Need a little scope advice

[kasper.]

Hey folks, i'm trying to piece through some decision making, and I could use a shove in the right direction!

I just bought a new Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in 7mm-08 that should be arriving pretty quick here, and I need a scope for it. It'll be my first time deer hunting, I've got tags for mule deer here, and the hunting will be sub 200 yds. I also like to have good target capabilities out to 500 yds.

I've got a Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40 AO on my Tikka .223, and I've loved it, but considering changing it up instead buying another one.

QUESTION 1: How important is the adjustable objective (AO) when hunting? I like it on my .223 for target shooting, it's handy and fast when I know the range. Is it going to be a huge pain in the ass using the non-marked eye-piece focus knob when I'm hunting and see my quarry?

Question 2: I went in and looked at a few scopes, and I felt like I had narrowed it down to a few here to serve my purposes.

Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40 ($220 w/out AO, $330 with AO)

Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x50 ($190 w/out AO)
4-12x40 ($210 w/ AO)

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 3-9x40 ($270 w/ parallax turret & DOA 600 reticle)

I'm definitely looking at <$300 for my budget to get me through until next year when I graduate haha.

What would you do?

Thanks!

 

[kamlooky]

I don't use an AO on my hunting rifles.
One more thing to piddle with and for deer and moose,
you just never know when and where they'll show up.

 

[Brocolt]

for $300 you would be better of with a Redfield, Leupold VX1 or VX2 or a Bushnell 3200 / 4200 scope skip the OA

 

[cam1936]

I agree, skip th AO and don't screw around with eyepiece focus either! If you're in tight bush just dial back the magnification.

I dislike Bushnell scopes and can tell you why if you want. I'd get a vortex, leupold or nikon in that price range.

 

[cantgetright]

Stick with the diamondback but without the AO. Not a bushnell fan but did recently buy an elite and am very happy with it and they have some good rebates on them now.

 

[kasper.]

Thanks for all the sound advice! I just bought the Diamondback 4-12x40 without the AO which I think will work out great as I already love the diamondback on my .223.

Thanks fellas!

 

[kamlooky]

Well quit pizz'in around and get that trader rating up a bit so we can like
ya even more.....