Please recommend a scope for me

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mmatt

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So I've always been the kind of guy to toss whatever scope I have laying around on a rifle and go. I've never bought a scope worth more than $200 and so far, I've done all right.

But I've gone and purchased a dedicated coyote/gopher rifle and would like to finally bite the bullet and put a decent set of optics on it.

The terrain around here generally doesn't allow for shots more than 300 yards or so, so this will be a medium range set up. I'll likely practice with it out to 500 yards but I highly doubt that I'll ever engage any animal at that distance.

That being said, I'd like to keep the ability to make shots inside of 100 yards as it's relatively easy to get the dogs around here into this range and every gopher I've stumbled across so far has been within 50 yards.

So, what I'm looking for is a 2-7 or similar power scope, with a 1" tube that will fit on this gun (a Savage Hog Hunter - although I'll be referring to it as my Dog Hunter) without interfering with the sights and with the ability to come off in the field should the scope become unserviceable. (no sense having BUIS if you can't get your scope off to use them)

I've got about $400 to spend and I don't really know where to start.

Thanks guys!
 
If 2-7 is your desire, go with a 2-7x35 Vortex Diamondback. Choice of BDC or plex style reticules, lifetime warranty, argon filled -not nitrogen. The other consideration in your budget might be a Viper in 3-9x40.
 
A 2-7 leupold would be great too. Pick one up on the EE and send it in for a CDS turret for your load. Be light and handy and deadly fast to dial up for yardage.
 
mmatt said:
What do you guys think of the Redfield Revolution 2-7x33? The other one that has caught my eye is the Nikon Monarch 2-8x32.

The Nikon is twice the price though.
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The Redfield is a lot of scope for the money. I have one and it's as good optically as many scopes 2x the money, lifetime warranty, made by Leupold. Another scope to look at is the Leupold Rifleman.

This scope has friction type adjustments. The upside is that it is a stronger more water tight mechanism, the downside is that you may need to tweek the adjustments a bit more to get it where you want it.

If you are a sniper-type guy that needs to dial in your scope elevation and windage for every shot then this might not be the best choice. If you are a hunter that zeros a scope and then leaves it there until next time you check zero, this type of adjustment is perfectly fine.
 
I'll definitely want a scope with 'click' adjustments.

So far, my 'scope expert' buddy is pushing me toward the Redfield. I agree that it looks to be a great value, but there's just something about that Nikon that keeps drawing me back.

Thanks for the input so far guys.
 
mmatt said:
I'll definitely want a scope with 'click' adjustments.

So far, my 'scope expert' buddy is pushing me toward the Redfield. I agree that it looks to be a great value, but there's just something about that Nikon that keeps drawing me back.

Thanks for the input so far guys.
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That Monarch is definitly more scope and you will find the adjustments feel a lot more solid than the Redfield. I've owned two Redfield scopes and they are a lot of scope for the money. My only complaint with them is that the clicks are a little mushy. Not a big deal for a hunting scope.

The Redfield will do, but the Nikon is a better scope. Just a matter of if the price is worth it for you.
 
The Nikon also has 80 MOA of adjustment where the Redfield has 65. Not a big deal to most, but I'm the kind of guy to shoot my rimfires out 300 yards plus. I have a feeling that I'll be pushing this rifle out as far as I can see and so that means, the more clicks, the better.

ETA: that being said, it turns out I only need about 55 MOA to get to 1000 yards so I guess the Redfield is probably up to the task.
 
mmatt said:
The Nikon also has 80 MOA of adjustment where the Redfield has 65. Not a big deal to most, but I'm the kind of guy to shoot my rimfires out 300 yards plus. I have a feeling that I'll be pushing this rifle out as far as I can see and so that means, the more clicks, the better.

ETA: that being said, it turns out I only need about 55 MOA to get to 1000 yards so I guess the Redfield is probably up to the task.
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No the Redfield would not be up to the task. If you need 55 MOA to get to 1000 yards. 65 cut in half is 32.5 MOA avaliable of up adjustment.

Remember when you mount a scope and have it alinged with the bore you should be in the middle of the adjustment range, meaning you only have half the total adjustment range to go one direction.
 
I was looking for a rimfire scope a couple weeks ago and compared the redfield, vortex diamondback and burris fullfield. After taking them outside to compare the glass I went with the diamondback. All 3 had good glass but the adjustments sold me on the diamondback. Its my first vortex so we'll see how it works when my rifle comes in. I also have 2 nikon monarchs and believe them to be in a class above these 3 scopes.
 
cam1936 said:
No the Redfield would not be up to the task. If you need 55 MOA to get to 1000 yards. 65 cut in half is 32.5 MOA avaliable of up adjustment.

Remember when you mount a scope and have it alinged with the bore you should be in the middle of the adjustment range, meaning you only have half the total adjustment range to go one direction.
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Right. I knew that. :redface:

So really, neither scope will get me to 1000.

Vortex has some interesting options though...
 
cantgetright said:
I was looking for a rimfire scope a couple weeks ago and compared the redfield, vortex diamondback and burris fullfield. After taking them outside to compare the glass I went with the diamondback. All 3 had good glass but the adjustments sold me on the diamondback. Its my first vortex so we'll see how it works when my rifle comes in. I also have 2 nikon monarchs and believe them to be in a class above these 3 scopes.
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When comparing glass quality, keep in mind just about all modern scopes are great in daylight. I find it best to compare them in low light conditions, such as the break of dawn or near sunset. This is where the difference in glass and coating quality can really be differentiated.

cam1936 said:
Haha that's why they make 20 MOA rails!
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I was just about to reply and say that! :)


Matt,

If you're going after dogs, I suspect the time frame when you will find them will be early morning and late evening. If you can find a shop that has both the Redfield and Nikon models you're interested in, check them out side by side in low light conditions. If not maybe ask a buddy, or two, that have the models you want to bring them over so you can compare them together. So far the best low light scope I've found is the Leupold VX-3 series, but they are out of your listed price range.
 
Being able to try before I buy would be awesome. Sadly, I live in the middle of nowhere and so that really isn't an option for me.

I hadn't even considered low light performance. Back to the drawing board I go it looks like.
 
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