Best Scopes for Long-Range Varminting

hend238 said:
Agreed. I’m sure it has a 50mm objective. $500 is a great price and there’s nothing wrong with the those older VariX scopes. Buy it!
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No, I don't think so. The Leupold VARI-X III 8.5-25x50 is a 30mm. scope with side parallax focus. This scope has a 1" main tube and AO instead of side focus. It is marked on the gold ring on the objective bell just as "Vari-X III 8.5-25", without any lens diameter specified. I measured the OD of the objective bell, and it comes in at a little under 2". I think any 50mm. objective would have a larger OD--probably something like 2.20".
 
For anyone interested, just to finish my experience with the Leupold 8.5-25x40 scope that I posted in November, I did purchase it and then sent it to Korth for a lens upgrade (presumably to newer, better lenses) and a reticle change, the latter from the fine duplex reticle that it had to a cross-hairs + 1/8 MOA dot. Just received it back from Korth. I've used a dot reticle in the past and have really liked it for precision shooting. My earlier guess as to the scope's weight was a little off; it weighs 16 oz., and so not a true lightweight, but much lighter than almost all current scopes in this power range. When mounted, the total weight of rifle + mounted scope will be 8.5 Lbs.--not really lightweight, but light enough for a walking-around varmint rig.
 
South Pender said:
For anyone interested, just to finish my experience with the Leupold 8.5-25x40 scope that I posted in November, I did purchase it and then sent it to Korth for a lens upgrade (presumably to newer, better lenses) and a reticle change, the latter from the fine duplex reticle that it had to a cross-hairs + 1/8 MOA dot. Just received it back from Korth. I've used a dot reticle in the past and have really liked it for precision shooting. My earlier guess as to the scope's weight was a little off; it weighs 16 oz., and so not a true lightweight, but much lighter than almost all current scopes in this power range. When mounted, the total weight of rifle + mounted scope will be 8.5 Lbs.--not really lightweight, but light enough for a walking-around varmint rig.
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What did the scope upgrades cost you?
 
South Pender said:
A guy who shoots at my range has a Leupold Vari-X III 8.5-25x40 AO scope he wants to sell. It has the thin duplex reticle and appears to be in very good condition with no marks on it that I can see. However, it is an older scope and would have the earlier, lesser-quality lens coatings that were available then (I'm guessing that it is from the 1980s or 90s). Korth has confirmed that they could replace the lenses with newer ones with better coatings, and so that might be one way to go. One thing I like about this scope is that it is light and fairly compact--weighing about 12 oz., I think. He wants $500 for it (but the replacement of the lenses would add another $180). What do you guys think?
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Buy it. - dan
 
South Pender said:
What would you guys consider to be the best scope (any price) available for long-range varmint hunting with something like a .22-250. I'm thinking of small varmints like ground squirrels as well as larger critters like coyotes, and at ranges out to, say, 400-500 yards.
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I'd find a used 6.5-20x Leupold. The old man had one on his 223 and it was a great piece of glass for all the things you describe. I see you scored on a slightly better scope which I would have bought instantly if I was looking for a varmint scope. Good score!
 
Lots of good suggestions here that will work brilliantly. Mine would be Tract scopes. I have been running a Tract Toric ELR for about 5 years and it has performed flawlessly, and I prefer it to my Nightforce. Their Toric 30mm LR scopes would a good option for a varmint rifle in 22-250. I would suggest a magnification minimum of 15X as squirrels and gophers are hard to see past 200m when they are in like coloured terrain. A 9X or less never cut it for gophers past 150m, in my experience. They don't always perfectly silhouette themselves, which they should be made to do :) A good reticle is equally important as you will be engaging targets of opportunity at varying distances with you having to estimate the range (unless you have a spotter) and adjusting your hold over.
 
Rusty trigger said:
Arken EPL4 4-16x44 is what i have on my 22-250 and love it
great scope for the price!
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Just ordered this same scope for my 223, looked at the 5 - 25 but wanted a bit less power on the low end for calling coyotes and really don't need 25 power for 223 ranges and it is 14 oz heavier, I am considering ordering another one for my 17 HMR, the price point on them is good under $500 CDN tax in shipped, I hope they are as good as the reviews I have read.
 
I use a Sightron SIII, think it's 6.5-20, 30mm tube. Once owned a VX-3 with a 1" tube, topped-out @ 20X. Like the Sightron far more. I also think 18X-20X on the top end is about as big a scope as I want a gun to wear.
 
waldo54 said:
Just ordered this same scope for my 223, looked at the 5 - 25 but wanted a bit less power on the low end for calling coyotes and really don't need 25 power for 223 ranges and it is 14 oz heavier, I am considering ordering another one for my 17 HMR, the price point on them is good under $500 CDN tax in shipped, I hope they are as good as the reviews I have read.
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Been lookin at these for a while now...both the 4-16 and the 5-25. Good reviews, guys seem to really like em. Waldo...where'd you get yours for under 5 hundo shipped? TIA...Kevin
 
kevin g said:
Been lookin at these for a while now...both the 4-16 and the 5-25. Good reviews, guys seem to really like em. Waldo...where'd you get yours for under 5 hundo shipped? TIA...Kevin
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I ordered mine through Prophet River, they are just down the street from my house, I'll pick it up at the store when it arrives
 
waldo54 said:
Just ordered this same scope for my 223, looked at the 5 - 25 but wanted a bit less power on the low end for calling coyotes and really don't need 25 power for 223 ranges and it is 14 oz heavier, I am considering ordering another one for my 17 HMR, the price point on them is good under $500 CDN tax in shipped, I hope they are as good as the reviews I have read.
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Im sure you will be as happy with yours as I am with mine I have the ep5 sh4 and the epl4 will probably get an lh4 when they are in stock
 
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