Hunting scope for 6.5x55 recommendations
- Thread starter Armymutt
- Start date
- Status
Lots of good scopes in that range.
If you're looking for something like 3-9X40 or 2.5-10X40, for $300 -$400 you can get a Bushnell Elite, Leupold VX-2 or a VX-3 2.5-8X36, Meopta, Minox, Nikon Monarch, Vortex Viper, Weaver Grand Slam, or Zeiss Conquest.
If you're looking for something like 3-9X40 or 2.5-10X40, for $300 -$400 you can get a Bushnell Elite, Leupold VX-2 or a VX-3 2.5-8X36, Meopta, Minox, Nikon Monarch, Vortex Viper, Weaver Grand Slam, or Zeiss Conquest.
I'm mostly hunting in woods. I found a place where deer hang out in the shore line of a swampy/muddy area. I need to map it, but I don't think it's much over 300 yards from an area that I can sit. I'm thinking that a low of 6 might be an issue in denser cover.
Army;
The 6.5 Swede is such a joy I predict you'll soon be looking for other hunting uses for it. Mine wears a scope that's beyond your stated budget, but I didn't mind selling my brother-in-law in an Arkansas truck stop lot to afford it. It's a Zeiss 3.5-10X mil-dot. Though I did have to save up to finally get it, it's worth it!
As was stated earlier, there's a lot of good glass available in the price range you've given us. But, go for the best you can, the gun will prove it's the way to go.
900F
The 6.5 Swede is such a joy I predict you'll soon be looking for other hunting uses for it. Mine wears a scope that's beyond your stated budget, but I didn't mind selling my brother-in-law in an Arkansas truck stop lot to afford it. It's a Zeiss 3.5-10X mil-dot. Though I did have to save up to finally get it, it's worth it!
As was stated earlier, there's a lot of good glass available in the price range you've given us. But, go for the best you can, the gun will prove it's the way to go.
900F
Coltdriver
Member
I would take a look at a Leupold VX 2 or II with a graduated reticle.
The 6.5 is a great round but its not particularly flat shooting. With the longer bullets, 160 grainers, you can reach out with it but you have to know the arc and a reticle with some hold over marks on it is a good choice.
The 6.5 is a great round but its not particularly flat shooting. With the longer bullets, 160 grainers, you can reach out with it but you have to know the arc and a reticle with some hold over marks on it is a good choice.
Army;
I've had a lot of experience with the Swede, and here's my take on the situation. If at all possible, use the 140 grain bullets. There are some excellent BC's available without getting into the high-priced exotic bullets that cost about twice what they should. I'd start with Sierra's fine 140 gr Gameking. Of course, that's considering that you handload. If you don't, the Swede is a helluvan excuse to start though. With the modern Tikka action, you should have no trouble at all achieving velocities around 2700 fps with a 140. That is something that you'll work up to, but most reloading manuals are predicated on 100+ year old actions & therefore take a conservative approach to the information provided.
900F
I've had a lot of experience with the Swede, and here's my take on the situation. If at all possible, use the 140 grain bullets. There are some excellent BC's available without getting into the high-priced exotic bullets that cost about twice what they should. I'd start with Sierra's fine 140 gr Gameking. Of course, that's considering that you handload. If you don't, the Swede is a helluvan excuse to start though. With the modern Tikka action, you should have no trouble at all achieving velocities around 2700 fps with a 140. That is something that you'll work up to, but most reloading manuals are predicated on 100+ year old actions & therefore take a conservative approach to the information provided.
900F
I'm definitely reloading them. Got 5 Mausers in the safe and love shooting them. Getting the Tikka mostly because I want my own hunting rifle, and I'll feel better taking it out in the rain rather than my '41 Winchester 94 that was my great grand father's.
I'll have to try to get over to Gander Mountain and take a look through the scopes.
I'll have to try to get over to Gander Mountain and take a look through the scopes.
Army;
I did some looking around this morning at both SWFA and Midway. SWFA has got the Nikon Monarch3 2.5-10X mil-dot available for just under your $400.00 price cap. They also have the Zeiss Terra 3-9 42mm at the same price.
Midway has the Weaver Tactical Grand Slam 3-10X 40mm mil-dot on sale at $300.00 and free shipping I think.
The Zeiss Terra is a new line to me & I don't have any experience with it, but the Zeiss conquests I do have are all excellent scopes. I also have some older Nikon Monarch mil-dots that I'm very happy with, but they are not the Monarch3's. And the same with the Weaver Grand Slam I've got. It's wonderful glass, but not current production. However, considering the price point, I'd sure be lookin' at that Weaver.
Living as I do on the Rocky Mtn front, the wind blows just a bit. I do almost all my hunting these days with a mil-dot reticle. Once you learn to use it, it's a clean reticle that gives you all the information you need to make the quick shot in varying conditions.
900F
I did some looking around this morning at both SWFA and Midway. SWFA has got the Nikon Monarch3 2.5-10X mil-dot available for just under your $400.00 price cap. They also have the Zeiss Terra 3-9 42mm at the same price.
Midway has the Weaver Tactical Grand Slam 3-10X 40mm mil-dot on sale at $300.00 and free shipping I think.
The Zeiss Terra is a new line to me & I don't have any experience with it, but the Zeiss conquests I do have are all excellent scopes. I also have some older Nikon Monarch mil-dots that I'm very happy with, but they are not the Monarch3's. And the same with the Weaver Grand Slam I've got. It's wonderful glass, but not current production. However, considering the price point, I'd sure be lookin' at that Weaver.
Living as I do on the Rocky Mtn front, the wind blows just a bit. I do almost all my hunting these days with a mil-dot reticle. Once you learn to use it, it's a clean reticle that gives you all the information you need to make the quick shot in varying conditions.
900F
I'm kind of leaning toward the Leupold VX-2 4-12x50. Opticsplanet has a $25 off coupon this weekend. Wasn't planning on buying it this early, but might be easier to get HH6's blessing on it if it's on sale. Still in a toss up between the LR reticle and the regular duplex. Realistically, my usual max range is going to be 200 yards.
- Status