Picking a 2 10x scope for Winchester Model 70

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afish29

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I've been shopping scopes in the 2-10x range. I've linked a Google spreadsheet below that is by no means complete but that must have most of the 2-10x on the market. It makes it easy to sort by whatever spec you want to compare.

Initially, the scope was going to be for a Sig Cross in 6.5CM, mainly for use as a dogging and stalking deer gun in Ontario. But, then the new Cross I bought was in bad shape so I got a refund, and around the same time I found a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS in 30-06. I've always wanted one, and I've heard that getting new Winchester/Browning product in Canada can be a 12-24 month waiting game for retailers, so the Cross money got reallocated. The Model 70 will be my only hunting rifle this fall.

I still need a scope mostly for dense woods and the occasional stand. I still really like the 2-10x range. The only thing that's changed is that I'm more open to a simple hunting reticle with capped turrets on the Model 70 (just going to set it for MPBR and go) vs. the Cross that I wanted to dual purpose a bit for some target shooting. I'm also thinking about an offset red dot. I bailed on LPVOs because of low light performance, but I'm open to other opinions on that.

Here's my narrowed down list from least to most expensive.

1. Meopta Optika5 2-10x42 PA Zplus
2. Trijicon Huron HR1040 2.5-10x40mm
3. Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44mm
4. Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33mm
5. Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8x36mm
6. Burris Veracity 2-10x42 FFP
7. Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12.5x42

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-T37VTwxssCJ5yUDpZtbuZluO_2qi2gT_hZkf7Cjp3w/edit?usp=sharing
 
What's your budget? The Vortex LH 2-10 is discontinued but a good option if you can find one used. Leupold also makes the VX5 in a 2-10.

Out of that list I own the HS 2.5-10 and the bang for buck is great.
 
Rodder said:
What's your budget? The Vortex LH 2-10 is discontinued but a good option if you can find one used. Leupold also makes the VX5 in a 2-10.

Out of that list I own the HS 2.5-10 and the bang for buck is great.
Click to expand...

VX5 is pretty sweet and in my spreadsheet, but at $1600+ too much for me. I'd like to spend 700 to 1000.
 
I doubt you will benefit from having 10X capability while hunting in Ontario. Accordingly, you could go 2-7 or even better, 1.5 to ~5. The Bushnell 3200/4200 series 1.5 to 4.5 are great with the 32 mm objective, which gives excellent light gathering capability. This is an important consideration as the lions share of your shooting will be done under low light conditions (eg dusk and dawn).The Rainguard feature is nice, add the firefly option for extra points. You could easily get one of these for less than 350$.
 
cosmic said:
I doubt you will benefit from having 10X capability while hunting in Ontario. Accordingly, you could go 2-7 or even better, 1.5 to ~5. The Bushnell 3200/4200 series 1.5 to 4.5 are great with the 32 mm objective, which gives excellent light gathering capability. This is an important consideration as the lions share of your shooting will be done under low light conditions (eg dusk and dawn).The Rainguard feature is nice, add the firefly option for extra points. You could easily get one of these for less than 350$.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
It's true that 10X won't be needed for most hunting in Southern Ontario but 10x is nice to have at the range, or when target shooting at 100y and beyond and trying for tiny groups. However if most of your shooting will be hunting or close range target practice (less than 100y) than a 1.5-4.5x or 2-7x are great options. I favor 2-7x as the best all rounder on a rifle for hunting, 2x is not too much zoom for closeup and 7x is still plenty of zoom on a deer size target even out to 400 yards. Think about it, 7x zoom brings a deer from 400 yards to only 57 yards away! 1.5-4.5x or 2-7x are also very lightweight and mount low to the bore.

Of the scopes you list I think the Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8x36mm is ideal, just wish the price wasn't so jacked up in Canada. $499 USD somehow becomes a MSRP of $820 + HST in Canada :(
 
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grassforbreakfast said:
It's true that 10X won't be needed for most hunting in Southern Ontario but 10x is nice to have at the range, or when target shooting at 100y and beyond and trying for tiny groups. However if most of your shooting will be hunting or close range target practice (less than 100y) than a 1.5-4.5x or 2-7x are great options. I favor 2-7x as the best all rounder on a rifle for hunting, 2x is not too much zoom for closeup and 7x is still plenty of zoom on a deer size target even out to 400 yards. Think about it, 7x zoom brings a deer from 400 yards to only 57 yards away! 1.5-4.5x or 2-7x are also very lightweight and mount low to the bore.

Of the scopes you list I think the Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8x36mm is ideal, just wish the price wasn't so jacked up in Canada. $499 USD somehow becomes a MSRP of $820 + HST in Canada :(
Click to expand...

I went with the VX-3HD. Thanks!
 
If you can find one, a Bushnell Elite 3500 in 2-7x32 is a sweet little scope. I bet you can find a mildly used one for under $300. As mentioned above, the Rainguard feature is nice and the scope is quite lightweight and compact. The 3-9x40 Elite has a bit more range, and great value too.
 
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