What optic type to put on a "General" or "Ranch" Rifle.

Canadiankeeper

Canadiankeeper

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Alberta
The rifle - 308 Win, 16" barrel.

This rifle is going to be used on a bear hunt in the spring. Then after that, maybe Elk, Deer, Yotes (every hunt is a yote hunt).
This rifle will be used for plinking and range fun. (I like a bit more magnification for this as my eyes are not getting any better)
I dont expect to shoot past 500 often at all. I wont be taking game past 300.

Budget - Around $1000
I would like a FFP for the target and ranging.
I like the idea of having a light handy rifle to carry around and do it all. (obviously I wont be shooting out to distance but im sure I could w a 10x)
Exposed turrets is not a large requirement, this will likely be a set and forget. Then use Kentucky windage if required to hold off for targets. Again not shooting super far.
light and compact, ie why im looking at lpvo heavily
Only down side I think of most LPVO are the "dot" in the center, Id love a crosshair LPVO.

So far im considering,
Sig Sauer Optics, TANGO-MSR Riflescope, 1-10X26 FFP, MSR BDC10 Illuminated Reticle, Coyote Tan, MOA
Athlon Ares ETR 1-10x24 ATMR3 FFP IR MIL
Vortex Strike Eagle® 3-18x44 FFP EBR-7C
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 2-10x32 - FFP, EBR-4, MRAD
Leupold 3.5-10 Firedot hunter cross hair reticle

leaning heavy towards the sig as it comes with a mount, caps ect and the tan is nice lmao

Any Im missing? Any concerns from yall? Opinions? What do you use?
 
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I'd go for the higher mag if you want targets @ 1-300. I have a Ranch in x39 and use a Viper 4.5-20, but its just a
BDC reticle. Still good out to my 175 range limit.
 
I used 3.5-10x40mm for many years... a great scope.

My last hunting scope was a Leupold VX-R 2-7x33mm Rifle Scope w/ FireDot Reticle... and I wish I had that scope many years earlier.
 
One thing about LPVO optics (1-8 and 1-10 mag range especially) is that they tend to be damn heavy, which may or may not make a difference in your case. But if light weight is a priority it should factor in.

That said I’ve got a couple of rifles setup with something similar to what you’re thinking optics wise. One is a Tikka UPR with a Trijicon 1-8 FFP (middle rifle below) and the other is a Weatherby Mark V with a Leupold 3.5-10 CDS dial (bottom gun) with duplex crosshair and dial for different ranges.

The Trijicon is a full 13oz heavier than the leupold, not insignificant for sure. The 1-8 is awesome for plinking at close to medium-long ranges on steel and more “fun” to use IMO. The 3.5-10x is very nice for the usable zoom range and nice light weight, that rifle scooped weights 6.8lbs empty.

IMG_3276.jpeg
 
No need to blow $1000 on a 16” ranch to find a sleeper known for zero retention over time and taking abuse with the dual spring erector system. The old Burris ff2 3-9x40 lives on, retooled and updated a couple things and now called the droptine, $280 at cabelas. Philippines made Burris (so no ff4’s or signatures - China). Another one I may dabble with from Burris is e1 4.5-14x42 long range moa reticle $400 with a ballistic solution like ab ultralight rangefinder to feed it would take your 16” 308 past 700 with decent bc bullets (20 moa reticle).

After that experiment if I like the reticle fed by rangefinder solution then my list jumps way past the $1000 right to nightforce nx8 capped dmx for something slower and shorter or a maven rs1 moa2 for something longer and faster, as the only two ffp options that strike me as hunty rather than prs range star flooded market with Chinese ffp Hubble telescopes.
 
Hard not to look at the vx3hd 1.5-5 and 2.5-8 also, I have the 1.5-5 on a ranch.

Trijicon accupoint 3-9x40 green mildot would be a nice one too. Did lots of work on my ranch with one.
 
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If FFP isnt 100% necessary, try the new Vortex Viper HD. The 2-10 and 1 of the 3-15 offerings have a bdc reticle with an illuminated dot. I have the 3-15, and it was perfect 2 weeks ago in NL on a moose hunt. If you want to stay FFP, the PST Gen 2 in either 2-10 or 3-15 would be a good choice. I sold my older Strike Eagle 3-18 for the Gen 2 3-15, and have no regrets.
 
2-7 and 2.5-8 are my favorite variables, Leupold mostly, but some 3200 as well!

If you want light and handy I wouldn’t go bigger, but if you want more magnification maybe a 2.5-10 would work good, but at a cost in weight and money!
 
What kind of bear hunt?

I just got back from a first time hunting over bait, I'd recommend focusing on something that gathers good light and has a simple/bold reticle. (Black target and likely a low lighting). A lot of FFP scopes will have a really fine reticle at low power. Shooting in low light would probably suck with a smaller objective and a fine reticle (illuminated reticle may offset that). If you're not dialing/shooting long distance I'd definitely stick with what the other guys are recommending.
 
blakeyboy said:
Hard not to look at the vx3hd 1.5-5 and 2.5-8 also, I have the 1.5-5 on a ranch.

Trijicon accupoint 3-9x40 green mildot would be a nice one too. Did lots of work on my ranch with one.
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Man, I'm surprised you've moved away from the Trijicons some!

Happy to hear the Droptine sounds like a winner. Been using one of their 4.5-14x42s on a 223 for a lil while now. Great glass for the money.
 
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