Scope Suggestion

Pig4000

Pig4000

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As a optics noob i seek advice in purchasing a scope. I just picked up a Tikka T3 Lite in .223 and im trying do decide where i should go with the base and scope.

Im looking to spend no more then 700$ on glass. Ill mostly be using it for hunting but i would also like to do some long range bench shooting.

If anyone could recommend some scopes for me that would be great, also wondering what is the best base setup for the Tikka?
 
I have a Tikka T3 Lite in .223. I put a LEUPOLD VX-II 4-12x40 AO Duplex on mine. I seem to have Low Talley Lightweights on mine. The Talleys I have look like this style.

TJ930700.jpg
 
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My first choice would be the Bushnell 4200 6-24x50MM tactical, mildot, 30MM tube. I have it on mine Model 700 heavy Varmint in 22-250...300yard gophers.

Cheers.
 
CZ_Brno said:
I wouldn't put that heavy of a setup on a light gun. It'd be more suited to a heavier gun that you're shooting mostly from a rest.
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I agree with that.

The OP's "long range" target shooting being a concern though a 4-12 might not be enough.

I personally don't bother with anything past 9 x's on a hunting rifle, and would even prefer a 2-7, especially if you just bought a gun specifically designed to be light.

The 4-12 might be a good compromise.
 
If it were me? Roll up loose change and stretch the budget a little to get into a Swaro Z3 3-9. A Leupold VX-II/VX-3 or a Zeiss Conquest would be fairly common choices for many people. It all depends what balance of magnification versus glass quality you are willing to accept.
 
The Talley rings is a great suggestion, very light and they work well. For optics I would suggest either the Vortec Diamondback 4-12X40 BDC or the Vortex Viper 4-12X40 BDC. Both are great scopes, the Viper has a bit better glass and side parallax focus, but the Diamondback is a bit smaller more compact and maybe a bit lighter too. Either would well for your intended purposes, and the company is doing a great job with their warranty, although I highly doubt you will ever need it!

Just google the Vortex Canada web site and check them out for yourself.
 
mlehtovaara said:
I personally don't bother with anything past 9 x's on a hunting rifle...

The 4-12 might be a good compromise.
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I agree. I have a 3-9x50 on my hunting rifle but a 4-12x40 on my range gun.

Although my 3-9 has a bigger objective I'm liking the 4-12 more all the time. In bright daylight conditions the extra magnification makes a big difference, actually.

I can see .22 shots on target with the 4-12 @ 100 yards.

Sometimes I even use it as a spotting scope for my 7mag at the range and in real hunting situations my scope is rarely off of 5 power anyway.
 
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I think CZ brno hit the nail on the head with scope AND rings. Leupold and talley, hard to beat for the money, saves you from shopping around.
 
In the OP you mention "long-range bench shooting". What exactly do you mean by "long range"?

I have successfully used a 6x scope on 8" targets beyond 1100 yards. Just yesterday I smacked an 8" rock at 1122 yards with a 6x scope. You don't NEED high magnification to hit stuff at long range. Unless of course, you're trying to circumcise a horse fly at 1000 yards. Glass quality is much more important.

A 3-9x40 is never a bad choice on a hunting rifle. If you were building a heavier, long-range hunting rifle, then I would suggest something in the 4-16 or 6-24 range, but for a lightweight rifle the 6x or 3-9 is pretty much ideal. I would probably go with a Conquest 3-9x40, a VX3, Viper, Meopta, or Bushnell. With your price range, any of those makers will give you an excellent scope.
 
Jordan Smith said:
In the OP you mention "long-range bench shooting". What exactly do you mean by "long range"?
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I would like to touch out to around 800 yards.. I haven't started hand loading yet, but i will be within the next year. Im thinking ahead doing this build. For now i will just be playing with commercial ammo.



Jordan Smith said:
You don't NEED high magnification to hit stuff at long range. Unless of course, you're trying to circumcise a horse fly at 1000 yards.
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:D
 
You also didn't specify what your hunting?
A groundhog on a fence is quite a different animal than trying to hit a coyote trotting along at 100's.
My 223 wears an old 4-12 BDC Bushnell, I find it about the best comprimise between TO much & NOT enough magnification.
I have never found a pure target scope capable of being a excellent hunter nor vise-versa a excellent hunting scope capable of being an excellent target!
 
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