Quick question about scopes.

Thisisyourcaptin

Thisisyourcaptin

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2019
Messages
157
Location
Akron ohio
I am looking at a 1-4 power scope for Remington 700 in 35 Whelan. Have been using some no name Japanese’s scope that has a fantastic ability to drift zero and create all kinds of new 4 letter words. So time to look for a proper scope.

I have settled on a Leoupold 1-4. I have Leupold quick release rings and bases. Great set up.

When I am looking for scope, since on a budget I am looking at eBay. I have found two that look and read to be the same. However one is a “shot gun” scope. What is the big difference between that and a regular scope? I as as the shotgun one is new unused and 100 bucks less. If it works then it would be nice to save 100 bucks.

Long term the I’d like one of the Swiss scopes. But until then I’d like something that can hold zero. Do not need illuminated or anything. Just a nice simple 1x4.

sorry for the mess in the photos. They were taken while gutting the basement. Stuff was everywhere in the house. IMG_4892.jpeg IMG_4890.jpeg IMG_4891.jpeg
 
First I'd check this out:

www.leupold.com

Counterfeit Warning

We’ve been making world-class optics that bear our family name for over 100 years. We honor that legacy every day as we design, machine and assemble…
www.leupold.com www.leupold.com

and I'd thoroughly research any Leupold deal on Ebay..

A lot of times the difference is in the distance they expect you to zero, and shoot so the subtence for the BDCs will be different (if equipped) and they often have a shorter parallax free distance, sort of like a .22 scope. They can also come with a different eye relief and with thicker cross-hairs, because they're set up for shorter distances and shotguns with slugs tend to recoil more. But it really is model dependent.
 
I am pretty sure the parallax on a shotgun scope is 50 yards. If your planning on only shooting 50-100 yards it might be okay, but why limit yourself?

I am not a scope guy. I am learning more and more about them. There are a lot of scope savvy folks here that know this stuff much more than I.

Parallax explained - this helped me understand parallax.
www.opticsplanet.com

What is Parallax?

We cover what rifle scope parallax means and how parallax adjustments help your shot. Read more to learn about scope parallax and why it's important.
www.opticsplanet.com www.opticsplanet.com
 
Parallax and focus. Shotgun scopes are designed to be focused, zeroed and shot at 50-75 yards. Scopes for rifles are designed for 100-150 yards. It varies with different manufacturers.

It is usually more of a problem getting a rifle scope zeroed at close range, (under 50 yards) than the other way around.
Parallax isn't that big of a deal unless you're shooting at tiny targets at long range.
 
243winxb said:
https://www.bushnell.com/scopes/view-all-riflescopes/banner-1.5-4x32-riflescope/BU-611546.html

Bushnell
Click to expand...
I’ve seen this. Was talked out of it at the local gun shop. Keep in mind I have zero knowledge of their modern line up. The local guys said they were not as good as they use to be. Just today the shop owner turned me on to a Nikon 1x4 Monarch 1x4 that is up for sale For 200 bucks. It was his personal scope for his 375 H&H. Since he is doing better now he as moved up the quality of this stuff and has Swarovski 1-8. He claims it will handle the 35 Whelen recoil like a champ. It’s heavier than the Leupold I picked up. But only by a bit. Seems just a clear as far the glass goes. Looks like new too.
 
Thisisyourcaptin said:
I am looking at a 1-4 power scope for Remington 700 in 35 Whelan. Have been using some no name Japanese’s scope that has a fantastic ability to drift zero and create all kinds of new 4 letter words. So time to look for a proper scope.

I have settled on a Leoupold 1-4. I have Leupold quick release rings and bases. Great set up.

When I am looking for scope, since on a budget I am looking at eBay. I have found two that look and read to be the same. However one is a “shot gun” scope. What is the big difference between that and a regular scope? I as as the shotgun one is new unused and 100 bucks less. If it works then it would be nice to save 100 bucks.

Long term the I’d like one of the Swiss scopes. But until then I’d like something that can hold zero. Do not need illuminated or anything. Just a nice simple 1x4.

sorry for the mess in the photos. They were taken while gutting the basement. Stuff was everywhere in the house. View attachment 1190826View attachment 1190827View attachment 1190828
Click to expand...
I have a Leupold VX3 on my .35 Whelen. The Whelen has enough range to make use of a full 8x if you choose to do so.
 
243winxb said:
https://www.bushnell.com/scopes/view-all-riflescopes/banner-1.5-4x32-riflescope/BU-611546.html

Bushnell
Click to expand...
The older Jap-Banners were good scopes. I don't trust Leupold scopes made the last 8-10 years. A 2-7 Vari-x IIc would be an excellent choice for the rifle. They are around in the $200.00 range. I used them on a 375 H&H and the 416 Rigby that was on my avatar photo rifle. The newer Leupold glass is superior to the Vari-x glass, but the new ones have had tracking issues and reliability problems, sadly.

Maybe try to find a 1.5-5 Vari-x III??
 
Folks tend to fall into one camp or the other when it comes to scopes.

One camp wants clear and bright glass. The Euro scope crowd.

The other camp wants rugged construction and repeatable tracking. The Nightforce crowd.

You have already experienced poor tracking. The one below is only going to be "okay" in terms of optics but has a great reputation for ruggedness and tracking.

swfa.com

SWFA 1-4x24 SS - Illuminated MIL-Quad DM Reticle, 30mm, .1 MIL Clicks

SWFA is an optics manufacturing specializing in rifle scopes built for tactical, hunting, and long range shooting known for quality and precision optics.
swfa.com swfa.com

P.S. I agree with the post above about the new moderate priced Leupolds.
 
Count me in for both Leupold and Swarovski here as an owner of both. I have a Leupold 1-4 that has been great as well as a Swaro. Tracking should be a non issue for this purpose (but my other Leopold CDS has been good in that regard).
 
Thisisyourcaptin said:
I am looking at a 1-4 power scope for Remington 700 in 35 Whelan. Have been using some no name Japanese’s scope that has a fantastic ability to drift zero and create all kinds of new 4 letter words. So time to look for a proper scope.

I have settled on a Leoupold 1-4. I have Leupold quick release rings and bases. Great set up.

When I am looking for scope, since on a budget I am looking at eBay. I have found two that look and read to be the same. However one is a “shot gun” scope. What is the big difference between that and a regular scope? I as as the shotgun one is new unused and 100 bucks less. If it works then it would be nice to save 100 bucks.

Long term the I’d like one of the Swiss scopes. But until then I’d like something that can hold zero. Do not need illuminated or anything. Just a nice simple 1x4.

sorry for the mess in the photos. They were taken while gutting the basement. Stuff was everywhere in the house.
Click to expand...
Nice looking rifle!



Thisisyourcaptin said:
View attachment 1190826View attachment 1190827View attachment 1190828
Click to expand...
 
I have several Bushnell scopes and like them. They are bright, clear, and do what they are supposed to. No problems with any of them. I have some Leupolds too, Same thing. I wouldn't touch a Nikon scope unless it was very, very cheap in price. Nikon scopes are long gone and no repair service offered. If it quits it's filler for the trash can.
 
Last edited:
In addition to parallax settings, shotgun scopes also often have a thicker reticle for better visibility in low light and heavy timber. Or something more busy than a standard duplex, with some sort of circle or the like.

It's a nice rifle, I'd want a Leupold VXII 1-4x or VXIII 1.5-5x, probably the latter.
 
More of a classic rifle...I think it deserves a classic scope. VXII gets my vote. I'm more picky than some folks, so if I found out the rifle was built in the 70's or earlier, I'd be looking for a Denver made Redfield. Not to muddy the water, just a preference for period correct.
 
Howland937 said:
More of a classic rifle...I think it deserves a classic scope. VXII gets my vote. I'm more picky than some folks, so if I found out the rifle was built in the 70's or earlier, I'd be looking for a Denver made Redfield. Not to muddy the water, just a preference for period correct.
Click to expand...
An older gloss finish Redfield or Burris would go real nice on that rifle. ;)
 
I have been on a (CHEAP!) budget nearly all of my life. and with one exception an old school Redfield, the best of the lower priced scopes are Simmons and Bushnell. they have held up to 45-70, 300 win mag, and several lower powered rifles. I did have 1 Bushnell (purchased in the early 1980" that got some moisture in it. that would have been in the mid 2000's. I had a Barska spotting scope, that goes between 20 and 60 power. I can USUALLY able to see 22 caliber holes in targets @ 100 yards. there was not one setting on that scope that is clear and focused at any distance. i have had Tasco's (2 of them) that went belly up with only a few years of use. one was on my 22 magnum Marlin, the horizontal line broke loose, so it looked like a ramp. the 2nd one just went blurry mounted on one of those severe kicking 30-30's. I had a Center Point literally fall apart internally on my Marlin model 60 (22lr). so with my experience, Bushnell and Simmons are the 2 brands that get my hard earned money.
 
I still have a couple of the old school Redfield Widefield 3x9s in service. I don't shoot them very often but they were a thing back in the day...
 
I've kinda gotten more into used scopes than used guns. First thing I do at the LGS is peruse the table of used scopes. Gotta well used and worn Leupold 1.5-5x for cheap about 2yrs ago and it was perfect for the equally used and worn Remington 700 (1960's) I got back in the fall. So now the Lyman All American that came on it will have to find a new home.
 
CraigC said:
now the Lyman All American that came on it will have to find a new home.
Click to expand...
Some of those old Lyman scopes were pretty good too. I have an old Kollmorgen/Stith from the late 40's on my 1946 39A. iIRC, the Stith mounts company contracted Kollmorgen to make scopes, then Kollmorgen's scope line was bought by Redfield. You can tell the lineage by the 3 knurled bands around the objective.
 
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