Confused re: Small tough scope for a lever gun

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Clint S

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Hi Guys

I have a savage 99c that I have decided to scope.
Would prefer to leave it open sighted but failing eyesight requires I put some optics on it.

There are some considerations to take into account so I thought I should get some feedback.
It is a saddle gun and gets some abuse hanging off the side of a horse.
Since it goes into a scabbard I want something as small as possible but would like a small amount of magnification (4x). I don't want to go with a full size scope.
Cost is a major factor :(

I am thinking some aim point style of mil dot scope might fill my needs but I see small scopes on cabelas for the SKS. Are the aimpoint style good for shots to 150 - 200max

I am out of the loop on up to date optics so what should I be looking at to fit my needs on a mainly 100 yd gun that is tough but compact.
 
You don't want or need mildots.

The Leupold 2-7X33 Rifleman scope with heavy duplex would fit your bill about perfectly. It is a tough all-round scope, and small enough you can mount it low, which is what you need in a scabbard rifle. About $200-$250, and i don't think there is a tougher more dependable scope made for that kind of money. The Rifleman series do not have quite as good light transmission properties as the more expensive Leupold models, but you will be hard pressed to tell the difference unless you expect to do a lot of long range low-light shooting.

A scout scope (which is mounted about 8-12" forward from where a regular scope is mounted) would work, but in my opinion it would be a major pain in the ass in a scabbard gun. I wouldn't go there.

You might need to modify your existing scabbard to get a snug fir on your scope, but it's not that hard and a lot less expensive than buying a new one.
 
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I just bought 2 used leupold vx3 1.5-6 that would work perfect, small compact tought as nails and crystal clear, they run nearly 600 new but would do the job, spend some money on rings as you don't want it moving at all
 
i've found that the dots cover the WHOLE TARGET at 200 yards- and leave a "fringe" at 100- my savage 99 is pretty much the same as yours, a 99c, but it wears a 3x9x32 bushnell or 4x12x40( which i prefer) scopechief and it slips in and out of my uncle mikes scabbard like butter- but my shots are typically 250 and up, not 100- for what you're doing, a 4x would do just fine- if that-the factory d&ts the 99 for a full length scope right over the receiver, and i went with that right out of the box- never once has it cost me a shot or missed - and if damaged, another scope drops right in- you need the higher rings for the 40mms, but other than that, no problem- i've been doing highcountry horseback for almost 40 years, and got the gun new in 71- you do the math
 
That's a good price for a leupold but that scope is still 11 inches and 11 ounces and don't want the forward mount of the scout scope.
Don't want to go that big.
Are one of these Bushnell trophies worth trying or are they not worth the effort to mount
opplanet-bushnell-trophy-1x28-red-green-riflescope.png
 
Clint S said:
That's a good price for a leupold but that scope is still 11 inches and 11 ounces and don't want the forward mount of the scout scope.
Don't want to go that big.
Are one of these Bushnell trophies worth trying or are they not worth the effort to mount
opplanet-bushnell-trophy-1x28-red-green-riflescope.png
Click to expand...

I have always considered them about useless for a hunting rifle but if weight and size are your priorities it might be just the thing for you. Definitely wouldn't be my choice but it will be at least as accurate as the iron sights that you have been using up to now with the added advantage you can still see it.
 
Just my personal opinion but I'd aviod the "red dot" sights. I've found that they're quite dim, especially in the bush, early late hunting. It's almost like hunting with cheap sunglasses, at least that's what I've found. I'd rather get (and use quite a bit) either a 1-4X or 1.5-5X (I use Leupolds because I've already tried the others but use whatever your budget will permit, lots of good used stuff on the EE) scope without the front objective bell on it. Very goo light gathering, low-mid power, rugged and they work. Dan B (above) gives good advice on getting a thick reticle, they really stand out in the heavy stuff and placind it on a moving deer is much easier than trying to pick out a thin wire, especially early/ late in the thick bush. Good luck with the choice.
 
My choice would be a 2 3/4 Leupold or 2 3/4 Weaver, I've used them both on Leverguns, and both are good clear scopes with very little to go wrong, the Weaver may save you $100 over the leup.
 
Have you ever tried peep sights? A williams FP peep might br your answer. I have eye issues. but with a peep sight you don't look or see the rear sight, you simply put your front sight which you (at least I do) see clearly on your target and fire. I can easily shoot 1.5" 100 yard groups. something to think about.
 
For everything other than long-range varminting, my all-time favourite scopes are Leupold's 1-4x and 1.5-5x variables. They're short, light, tough, easy to mount and have loads of eye relief and good optical quality. Lifetime warranties, rarely needed but fast customer service for repairs. On high power they offer all the power you ever need for big game out to any range, at low power they are ultrafast at close dangerous-game or thick-woods range. They can be mounted nice and low (no objective bell), and they even can be had in a shotgun version with an extra-heavy reticle. The perfect hunting scope. I have about six of them, and always pick one up when I see it at a gun show for a good price.

I just got my first 2.5x Leupold compact recently, and I like it as well but haven't had much time to experiment with it yet.

John
 
Iceman2, I grew up using peeps and you're correct, the accuracy obtained using them is really impressive. My only objection using them on a rifle is if you hunt early/late in thick bush. You're already in an area with limited light and using a peep just cuts down on that light, especially when your target has a dark fur. The big benefit to using a scope is that it seems to brighten up the sight picture, especially if you use a quality scope. 1.5" @ 100yds with peeps is some nice shooting.
 
iceman2 said:
Have you ever tried peep sights? A williams FP peep might br your answer. I have eye issues. but with a peep sight you don't look or see the rear sight, you simply put your front sight which you (at least I do) see clearly on your target and fire. I can easily shoot 1.5" 100 yard groups. something to think about.
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I agree completely - I'm past 60 and wear glasses (with God knows how-many- focals), and I've rediscovered the joys of Lyman 57s & 48s on my beloved old Brownings and Husqvarnas. I bought some extra apertures for a few dollars each and drilled them out to 1/8". I also have no problem shooting 1.5", and often do better depending on how bad I'm wobbling that particular day.

I also adapted a Williams aperture to the front two base screw holes on an old three-screw Remington Model 7, and it works very well for me.

Scopes are great off the bench to develop a load, or shooting gophers out in the open, but I find them to be a nuisance in the bush.
 
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