Which Scope to Use?

Twisted Canuck

Twisted Canuck

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Hi, I posted this on another forum and had some interesting feedback, but still looking for some more thoughts on the matter from the folks that shoot....

So, here's the scenario:

Wondering which scope you would mount and why?

I recently purchased a beauty of a rifle, Remington 700 CDL, Boone & Crockett edition, laminate stock, fluted blued barrel, jewelled bolt. Very nicely built. 7mm-08. I plan on this being my main go-to hunting rifle for deer & elk. Maybe moose if it happens to be in my hands at the moment.

I have two brand new in the box scopes, and am actually undecided which to put on the new Rem. What I have is:

Bushnell Elite 3200, 3-10 x 40mm
Bausch & Lomb Elite 4200, 4-16 x 50mm

I have reasons for wanting to use either. Weight consideration for packing it around goes to the 3-10. Magnification is more than adequate for most shooting I would be doing (under 300 m in most cases)

However, for the odd time I wanted to go do some longer range stuff, or maybe a little varmint/yote shooting, the 4-16 would be nicer to have. Its just so much larger sitting on the rifle though, and I had originally got it thinking to put it on a varmint getter (.22-250 maybe, still haven't decided what to buy and its not in the current budget anyway....) The B&L is also a better quality scope IMO, older Japanese optics, not Korean.

So which would you put on the 7mm-08? Every time I think I made up my mind, I change it. Seems to depend on which scope I am holding at the moment.

You can't believe the back and forth I went through on getting the 7mm-08 instead of the .25-06..........:D
 
I'd put the 3-10x40mm on it.

1) Plenty of magnification for your main use for the rifle.

2) I can't stand 50mm objective lenses.

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
Hands down the 3200 3-10x40mm. I have the same scope. It has enough magnification for fairly long range shooting at large game, is much lighter and more compact (important for a do everything rifle IMO).


PS good choice on the 7mm-08 as an all around caliber. I made the same choice.
 
For a lot of deer hunting in the bush, even a 3-10 scope can be overkill. a lot of guys I hunt with use a 1-2.5x scope for anything in the bush. So if it's mainly deer then the 3-10x should be fine.

If you are concerned about the quality not being as good as the B&L then just go out and buy a new scope. You obviously have a rifle that you believe is absolutely perfect for you. if you compromise on the scope then you won't be completely happy. You may put the bushnell on and regret that the quality is not as good. You may put the B&L on and wish you had a larger field of view for that thick brush deer. I think the elite 3200 series is a fine scope, but once you decide the perfect magnification that you want, then decide what quality scope you want on it.

That's just my opinion. If I were in your situation and did not want to buy a new scope then I would go with the 3200 elite for weight and close shots. It's not the end of the world if you decide to change the scope some time down the road if you find you are making longer shots
 
StevieK said:
For a lot of deer hunting in the bush, even a 3-10 scope can be overkill. a lot of guys I hunt with use a 1-2.5x scope for anything in the bush. So if it's mainly deer then the 3-10x should be fine.

If you are concerned about the quality not being as good as the B&L then just go out and buy a new scope. You obviously have a rifle that you believe is absolutely perfect for you. if you compromise on the scope then you won't be completely happy. You may put the bushnell on and regret that the quality is not as good. You may put the B&L on and wish you had a larger field of view for that thick brush deer. I think the elite 3200 series is a fine scope, but once you decide the perfect magnification that you want, then decide what quality scope you want on it.

That's just my opinion. If I were in your situation and did not want to buy a new scope then I would go with the 3200 elite for weight and close shots. It's not the end of the world if you decide to change the scope some time down the road if you find you are making longer shots
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Wow Stevie, you may want to take up doing psychic readings in your spare time to make some extra cash, you're good!:D

You pretty much nailed where I'm at about it, and your solution is elegant and practical.

The 3-10 x 40 is the better fit for the rifle I think....and the 3200 quality wise is pretty good, so I guess I will put it on and use it for a season or two. There is no reason why down the road, when the budget permits I can't go to a higher end if I think I need to.

I just need to get my kid out of playing rep hockey so I can afford my own hobbies!
 
diemaco said:
Hands down the 3200 3-10x40mm. I have the same scope. It has enough magnification for fairly long range shooting at large game, is much lighter and more compact (important for a do everything rifle IMO).


PS good choice on the 7mm-08 as an all around caliber. I made the same choice.
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X2 Don't need 16x and 50mm is too combersome for a hunting rifle.
 
I can vouch for the Elite 3200. Clear glass and I really like the Rainguard. I have one on my 30-06 and have made a couple of good 325yd shots which I think is about my personal limit. (Most shots are a lot closer.)
 
Go with the 3-10x40:

-10x is ample for anything you intend to use the rifle for
-A 40mm objective scope can be mounted lower and is less cumbersome
-For low light hunting, a 40mm objective provides all the exit pupil your eye can possibly use up to around 6x magnification (most people's pupils open to a maximum of 5-7mm). More magnification than that is usually overkill for big game.
 
Sell them both and buy a Leupold 3-10 x 40 VX3.:p If you simply have to have a bushnell, sell them both and buy a 4200 2.5-10 x 40. Your 4200 50mm objective makes for a bulky package for a an all round rifle, and 3200s are the scopes that they hand out in Hell.
 
Dogleg said:
Sell them both and buy a Leupold 3-10 x 40 VX3.:p If you simply have to have a bushnell, sell them both and buy a 4200 2.5-10 x 40. Your 4200 50mm objective makes for a bulky package for a an all round rifle, and 3200s are the scopes that they hand out in Hell.
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Well said.
 
I would personally mount the 3X9. I am not a big fan of 50mm objectives either. If you're still unsure about things or really want to use the 4X16 for varminting buy two sets of quick release rings and set up both scopes for the rifle. Depending on what you want to do that day, your scope of choice can be mounted and ready to go in seconds.

Dogleg's suggestion is worth considering too. I had a B&L 3200 3-9X40 on one of my rifles for a while. The optics were clear and bright but I found the eye relief and sweet spot a little wanting. I switched to a Leupold VX lll 3.5-10X40 and found the scope much nicer to use given the increased eye relief.
 
I'll break with the crowd and suggest that neither scope is a good choice. I would be more inclined to go with a 2.5-8x Leupold. 36mm objective is nice and trim and sits low, which I like. 11.4 ounces fits the 7lb 3 oz rifle weight perfectly.

My solution - head to the EE and ditch the Bushnell/B&L. Then pick up a 2.5-8x Leupold.
 
Dogleg said:
Sell them both and buy a Leupold 3-10 x 40 VX3.:p If you simply have to have a bushnell, sell them both and buy a 4200 2.5-10 x 40. Your 4200 50mm objective makes for a bulky package for a an all round rifle, and 3200s are the scopes that they hand out in Hell.
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Of course, if he wants to upgrade, Leupold is the obvious choice:stirthepot2::D. All my rifles wear Leupolds. I do however have a Bushnell 3200 3-9x40 floater that use to test rifles/loads at the range before deciding if its a keeper and buying a Leupold. Can't say I've ever had any problems with it.
 
BigUglyMan said:
I'll break with the crowd and suggest that neither scope is a good choice. I would be more inclined to go with a 2.5-8x Leupold. 36mm objective is nice and trim and sits low, which I like. 11.4 ounces fits the 7lb 3 oz rifle weight perfectly.

My solution - head to the EE and ditch the Bushnell/B&L. Then pick up a 2.5-8x Leupold.
Click to expand...

I like the 2.5-8 as well, and it is a trim little scope that may look better on some rifles. Sometimes it just comes down to spitting hairs and fine tuning the setup. For instance, I can mount a 36, 40 and some 50mm scopes in low mounts so there is little to pick from in that regard. The tube on the 2.5-8 is shorter which may limit the amount the scope can be moved back if needed. The eye-relief on the 2.5-8 is slightly shorter, which can be a plus or a minus depending on the individual, their makeup and rifle.
 
Who woulda thunk I'd get so much feedback, and here at GN of all places?:D

Some good advice here for sure. I will put the 3-10 on it and save the B&L for a varmint rig (thats a really nice scope BTW!).

I'll live with the Bushnell for now, actually originally got it to throw on my .22LR Remington, it may end up there some day.

When the budget permits, I'll upgrade my glass....Leupold as suggested, or maybe look at the Zeiss conquest, heard they're really fine.

I'll post pics up when I get some taken, thanks for all the positive input. Particularily glad I picked up this rig in that calibre. Should be a fine shooter.
 
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