Varmint scope dliema. Give me your opinion on what I need.

C

cath8r

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I've acquired a Remington VSSF in .22-250. This is the last rifle I see my self buying. It will be for coyotes and g-hogs and crow sniping a few times a year.
I need to scope it. Here's the dilema. Where I live coyote hunting could mean calling, driving around or going on a drive. Driving around could show me a 500 yard sitter or a drive could yield a 60 yard running shot.
G-hog and crows will be out to 500 yards.
What scope do I pick?
I like the idea of target knobs, fine reticles and lots of eye relief. medium power 2-10, 4-12 etc. Fixed 6X maybe?
Would a scope with mil-dots be the answer? Shoud I choose a target turret style scope and leave it set at 200 yards and dial in a long range sitter?
I'm probably over thinking the choice but I'm confused over all the options out there.
What would you all do? Price wise $300.00+ or - range.
 
if weight isn't too much of an issue, the bushnell 6500 2.5-16x40 has a nice magnification range and the optics are nice and bright on them plus they can be picked up in the EE for around $500:)

whoops, i saw the $300+ but never noticed the -, so $500 may be out of the ballpark.

around $300, as faststeel mentioned below, a 5-15 3200 or perhaps a 4-12 3200 would suit you fine.
 
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A Mueller would be in your price range. They also have target turrets.

ht tp://www.muelleroptics.com/products/MU852550IGR.html


I have their 8.5-25 x 44 tactical scope with mil dots/target turrets. I'm very happy with it so far. I would have prefered a side focus though.

-CZ
 
I was patient/lucky and picked up a 4200 4-16x40 with side focus for around $350. Got it here on the EE, brand new in an opened box. I have it on a Savage HB LH 22-250, absolutely love it.
 
I don't have to tell you this, but 10x fixed power is too much magnification for a 60 yard running shot. Even 5x is too much magnification for a 60 yard running shot.

500 yard shots call for magnification. A 60 yard running shot calls for a reflex sight like an EOTech. Maybe you should be thinking more than one optic.

Whatever you buy, make sure you have an adequate field of view.
 
bassman said:
I was patient/lucky and picked up a 4200 4-16x40 with side focus for around $350. Got it here on the EE, brand new in an opened box. I have it on a Savage HB LH 22-250, absolutely love it.
Click to expand...

Great deal!

If Cath can stretch a bit, one of these would be a super match for the 22-250.

Overhauled a Rem. 700 Varminter 6mm for my nephew, including addition of this model scope. (Also, reblued, target crown, and a HS Precision stock). Excellent optics.

110_1028.jpg
 
4-12

I would stay with something on the smaller side for two reasons. First a lower power scope will cost less. Second if your shooting at close range 3X or 4X would be pushing it. You can find good deals on the EE in a variety of manufacturers. The mil-dots will be useful for longer shots on windage and if your scope runs out of elevation.
 
Canadian_Zuk said:
A Mueller would be in your price range. They also have target turrets.

ht tp://www.muelleroptics.com/products/MU852550IGR.html


I have their 8.5-25 x 44 tactical scope with mil dots/target turrets. I'm very happy with it so far. I would have prefered a side focus though.

-CZ
Click to expand...

Wow, I think I found my new favourite scope for my next varmint! Thanks CZ, I hadn't run into this company before!
 
Whoops - further reading says the Mueller warranty is only good the continental US, even though they have Canadian distributors. Too bad, but at least I know what kind of scope to look for!
 
sulisa said:
Whoops - further reading says the Mueller warranty is only good the continental US, even though they have Canadian distributors. Too bad, but at least I know what kind of scope to look for!
Click to expand...


There are two Canadian dealers for Mueller on CGN.
I believe they handle Canadian warranty, which is usually replacement of a defective scope.

BTW. I have a 6.5 x 25 Mueller Eraticator, I am very pleased with this scope. It is close to my Bushnell 4200's in clarity & brightness.
 
I like to think our Warranty here in Canada is better than the once in the states. Here we can do straight replacement and there you send it in for repair. Would you rather have a new one right away or wait for your defective one hoping it got fixed? They won't compare to Leupolds but they will outperform anything in their class.
 
Fixed 6 power. You are in Ontario, I take it mostly forested country?
When calling you will never be on the wrong power setting. For those running shots at 60 yards, this is doable with practice. For coyotes this power will do fine, with your flat shooting cartridge at long distance. Look for a used Leupold M8 6x42 Compact on the EE.
You might have to spend a little more, but not much, & ownership lifetime warranty work at Korth.
 
Brutus said:
Fixed 6 power. You are in Ontario, I take it mostly forested country?
When calling you will never be on the wrong power setting. For those running shots at 60 yards, this is doable with practice. For coyotes this power will do fine, with your flat shooting cartridge at long distance. Look for a used Leupold M8 6x42 Compact on the EE.
You might have to spend a little more, but not much, & ownership lifetime warranty work at Korth.
Click to expand...
That is as good advice as they get, it is much better to have 6x or maximum 8x straight power used Leupold than 6x24x56mm mueller or other China junk. To many gizmos to turn will only confuse you when chips are down. BTW running shots at 60yds don't come very often.
 
60 yard running coyote shots call for a 3x scope but 500 yard groundhogs call for at least a 10X, so I'd get the best quality variable power in your price range, and i agree with one poster, if weight isn't a problem, snag a Bush.6500 2x-16x, or 4200.
 
I chose the 6500 for my varmint rifle, like you I have some pretty diverse land to hunt, 16X is lots for reaching out, and 2X is great in the bush, best of both worlds.
Best bet is to look through a few first though, scopes act different for each person that picks it up.
 
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