I'm currently building my first large budget DMR style rifle (stag-10 308) that I am planning to use for target shooting and hunting. I've bought most of my parts and used up most of the budget and the only uncertainty I have left is the scope. I hope to use the rifle for both precision target shooting at the range (only goes up to 200m) and hunting (getting my license this month). The scope I currently have on my build list is the Vortex Viper 3-9x40 that comes in at $320, is this good enough for what I plan to be doing? I know I should, but I really do not want to spend an excessive amount on the scope.
How good is a 3-9x40 for hunting and target shooting (up to 200m)
- Thread starter nidh0gg
- Start date
IMHO, that glass would be excellent for your needs. I've used my scopes, mostly 3-9 and some 4-12, for both disciplines just as you plan to. If you'll consider a suggestion, when you're hunting turn the scope down to 3-5 magnification. You should rarely need more than that to engage your game unless you have long open-area shots. Full magnification makes it hard to quickly acquire moving game, and with the lower power, you can keep both eyes open (with practice) to lead or watch your game; only closing your off eye when you actually squeeze the trigger. Good luck to you.
Before I looked at the scope you noted from Vortex, I would consider the Leupold VX-1 3-9x40 being cleared out by site sponsor Dante's, I bought 2 recently and IMHO they are the better scope.
Agreed! I keep my scope @ the lowest magnification while hunting unless the situation AND time permit me to dial it up to take the shot.
Cheers
Jay
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
My range is a 200y max, I have a 4x12x40 on my hunting rifle. It’s fine for shooting out to 200y but I’d want more magnification if I wanted to see my groups like at 100yrds while sighting in. For hitting steel or hunting out @ 200 it’s fine and while I’m hunting the 4-6 power is where I usually am, 3x9 would be doable but 4x12 is a better option as I see it.
Target style turrets are wonderful on a dedicated target rifle. The OP is looking at a dual purpose scope. I don't know his planned hunting terrain, but the big target turrets are a pain in the bush. Protruding items tend to hang up on bush and vegetation in my experience.
thank you all for insight, it seems I can't really go wrong with a 3-9
I see that there are 2 models the VX-1 and VX-2, they are both within my budget (one actually saving money), what is the difference between the two? and if I were to get a leupold should I go for the more expensive one or the cheaper one?
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
Can't go wrong with a VX2 but I would consider a 2-7 for hunting, 7x is more then enough for 200m and the 2x is great for walking while hunting.
There's a reason why the 3-9ish class are the best selling big game scopes. They make most of the people happy, most of the time, under most circumstances. They don't need adjustable objectives at that power and much higher powers will also highlight less than stellar glass. Both of those things aren't exactly free, which feeds right back into a 3-9 class being a solid choice for the bargain conscious. If you want much more than that you better be ready to start spending some money.
It was somewhat popular for gun writers to bad-mouth the class awhile back; with the not so subtle hint that anyone that liked something different was an idiot. It might have sold a few magazines back when they still thought they mattered. In the meantime 3-9 still just about owns the market and the gun rags are dieing off. (2.5-8 and 3.5-10 guys shouldn't have an aneurism, for all intents and purposes its all the same thing)
It was somewhat popular for gun writers to bad-mouth the class awhile back; with the not so subtle hint that anyone that liked something different was an idiot. It might have sold a few magazines back when they still thought they mattered. In the meantime 3-9 still just about owns the market and the gun rags are dieing off. (2.5-8 and 3.5-10 guys shouldn't have an aneurism, for all intents and purposes its all the same thing)
The VX-I was the series before the Freedom line now for the most part, the VX-II was the mid range and the VX-III was the higher end, before the VX-3i , 5, 6 came out,
All the older VX-I, II, and III's have a outstanding name in quality, durability and craftsmen ship pretty much agreed upon in the shooting community, and either will serve you very well, the VX-I directly compared to the VX-II was in reality right on par for specs in comparison, minor weight, eye relief, field of views, and lens coating differences,
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I went with the VX-1 purely on price point, they are a deal for the $$$.
Here is a link with some info on the differences between models.
https://riflescopesinfo.wordpress.com/2014/03/15/leupold-vx-1-vx-2-and-vx-3-what-is-the-difference/
Cheers
Jay
Having looked through a lot of glass over the years I usually stayed away from Leupold because other brands offered as much; for less when looking at the VX 1 or VX 2. I think that the VX-3 is where the glass can be seen as a step up. The price point here moves up so it comes down to what someone can live with when purchasing a new scope. It's like the older line of Bushnell where the 3200 was about where the glass got decent and the price was bearable. The Weaver scopes sort of fell off the radar and I'm not too familiar with the current offerings. Burris offered the Fullfield II which was similar to the Bushnell 3200, and maybe a shade better. It sort of depends on the features and magnification factor. Some of these scope did their best at 3-9x40 and they all seemed to compete with each other. Another brand in this category was the Sightron S1, which had decent glass for it's price point. What one needs to know is a few things about the internals of the scope. The plastic internals do not hold up and these are found in the cheaper scopes that look good - but suffer in performance. There are lots of choices but as the years have moved on I've found myself more interested in better glass - which truly holds it's own during first light, rain, snow and twilight.
