Probably redundant question

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MilsurpShooter

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But what exactly do all the numbers mean when your looking for a scope for a rifle?

3-9x50mm
4-16x50mm
4-12x40mm
8-32x50mm

Ok, so long story short, I have a Yugoslavian M48a, 8mm bolt action rifle. I'm going to be putting a scope on it for deer hunting, getting the mount from Ironelite.com so I don't have to use a pistol scope. But with all the numbers and the like I'm having issues pinning down exactly what type of scope I should buy. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
the first numbers is the magnification range. ie, 3-9x means the scope is a variable, and that you can change magnification from 3-power all the way thru 9-power, depending on what you want/need.

the second number is the diameter of the objective lense in mm's. thus, 3-9x 50 is a variable power scope, that you can change the magnification on, and sports a 50mm objective.

the 8 mauser as a deer thumper lends itself well to a scope w/ a magnification range that tops out at 7 - 10, and for hunting in the u.s., an objective that maxes out at 40mm is all you want.

look for a scope like a 2-7x36, 3-9x40, and that sort.

my reccomendation is a leupold vx-2 in a 2-7x variable.
 
Second the suggestion for the Leupold, and I've used a 2x7 on my .243 for some 35 years...

I've used Weavers; no problems; I've had various Leupolds and a few Brand X, Tascos, Simmons, Stith, and who knows what else. (Needless to say, I've done a bunch of hoss-tradin'...)

$ for $, the Leupold is hard to beat.

:), Art
 
Leupold gets my vote too. I think I've read somewhere that the 3X9 variable is the most popular variable in America. However, it wouldn't be my first choice for an 8mm. I'd go with either a 2X7 or a 1X5 because I prefer the larger fields of view of the lower power scopes. Besides, even at 4X there's plenty of magnification for most deer hunting.
 
Notice the numbers are often approximations

The actual numbers will often be somewhat different from the numbers on the box. A reputable manufacturer will usually give actual numbers someplace in the catalog or sales literature. Given numbers are as often to fit into a general class as to be exact.
 
Thanks for the help everyone, the numbers had me throughly baffled for awhile lol.

Seeing as I can't afford a Leupold yet, but I will be looking into them very closely now, anyone have any opinions on Simmons or Barska? Found a nice Simmons scope that's 4-12x40
 
If you want a good second choice, consider Nikon. I bought a muzzleloader last fall that was packaged with A Nikon by the gun shop, and I was impressed with the brightness and clarity.
FWIW
 
Price & quality

My $.02 is: Don't skimp on the 'scope! Price and quality seem to go hand-in-hand in the optics department. The pricier 'scopes will transmit more light, which makes the image you see, clearer in poor conditions, like rain or dawn or dusk, which is when you often see game. The higher price also gets you greater mechanical reliability.

I've tried the cheapo 'scopes in the interest of saving a little $$, and not only is the glass inferior, but there is also the greater liklihood of mechanical failure.

Once with a low-priced 'scope on a very dependable rifle, I shot the leg off a deer, at 50 yd, while aiming at its heart. No, I'm not that bad a shot. Yes, it WAS the 'scope. At the range later, the 'scope proved to have its point-of-impact move about 5" when the magnification was changed. Only got the one shot at the deer. Did not recover the animal. The 'scope had given no previous indication that anything was wrong. It just failed at the critical moment.

All I can say is, NEVER AGAIN!
 
Resist the temptation to go high on magnification--the lower the power, the wider the field of view and the faster/more easily you can acquire a target in the scope.

If you do buy a variable, keep it set on the lowest magnification. If something shows up close, you'll be ready. If you see something a long way off, you'll probably have time to crank up the magnification.
 
If cash is a bit short, and deer hunting is the main deal, you can always go to a gunshow and look for a good used Weaver K4.

Lotsa times I've done some trading in a gun deal where I wanted the scope more than I wanted the particular rifle. So, I'd look for a K4, cleanup/fixup the package and sight it in and then sell it. In over 40 years, I've never regretted getting a K4 and I've never bought one NIB.

I first used Weaver mounts on my old Enfield 1917 in 1950. I have Weaver mounts on my Weatherby, installed in 1973 and some 4,000 rounds of '06 through it. I'm a cheapskate. :)

But the Conetrol mounts on my little Sako are prettier.

Art
 
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