Which rifle should I get..?

There is a very good reason why 3-9x is so popular and has been for so long. 3-9x is suitable for most needs. High magnification makes it difficult to acquire targets at short range - most deer are shot at ranges under 200m, where 3x or 4x is good enough. You should carry with the scope set on lower power. If a target appears at longer range you will have time to adjust the scope to higher power, or you won't have time to set up the shot at all. If you can't see it well enough with 9x magnification, it is almost certainly too far for you to shoot.

With practice and experience you may be able to take shots that call for a higher magnification, but then figuring out what scope should replace your 3-9x is, like buying more guns for new shooting applications, part of the fun.
 
rishu_pepper said:
I have heard that the VX-II is a good scope, but saving $200 by going with a Bushnell seems more practical. I don't think a beginner like me would notice the difference between the quality anyway (aside from the warranty). More ammo $$ FTW :D

I'm not familiar at all with scope specs; is 3-9 suitable for my needs, i.e. deer and the occasional varmint hunt?
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Get a 3-9x40mm Elite 3200 and you'll be quite pleased, or buy the 3-10x40mm Elite in the EE and you'll save some more $$ too.;)

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175118
 
cooleyc said:
I know a lot of people like the higher end Bushnells and they all have a lifetime warranty on them. Even my Sportview lasted over 10 years before it s**t its guts, and a 3-9 Rangemaster (I think that's what it's called has the BDC) is the only one my Dad's ever had on his .303. More people say bad things about Bushnell (Trashnell).
Leupold also have a lifetime warranty, but the service center is here in Alberta, just a short drive to Okotoks. I'm not sure where Bushnells is. I replaced my Bushnell with a VX-1 and I like it very much.
If it were me buying it, I'd go for a similarly priced Leupold over the Bushnell. Good luck with your purchase!
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I had a bushnell that blew its innards out into the frount bell, little lenses rattling around inside. :mad:

sort of like looking throught a Kaladiscope, or a fish bowl, sent it back to bushnell and they had discontinued that mocel so I got a new and better scope.

Probably didn't help that I was using it on the M14/M305
 
rishu_pepper said:
Blargon should be my personal adviser; again I bought from the above link for $210, a pretty good price considering the local store sells for $279 without tax.
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My bill is in the mail :D. Good choice on the scope for your new .308, lots of eye relief for your gun. Put that in your leupold rings, and show us some pics. Nice rig for $710. Jeez, I shoulda bought it...:redface:
 
blargon said:
My bill is in the mail :D. Good choice on the scope for your new .308, lots of eye relief for your gun. Put that in your leupold rings, and show us some pics. Nice rig for $710. Jeez, I shoulda bought it...:redface:
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I promise y'all, the first thing I do after receiving both rifle and scope is to go to my range and take some shots (by that I mean, shooting ammo AND shooting pics of it :cool:)!

You're right, this is well under my intended original budget of $1000. It would've been about that price if I'd bought from the local gun stores. Now I'll have some money to get a decent reloading kit, maybe a Lee Anniversary kit?
 
rishu_pepper said:
You're right, this is well under my intended original budget of $1000. It would've been about that price if I'd bought from the local gun stores. Now I'll have some money to get a decent reloading kit, maybe a Lee Anniversary kit?
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I went with the Lee Kit, but to do it over, I'd go Hornady or RCBS. The lee powder measure and scale are a little too flimsy for me. I'm still using them, but intend on upgrading in the future.
 
blargon said:
I went with the Lee Kit, but to do it over, I'd go Hornady or RCBS. The lee powder measure and scale are a little too flimsy for me. I'm still using them, but intend on upgrading in the future.
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Roger that. I'll see what the local stores have to offer, I'm making a tour of 3 gun stores in Vancouver today (plus proudly Canadian Tire ;)). Gonna get me some accessories like gun case, cleaning kit, reloading kit, and whatever looks good. Hmm, this month's visa bill is not looking good :D
 
Now that you are getting all rigged up, be sure and practice shooting alot. Shoot from all positions and always with proper form. If you do this enough, and with a little study of deer anatomy, you should be a slayer in no time. But, practice, practice, practice. Get to know what YOUR rifle does at what ranges, and what you can do at different ranges. Remember, the rifle has the power to ethically take a deer, but you have to do your part and put the bullet in the right spot. Have fun.
 
Curt said:
. Remember, the rifle has the power to ethically take a deer, but you have to do your part and put the bullet in the right spot. Have fun.
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and moose, black bear, elk, goat, sheep............ .308 is no slouch :rockOn:


check out Reliable Gun&Tackle. they are awesome.
 
Curt said:
Now that you are getting all rigged up, be sure and practice shooting alot. Shoot from all positions and always with proper form. If you do this enough, and with a little study of deer anatomy, you should be a slayer in no time. But, practice, practice, practice. Get to know what YOUR rifle does at what ranges, and what you can do at different ranges. Remember, the rifle has the power to ethically take a deer, but you have to do your part and put the bullet in the right spot. Have fun.
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Practice is definitely high on my priority list right now, which is why I bought myself a Ruger 10/22 today. I hear starting out with a .308 might be too much to handle, what with the recoil, and might develop a flinch; besides the price of .22 ammo are incomparable with .308, so this rimfire will serve me well in the beginning.

My bud and I do plan to go deer hunting some time this season, hopefully soon. Know any good spots that's not too far from the Lower Mainland? I was thinking Sidney Island for Fallow deers..?
 
It's a few hours drive, but if you're going for a weekend, just head up to Cache Creek, find a forest service road, drive to the end of it and start walking. Lots of decent mule deer up there.
 
barry1974w said:
It's a few hours drive, but if you're going for a weekend, just head up to Cache Creek, find a forest service road, drive to the end of it and start walking. Lots of decent mule deer up there.
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Aside from mule deer, what are some other frequent species up at Cache Creek? Seems like a good, relatively close place to go to, a scouting trip required?

And how does one find forest service roads? I can't seem to locate them on MapQuest...
 
Well everybody, here is my new rig. I took this pic at the local range today.

DSC01660.jpg


The recoil is much stronger than I thought (my shoulder is still sore! ;)) , though to be fair, the only thing I've ever shot are .22's and a 9mm handgun. It'll take me a while to get used to, I'm sure, but I gotta say this thing can be real accurate. My groups this time are not worthy to be posted (haven't boredsighted yet), will update next time.

Savage 14 American Classic in .308 - $500
Bushnell Elite 3200 3-10x40mm - $210
Experiencing off-the-feet recoil for the first time - priceless :D
 
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Thanks guys, especially those who recommended the gun and scope to me on CGN, you are all very helpful! :)

Now the coins will go into accessories. First up, a Limbsaver recoil pad, because I'm a noob for recoil, I'll admit it any day :D

A sweet sling would also do nicely. Other than that, I can't think of anything else..? Time to throw some suggestions in again, fellow gun nutz! :rockOn:
 
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