First scope for first rifle .

S

SnapT

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Southern Ontario
Looking for my first scope for my (soon to be) first rifle and not really sure what I should be looking for (spec wise etc)
Right now I'm looking at two Nikon Monarch's . 2-8 x 32 and 2.5-10 by 42 both BDC
https://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon-products/riflescopes/monarch-3-2-8x32-matte-bdc.html
https://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon-products/riflescopes/monarch-3-2.5-10x42-matte-bdc.html

The rifle is relatively short full stock and together with the fact that I'm looking at inside of 200 yards, I'm looking at something that's not going to break the bank or look huge on the rifle (and be superfluous) .
Downrange will be paper to start and then possibly deer .

cheers
 
Last year I was in the same situation. I've had a couple of leupolds$600 and $800 range, bushnell $800, Zeiss $1000 range. I've since sold all of those and have a SHV . $1500. I've learned to buy once cry once. The Zeiss HD was a close second. I know it sucks but it seems the more you spend on a scope the clearer it gets. And clarity is the most important part of the scope ,for me.
 
Brianma65 said:
Last year I was in the same situation. I've had a couple of leupolds$600 and $800 range, bushnell $800, Zeiss $1000 range. I've since sold all of those and have a SHV . $1500. I've learned to buy once cry once. The Zeiss HD was a close second. I know it sucks but it seems the more you spend on a scope the clearer it gets. And clarity is the most important part of the scope ,for me.
Click to expand...

He wants to shoot to 200 yards, more or less. A Nightforce SHV is overkill.

Go to the equipment exchange and look for a 2-7, 2-8 or even a 3-9 power variable scope.

Stick with a better brand name and you'll find plenty of nice used scopes. No need to pay retail.

Edit: I run some high end rifles and have Nightforce, S & B, Sightrons.
But for a hunting scope you cannot go wrong with any of the Leupolds. I would look at those first.
 
Thanks for the tips guys (will look into entering the EE)
Yeah the Nightforce are waaay out of my snack bracket and would qualify as superfluous for me .
 
Didn't mean to suggest you get a NF, just the more you spend the clearer it gets. I can shoot out to 200 yards with open sights but I much prefer the magnification. For me , I've found I'm liking lots of it. I've also got a $100 bushnell banner 3x9 and believe it or not it's really clear. I found the leupold 2x7 to be very clear , just not enough mag for me. Keep in mind that you may go further than 200 . I also didn't like the bigger scopes , but now I don't mind them at all.Ive dealt with a couple of site sponsors who let me pay the scopes out too. Mystic precision has a 1x7 that's realllly nice and clear. But it runs for about $850. I traded mine because I thought it was to big for my XCR,now I wish I had kept it.
 
Thanks . A friend (member here) suggested I actually check some out at some local shops so see what I like "in hand" . I have no aversion to large scopes . Just not for this particular rifle . They wouldn't suit it .
Also I put most of my budget into the gun itself lol . I'm also finding out that ammo won't be cheap (friend actually showing me pic's of boxes from the shop lol)

thanks again .
 
What rifle are you going with? A lot of people tell me their rule of thumb is to spend roughly half of what the rifle cost on a scope. And what caliber are you shooting? As far as ammo goes, you may want to look online. Go through the ads in the upper banners, a lot of those sites have great deals.
 
Thanks . The rifle is a CZ 550 FS . 6.5x55
I have plenty of time to look for said scope as my firearms course is not till next week (then I will await my PAL ) My own fault though for not grandfathering my FAC .

Edit to add. I went with a site sponsor for the rifle (holding) and they were very helpful.
 
Last edited:
What type of terrain would you be hunting in?
Open fields 2-7, or 2-8 would work fine (a 6.5x55 can be used at longer distances with right bullet selection so bear that in mind). Bush type cover a 1-5 or 6 low power would work. Open country don't go with a heavy reticle. Heavy reticle is better suited for close in or heavy bush type cover. Larger magnification scopes are overkill for your application. 30mm tubes are not necessary unless you are hunting in heavy cover with a dark tree top canopy plus they are heavier than 1" tubes, and you need the extra "light" transmission. You don't need a BDC reticle, or ZPlex style reticle yet. Learn to shoot with a regular cross-hair reticle first.
Scope manufacturer is personal preference. As mentioned above try out different scopes. The advantage of higher end scopes is image clarity and light transmission.
I have Nikon Monarch 3's, Leupold VX 3's and Zeiss HD5's and you really can't tell the difference in image clarity. The Zeiss does have the edge with regard to letting in more "light" in low light conditions. Some guys I know scoff at a variable anything and use a fixed 4x or 6x scope, and they are quite proficient with them. To each his own. All depends on your comfort level.
I just put a Nikon Monarch 3 2-8x32 on a CZ 550 FS in 7x57. Area being hunted is medium bush with open areas out to about 150yds.
Have fun!
 
http://www.reliablegun.com/en/leupold-vx-1-hunting-shooting-riflescopes-3-9x40mm-1-matte-duplex

The leupold vx1s is a good option. They are a good value, very trim and light weight, affordable. I bought a 3-9x40 2 years ago for my primary deer rifle, never looked back. I've messed around with lots of entry level scopes nikons, bushnells, and they are alright but for the extra $50 or $100, I keep asking myself why I even bought those other scopes in the first place. I actually gave up on scopes all together before i got the vx1. I mainly hunt on the west coast and have to deal with allot of rain and sleet. The other scopes would just get wet and foggy, and the terrain is usually heavily forested and dark which didn't help. Under most circumstances my shots were within 100m, so it just made sense for me to use iron sights. Ive gone back to using scopes however and the leupold has been performing well in the forests and has yet to fog up on me. Also every year I go for a week or 2 around Williams LAke and the scope was great for the varying terrain (plateau, alpine meadows, forests and swamps). I also found it to be far better with low light of dusk and dawn compared to the other scopes.
 
Last edited:
Check out Redfield.

For my RA 270 (hunting) I went with a Redfield Revolution 3-9x. I am very happy with this reasonably priced, low profile optic.
 
Try checking out Vortex scopes. The Diamondback model might be just what you're looking for. The image is very clear and the eye relief is very forgiving. Plus all Vortex optics come with a lifetime guarantee which includes damage from falls, shocks, etc.. Lastly they aren't too expensive to buy when compared with other comparable high end optics.
 
profclint said:
Try checking out Vortex scopes. The Diamondback model might be just what you're looking for. The image is very clear and the eye relief is very forgiving. Plus all Vortex optics come with a lifetime guarantee which includes damage from falls, shocks, etc.. Lastly they aren't too expensive to buy when compared with other comparable high end optics.
Click to expand...

I have been looking into Vortex for my first scope as well they seem to make quality products and stand behind them for a very reasonable price
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom