3 Rifles 3 Scopes

GMC403

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
294   0   1
Location
BC
All three Rifles are traditional bolt action hunting rifles (no compact, varmint styles) and will see mixed use (brush/open), max 400y.

Calibers are:
243
308
30 Whelen....... Ok, Ok... 30-06

Scopes are: Leupolds with LR reticle
VXR 3-9
VX-3 2.5-8
VX-3 4.5-14

Which scope for which rifle?
 
Last edited:
Ruger mk2 in 260 - scope maybe put my Burris C4 on 'cause dialing is fun.
Would sell my M77 7 mag and replace with Fierce 7mag and Zeiss hd5 3-15 z800 - on the wish list :)
700 classic 8mm rem mag and Nikon 3-12 monarch.

I'd be good to go, this is way easier than picking one or two
 
doesn't matter . all scopes you have listed are variable power. all will help you see out to 400

i would pick the best scope and put it on the rifle i plan to use the most.


then again if it was me i would sell the scopes and get a zeiss, just for the amazing low light abilities. that is if these were used as hunting rifles.
as well optical clarity is maintained when zoomed in. but that's me
 
.243 w/4.5-14 possible varmint/coyote usage.

.308 w/3-9 standard deer usage.

.30/06 w/2.5-8 when you get serious about putting burger in the freezer.
 
To my way of thinking a 3-9X40 can be eliminated all together; a 2.5-8X32, is smaller and lighter, but equally capable. The 4.5-14X has the advantage in open country, so mostly its a matter of choosing the right scope for the conditions you'll shoot in, rather than the right scope for the rifle. Choosing a mounting system which allows the swapping of scopes between rifles with no loss of zero is a reasonable consideration, and less expensive than an additional (quality) scope.
 
.243 w/4.5-14 possible varmint/coyote usage.

.308 w/3-9 standard deer usage.

.30/06 w/2.5-8 when you get serious about putting burger in the freezer.
that is about my take as well if I were going to have those scopes and rifles together.

Personally however, I would be choosing different cartridges and scopes for my rifles.
however that is what makes us individuals, isn't it!

Cat
 
To my way of thinking a 3-9X40 can be eliminated all together; a 2.5-8X32, is smaller and lighter, but equally capable. The 4.5-14X has the advantage in open country, so mostly its a matter of choosing the right scope for the conditions you'll shoot in, rather than the right scope for the rifle. Choosing a mounting system which allows the swapping of scopes between rifles with no loss of zero is a reasonable consideration, and less expensive than an additional (quality) scope.

I rarely disagree with you Boomer, but do in this case. First, the VX-2 (II) 3-9X40mm is an absolute gem of a hunting scope... I do own or have owned pretty much every scope of the VX-1/VX-2/VX-3 lines, and in my mind the bench mark for function, clarity, brightness, forgiveness and real life FOV is the VX-2 3-9X40. Second, I have built a number of scope swap systems over the years, IMO they are an unreasonable PITA... there are reasons to do it, mostly to save weight or space on a trip to an international destination... but no matter how many times you confirm consistent POI after a swap to a different firearm, there is a question in the back of your mind regarding accuracy... for me this meant confirming POI after every switch, this is not always easily done in a remote locations nor is it often desirable, when on location, to be firing your rifle.

Since the OP already has the scopes and rifles... mount them up, lock them down, sight them in and don't touch them... IMO.

But, I do agree with Cat... the OP's .243 and .308 are begging for a .358 to join them... a simple swap of the .30/06 and keep the same scope for it.

OP, all of the scopes you have are excellent optics... no need to change them.
 
Since the OP already has the scopes and rifles... mount them up, lock them down, sight them in and don't touch them... IMO.

But, I do agree with Cat... the OP's .243 and .308 are begging for a .358 to join them... a simple swap of the .30/06 and keep the same scope for it.

OP, all of the scopes you have are excellent optics... no need to change them.

Thanks Hoyt,
You are correct in me needing a .358 in there. For me though I think a 35 Whelen barrel on the 06' will be the ticket once tax return season is upon us.
 
Thanks Hoyt,
You are correct in me needing a .358 in there. For me though I think a 35 Whelen barrel on the 06' will be the ticket once tax return season is upon us.

The Whelen will do fine also, with a couple hundred xtra fps over the Win, I'm just a .358 fan... I have one swap barrel set of .25/06, .30/06 & Whelen... designed it for a "do anything" light carry set.
 
There a two conditions which can lead to a shift in the POI when swapping scopes between rifles. The first is by not having the same torque on the windage screws, but the proliferation of affordable inch/pound torque wrenches has pretty well answered that question, as does indexing the levers of QD scopes. I frequently switch between irons and glass, without cause for alarm using this process.

The second reason can be the result of switching the scope between rifles with dramatically different barrel contours. If you swapped your scope between say a 20" bull barreled .308 and a 26" #1 contour .257 Weatherby, there will surely be a windage deflection to sort out, but that deflection would be constant, would be known, and could be adjusted for prior to making a shot. I'm not adverse to confirming my rifle's zero once I've arrived at my hunting area, in fact not confirming my zero after arduous travel makes me rather uncomfortable, even though I've never experienced a loss of zero due to travel alone. I don't own a lot of scopes, but Leupold prevails in my house, with the exception of an old steel 6X Khales that's on my Brno .30/06 and a pair of high end scopes, one being a S&B the other a Nightforce.
 
Unless you hunt things smaller than whitetail ... I would pick the best of the two .30 cal rifles (if they look equal to you - pick the .308W) and put your preferred scope on it (personally would select the 2.5-8 but what ever you like) and call it a day.

If you hunt smaller game .. then the .243 .... and chose from the remaining 2 scopes.
 
I'm a belt-and-suspenders kind of guy. If I'm hunting any further from my back door than I can walk to, I want a spare scope available...preferably on a spare rifle! Faced with the criteria you laid out, I would have the 4.5-14x on the .243 (and would probably list the whole mess on the EE immediately :)), the 2.5-8x on the .308 and the 3-9x on the '06. They'd all be in good QD rings, and anytime I traveled to hunt with just one of the guns, I'd have one of the other scopes all set to go, sighted in for that gun. I'd probably record the required windage and elevation adjustments to return the "spare" scope back to its primary rifle afterwards. I'd expect the QD set-up to get me within 1MOA each time it's removed and replaced, and yes, I would insist upon firing a shot or two to check that consistency.

Having sold a lot of guns in the past few years, I find myself with enough quality scopes that I can have two or even three pre-sighted and ready to go on all my remaining serious hunting guns. It's a huge confidence-inspirer.
 
Brno 270 Win, Bushnell Elite 3-9X40mm.
Winchester 70 338 win mag Elite 2.5-16x42.
Husqvarna 98, 9.3x62 1-5 Nikon with Kwik Site see through mounts.
 
Back
Top Bottom