Help with scope selection

[MidRoad]

Hey guys looking for your thoughts on optics for my new tikka a t3x in 7mm-08.it's going to be my main hunting rifle. Shots will be under 150 yards,most about 50-75 yards. But would like to play with some targets at 400 plus yards with my buddy.

I currently have a vx3i 2.5-8 which is a great little scope. But I really would like a CDS or ballistic reticle. So I could send it in and have it retro for for about 150. Or I could sell the scope (like new 2 month old) and get 90% back and fund another scope.

been considering these
-bushnell elite 4500 2.5-10 for $291, and a cds from keaton industries for about 70 bucks
-Leopold vx3i 3.5-10 for $340,with a cds voucher
-vortex viper hs 2.5-10 $369
-even trade for a zeiss conquest 3-9mc,plex reticle and in great shape, not code or ballistic but i hear they are one hell of a scope

I'm open to other scope suggestions too, thanks!

 

[jmr40]

Of those options I'd send the scope to Leupold and have the reticle changed. I've used scopes with both CDS systems and reticles with multiple aiming points and prefer a reticle with dots for hunting. Twisting dials is more precise especially at long range, but dots are a lot faster and plenty accurate. With either system you really need a rangefinder once you start shooting much beyond 300 yards. Most all rounds shoot flat enough that drop just isn't a huge issue until you get past 300. After that knowing the exact range starts to be important with even the flattest shooting loads.

An even swap for a Zeiss would tempt me. It is a bigger heavier scope that will add a noticeable amount of weight to the rifle.

400 yards isn't really long range, you can make that happen with the scope you have. With a 100 yard zero you can hold dead on out to 200 yards and hit big game. At 300 yards 1-2" of daylight between the horizontal cross hairs and the top of a deers back will result in a hit and if you use the tip of the fat part of the vertical cross hair right where it tapers down as your aiming point you'll probably be dead on at 400 yards.

 

[eastbank]

i shoot a rem 700 sps left hand with a 2.5x8-38 mm with 1/4 click adjutsments and shoot a nosler 120gr nosler bt bullet at 3000fps with a healthy load of varget and when sighted in(zero) at 200 yards, its 9 clicks for zero at 300 yrds and 21 clicks for zero at 400 yrds and 36 clicks for zero at 500yrds. this rifle is super accurte shooting less than one inch three shot groups at 200yrds. i shot two goats in wyoming last oct.,(not big ones, but good eating) one at 280yrds and a second one at 320yrds. i gave the scope 9 clicks elevation and held right on the front shoulder of both, fireing from the prone postion with a harris bipod, killng both with one shot each with a complete pass thru with good exit holes and no tracking. i think your 2.5x8 leupold will be fine, all i would do is have clicks installed instead of friction if it don,t have them. eastbank.

 

[Bbear]

I would suggest, in this order:
Minox 3-9x40 w/ their BDC reticle on sale @ cameralandny.com for around $125 or so
Leupold VX3i in 3-9x40 with their Boone & Crockett reticle (you can also return your current scope to have that added if you're not wanting a 'new' scope for the new rifle)
Zeiss trade - as noted, it's heavier and doesn't have either the BDC style reticle or the ability to dial with any ease.

 

[MidRoad]

I heard the minox bdc reticle is real thin and tough to see in low light, is that true? Anyone have experience with the diamond back hp's ? I have a 2-7 diamond back on my cz 527 and its a nice little scope. Wasn't sure if the hp is worth the extra buck.

 

[1stmarine]

Drop comp and BDC is a great concept but in reality it doesn't work because if you change the perfect load/conditions for it then you have to change the reticle that is not possible.
It works to a certain extend for sticking always to the same ammo purposely designed and if you don't have a first focal plane then it only works at a certain
magnification levels that what they do is adapt the reticle design to whatever mean value in a known unit of measure like MOA or mils.
Instead I would get something still with decent glass but uniform/common units of measure like a mil system or MOA recicle design.
If it is for 300 yards you don't even need a BDC and could hold on the target but if small targets are in the menu a plex fine reticle wiht target
turrets for precise correction might be a better choice. Some BDC are not the finest and will obstruct view of the smaller details at large distance, including small targets.
Some basic tactical scopes will do everything one needs to do with a hunting rifle or AR and then they can be used to provide meaningful and rapid
correction wiht any loads given you can pull out your ballistic table.
You have now new designs that include estadia subtensions in standard unit of measure including windage so that will give you a faster and reliable
way to adjust w/o touching the turrets. (ie: horus designs)

you also have advanced DBC/comp designs in first focal plane like the pride and fowler scopes but while you remove the second focal plane variable
you still have to deal with the problem on how to adjust to changing loads, conditions and fine adjustment.

In terms of quality of glass leupold, redfield revolution, Burris, Vortex HD/PST and weaver grand slam or weaver tactical use camera type lenses in quality of glass.
I think the best way is to go to a store and look through them because we all have different set of eyes and see light and colors differently.
the first thing one should do is to adjust the ocular piece precisely and then start doing some basic tests and looking at the features.

In terms of the features the most valuable things are going to be palallax adjustment and having a first focal plane but those cost more on average.
Midway created a very simple but very unique tactical scope called weaver tactical 3-10 (Army mild dot) that while it doesn't have parallax it is japanese made wiht
the same quality construction as the larger first focal scopes. glass wise stands out for little price. This can be used for ranging and mil-mil correction at
full magnification just like a fixed tactical scope while it can be used at lower magnification using a simple multiplier or using it like a regular plex.

One scope that is a great value is the weaver tactical scopes even in 3-15 with simple mild dot and firs focal is a great way to get initiated wiht decent set of feaures.
I think vortex Viper PST is also a great entry level but those are more expensive and not better. Keep in mind these have larger turrets and they are beefed up so
they are heavier. I don't want to derail from the direction but I think a tad more of magnification is not a bad thing if one day you want to take long shots and
perhaps tackle small targets or small game that is why a starting magnification with 3 yet 15 on the high end is very attractive. I use 2-7 in many uppers just
because I do not expect fine targets but if I did I would be sacrificing on the close range and getting more magnification. A rifle gives you a long arm, a good
scope with more detail gives you the means to make the most of that long arm.

There are so many scopes, personal preferences and options that your head will spin so I suggest take your time and study a little and hit some stores and check them out in person.
Also ask around the range and people will be happy to show you theirs and perhaps take a few shots. I think spending a bit more is not a bad idea because a good scope will always
stay even if you re-barrel or change rifles down the road.

With all this I don't mean the BDC do not work, I have a few of them in different comp reticle designs and brands. They can work but they can make things more
complicated with a few exceptions first focal or not. But as long as you understand these limitations then you will be able to make better judgement on the features.

Again wiht many calibers you will be able to do a lot with a simple plex scope but if you are going to shoot some slow heavy loads and anyway consider reticle
designs why not look at standard units of measure right?

I hope this helps.

 

[Walkalong]

7mm-08.it's going to be my main hunting rifle. Shots will be under 150 yards,most about 50-75 yards

VX3i 1.75x6x32

You don't need a BDC reticle for hunting at 200 yards and in IMHO.

would like to play with some targets at 400 plus yards with my buddy.

Those two applications don't overlap well.

You need a separate scope and mounts you can swap back and forth, or another rifle set up with a higher power scope with whatever BDC/MOA/Mil Dot etc set up you like.

I currently have a vx3i 2.5-8 which is a great little scope.

I do too, and I agree.

 

[cdb1]

I would suggest, in this order:
Minox 3-9x40 w/ their BDC reticle on sale @ cameralandny.com for around $125 or so
Leupold VX3i in 3-9x40 with their Boone & Crockett reticle (you can also return your current scope to have that added if you're not wanting a 'new' scope for the new rifle)
Zeiss trade - as noted, it's heavier and doesn't have either the BDC style reticle or the ability to dial with any ease.

Leupold VX-3i doesn't come in 3-9.

I voted retrofit.

 

[cdb1]

VX3i 1.75x6x32

You don't need a BDC reticle for hunting at 200 yards and in IMHO.

Those two applications don't overlap well.

You need a separate scope and mounts you can swap back and forth, or another rifle set up with a higher power scope with whatever BDC/MOA/Mil Dot etc set up you like.


I do too, and I agree.

I have a VX-3 1.75-6x32 and it is a great scope. Had the custom shop put a German #4 reticle in it. It is mounted on a 30-30 which may seem like overkill to some people but I like it.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I put the Leupold VX-R 3-9 with the firedot 4 reticle on my 7mm-08. Firedot 4 is like the german duplex reticle and it has the adjustable intensity dot in the crosshairs for low light conditions. Your choice dot can be on or off,rather have and not use it than need it and not have it.I like having the missing top heavy duplex to see the game clearly with nothing in the way.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...726277a9620d7363b99ecb7166ed3618H0&ajaxhist=0

 

[MidRoad]

I put the Leupold VX-R 3-9 with the firedot 4 reticle on my 7mm-08. Firedot 4 is like the german duplex reticle and it has the adjustable intensity dot in the crosshairs for low light conditions. Your choice dot can be on or off,rather have and not use it than need it and not have it.I like having the missing top heavy duplex to see the game clearly with nothing in the way.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...726277a9620d7363b99ecb7166ed3618H0&ajaxhist=0

My younger brother (who I live with) put a 2-7 vxr on his ruger guide gun, and in just say it is a sweet scope. think he paid about 4.5 bills for it.

I'm still trying to feel out my options. I may end up sticking with the 2.5-8. I am also looking to improve upon my 2-7 vortex diamond back that I have on my cz527 carbine in .223. I'm leaning towards a 1-4 monarch with a German number 4 . It would fit that gun like a glove. Anyone have input on those monarchs?

 

[PaFrank]

Hey guys looking for your thoughts on optics for my new tikka a t3x in 7mm-08.it's going to be my main hunting rifle. Shots will be under 150 yards,most about 50-75 yards. But would like to play with some targets at 400 plus yards with my buddy.

I currently have a vx3i 2.5-8 which is a great little scope. But I really would like a CDS or ballistic reticle. So I could send it in and have it retro for for about 150. Or I could sell the scope (like new 2 month old) and get 90% back and fund another scope.

been considering these
-bushnell elite 4500 2.5-10 for $291, and a cds from keaton industries for about 70 bucks
-Leopold vx3i 3.5-10 for $340,with a cds voucher
-vortex viper hs 2.5-10 $369
-even trade for a zeiss conquest 3-9mc,plex reticle and in great shape, not code or ballistic but i hear they are one hell of a scope

I'm open to other scope suggestions too, thanks!

I bought my first Zeiss Conquest about 3 years ago, and YES, they are impressive... One area in particular stands out... Twilight. If you compare it to a Leupold in daylight you will probably not notice much of a difference. However, where you WILL notice a difference, (at least in my experience) is in those last 5 or 10 minutes of light.. We noticed this on a Maine Bear hunt 3 years ago and I began upgrading most of my "serious" hunting rifles To Conquests since. The scopes I replaced were pre-Monarch Nikon's, Leupold, Burris, and A Bushnell Elite.

 

[CaliCoastie]

Ha, have the same gun tikka t3 in 7mm-08. Wearing a leupold vx-3 3.5-10, moved a viper pst 2-10x32 off. Great move away from that scope. Didn't have a good fit, big heavy, but now I'm wanting to go lower. 2.5-8 fits what Im currently on the look out for.
You want more, less, same magnification? To me the size, weight of the viper with a 30mm tube was more then I wanted, rifle always wanted to go scope down.

 

[eastbank]

i won a leupold 2.5x8-38mm scope at a sporting club drawing and liked it so much i bought another one, they both have click adjustments that i like over the older friction type adjustments. they are clear,light and take heavy recoil. my longest shots at game animals to date were two speed goats with the rem 7mm08, one shot kills for each at 280yrds and 310 yrds. i find that at my normal hunting ranges and game animals they have more than enough x power. i have one on a rem 700 sps in 7mm08 LH and the other one on a rem 700 BDL in 308 LH. eastbank.