Looking for a scope...don't know where to start

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a4wagner

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OK, I'm doing some research right now for the gun that I am intending on buying and need help determining what I should be looking for in a scope.
I currently leaning towards the Marlin XL7 270...I am going to be using it for hunting deer where my shot won't be longer than 100-150 yards...I also intend on doing some target shooting at around 300-500 yards
What should I be aiming for in terms of a scope???
I am looking to spend upwards of $600 for the scope
 
Nikon, Burris, Bushnell Elite ect...all have descent optics in that price range. For hunting 3x9, 4x12 will cover you to 150yrds. For 300 to 500yrds I use the 6x24 Elite 4000 on my 270. I also have a Nikon 3x9 on my tricket out 10/22 that I shoot at 100 yards. The Nikons are very nice also.

Never cheap out on optics. Get the best glass you can afford!

ps...Don't buy the scope Ganyons. They are way, way over priced and the service is worse than ####. I feel like I've been raped every time I go there. Oshawa area.....LeBarons in Markham is about the cheapest. Check out their on line specials. I buy most of my gear, but not all at Williams Arms in Port Perry
 
Here's a rule of thumb for you: If you are hunting big game and you can't see it well enough with 9x, it's too far for you to shoot ethically.

(If this doesn't apply to you, you wouldn't be on here asking other people what scope you should get.)

Here is another: Don't spend more money than you need to on a scope.

You want something good, but throwing all your money at the top of the line model from from the trendiest brand name doesn't improve your accuracy like shooting practise does. Spend money on enough ammo to practise enough to get the most out of the scope you can afford.
 
Here is my thoughts on scopes.

I have 2 sets of rifles. Ones I hunt with and ones I target shoot with.

The ones I hunt with get "lower quality" scopes. For example I have a .308 and .30-06 that I use for hunting only. I put $120 lower magnification (3 - 9X) Tasco's on these. They are good enough for the few shots a year that these rifles see. The reason I go with the lower magnification is because 90% of the time your target is no more than 200 yards away and it is easier to acquire the target thru the lower magnification when your adrenaline is pumping. Plus if you are out in bush and stumble and drop the rifle it is no biggie if the scope gets dinged and/or broken as your only out $100 bucks. This year I killed 3 deer no problem with these Tasco scopes. The shots ranged from 60 to 200 yards. I was looking at my hunting rifles the other day actually and the scopes do have quite a few dings in them from bouncing around in the quad, going thru heavy woods, etc, etc....

Now, as for my target rifles. They get the good glass as these guns see many rounds but it is in a more civilized and controlled environment. Latley I have been going with the Bushnell Elites (3200, 4200 Tactical). These scopes have higher magnifications for (6 - 24X, 7 - 21X) shooting the longer shots (500 to 1000 yards).

So, this $600 you have for a scope is not necessary. Just spend less than 1/3 of the money on Tasco because you will be using this for hunting. The other 2/3 of the money, put it away for a rainy day.

I welcome comments on this.
 
Look at the Bushnell Legend in 2X-7X in Lebarons web specials for only $105.00.Compare at $200 plus. I have one on my Featherwight .270 and i love it. Good for still hunting and at 7x gives you the 300-500 range you are looking for. Remember the 6X was the long range standard for years in the field. Today everyone seems to want/need 24X but it will not pay up for rifle accuracy and marksmanship. As mentioned the Bushnell Elite 4200 are a great value if you are bent on spending all the cash. The Legend has Fully Multicoated lenses by the way and you will have to move into the 4200 elite to get that. The Elite:wave:s are probaly sturdier on heavy recoiling rifles like .300 Win Mag and up but you said it was for a .270 so try and enjoy!
 
kevguy said:
Here is my thoughts on scopes.

I have 2 sets of rifles. Ones I hunt with and ones I target shoot with.

The ones I hunt with get "lower quality" scopes. For example I have a .308 and .30-06 that I use for hunting only. I put $120 lower magnification (3 - 9X) Tasco's on these. They are good enough for the few shots a year that these rifles see. The reason I go with the lower magnification is because 90% of the time your target is no more than 200 yards away and it is easier to acquire the target thru the lower magnification when your adrenaline is pumping. Plus if you are out in bush and stumble and drop the rifle it is no biggie if the scope gets dinged and/or broken as your only out $100 bucks. This year I killed 3 deer no problem with these Tasco scopes. The shots ranged from 60 to 200 yards. I was looking at my hunting rifles the other day actually and the scopes do have quite a few dings in them from bouncing around in the quad, going thru heavy woods, etc, etc....

Now, as for my target rifles. They get the good glass as these guns see many rounds but it is in a more civilized and controlled environment. Latley I have been going with the Bushnell Elites (3200, 4200 Tactical). These scopes have higher magnifications for (6 - 24X, 7 - 21X) shooting the longer shots (500 to 1000 yards).

So, this $600 you have for a scope is not necessary. Just spend less than 1/3 of the money on Tasco because you will be using this for hunting. The other 2/3 of the money, put it away for a rainy day.

I welcome comments on this.
Click to expand...

thanks...yeah I just put that value of $600 up there just cuz after looking at the various scopes available I saw such a huge price difference I figured i'd put my absolute max up just in case...the guns I hunt with have only iron sights on them which worked out really well this year but I'm looking for something more...I had no idea where to start

thanks
 
kevguy said:
Here is my thoughts on scopes.

I have 2 sets of rifles. Ones I hunt with and ones I target shoot with.

The ones I hunt with get "lower quality" scopes. For example I have a .308 and .30-06 that I use for hunting only. I put $120 lower magnification (3 - 9X) Tasco's on these. They are good enough for the few shots a year that these rifles see. The reason I go with the lower magnification is because 90% of the time your target is no more than 200 yards away and it is easier to acquire the target thru the lower magnification when your adrenaline is pumping. Plus if you are out in bush and stumble and drop the rifle it is no biggie if the scope gets dinged and/or broken as your only out $100 bucks. This year I killed 3 deer no problem with these Tasco scopes. The shots ranged from 60 to 200 yards. I was looking at my hunting rifles the other day actually and the scopes do have quite a few dings in them from bouncing around in the quad, going thru heavy woods, etc, etc....

Now, as for my target rifles. They get the good glass as these guns see many rounds but it is in a more civilized and controlled environment. Latley I have been going with the Bushnell Elites (3200, 4200 Tactical). These scopes have higher magnifications for (6 - 24X, 7 - 21X) shooting the longer shots (500 to 1000 yards).

So, this $600 you have for a scope is not necessary. Just spend less than 1/3 of the money on Tasco because you will be using this for hunting. The other 2/3 of the money, put it away for a rainy day.

I welcome comments on this.
Click to expand...

It would suck to have a new world record white tail jump out in front of you on a cut line and your scope doesn't hold zero from being bumped.
 
i looked for one scope that did it all, for 7 of my rifles. i ended up buying the bushnell elite 4200's. shop around though, you can find them as low as 350 used to 600 plus from retailers.
 
KDX said:
It would suck to have a new world record white tail jump out in front of you on a cut line and your scope doesn't hold zero from being bumped.
Click to expand...

It's never been an issue. Like I said I shot my bag limit lasy year (3 deer) with these Tasco scopes. I could of shot more except I was out of tags.
 
ZEISS 3-9 x 40 or, 50 for a bit more light.

You can get top notch optics for your $600.00. Spend that amount on a Zeiss Conquest hunting scope and you will never second guess yourself. If you buy a cheap scope, you will have just that , a cheap scope, and then you will want to upgrade.

A very general rule of thumb, value of scope = value of rifle, or maybe even a bit more on the scope.

A scope is like your tires, no matter how much power or options you have, without that essential item the rest is not much good.
 
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