Optics question

[Ahsan Ahmed]

Much appreciate some directions ....

I'm not unfamiliar with rifles but do not have adequate experience using scopes. Although I am still able to shoot well with irons out to 150 yds, however, at this point in time a scope would be a great assist at further ranges (200-250 yds) as my eyesight is no longer the same.

The rifle is a T3 Lite (.270 Win) with factory irons that I do not wish to remove. Not much of a clean bbl'd rifle fan, yet .

Your recommendations on ....

Rings/Bases (other than Optilock) that won't compromise quality but stay reasonably cost efficient - Leupold, Talley, others?

Proper ring height should work well i.e. Medium or perhaps High for the reticle to sufficiently clear the front sight of the rifle (assuming the hood will most likely need to be removed)?

Rings that offer "Quick Release" feature - how practical are those in terms of retaining scope zero when the glass is removed/re-installed?

Scope make + appropriate power - Leupold, Nikon (the BDC reticle looks effective)?

Overall cost aprox $450 doable?

Anything elese that I may have missed.

I imagine I could ask the same questions at the gunshop, however, I figure it'd be best to do some initial research before I step into one

Thanks very much.

 

[zimbu]

I have the Talley lightweights (integral ring/base) on my Tikka T3 lite S/S and wouldn't trade them for anything. Clean looking and strong. One of the mest popular scopes in your price range would be the Bushnell Elite 3200. For power 3-9X40 should serve you well to 250 yds. If there's a chance you'll be shooting further than that, consider 3-12X40.

 

[Crashman]

Talleys are great, and so are Leupold bases and rings, and there is nothing wrong with weaver style bases with QUALITY rings. Quick release rings work great, especially if you plan on having two scopes for the same rifle. With quality quick release rings your scope will return to being very close to it's original point of impact and this should be checked at least a couple of times at the range before it becomes an emergency in the field.

As far as scopes are concerned, well that is a loaded question! Ask the same question 10 times and you will get 10 different answers for sure. I really like the Vortex scopes as they are very good quality at a reaqsonable price with a great warranty.

Your scope's power range is probaby more important than the actual brand name though. Think about where you are going to be hunting and choose your scope's power range accordingly. For example don't use a 1.5-4X32 if you hunt sheep in the mountains, and don't use a 6-20X50 if you hunt deer in the eastern cedar swamps. For most hunting a 3-9X40 or a 2-7X32 will work well.