Best all around scope for .300WM

[KimberTLE.45]

I recently purchased a Tikka T3 in .300WM for whitetail deer. I sometimes hunt a treestand, with a maximum 100 yd shot with 50 yds more likely, but I also hunt some huge fields, where I could shoot up to 500 Yds. I am unsure what scope to go with. I am torn between a Ziess Conquest 3.5-10X44 with a Rapid Z 600 Reticle, or a Leupold VX-III 3.5-10X40 with a B&C reticle. I will have my rifle sighted for a 100 Yd zero. What do all of you think?

 

[ShunZu]

I'm admit I'm partial to Leupold (one is central to the storylines on a Sendero in .300WM in my novels). Some deer hunting purists may comment on your choice of using an Elk cartridge on a Bambi. But to each his own. I prefer a bow for whitetail, rifle for coyotes and other critters... because IL doesn't allow the use of rifles in the state to take deer.

You might want to up the max magnification from a 10 to something higher if you're actually planning on taking a 500 yard shot on a deer. But I know a LOT of match shooters and hunters, and have competed myself for about 35 years... I can't remember anyone admitting to taking a shot on a whitetail at that range. But if you're planning on it, extreme magnification in your binoculars OR your scope will be necessary to correctly identify and qualify your target.

An objective lens of 40mm may be a little narrow since you're shooting whitetail... it may not gather enough light at the crack of dawn or dusk. I like 44's or 50 objectives... even have a few (on coyote pieces) that are 56mm but I'm not nuts about using high mounts to clear the bell on the 56's. The lower the mounts you can use, generally the better for consistent accuracy.

Just .02... and if you take that 500 yard shot, good luck.

 

[Tarvis]

I don't know where you are finding white tail that need 3000+ ft pounds to knock down, but that's just me. Besides the thread is about scope, right?

My vote is Leupold but I'm biased. As far as I can tell, the B&C reticle seems to be a pretty hot ticket, as long as you calibrate it to actually be worthwhile. No point in having it if you don't set it to the proper drop values. Also, from what I hear Zeiss makes a very good scope, but I have never used one.

An objective lens of 40mm may be a little narrow since you're shooting whitetail... it may not gather enough light at the crack of dawn or dusk

Exactly. The amount of light you can see through the scope is a function of the objective lense and the magnification. If it's going to be dark-ish when you're shooting, a big objective is better. If you're going to be shooting with the magnification turned all the way down, it may not be that big of a problem.

 

[surjimmy]

Don't let anyone tell you different, I have a T3 in 300 WSM I'm going to use for whitetail. I used a 300 WM last year with grear result's. As far as scopes go which one can you see better out of? Ask the sales man if you and him and the 2 scopes can go outside and then look through them. Here in Oklahoma Sportsmans Warehouse let me, and it changed the scope I was going to buy.

 

[dakotasin]

not a thing wrong w/ a 300 win mag on whitetails...

for scope, look to a leupold 4.5-14, and leave the weird reticle stuff off. sight the gun in for a 250 yard zero, and go forth and kill stuff.

good luck!

 

[45crittergitter]

Leupold 2.5-8x VXIII. Compact, light, very clear, reasonably priced, and probably the brightest scope in the stable. I strongly prefer the heavy duplex reticle that's only available as a retrofit. I wouldn't dare go bigger than ~44 mm, and preferably smaller on any rifle not used "stationary," i.e., little walking or reactive shooting - watching a beanfield or varmint pasture.

In the woods you will need low magnification and more light transmission than you will in the fields. For long range field use, the shooter is far more important than the scope.

 

[pbrktrt]

for the 300 win i would up the zero to 200 yds. that will cover all your bases. you can't go wrong with a Leupold either. 3x9 or 3.5x10 with the objective of your choice should work for what you are describing.

 

[longdayjake]

Leupold 2.5-8x VXIII.

I don't know if this is the best choice. It is actually shorter than a 3.5x10 and may be difficult to mount above such a long action. I have a model 70 in 25-06 that I mounted a Leupold 2.5-8x VXIII to that was a pain to find mounts that could extend over the action to allow me to mount the scope. The .25-06 has almost no recoil compared to the 300wm. I don't know if having mounts that hang over the action would be a good thing on a rifle with so much recoil.

 

[gvnwst]

kahles came out with a aluminum tubed scope for about $800, check it out....

 

[moooose102]

i would say it is going to depend on your eyes (that is a sure sign i am old) and your budget. if you have good eyes, a 3x9x50 will work great, if your eyes "aint what they used to be" you had better look at something in the 12-14 power max zoom area. i am finding that i will (probably next year) have to replace the scope on my 300 win mag (yes, for deer!) it has a 3x9 redfield, which was fine, but now, well,i need more magnification. i will put this scope on my 45/70, and buy a good scope for the 300. i have already spent way to much money this year on guns, and equipment.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I've got a Leupold 8.5-25X50. It gathers great light, and at 25X I can really see what I'm looking at at 200-300 yards. The 8.5 setting is not too overpowering for closer shots either.

 

[45crittergitter]

Longdayjake, I have two, 2.5-8x Loopies (actually mine are Vari-XIII, not VX-III), one mounted on a Model 700 in .300 Win Mag, the other on a Model 700 in .416 Rem Mag. Both work fine. The .416 did require one extended base, which works fine. Both shoot well under 1 MOA if I do my part, and are very bright. I had the heavy duplex reticles installed, so now they're about perfect. I haven't tried them on a Tikka yet - my Tikka calibers don't require the Leupold eye relief. I suppose your mileage may vary...