting for the past 48 years. So, great job chief, and Thank You for your service.
A very refreshing video, no BS, just straight to the point. Thank you.
This is the most informative knowledge on scopes I have seen. Thanks for giving all your info. Scopes like everything else has to keep coming up with something new to convince people they need new.
I've always been a MPBR hunter myself, and I really appreciate hearing your ideas back up my own thinking, including your preference for a simple reticle. However, the size of your target in a deer ("basketball sized") is a little off, in my opinion. To be nearly 100% proficient in the MPBR hunting style, you have to include margin for error. I can see you don't need to, being a professional. But Joe hunter, who is taught to use MPBR should leave room for error, unless all of his groups on his test targets determining his own personal maximum range are one inch groups. Being an average shot myself (a little shaky), I shrink the size of my MPBR target zone to six inches for deer. So I'm at around 325 yards with a 270WSM. If I shake a little, I'm still within your 10 inch kill circle. When I shoot, they die, even at the end of my MPBR, even if I shake. You have to qualify your MPBR by adjusting not just according to the cartridge capability, but also the shooter's group sizing. If your average group size is five inches, your mpbr shrinks accordingly.
You are entirely correct. My commentary presumes the sum of all error; ballistic (trajectory and wind), human, firearm, and ammunition. When a shooter, using whatever system, combined with his/her skillset, can keep shots consistently within the basketball size kill zone at any given reasonable range, that shooter is fundamentally prepared to hunt deer. I neglected to persue that point, simply because I instinctively consider the sum as a whole, while it's not at all reckoned by everyone. If I wasn't clear on that point, I should have been. My goal with this video was to help guide a person in scope selection, and while I gave an overview of these matters, I had no intention to delve deeply into shooting instruction. If you watch my series on precision shooting with handguns, I think you'll see what you refer to with great clarity. I appreciate your comments. Thank you.
Hi Toby, what is MPBR? ( for a newby) is it Mil Point Ballistic Reticle?
@@rogbec01 maximum point blank range
@@roadrunner7828 thanks so what you are saying its the maximum distance you can point and shoot with a drop that will still be within the kill zone, say 1-1.5" with a fox?
@@rogbec01 Yes, think of it as a circle with the center being your line of sight. Depending on the size of your target the size of this circle will vary, on a fox it will be relatively small compared to a deer. The maximum point blank range will be the farthest distance you can aim center of your target and your bullet will not rise or fall below your target area on you're animal. As stated above there are factors that you will need to take into account to calculate your mpbr. Good luck, shoot straight.
Thank you! This was so helpful. It's difficult to sift through the people who are paid to "review" things vs. giving honest info. Thank you for being the later.
Best in-depth brake down video on hunting rifles and scopes. Thanks for keeping it simple. Less is more!
Refreshingly honest. This is a gentleman imparting real wisdom on the topic. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time, sir! You have cleared up some of my illusions and I feel wiser for having watched your video.
Mr Gun Blue, I just recently found your videos and became a subscriber. May I commend you on your work because you are rare man theses days in that you have real experience to draw on and you are able to get to the real facts to make someone a better shooter. Most hunters and shooters I encounter today think they can buy enough gadgets or a certain cartridge or sight that will make up for their lack of knowledge and experience. I have worked in the gunsmith trade for nearly 46 years and have been a competitive rifle shooter and hunter for longer than that. It is truly gratifying to hear some common sense applied to our favorite pursuits for a change. I definitely plan to enjoy the rest of your videos in the near future. Thank you for your work!
Thank you for your kind words of support.
I have always found I am a much better shot when I use the lower power on my scopes. Not to long ago I put a 1.5x5 Leopold dangerous game scope on my 30-06 and that field of vision is wonderful. Last years elk was a 235 yard shot to the back of the head. The only place he went was down.
One of the half 2 5 variable is a excellent scope for your thirty-ought-six.
This is one of the best videos on youtube regarding guns and hunting. Thank you.
Excellent information, minus the BS sales pitch. I love this guy. He's like the mentor I never had.
This guy is awesome! Man just did an hour on scopes no problem. Talking game is strong with this one. Very knowledgeable.
Please keep sharing your knowledge! Thank you so much!
It's hard to watch some of the videos for 5 minutes but after finishing this 59 minute video I actually looked for more! There is great need and appetite for your knowledge and style and also lack of impartiality. Please stay the way you are, not owned.....
As usual, the best dope on any subject he covers. Met a guy yesterday buying another hunting rifle. He had taken two deer this season, and spent $$$ doing that. He said when you spend that kinda money you don't want any equipment failures, so two rifles, two scopes.
One of the most informative videos on not only scope choice but hunting in general. And delivered in a very entertaining style. Thanks kind sir for making this video.
Paul Martin
Thank you.
As a newcomer to the world of hunting scopes this really helped clear up much confusion. Thanks grandpa!
I've watched hours and hours of your videos. It's a trip back in time. Keep up the good work.
Liked that trajectory diagram showing the apex of the parabola.
The most fun part was his description of the [long] 'celestial' telescope that this fellow camper had. Thx for the outstanding
organized presentation.
Your expertise & wealth of knowledge led me away from the conventionally recommended 3-9 bdc scope to a 2-7 duplex for my slug gun. I’m excited to practice becoming proficient with a simple crosshair reticle, wider field of view, & more forgiving amount of eye relief.
The need for 50mm objectives eludes me for any hunting rifle. Bigger is seldom better when it comes to sighting equipment for the field. The scope companies are very acutely aware of the gullible factor and use it. If someone doen't have a good cheek weld, I recommend competent instruction, and worry about scopes when they can hit something. A scope improves vision; NOT markmanship.
If you're hunting dawn/dusk in thick overcast or if you're down in a valley, then a brighter optic is great.
Best video on scopes and hunting I have ever seen. Common Sense through and through
Thanks for the info, Sir.
You are one salty dude.
"More markings than a rear admiral's sleeve."
That's pretty good.
You must be a valued customer at Cabela's to receive a hard cover catalog. You Sir are a great resource to people like me that know nothing. Thank God for You Tube videos!
I like how well you edited yourself, a couple times I laughed because as soon as I started to think "oh here we go" you edited out the end of your rant and jumped ahead to where you were back on topic. haha!good stuff really informative not only on optic but also shooting philosophy.
Thank you sir, for sharing your wisdom. I as a veteran of the U.S.Army appreciate every second of this video.
Thank you for your service!
Love the messaege about knowing your limits (and that of your equiptment) as a shooter on live game, as always great info and wisdom...
As a first time AR15 rifle owner, this will make my purchase of a scope much easier! Thanks for making this. You've helped me tremendously.
Thanks for clearing up a lot of the garbage and hype regarding scopes. I have a zeiss 2- 8 42 duplex reticle, had been thinking of changing it for something fancier that's illuminated with a bigger range etc. The gun cleaning video was also very helpful, the amount of gun cleaners scrubbers and cleaning equipment etc i have gathered over the years is crazy. Will keep it simple in future. From Ireland
Your 2-8Xx42 will cover the needs of over 90% of all big game field conditions, and the Zeiss name is without question one of the finest optics made.
Agree with GunBlues approach to selecting optics based on areas being hunted. When deciding on a "one gun do-all" for North America in the late 70's I opted for a Ruger M77 in 30-06. When it came to the optics decision a Leupold VariX-II 2-7X33 was what I settled on. My reasoning being that since I reside in NY and most hunting would be done in the Eastern US and Canada where the I felt that field of view was the more important criteria, and should I get out to the plains states and further west the 7 power was there. Considered 3-9s but felt the loss of FOV was not worth the gain in magnification for my purposes.
The only regret is not spending the extra $50 for the Winchester Model 70, silky smooth bolt and trigger. M77 has served me well and is a great rifle, but $50 is $50 when you are fresh out of the service trying to get on your feet.
Dan Congden Well said. I was in the same boat plus l knew very little about it. I walked into a gunshop in Med. Hat Alberta and said “hep me” l walked out of there with an M77 and a Leupold 4x.
To me it was the most beautiful flawless smoothest accurate thing l ever had in my hands ha ha 🇨🇦🤠
Much wisdom in what you say. I have heard many times where the deer comes out of the brush and the hunter says they could not get on it because they could not find it in the scope....scope was set on 7 to 9 power so they had no field of view. I heard one story this past season where a nice buck was shot most likely back in the gut area by a young hunter and they never found it. The range was less than 30 yards from their elevated ladder stand...all the kid shot at was hair because that is all that was visible in the scope. What a terrible waste.
Hope that building project is going well! You reminded me about “real hunting”. I’m so thankful I harvested my first buck the real way. An old 30/30 while sitting on my butt and leaned up against a persimmon tree. He was a 7 pointer, and all my work and hunting paid off. Bless his soul and ours too! Thanks brother! Keep rocking!
A severe heat wave and lots of heavy rain have put a damper on building for a few days! Thanks for your support!
great video, thank you for going into detail with this. It really helped me as a beginner hunter to decide on the scope I need.
Was in the market for a new scope to replace the fixed 4x scope on the Model 1917 Enfield I hunt with. Your video was just great solid advice that everyone should heed. Your advice on sighting the scope was spot on to what I was taught along time ago. I and my son sight the scopes at 50 yards an inch high. That way when we shoot at any deer up 150 yards it will be between an inch high and an inch low of the aim point but the deer will be dead. I don't have time or inclination to fool with bullet drop or other fancy reticules. I also understand my limitations and know I have no business taking shots at animals more than a 150 yards away. Great Video.
You are the best!!! Thank you you for all this info!!
I recently got an older Rem 700 in 22-250 and want to scope it. Great info leading to my choices, Thank Again
All the best to you, you're a world treasure in this field of knowledge Sir! Love your videos!
Still the best video on scopes ever made !!!
Admittedly, I have binge watching GunBlue490 videos for no other reason than to listen to a kindred spirit.
I work in a environment where real man talk and subjects are scare as deer on opening day. I keep actively looking for a good kindred "non-girly man" work environment but, it is getting exhaustingly harder and harder to find such welcoming and like minded places. Thank you kindly for your videos and hard work, sir!
BTW, I agree wholeheartedly that most reticles on the market today look more like they belong on a nuclear class submarine than on a hunting rig. Actually, that whole snippet on rifle scope marketing fallacies was spot-on!
I very much like your style of being realistic and bringing some home truths, even to me, about being honest about out capabilities... So me sitting at a bench in a range knock spots off, ain't really cutting the mustard. It a refreshing cast of reality... Just subscribed...
Good video,helpful
Thank you, thank you Thank you. Greatly appreciate the knowledge you are able communicate. Loved the KISS !
Your video's a extremely helpful Thank you for explaining things for regular folks with little o no knowledge so we can understand. I have nobody to teach me so, instructions such as yours really are helpful.
I recently bought a .222..... what a sweet round. Great video.... thanks. I've been shooting woodchucks for many years. I have guns that reach way out, but nothing is better than shooting/hunting at a range or distance that is within my ability. A lot of people claim to consistently make shots at ridiculous distances, I don't buy their claims. A chuck at 300 is a good shot. Also, I think a lot of varmint hunters get too concerned about velocity and scope magnification. Accuracy is most important, and scope quality in regard to glass is more important than magnification
You are precisely correct in all regards. Chuck shooters tend to lie more than fishermen. At least a fisherman has to bring home evidence, or his story doesn't count! Anyone who has hunted woodchuck knows that they are extremely difficult to spot, even within 200 yards, hiding under shade, and they never present the classic standing shot when anyone is within sight.
I've jst moved from variable mag to fixed and it's transformed my shooting. You always know exactly what you're seeing, you know where your hold-over and windage points will put your shot. Great advice there.
I'm not new to firearms, but being extremely new to rifles and with very little knowledge of scopes, you have helped me tremendously in my research for a scope. I now feel much better equipped to use my budget in a more intelligent way. THANK you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Outstanding video sir! Loved the no- nonsense approach. You really helped me narrow down the many options I was considering. I am in a position to spend a little more money than I usually have for a good scope. I was torn between reticules. Im in California and rarely see a shot further than 250 yds. I will be going with a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 on top of a Remington 700 30-06 mainly for Blacktail and Bear. Thanks again for the great video
One thing I run into with the lower power scopes for varmint hunting is the rectal will completely cover ground squirrels at the longer distances that we shoot out here in California.
Get a SFP scope with a fine reticle, at least in the center.
Man alive, I wish I'd had advice this good when I was coming up! This information is darned near priceless. Well-done, sir....
A very thoughtful and intelligent video. If I go to my local Cabela's here in Maine most of the scopes are 3-9X with many being in the 4-12x range. They carry very few scopes in the 1-4x-1.5-5x range. these lower power scopes are what's needed in the woods of Maine. I can add to the problem that most of the scopes also have BDC gimmicks on them as well. Again, not needed. This is another example of retailers telling us what we want.
Thank you
Michael Schooley
We're practically neighbors. What you observed there and at other stores prompted this video. Yes, scope power is rarely a friend of the whitetail hunter.
Michael Schooley same thing down here in LA. I have a couple stands where I may be able to take a 150-200 yard shot. I think my longest shot is probably at 100 yards.
I’ve started looking for scopes that are 3 power or under.
Boggles my mind and I ask family and friends that buy these scopes that start at 6 power what they need that for. It’s going to be totally useless on a deer rifle here.
Couple of suggestions for you from a video perspective...shoot closeups of your materials and insert them where you point out each one...really hard to see and digest written material we can't see...love your relaxed and confident presentation :-)
The detail you present is great :-)
This gentleman has given me a new perspective on shooting. Thank you, Sir!
Great information which cuts thru the bs of optics and bullet trajectory. You taught me a lot about point blank definition, using the sketched example trajectory. I can see why the best shooters are from the game hunters, who have to deal with a totally unpredictable moving target.
Quality Information here, I'm looking into hunting and trying to look into good folks to learn from but they're so far and few in between.
I'm always a man who believes less is more and I'm certainly glad this man steered me on the right track of scopes and not listening to the other "hunters" I know personally that have more accessories than an 18 year old girl at highschool prom.