Scoping my BLR, opinions please...

Alleycat

Alleycat

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So at 46yrs old i have come to terms with the fact that my eyes and iron sights just don't get along that well anymore so I'm thinking of scoping my main a carry rifle a BLR .308.
If you guys wanted a fairly light weight and quick to the eye scope used primarily from 15 to 100 yrds what would you suggest. Anything above 100yrds is unlikely but there are a couple spots that stretch out to 200+ yrds...
As for budget i'm hoping to stay under $400.00
 
Take a look at the Nikon Monarch 3 1-4x20 matte finish with a German #4 reticle. Low rings and you're good to go. Eye relief is very generous also. Costs about $300 plus shipping plus tax. Wide field of view for shorter ranges.
 
Bushnell Legend Ultra-HD 1.75x - 5x (32mm). Made my old eyes young again!! I've had it on my .308 for 3 years now - LOVE it!! I think I paid around $300 for it iirc... :)


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sk8r said:
Bushnell Legend Ultra-HD 1.75x - 5x (32mm). Made my old eyes young again!! I've had it on my .308 for 3 years now - LOVE it!! I think I paid around $300 for it iirc... :)


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[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/BLR81%20358/e9de126f-6b1a-4485-b826-bc81e8b37d7d_zps68a55026.jpg.html][/URL]

I replaced the Bushnell 4200 2.5x10-50 that was on this BLR.
When the light was waining, the Leupold came alive.
My taste buds are turning this way as I can't believe I've finally figured it out.
Here's the bigger photo of it with the background cropped out.
Compare it to the photo above.
Be patient and wait for a VX II or VX III to show up in the EE.
 
The simplicity and reliability of the BLR marries way to well with a fixed power quality scope.

Constant eye relief is a major benefit, shoulder the rifle at anytime and it is the same every single time.

Also, a fixed power lets you spend a little more than a variable resulting in a better optic for the same money.

I have fixed low power scopes and high power variables on various rifles, the one I have the most confidence grabbing off the rack to hunt with? The BLR with a fixed power Leupold.
 
Is it the takedown model? If yes, you may not be able to take it down with the low mounted 3x9-40 (at least not without removing the rear sight). I would look into 32 or lower objective if takedown.
 
Hard to beat a Leupold straight 4x scope. Otherwise a variable Zeiss in the Terra line might be good or a 1.5-5x20 Leupold would be both light and quite versatile.
 
Thanks guys.
Although a little pricey I think I'm going to get a new VX-2 2x7. Leupold has a $50 cash back on VX-2's until Sept 1st.

Edit! bought the 2x7 Leupold. Very clear and light in weight. Of course in good old LeBaron fashion they didn't have and bases or rings in stock for a BLR....being so rare I guess, lol
 
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I just had a VX-II 2-7x33 show up for my BLR. Fits and looks perfect on this rifle. I had a 40mm on it, but found it looked a little large. I mounted it with Warne QD low rings and weaver bases.
 
While on the subject of scoping BLR's...my new to me BLR with the shorter LOP, ( 12.5 vs 13.5 done by a smith for the previous owner...), is presenting a problem. The scope I intended to use, Bushnell 6500 1.25-8 x 32 has a 'generous eye relief'...translation, I can't mount it far enough away to see properly at 8X. I even took off the Leupold 2 piece bases and replaced them with a piccany rail to get more mounting options. Still can't get it far enough forward to have a clear picture at the higher magnifications.

Sooooo....anyone know if you can 'adjust' the eye relief? Other than moving the scope forward? I'm thinking I might have to go with something like the Leupold VX-R 1x7 Patrol to get the shorter eye relief, and compact/lightish scope I'm looking for...

Jim
 
That set up on mine in the ^^^^ photo has a fair bit of forward scope movement
that may work for you.
If a 40 bell is too large, see what the spec's on a 33 and smaller has to offer?
 
FWIW, I'm using the Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36mm on my 308 BLR. While I own an S&B, a Nightforce and several other high end scopes, this one is one of my favourite for clarity, brightness and ease of use. This is one of my favourite scopes in the Leupold lineup, due to ideal exit pupil, magnification range, etc.

You can also remove the rear iron sight and mount the scope using low rings, though you will need to use a hammer extension.

Cheers
 
tabs4u said:
I have a VX2 Leupold on my .358 and just love it. Light and compact is the way to go.
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I agree. All too often I see guys with massive, heavy scopes on their hunting rifles, and I wonder why. For normal game hunting at <250 yds, 8/9x is loads enough. Any more and I find I spend more time calming the reticle than actually doing proper ranging and hold off, and my ability to snap shoot with a smaller sight picture is reduced.

My VX-3 is SFP, but I keep it on 8x, which for me works for 50-200yds. At full mag the reticle is also accurate, so ranging and hold off becomes easier to calculate. And at 8x, the FOV is 14' and exit pupil is 4.6mm, both massive and ideal in even low light conditions. Plus the 36mm objective means I can mount it on low rings, which means better cheek weld.

+1000000 for smaller scopes on hunting rifles!
 
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