Scope this rifle...

M

Max-4

CGN Regular
Rating - 98.8%
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Location
Southern Ontario
Hey, so I just got a Sako 85 Hunter Stainless in .308 and I'm going to be using it as my dedicated big game rifle for moose, deer and black bear here in Ontario.

I typically hunt up north where the shots are in close and in wooded areas and swamps. We usually push the bush and do runs while shooters sit on swamps, hardwood clearings, logging roads or snowmobile trails for moose. Alot of the deer hunting we do is walking the bush stalking, doing runs or sitting in tree stands.

I'd venture to say that most of the realistic shots are within 100 yards and if I'm honest 50 yards is more the norm. There may be the odd 100+ yard shot across a meadow at a moose if it presents itself but 200 yards would be the absolute max I'm shooting.

I like good quality low power and compact scopes. 1-4, 2-7, 3-9 Max? I currently own a Bushnell Elite 4500 2.5-10x40 but it's too big and heavy for this rifle for my liking. I want a good quality scope used for hunting, not looking for a tactical type scope. Clear optics, durability, waterproofness are a must and my budget is $600-$800 approx.

Thanks in advance!
 
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be prepared to pay for the Optilock rings. you will get the most selection from Stoeger Canada directly because they are specific to models in some cases. Leupold VX5 is a nice choice. any 3-9x40 will work for you easily. brands to look at

Leupold
Burris fullfields are nice - the 2.5-10x42 is sweet, so is the 3-12x42
vortex - some hate them, some love them. diamondback 3-12x40, venom or viper in the good hunter ranges.
steiner are nice

stay away from bushnell. they don't have a lifetime warranty and depending on the dealer, you may have to send them to USA for warranty coverage.

zeiss and swarovski - 10 year+5 year warranty only. beautiful optics - but pass.

I have zero experience with the newer Brands like DNT/Arken?et al

Boltgun
 
Sounds like a tough low powered scope with an illuminated dot.

Nightforce SHV 3-10
Trijicon Accupoint 3-9
Leupold VX-5HD 2-10 with firedot

Just off the top of my head.

I don’t mind using a LPVO for this app and currently run a Vortex Razor 1-6 on my bush 308. The problem with a lot of LPVO scopes is compromises. And for bush/low light performance you will pay, and it still won’t beat a decent 3-9
 
Max-4 said:
Hey, so I just got a Sako 85 Hunter Stainless in .308 and I'm going to be using it as my dedicated big game rifle for moose, deer and black bear here in Ontario.

I typically hunt up north where the shots are in close and in wooded areas and swamps. We usually push the bush and do runs while shooters sit on swamps, hardwood clearings, logging roads or snowmobile trails for moose. Alot of the deer hunting we do is walking the bush stalking, doing runs or sitting in tree stands.

I'd venture to say that most of the realistic shots are within 100 yards and if I'm honest 50 yards is more the norm. There may be the odd 100+ yard shot across a meadow at a moose if it presents itself but 200 yards would be the absolute max I'm shooting.

I like good quality low power and compact scopes. 1-4, 2-7, 3-9 Max? I currently own a Bushnell Elite 4500 2.5-10x40 but it's too big and heavy for this rifle for my liking. I want a good quality scope used for hunting, not looking for a tactical type scope. Clear optics, durability, waterproofness are a must and my budget is $600-$800 approx.

Thanks in advance!
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The sworo z3 a are quiet nice and they have lower magnification options
 
Your budget seems a bit low for a good scope.
Fixed 4x are bright so maybe something in that category if anyone still makes one.
For what you are describing, my go-to is definitely the 2-10 family of scopes.
For whatever reason, they always seem brighter than 3-9's.

The VX3HD is great but pricey and I'm not a Leupold fan.
I like the new Viper HD 2-10 from Vortex. Very bright, light, and illuminated.
A bit over your budget though even then.
Burris makes a couple in that mag range though too.

The thing about Sako's is you are a bit handcuffed with the rings. pricey.
I put pic rails on the Sako 85's that I had which was nice but raised the scope height which I hated.
Ultimately, both were sold for that reason.

Anyway, good luck.

P.S. Edit; I just checked and there are plenty of BUrris offerings that would fit the bill.
And all that said above, A classy rifle like you have there kind of calls out for that Gold Ring on the bell, even though I'm not a fan personally.
If you go Leupold, my advice is to avoid the 3i. Look for the HD, it really means something.
 
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For hunting, where I often take close shots, rarely shoot over 150 yards, I don't stray far from 3-9x40. Simple, reliable and light is my preference.
 
Does your budget include rings and bases?
Also, did you want a silver or black scope?
A used VXIII in silver (or black) in the 2-7 or 2.5-8 range with the small objective (33 to 36) would fit the criteria nicely as would stainless Opti-lock rings/bases.
Those rings and bases aren’t cheap though and would sink your budget but worth it IMO.
I think a lot of people overlook the smaller scopes and for your hunting scenario they really work great.
 
Max-4 said:
Hey, so I just got a Sako 85 Hunter Stainless in .308 and I'm going to be using it as my dedicated big game rifle for moose, deer and black bear here in Ontario.

I typically hunt up north where the shots are in close and in wooded areas and swamps. We usually push the bush and do runs while shooters sit on swamps, hardwood clearings, logging roads or snowmobile trails for moose. Alot of the deer hunting we do is walking the bush stalking, doing runs or sitting in tree stands.

I'd venture to say that most of the realistic shots are within 100 yards and if I'm honest 50 yards is more the norm. There may be the odd 100+ yard shot across a meadow at a moose if it presents itself but 200 yards would be the absolute max I'm shooting.

I like good quality low power and compact scopes. 1-4, 2-7, 3-9 Max? I currently own a Bushnell Elite 4500 2.5-10x40 but it's too big and heavy for this rifle for my liking. I want a good quality scope used for hunting, not looking for a tactical type scope. Clear optics, durability, waterproofness are a must and my budget is $600-$800 approx.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Spend the money on oem bases and rings for your Sako rifle.
Buy a Leupold or a Burris, but a Leupold over Burris ...Burris is the heavier of the two scopes.
 
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