scope selection

[Cookie-kid]

What does one look for in a good scope? How much Magnification does one really need? I've read threads that state you should almost pay as much for your scope as you do for your rifle, but how does that effect when you purchase say... a $200 rifle or a $2000 rifle?

What options are kinda overkill for Van. Isle. hunting or BC Coast?

I'm going with the guess-timate that the sales reps are going to try to sell every dollar they can out of me, so I figured I'd ask the pros as to what is worth using without under or over spending.

Potential scope will go onto whichever potential rifle I have yet to buy... will be a non-mag. Short listed to: .243/ 7mm-08/ 6.5X55/ .270/ .308.

Hunting Deer mainly, maybe pie plates, zombies and if I get lucky enough, an elk or moose tag. Not a bear hunter, probably won't be going after goat/sheep or predators.

[Mr. Dean]

3x9's have killed more than their share of Zombies.

What inflates a scopes price (mainly) is the quality of glass used in it.
And the better the glass, the sharper the image.

Look through a few and decide just how much you're willing to go for clarity.
FWIW, I've long been a fan of the Bushnel 3200.... Good bang for buck.

[BCBRAD]

if price point is a consideration , looked for a used Leupold in the 2x7, 2.5x8, 3x9,3.5x10 range. However for your type of hunting a 2x7 would be ideal, 2x for deer in the tight stuff and 6x for everything else. quality of glass is nice but its nice to have a scope that won't shoot loose and tracks well.

[islandhunter]

The Redfield line of scopes looks good for the price. Made by leupold in the US of A

[B.C.Boy(100%)]

3-9x40 is a standard magnification in the hunting community, and just to keep things simple with a rifle, the 308Win is every where, can't go wrong with those two.
2-7 is a great scope also, usually lighter in weight (by a few oz's) I'd use one on a bush gun where the cover is limiting the range vision, however my bush gun has the 3-9 on it, which helps out by extending the range of vision in a clear cut or opening with the potential of longer range shots.

I'm a bit, OK a lot bias towards the Leupold and Redfield scopes, I can't stand Bushnell's period, had too many of them crap out and fail, and Bushnell's warranty takes forever 12 - 20months or better. (in my experiences)
Never had a Leupold fail yet and the new Redfield's have Leupold's reputation to back it up, I hear warranty turn around time for a Redfield/Leupold is within a month, yet never had to use it.
Bang for your buck = Redfield. Have a few extra $$ = Leupold.

Just my worthless 2 cents, hope that helps.

[gerrygoat]

Go with a Leupold or Redfield 3-9x40 or similar size no need to go with anything bigger. I have been pretty impressed with the Burris FF II as well.

[tuffteddyb]

Bushnell elite 3200 is a great scope i have 3 of them.
Also like the Burris fullfield,have 2 of them.
Really want to try the redfields out.Think they are a pretty good bang
for the buck.
Leupold are just too pricy for me.
As for what magnification,I have all 3x9's.Also one 4-14 which is my wifes and she picked it
cuz she wanted to try a bigger magnification,which I expect will go on her varmit rifle.
By the way,on yer rifle choice i would go with the 7/08.lol

[russm86]

I'd go leupold or redfield as well for the lower end of things otherwise you could look at someof the european glass like ziess and swaro but if price is a part of your choice then they are probably out. Just as BCBoy has said, I too have had my fair share of problems with bushnell, I have had one new 3200 elite 3-9x40 scope repaired 3 times now each time has taken minimum probably 9 months as well as a range finder that shit the bed and one older bushnell scope that went all cloudy inside and never cleared up. These are the last and only bushnell products i have and will ever own. The 3-9x40 3200 elite looks like it might finally be fixed for good now but I just can't bring myself to trust it on those important shots so it's now used on a .22, that is how much i respect and trust bushnell products now, no more than plinker optics. I will never purchase another bushnell myself. Redfield/Leupold is a minimum for myself. PS all good rifle choices, though .243 may be a touch light for elk or moose, not that they haven't been taken with one I'm sure, but for a bit more confidence in shot and clean kill I probably wouldnt go .243 on anything larger than a deer myself.

[Bow Walker]

Well, FWIW - I looked through quite a few scopes and I did a bunch of research when I wanted to put some glass on my new .270

I finally bought a Vortex Diamondback in the venerable 3-9x40 size and I've been very satisfied with it.

[Mr. Dean]

Geeze.....

I got 2, 300WM's that are topped with 3200's. One of them gets some serious range time, shooting serious loads. I know that it's round count is in the multiple of thousands. - Notta burp, hiccup or fart.

And that particular scope has got to be pushing 10 years old now, if not more. Safe to say that it gets drenched too, each and every year out hunting.

I probably have 5 3200's in all of my collection....

I also got a pair of their bino's that have bumped and banged there way, up-n-over mountains while on foot and 1000's of click's of dashboard driving in my Jeep while off-road cruising. 6 years old, no burps there either. Oh yeah, it gets it's yearly soaking as well.

Gots me one of their upper classed/rated spotters - Too big for hiking with, the focus knob is a little bit fast for my liking but it does bounce around in that earlier mentioned Jeep for ~ the last 4 years. It still does everything that it did when new. This item really doesn't see much rain,,, some but not a lot. Notta fart.

I really can't say that any of these purchases were regretted and that they did/do meet my expectations; Of main importance, being budget friendly and being reliable.

Guess I'm a Lucky Guy after all!
For a while there, I was wondering......... :lol:


WTS, I do own one loop, a Vx3. It's a year old, sits atop another 300 WM, has 20 rounds under it's belt, CRISP as all get-out AND it looks good mounted to the rifle it's on. So far, no hiccups. :tongue:

[CanuckShooter]

What does one look for in a good scope? How much Magnification does one really need? I've read threads that state you should almost pay as much for your scope as you do for your rifle, but how does that effect when you purchase say... a $200 rifle or a $2000 rifle?

What options are kinda overkill for Van. Isle. hunting or BC Coast?

I'm going with the guess-timate that the sales reps are going to try to sell every dollar they can out of me, so I figured I'd ask the pros as to what is worth using without under or over spending.

Potential scope will go onto whichever potential rifle I have yet to buy... will be a non-mag. Short listed to: .243/ 7mm-08/ 6.5X55/ .270/ .308.

Hunting Deer mainly, maybe pie plates, zombies and if I get lucky enough, an elk or moose tag. Not a bear hunter, probably won't be going after goat/sheep or predators.


You should buy the best quality you can afford. Years ago I used an inexpensive Tasco..worked fine for years and then all of a sudden the cross hairs were hanging all cock-eyed...that cost me a nice buck. I now use Leupold and Zeiss, the beauty of a good quality scope is you can keep it when you decide to change firearms and they will give you years of good service.

[Mr. Dean]

You should buy the best quality you can afford. Years ago I used an inexpensive Tasco..worked fine for years and then all of a sudden the cross hairs were hanging all cock-eyed...that cost me a nice buck. I now use Leupold and Zeiss, the beauty of a good quality scope is you can keep it when you decide to change firearms and they will give you years of good service.

Tasco in IMO is the dump bin of budget.

I have one for a .22 rimfire and it won't hold zero for it any more.
Glass so rough it looks as though it were sand blasted when looking through it.

Cheap, but that's where it ends....

[CanuckShooter]

What it comes down to is learning a hard lesson. In my eye [back then] that Tasco was just as clear as any expensive scope, it worked fine for quite a few years and then I got a hard lesson in cheaping out on optics. Just trying to pass on some good advice, buy the best quality scope you can afford...and avoid those 'just as good' models.

[Mr. Dean]

Well, FWIW - I looked through quite a few scopes and I did a bunch of research when I wanted to put some glass on my new .270

I finally bought a Vortex Diamondback in the venerable 3-9x40 size and I've been very satisfied with it.

An update on my Vortex ViperHS, Long Range, 4-16x44.


I've compared it opticly, SxS with my Bushnel 4200, 6-24x44 - The clarity of the Viper falls short when viewed at the same power levels.
Plus side is, I like the "Deadhold", BDC reticle of that Viper scope better (Read: slim slim slim!).

I haven't compared crispness with a 3200 yet, but will at some time.

[ROEBUCK]

zeiss conquest 3-9x40
is the best value scope in the world, bar none

[Mr. Dean]

An update on my Vortex ViperHS, Long Range, 4-16x44.


I've compared it opticly, SxS with my Bushnel 4200, 6-24x44 - The clarity of the Viper falls short when viewed at the same power levels.
Plus side is, I like the "Deadhold", BDC reticle of that Viper scope better (Read: slim slim slim!).

I haven't compared crispness with a 3200 yet, but will at some time.


OH!!

And the logo on that Vortex looks waaaaaay cooler. :cool:

[Cookie-kid]

great info, thanks. Please, keep it coming. I'm sure other readers are soaking it up as much as I am. I've heard alot of sales pitches from the salesmen, but not so much what is the practical purchase. I'd either thet the cop out sale for a tasco or simmons on sale, or a push for a $2K scope because its supposed to be the coolest thing in the shop, also the most expensive.

[CanuckShooter]

great info, thanks. Please, keep it coming. I'm sure other readers are soaking it up as much as I am. I've heard alot of sales pitches from the salesmen, but not so much what is the practical purchase. I'd either thet the cop out sale for a tasco or simmons on sale, or a push for a $2K scope because its supposed to be the coolest thing in the shop, also the most expensive.

A Zeiss conquest in 3x9x40 sells for well under $1000.

[ROEBUCK]

a zeiss conquest in 3x9x40 sells for well under $1000.

there $500 at cabelas or wholesale

[russm86]

I'd pick a lower end model of Leupold over any bushnell, just from my personal experiences with the 2 brands. I have or have had almost all the major brands of scope, except for Vortex so far, and the 2 I will keep going back to are Leupold and Zeiss, Swaro would be up there too, but even for me the price isn't always justified. I agree with Roebuck and Canuck about the zeiss conquest, I have that exact scope on a .270wsm and it's one of my favorites, best deal I think for a european scope. Next fav would probably be the Leupold VX-II line. Also, I have heard of the "Pay for a scope atleast what you paid for the rifle" idea, I can see the point, but I'd say minimum I would go for any decent rifle 700$/800$ and up kinda thing is spend atleast half that amount on the scope so $350/$400 for said rifles and up from there as long as you aren't planning on any competition shoots, may want better, or just plinking, may want cheaper.

[REMINGTON JIM]

What does one look for in a good scope? How much Magnification does one really need? I've read threads that state you should almost pay as much for your scope as you do for your rifle, but how does that effect when you purchase say... a $200 rifle or a $2000 rifle?

What options are kinda overkill for Van. Isle. hunting or BC Coast?

I'm going with the guess-timate that the sales reps are going to try to sell every dollar they can out of me, so I figured I'd ask the pros as to what is worth using without under or over spending.

Potential scope will go onto whichever potential rifle I have yet to buy... will be a non-mag. Short listed to: .243/ 7mm-08/ 6.5X55/ .270/ .308.

Hunting Deer mainly, maybe pie plates, zombies and if I get lucky enough, an elk or moose tag. Not a bear hunter, probably won't be going after goat/sheep or predators.

NO Magnum ? :confused: Shit - just use iron sights then - bout as far as a non magum will shoot anyhow ! :wink:

[Riverratz]

The impression you give is that;
- you appear to be fairly new into hunting
- you want a rifle and scope that will be adequate for your intended prey and area hunted, with possible new species or hunt areas in the future.
- you are trying to keep cost to a reasonable/realistic level.

Assuming the above to be true, (without getting into all the ridiculous, endless arguments of "this is better than that"), I suggest a .308 caliber rifle from any of the big name mfr's, that fits you properly, topped with a Leupold VXI or VXII in 3x9x40.
You will have a rifle that is not only completely suitable for your needs, but also has the capability of taking pretty much all North American game without excessive initial cost. Good future resale as well, if you have looked after it properly, should the need arise.
The .308 has been around forever and always will be. The versatility of the caliber is outstanding, (light loads to heavy loads for pretty much any situation), ammo and/or bullets easily obtained anywhere at reasonable cost. Leupold warranty is excellent, they produce a quality product with a long successful history.
This combo is not "bargain basement" but it is a long way from "high end", and no one can argue the capability of the caliber or the scope in practiced hands.

Assuming you're buying "new", you should be able to get the above combo for around $1000 - $1200 with a few extra's (sling/case) thrown in.

As your experience and expertise levels expand in the future, so can your stable of guns and scopes.
Good luck in your quest.

[russm86]

riverratz is about spot on.

[Cookie-kid]

actually... That is pretty exact as to where I am. Have yet to kill anything with a rifle. Dropped into hunting as a last request of my uncle. Just got my PAL this year. So far i've found this website great for my online & some practical app. Purposes. Plus what better way to philtre all the media & sales garbage trying to get everyone to use this or that to make some dude rich. Lol

[CanuckShooter]

The impression you give is that;
- you appear to be fairly new into hunting
- you want a rifle and scope that will be adequate for your intended prey and area hunted, with possible new species or hunt areas in the future.
- you are trying to keep cost to a reasonable/realistic level.

Assuming the above to be true, (without getting into all the ridiculous, endless arguments of "this is better than that"), I suggest a .308 caliber rifle from any of the big name mfr's, that fits you properly, topped with a Leupold VXI or VXII in 3x9x40.
You will have a rifle that is not only completely suitable for your needs, but also has the capability of taking pretty much all North American game without excessive initial cost. Good future resale as well, if you have looked after it properly, should the need arise.
The .308 has been around forever and always will be. The versatility of the caliber is outstanding, (light loads to heavy loads for pretty much any situation), ammo and/or bullets easily obtained anywhere at reasonable cost. Leupold warranty is excellent, they produce a quality product with a long successful history.
This combo is not "bargain basement" but it is a long way from "high end", and no one can argue the capability of the caliber or the scope in practiced hands.

Assuming you're buying "new", you should be able to get the above combo for around $1000 - $1200 with a few extra's (sling/case) thrown in.

As your experience and expertise levels expand in the future, so can your stable of guns and scopes.
Good luck in your quest.

He could do alot better than that [$1000-1200] by purchasing a gently used 308 Savage 99 like the one I am trying to sell for a friends estate.....

[Cookie-kid]

thanks for all the advice, I ended up picking up a Nikon Prstaff in 3-9X40. My first choice was the Redfield, but the store was out of stock. I chose Nikon over Bushnell due to the fact my everyday glasses have Nikon lenses & the matching glass seems to fit a little better. Not to mention they were on sale for almost as little as a Tasco. End of the day it is a well functionig rig on top of my new Marlin bolt action. Just a little heavy to pack in the bush all day, but that's what a sling is for. Lol.

thanks again

[Singleshotneeded]

For general hunting a 3-9X40 will serve you just fine, and will save you money over a 2.5-10X40.
Webyshops.com online has the Bushnell 4200 in 3-9X40 for $220, plus $20 for shipping. Compare
to the best deals you'll find here, I think Wholesale Sports wants $400 for that scope.
The 4200 series is one up from the 3200, a bit better glass and brightness. What I like best about
the Bushnell Elite scopes is the "Rainguard", a coating on the lenses that lets you see your target
in a downpour...and in the past I lost a shot on a nice animal because of rain.

[SimilkameenSlayer]

i like a DEAD-HOLD BDC RETICLE, something to consider.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/uploads/ret_deadhold_bdc.jpg