Scope Advice

[Grizzlypeg]

Its somewhat arbitrary, subjective, but I don't see any need for extreme high power. Quality, sharpness of image, light gathering, reliability and sufficient magnification are what I think the key ingredients. You can make 300 yard shots very accurately with 6x magnification, so a fixed or variable in the range of 2-10 or 3-9 won't handicap you in any significant way and will meet with your most forseeable requirements imo.

I'm happy with my Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40, Leupold VXII 3-9x40, and even an old Bushnell Banner 6x 40mm that is very bright and sharp imaging. The ballistic plex while not essential, is a good feature on the Burris Fullfields.

 

[kimberman]

Is anyone using higher power scopes on the magnums, like up to a 12 , 18 or 24?

I have a Varx III 6.5-20 x40 on my 7mm wby, nice scope excellent mounting options with the longer tube. BUT at higher powers you loose a lot of light, and field of view. I also have trouble holding it steady at 20x and sometimes I see heat waves, or mirages. I use leupold mark IV 4.5-14x50 on my target rifles and they are fantastic, and super expensive. I wouldn't go over 14x on a hunting rifle again, and at 14x I would look for a 30mm tube. Leupolds new european scopes look interesting also, 30mm tube and they are a little cheaper but I've never seen one yet. They come in 4-12x40 and 3-9x50 among others. I checked those two on ebay and the're less than $500 still less than a vx3 with a 30mm tube.

 

[manbearpig]

just the B&C reticle alone is $100, thats half as much as the Burris with Ballistic Plex in it already.

you guys recommending VX-IIIs, i agree they are a really nice scope and have a couple myself but he said 'wont break the bank'.

 

[gitrdun]

When you say "break the bank" it really depends one who's bank your speaking of. But, by my experience, I've purchased some 3x9 Fullfield II from eBay delivered for under $200.00 and I was impressed dollar for dollar. I'm a Leupold man so in my opinion a used Leupold purchased here in the EE forum is a better buy than a new Bushnell any day. No offence meant to the Bushnell people out there...

 

[H4831]

My views!

I tend to agree with you, my work rifles wear 24x Leupolds but on my hunting(recreational) fiream I use a 4x Pecar, this allows me to shoot at a measured 360 yds (range length) a water filled 3 litre milk bottle (standing on my two feet with-out a rest), the irony being that I find it easier to shoot with open sights whilst standing up, and yes I do miss as well.
I find firearms that are being used with a rest benefit from higher magnification, but firearms that are used standing are more comfortable when used with either low or no magnification.
This is my comfort zone, however others may not agree and may have a different opinion.

Ps, and the wind is blowing a gale outside so you are stuck with me for another night.

You sound exactly like accomplished shooters talked some forty of fifety years ago, here! Most high quality rifles at one time came drilled and tapped for an aperature sight, often a Lyman 48. I hunted for years and shot a considerable amount of game, with a Husqvarna with a Lyman 48. Quite a thin post front sight, sighted to hit on the top of the post, is a deadly game combination. The first time I carried a scope sighted rifle on a mountain hunt, I thought it was a terrible awkward thing to carry.

 

[kimberman]

When you say "break the bank" it really depends one who's bank your speaking of. I'm a Leupold man so in my opinion a used Leupold purchased here in the EE forum is a better buy than a new Bushnell any day. No offence meant to the Bushnell people out there...

I totally agree 100%!@

 

[senior]

You sound exactly like accomplished shooters talked some forty of fifety years ago, here! Most high quality rifles at one time came drilled and tapped for an aperature sight, often a Lyman 48. I hunted for years and shot a considerable amount of game, with a Husqvarna with a Lyman 48. Quite a thin post front sight, sighted to hit on the top of the post, is a deadly game combination. The first time I carried a scope sighted rifle on a mountain hunt, I thought it was a terrible awkward thing to carry.

Just who you callin old

& worse who says were accomplished

 

[manbearpig]

When you say "break the bank" it really depends one who's bank your speaking of. But, by my experience, I've purchased some 3x9 Fullfield II from eBay delivered for under $200.00 and I was impressed dollar for dollar. I'm a Leupold man so in my opinion a used Leupold purchased here in the EE forum is a better buy than a new Bushnell any day. No offence meant to the Bushnell people out there...

unless you end up buying from a Jeremy/HK Hopeful type, sure

can anyone comment on how the Burris Fullfield IIs compare to the lower end Leupolds like the Rifleman and FX-I? ive never owned one of the entry level Leupolds, just Vari-X/VX-IIIs and FX-IIs.

what i really like about Leupold and Bushnell is their Canadian service centres. i dont like the hassle/risk factor of sending things across the border unless its absolutely necessary.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

I prefer the Burris Fullfield II to the Leupold VXII for its brighter optics, easily adjustable dials and ballistic plex. I give the Leupold the edge for reputation (its not made in the phillipines, long eye relief and non-rotatiing ocular lense that allows you to use flip up scope covers. Until one breaks, I'd say flip a coin or take whichever one is cheaper. But if you want a ballistic reticle, get the Burris.

So for me, in the end, I'd say get the Burris, especially if you can buy one new on ebay for $185.00

 

[Boomer]

I'm a Leupold enthusiast, and for a hunting rifle I think the 1.75-6X is pretty hard to beat, but a 1.5-5X, a 2-7X, or a 2.5-8X are all reasonable solutions. You will also save money if you could be satisfied with a fixed power scope. A fixed 4X would fit you needs nicely, a fixed 6X would work, but might be a problem with shots under 25 yards, but I believe that a fixed 8X is too much. A pal of mine just bought a fixed 10X S&B for his .270. I would of thought 10X was too much, but S&B's could be the exception to the rule. Other than target rifles, varmint rifles, and long range rifles, big power scopes are a mistake. The problem is that should a close shot present itself, you won't find the target in the small field of view.

Occasionally good quality used scopes can be found on the EE used for a reasonable price. If cost is an issue, I would go with quality used rather than junk new. Leupold has a warranty that is beyond reproach, and there is a Canadian warranty center, Jim Korth Agencies in Okotoks, can give your "new-4-U" scope the once over so that you have the piece of mind that it is mechanically sound.

Don't fall into the trap of buying cheap mounts. The choice of mounts is every bit as important as the choice of rifle or scope. On rifles that exhibit enthusiastic recoil, the scope should be mounted no farther back than the rear bow of the trigger guard, although my preference is to have the ocular in line with the cocking piece of a bolt action. It might be necessary to go to an extension ring to mount the scope in this fashion as the power ring on variable scopes makes the eye piece longer than on fixed power scopes

 

[manbearpig]

yeah the premium Leupold charges for its Boone and Crockett reticle is a little high.... its $100 on top of the price of the scope even if you buy it included from the factory.

i think the next scope i buy will be one of the 30mm tube Burris Euro-Diamonds.

A fixed 4X would fit you needs nicely, a fixed 6X would work, but might be a problem with shots under 25 yards, but I believe that a fixed 8X is too much. A pal of mine just bought a fixed 10X S&B for his .270. I would of thought 10X was too much, but S&B's could be the exception to the rule.

x2.
i have one of the fixed 10x Elite 3200s, and it is completely useless for hunting.
if he has bad eyes hes probably better off with the tried and true 3-9s.

 

[sbtennex]

All the rage is for variables but the truth is that a good quality fixed power always will be the best at it's power than ANY variable at that power for light gathering, clarity, s/s distortion free, no parallax and be cheaper. You want 200-300 yards, all light conditions? Your wallet (read wife) will be the judge, but a Schmidt & Bender 6X42 will make all your hunting buddies drool and your optic nerves shed tears in appreciation. If you want to spend a bit, PM me and I'll tell you who to talk to. Forget about BDC, load compensating reticles and so on - if you've shot a bit stick with bright and reliable.