I don't know which scope to get

[LoonWulf]

I've looked through a bunch of scopes and I really like the Leupolds, especially with how light they are and the lifetime warranty.

I really would like a power range that I can hunt and shoot out to 700yds but 4.5x14 is the closest I can afford right now and I really have no idea how far it's possible to shoot accurately with that option. I know I wont be able to see my shots but if I can ring some steel?

Bigger concern is having a low enough power for up close 30-50yd shots without a struggle to get on target.

I have very little experience with adjustable power scopes and it's not like you can try them out before you buy them lol.

4.5-14s, and 3-15s, have become my "standard" power scopes. Depending on how large a target your trying to hit a 14x scope will take you to 700 and beyond....tho admittedly I only plink at anything over about 400yds. It's to far to walk targets out.

6 power is honestly where I've done most of my game shooting. I've personally had no issues finding even moving animals with a scope set like that.
If your so close that it's all a blur, you can simply allow your non scope eye provide your target image, then superimpose the reticle image from the eye looking thru the scope on top of it. it's usually not precise but at the ranges where that becomes necessary it's close enough.
There's a name for doing that, or the effect, but I can't remember what it's called right now.
I assume your looking at the leupy vx-3i 4.5-14x40? id suggest looking at the one with side focus. IMO going with the non-focusable model reduces the effectiveness of the higher power range.

Nikon's clearing out some very nice scopes right now also, tho they are heavier.

 

[Musicianized]

I agree with some of the others;

1. Best solution, 2 scopes with QD mounts
2. Simplest, most cost effective: The Leupold 3.5-10x40mm with the CDS and windplex reticle

Based on the OP, the ringing steel sound more like fun plinking, rather than serious target stuff, so I'd lean towards and optic that would be more practical for the hunting application. On hunting rifles I try to avoid parallex focusing scopes if at all possible. Just one more thing to monkey with when you might not have time. That normally limits to under 12X magnification or so. On the low end 3.5X is perfectly OK for the close in shots that might come. Basically the 3.5-10 is the new versatile 3-9 of yesteryear.

The Leupold 3.5-10x40mm with the CDS and windplex reticle, will be a great open country deer optic that can easily do 400 yds. The windplex will help with the windage and the CDS dial with the 54MOA adjustment, figure 25MOA for elevation after zeroing, shouldn't have any issues out to 700. Depending on the steel target size, it might be challenging at 700 yds, but for friendly competition/practice, who cares?

IMHO, putting a large magnification scope on a sporter, isn't going to make it a precsion rifle, so why try? Set it up as a hunting rifle and have fun practicing with it.

Youre definition of "precision" and mine are probably different, but it better be precision lol. 1moa is good enough for me and expected from this rifle with the right ammunition.

I know you guys want cloverleafs at 1000 yds lol.

 

[Chuck R.]

Youre definition of "precision" and mine are probably different, but it better be precision lol. 1moa is good enough for me and expected from this rifle with the right ammunition.

I know you guys want cloverleafs at 1000 yds lol.

In this context I meant the "standard" definition or accepted of a "Precision Rifle", which is a gun, normally heavy, large magnification scope, external turret adjustment, and set up for target shooting at greater distances. Not so much the accuracy of the rifle. IE This:



VS.

This:



Or this:

 

[Musicianized]

In this context I meant the "standard" definition or accepted of a "Precision Rifle", which is a gun, normally heavy, large magnification scope, external turret adjustment, and set up for target shooting at greater distances. Not so much the accuracy of the rifle. IE This:

View attachment 882275

VS.

This:

View attachment 882276

Or this:

View attachment 882277

Lol I know what you meant.. one of those would be nice too lol. Maybe next year.

 

[Chuck R.]

Lol I know what you meant.. one of those would be nice too lol. Maybe next year.

It's going to happen......"the ringing of steel" is addictive. That's why I'd suggest setting the sporter up as a hunting rifle, then put together a rig specifically for playing at distance.

 

[Musicianized]

It's going to happen......"the ringing of steel" is addictive. That's why I'd suggest setting the sporter up as a hunting rifle, then put together a rig specifically for playing at distance.

Im sure it will eventually. My next gun purchase is goingnto be a Marlin 45-70 though lol.

 

[cdb1]

VXR same glass

I believe the glass is different.

 

[Varminterror]

For the price point, I generally will buy a Bushnell over a VX3i. Better low light transmission, better color truth, and better tracking. I had 4 of them at one point, I’m down to just one now, on a 223 Savage 12 BVSS.

Personally, I fit all of my “typical” hunting rifles with scopes in the 4-16x ballpark. I say “typical” meaning shots which might be 4 yards to 400, with 600-700 still on the table if circumstances came about. The 4.5-14x doesn’t thrill me, but it’s close. There are more instances I wish I had more than 14.5x or 16x than those in which I wish I had less than 4x. I’d rather have a 6-24x on my rifle than a 3-9x, even in close timber. Shoot with both eyes open.

 

[Skylerbone]

I can appreciate you’re wanting to buy local and I understand that they need to charge more as a result of lower volume, so my suggestion is to have your cake and eat it too.

Buy a nice Burris 2-7x from your local shop and replace your old Bushnell with it. Spend the $299 online price of the Bushnell Nitro 5-20x for your new rifle and satisfy everyone for under $500. That leaves you budget for good rings and a basic case without keeping any purchases hidden from the Mrs.

2 scopes for 2 rifles, a nod to the local gun shop, an online deal for you. And, if your buddy puts you 30 yards from a deer crossing (always discuss where you’ll be ahead of time during scouting) you’ll still have that old 3x Bushnell to swap in if you feel 5-20x is too much.

 

[jmr40]

SWFA Super Sniper

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-hd-3-9x42-tactical-30mm-riflescope.html?___SID=U

This is a MUCH better scope than the Leupold. A little heavy for a hunting scope, but at 19oz isn't too bad. I have this scope on my Tikka CTR which I use as a dual purpose hunting/target rifle.

They make a similar scope in fixed powers in 6X, 10X, 12X, 16X, and 20X for about half that price. The glass is better on the 3-9X though. I also have a fixed 6X, as do some of my friends. We've shot them out to 600 yards and didn't feel handicapped. We were able to shoot some 4" groups at that range. Honestly, when you're looking at a target at 600 yards the difference between 6X and 10X just isn't that noticeable. And above 10X you run into some negatives too. Having fine cross hairs and a clear scope beats more X's every time

 

[Musicianized]

SWFA Super Sniper

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-hd-3-9x42-tactical-30mm-riflescope.html?___SID=U

This is a MUCH better scope than the Leupold. A little heavy for a hunting scope, but at 19oz isn't too bad. I have this scope on my Tikka CTR which I use as a dual purpose hunting/target rifle.

They make a similar scope in fixed powers in 6X, 10X, 12X, 16X, and 20X for about half that price. The glass is better on the 3-9X though. I also have a fixed 6X, as do some of my friends. We've shot them out to 600 yards and didn't feel handicapped. We were able to shoot some 4" groups at that range. Honestly, when you're looking at a target at 600 yards the difference between 6X and 10X just isn't that noticeable. And above 10X you run into some negatives too. Having fine cross hairs and a clear scope beats more X's every time

Hell I've been looking at scopes that were 30oz lol. I've raised my budget and I'm prepared to spend more. I'm pretty sure I want a FFP scope. I don't like the idea of reticles changing accuracy at higher power with a SFP scope.

I'm really overwhelmed with scopes at the moment lol.

 

[NSDQ]

You can never go wrong with a Vortex. They have several budget friendly offerings, and the no BS warranty is really no BS. I damaged a scope by dropping my rifle about 20 feet. It was visibly bent and they just sent me a new one. Their glass is good and the adjustments are accurate.

 

[Space Ghost]

Vortex has been making a good name for itself lately. I'vebeen real pleased with the $220 Crosfire II 4-12x44 on my Remington 700 so far.

 

[Musicianized]

Thats a sweet rifle.


Im looking at a Athlon
ARES BTR GEN2 HD

 

[Doc Samson]

Not a thing wrong with any of the suggestions so far! Like Space Ghost, I'm running a Vortex Crossfire 4X12 on my rifle. It is nice for what it is but, like others, I don't want to keep at max magnification to have the BDC reticle line up correctly. So, of course, I'm researching and dreaming!

Have you give Primary Arms a look? I've read a number of reviews that note they seem to offer a lot for the $$$. Many of their reticles, while they might be too busy for some, offer excellent ranging, holdover, and windage without touching the turrets...

 

[Musicianized]

Ill look at those too lol

 

[LoonWulf]

Thats a sweet rifle.


Im looking at a Athlon
ARES BTR GEN2 HD

I just gave an Ares gen1, 2.5-15x50 to a buddy of mine just because I didn't like the FFP (I pretty much could have gotten away with a fixed 15 since I never turned it down).
Otherwise I was very happy with it.

 

[Space Ghost]

Not a thing wrong with any of the suggestions so far! Like Space Ghost, I'm running a Vortex Crossfire 4X12 on my rifle. It is nice for what it is but, like others, I don't want to keep at max magnification to have the BDC reticle line up correctly. So, of course, I'm researching and dreaming!

Have you give Primary Arms a look? I've read a number of reviews that note they seem to offer a lot for the $$$. Many of their reticles, while they might be too busy for some, offer excellent ranging, holdover, and windage without touching the turrets...

I have also been looking at the Primary arms scopes online. I have the 1-8 on my .308 AR because I love the ACSS reticle, and they have a couple of 4-14s I like that are both FFP scopes. One has mil dot, the other a HUD reticle for DMR use.

 

[Musicianized]

I think I've narrowed my decision down to a Bushnell LRHI, 3-12 or a SWFA SS 3x15

One or the other. Both seem to be highly regarded.

 

[Walkalong]

I'm old school, still like low magnification and a large FOV. Last thing I shot was a pig at around 150 yards, on 2X. Didn't even bother to dial it to 7X.

Sighted in a new 2-10X50 scope on my old .308 last year (Replaced a Leupold Vari X III 2.5-8).

Shot two shots at 100 yards on 2X to verify.

 

[Musicianized]

Lol.. with your $3k leica scope. I'm sure the glass clarity helps see that.

 

[Walkalong]

$1K, on sale for $500, but yea, it's real nice.

 

[Musicianized]

$1K, on sale for $500, but yea, it's real nice.

I was looking at them the other night and didnt see any that cheap.

 

[Musicianized]

I pulled the trigger on the Bushnell Elite LRHI today

 

[Walkalong]

What power?