Scope choice is largely a personal thing, but I've been very happy Bushnell's Elite line (both the 3200 and 4200), and with Leupold's VXII and VXIII. If money's an issue then the 3200 line is the way to go--you get a lot of quality for your $$. Leupolds as a rule have longer eye relief, they're more resistant to damage, better reticles and more choices of reticles, and they hold their resale value better than Bushnells. But as far as optical quality, I think it's largely personal preference between the two brands.
If it were my rig, I'd look to spend as much on the glass as on the rifle. The savage goes for $560ish, so my list of scopes to try out would be:
Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9 x 40mm
Bushnell Elite 3200 4-12x 40mm
Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10 x 40mm
Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9 x 40mm
Leupold VX-II 3-9x40mm
Leupold VX-II 3-9x50mm
and might consider something a little spendier like:
Leupold VX II 4-12 X 40mm
Leupold VX-III 4.5-14 X 40mm
The key is to try them--look through them in the store, check out eye relief, focus them, twist the power knob, and go with the one that fits you best. Don't let the guy at the optics counter make the decision--you're unlikely to be dealing with someone who actually knows what he's talking about.
If it were my rig, I'd look to spend as much on the glass as on the rifle. The savage goes for $560ish, so my list of scopes to try out would be:
Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9 x 40mm
Bushnell Elite 3200 4-12x 40mm
Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10 x 40mm
Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9 x 40mm
Leupold VX-II 3-9x40mm
Leupold VX-II 3-9x50mm
and might consider something a little spendier like:
Leupold VX II 4-12 X 40mm
Leupold VX-III 4.5-14 X 40mm
The key is to try them--look through them in the store, check out eye relief, focus them, twist the power knob, and go with the one that fits you best. Don't let the guy at the optics counter make the decision--you're unlikely to be dealing with someone who actually knows what he's talking about.
