If you don't at least shoot a .338 Lapua, you a punk

**A 5pound 338 without a muzzlebrake.

I'll shoot a 5 pound 338 Blackout.

I think this would describe most everyone's hunting in Alabama. But people buy guns more suited for long distance shooting with high magnification scopes and 50mm + objective lenses, none of which are needed for typical Alabama hunting. I know a guy who went to Africa with one of these type set ups and when he came back he told me how difficult it was to find game in the thick brush with a 15x scope.

The Swarovski sales rep has told me that Alabama is an anomaly in their sales. They can't sell their scopes which have objective lenses under 50mm here, but those scopes are their top sellers in other areas. Folks in this state have bought in to the myth of the magical 50mm objectives.

I don't think I own a scope with a 50. I believe 44 is my biggest. I know looks don't matter but they just look goofy on my rifles.

two: long one for clearcuts, power lines and such; short one for the woods ...

I reckon the top tier for Alabama rednecks must be a Browning with a 50mm scope.

I've killed one deer "by luck" at about 400 yards. Other than that I don't think any have been over 150 with most in the woods real close. I've shot several that landed literally at my feet while I was on the ground. For some reason,I've had several nice deer come running dead toward me ,and I nearly had to shoot them in self defense. My preferred 1.5-2X woods scope helps when you shoot one at 20 feet running dead at you.

I remember as a teenager (a long time ago) there was an obnoxious guy in our club who got a Kahles 3x12x50 scope and mounted it on a Remington 742. He bragged about his scope and how he always kept the magnification set at the highest power.

Of course, this is the same stupid Sumbitch who managed to run over that rifle with his truck...twice.

Sometimes I think you have to give the Alabama redneck his due.There's actually some logic behind the large objective craze.Albeit skewed,it does work to a small degree.Most of us on here realize glass quality and coatings equates in low-light definition and use in a rifle scope.But it also equates to a higher price tag on any given optic.Your basic redneck doesn't have the kind of money it takes to purchase a quality rifle scope;so instead of buying quality glass,he opts for the highest exit-pupil he can achieve.That's obtained on low magnification paired with large objectives.That explains the popularity of the 50 and 56mm objective scopes to me.In a lot of areas in this state,the last 15 minutes of daylight are when you're going to see the most deer activity,on most days,during hunting season.The poor redneck has to adapt,therefore he mounts the Hubble telescope-like,Chinese scope on his Creedmoor

Those Alabama Rednecks need to be told going from 40mm to 50mm objective only adds 1-2% brightness and his bloodshot , Redneck eyes can not tell the difference.

What gets me as much as the 50mm plus crowd is the super high power range. Many tote scopes for shots on deer only out to 400 yards tops that are 12 power and up , military snipers don't use scopes as high as some I see listed on Aldeer and their "happy zone" is 1,000 meters.

Whatever you pick, outfit it with these two thoughts:

Speculate
Contemplate

There aren’t many of us who haven’t sat there speculating or contemplating then said to ourselves, I think “over there” would be a good spot too. And, many times an opportunity presents itself where you didn’t think it would, which many times is “over there”.

So, You need a rifle that can be right here, and “over there”.

Happy Hunting

I killed an 8 point with a huge VX6 50 something mm with a 30 mm tube this past weekend. It was not far away at all, but if I hadn't had it, I wouldn't have been able to tell if he was a shooter. It got dark real early Sunday night due to the misty rain and clouds. For greenfields I use a big scope.

But by your own admission, I DOES add brightness. You'll never convince said. redneck he's eyes can't see that extra 1-2%

In regards to scopes,I've come to realize one thing that seems to ring true.Your eyes aren't my eyes,and my eyes aren't yours

Yup, Alabama Rednecks are thick headed (not) . BTW, I had a long conversation about objective size, glass quality, 1" tube V 30mm and such with Leuplod engineer a few years ago , very enlightening!

2dogs, I luv ya man

Wish they made a 3x70x100. I'd put wheels on my 338 and pull it with the 4wheeler