I am in the market for a scope for a 35 Whelen, and I am looking for some feedback on the appropriate level of magnification. The max range shot I would ever take would be 300 yards and no more. I'm split between a 1.5-6x42 magnification and 2.5-10x42. Would I be limited with 6x magnification on a 300 yard shot? If you recommend one magnification over the other, why?

Thanks

Anything from 5 to 9 power would work well for a big game scope for top end power. From your screen name I'd guess your in Alaska and your choice of scopes sound about ideal. Field of view is much more important up there than top end power.

I lived on Ft. Richardson for five years when I was stationed up there in the late 70's in the service and used a Leupold 2 by 7 for everything I hunted on my Rem 8 mag and a 30-06 I used for sheep hunting. They have a 50 foot field of view at a hundred yards on low power.

Killed a Dahl Ram at 650 yards with it the last year I was there. The only thing I would keep in mind is the field of view on the 2.5 to 10. You don't want a scope with under a 40 foot field of view at a hundred yards. I've never owned a 35 Whelen, what a nice cartridge.

My 2 cents aleutian.

I agree with Faucettb

A lot depends on what and where you hunt but my opinion is the wider the field of view the better. Good eye relief is also important in your case. A 6 power scope is ample for big game at those distances and the smaller scope keeps the rifle more in balance.
I have a Meopta Meostar in 1x4 which I find to be excellent, however I find myself in thick bush most of the time. With a 130 ft field of view you have little problem finding the target. That is an important consideration if in Alaska where you could be confronted by something unexpectantly. Nothing like trying to find a charging grizzly in your scope at 30 yards when it's set at 10 power.
Just something to consider. I know I would

My .35 Whelen wears a 1.75-5X since I also use it for thick timber as well as for open shots. A 4X scope is good to 300 yards for animals the size of which warrant a cartridge of this size. Most of my medium big game rifles now wear 2-7Xs as I've had more problems with too much magnification (and limited field of view) for close moving animals than with not enough power for animals to 300 yards. Before getting variable power scopes, I shot several deer and pronghorn out to 300 yards with a fixed 4X scope.

A 2-7 variable is as much/or more magnification than you'd ever need. You'll see farther than a 35 whelen can be shot accurately. Bushnell Elites and Legends are good values for variables in this range.

Hi, All great comments made by others. I hunt in SC and depending on my hunt location I pick the rifle with the scope I need. For example if I am hunting a bean field which spans 500 yards across I would lean towards a higher magnified variable. 6/8/10/14 all would work great. On the other hand, many times I am hunting a pine thicket which has huge brier patches and most of my shots are within bow range 20-50 yds max. Inside those thickets you loose you light much earlier than a open field at sunset and the reverse at sunrise. That is where I want the best glass I can afford with the lower magnification. I have harvested many fine quality animals inside those thickets because of this lower magnification. One of the scopes I use for is a Burris signature series 1.5x6/42. For a mid-range priced scope I have never looked back. If you can afford to pay more its very hard to beat the European glass.

So to help you with which scope to use, I would prefer the 1.5-6 because it will definitely reach the 300yrds max but with the 1.5 magnification you may get that extra minute or seconds hunting in a thick area right before the bruiser goes into or out of his bed.

Hope this helps SP357

I would go with the 1.75x6 or the 2x7. Either of these would be about perfect for the rifle you are describing. Most of my hunting rifles have one of these two scopes. If you can't shoot a deer size animal at 300yards with a x6 power scope, my guess is that you are going to have trouble irregardless of what magnification you are shooting. Just buy a high quality scope, good rings and bases, and shoot a lot. Come hunting season, you'll be ok. Hope this helps....

Would I be limited with 6x magnification on a 300 yard shot? If you recommend one magnification over the other, why?

Well, I've shot a couple truckloads of groundhogs at 300yds with a .222 topped with a 6X scope, so unless you're shooting chipmunks with that Whelen, you're good.

As for scoping a Whelen, I've used two. I had a 2-7X Leupold Compact on my 7600, my first Whelen, and hunting elk, it spent most of it's hunting time at 2X. 7X was mostly used for load development work. It was an excellent choice as the 7600, which now wears a peep, is beautifully light in the hand. When I got my CDL, I had a 4-12X Leupold on it to develope loads, but fitted a VXIII 2.5-8X as it's permanent scope. Like the 2-7X, I hunt with it on 2.5X, as elk are easy to see as far as you can shoot at them with the .35W, and the field of view is pretty panoramic when things are close.

My bet is that you'd like the 1.75-6X better, especially if your gun bearer calls in sick.