[righteousbarbarian]

What do you think a pretty high quality and versatile scope would be for a Tikka T3 Hunter .308? I know that many of the good brands are Leupold, Zeiss, Nikon, etc, so what I'm really looking for are specific models. Here are my requirements:

Usage: mainly target shooting, hunting, shooting gallon jugs from really far away :), etc.
Price Range: less than $600 (non-negotiable)
Specs: At least 9x or 10x max, bright (40mm+), accurate, rugged, versatile

I guess I'm looking for a mid-end scope with high-end performance, if possible. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[righteousbarbarian]

I had been looking at this scope earlier today but then I poked around to see what people on this board had to say about their Burris scopes and it seems like quite a few folks were disappointed. In my research so far, I've found that the opposite seems to be true about Nikon scopes. It seems like they offer a good performance/price ratio.

[aubie515]

I heard that Nikon is changing their product line, so you might be able to find some good bargains. I don't like Nikon's BDC scopes, but that's just a personal preference. I would look toward any Monarch model scopes from Nikon. The glass is better compared to the Prostaff or Buckmaster series. I owned a few of the Buckmaster scopes because I found some great deals on them, but they don't compare to the Monarchs.

You may also want to take a look at IOR scopes. They are made in Romania and have some very clear glass. I have a 2.8x10 with the MP8 reticle and it is very clear. I am thinking about sellilng it because I'm selling the rifle that it is mounted on. They have hunter models and "tactical" models as well.

[righteousbarbarian]

thanks for your input. may i ask what you didn't like about the BDC scopes? I found one here that has many of the specs I desire at a price that is well within my budget.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/37088

[Zak Smith]

Shooting stuff "from really far away" requires a way to precisely specify elevation and to a lesser extent windage.

This article goes a bit beyond what you want to do, but it does address the long-range part
PRACTICAL LONG-RANGE RIFLE SHOOTING - PART II: OPTICS (http://demigod.org/articles/practical-long-range-rifle-shooting-optics/)

[righteousbarbarian]

Here is a 2.5-10x50mm Nikon Monarch Gold that is just at the edge of my price range.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/52268

Do you think that would be overkill for a Tikka T3 or a CZ 550?

[CB900F]

Righteous;

I'll second the motion for a Nikon, they have very good stuff, & a lot of it's on sale these days. I've got two Nikon Monarch 3.3-10X A/O mil-dot scopes & am very happy with them. The second one I recently bought from www.natchezss.com & paid less for it than the first one I bought at wholesale! I think that before shipping, it was about $275.00, used to retail at something around $390.00.

However, I also have a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10X mil-dot on another gun. That scope is simply outstanding. I'm not sure what the retail price is these days, but without the mil-dots, it's almost certainly at or slightly above the max you gave.

Mil-dots certainly help with field adjustments in rapidly variable conditions, but lot's of people don't like them, I do.

900F

[CD0311]

Try the Leupold MK4 4.5-14x40 with 30mm main. 100 moa adjustment (if i remember) its about $650 new with duplex and 750 with mildot.

[.41Dave]

I'd go with the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 with the Mil-Dot reticle. $500, well withing your stated budget, and about the best choice in terms of optical quality for your buck. If you don't need the mil-dot and can go with a standard duplex reticle, you can get one for about $400.

http://www.swfa.com/pc-1526-259-zeiss-3-9x40-conquest-rifle-scope.aspx

[V00DOO]

trijicon accupoint 3-9x40

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/voodoothenoob/1111-2.jpg