A little help about a new rifle and scope.

[CarolinaHunter]

I was living in Europe and my browning 30-06 with Swarovski illuminated 2-12x50 was stolen. I couldn’t do anything about it. I moved back to the states and I bought a AAA Winchester super grade in a 7mm rem magnum (haven’t even fired it yet).

My question is, should I go with the same scope, or should I go with an illuminated swarovski z8i 2-16x50 (just time have an all around gun in case I ever get invited to hunt out west) (I live in SC). I’ve been heart broken for about 3 years and I’ve missed all hunting seasons. I just really want to be able to hunt anywhere and not be limited to the scope.

Any help would be greatly greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much, from the bottom of my heart.

 

[Peakbagger46]

I live and hunt out west (mule deer, elk, pronghorn) with a 3-9X40 scope. I’d stick with the 2-12, 16X is more than you need for big game hunting and too much magnification for typical field positions. This is especially true if you are going to get a second focal plane scope with any type of holdover reticle.

 

[LoonWulf]

Again personal preferences etc.
I would go with the 2-16, your not loosing any bottom end, and gaining some power at the top.
Pretty much all of my scopes are now 3-4ish on the bottom end, and 15 to as high as 27 on the top end. Even my .22s usually ware 12 or more power scopes.
If I'm walking around I simply leave them set at 6, but I have a friend that leaves his set at max (4.5-14x shv), and does fine.
I've got a couple 3-9s on rifles also, and never felt handicapped, but I just prefer having more magnification available if I want it.

The one major downside to the new crop of wide magnification, especially 30-34mm tube scopes, is the added weight. For a light rifle I tend to default to the 3-9s, as they are often lighter, and cheaper, than the wide range variables.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I like the scopes with gold rings around em... One is a 12x and another is 3x9. Both have their applications and are on guns that fit that application. For your purposes, a 3x12 would be about perfect.

All but one or two of my scopes are 15 years or older so i cant really help with the newer, fancier tubes.

 

[Sniper66]

The scope you are considering is certainly top notch and would serve you well out west and elsewhere. Since you loved the scope that was stolen, you'll no doubt feel comfortable with the new one. Your choice of rifle is also very solid for your chosen targets. Would like to see the finished rifle when the scope and rifle marry