Can't decide on which scope for this season...

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dust_101

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Ok, so I just got my first 'real' hunting rifle, Rem700 in 30-06, and it came with a Simmons 3-9x40 Chinese made scope. Basic, nothing fancy, but just not sure if I want to use it.

I have an old Bushnell Scopechief (70's era) that I use on my slug gun for whitetail, but that is a max range of 100yds and even then I really hesitate to take a shot. I'd prefer to leave this scope where it is, but it might be a candidate...

I just recently got a newer Bushnell 6-18x with the adjustable objective and eyepiece, Japan made and it is so crisp and clear... BUT just not sure if a lowest setting of 6x is just to much for whitetail... anywhere from a 15-20yd shot to a 150-200yd shot with my '06....

Ah what to do... and what would YOU do with the choices above?
 
Spend a little money on a good nikon prostaff or buckmasters 3-9x40. $150-$200 respectively. You won't regret it. Remember the scope is your eyes, and if you can't see it you cant hit it.
 
What is your budget?

What is the likely ranges you will be shooting at?

Personally I find that unless you are going to be shooting a long way, like say sitting on a powerline clear cut or on the edges of cultivated fields, that a good 1-4.5x power scope will work the best. For moving deer, the low power is just the same as bringing your eye in line with the sights, and if you need to see antlers before you shoot, then 4.5 power is pretty good without getting too highpowered as to limit field of view so you never find the deer in the scope if one runs down a trail.

The only time I have ever felt a 3x9 or stronger scope would be good for woodland deer hunting was when I posted up on a powerline clearcut and had a half mile view in either direction when all I had was buck tag. It ended up that my deer that year was taken at about 30 yards when he came into view directly across the clearcut from me, however, I did glass down several does out to about 350-400 yards from my stand, but without clear sight of antlers, I was not going to shoot.
 
I learned my lesson with a Simmons, will never, ever buy another one of those junky POSs again! No way, no how, junk, not even worth putting on a .22.

The Bushnells I've had have been serviceable, the banners. However, I prefer a 200 dollar class or better scope. Best buy IMHO is Weaver. But, there are plenty of good scopes in the 200-300 dollar range that will hold up well and give good optics. Much under 200 bucks and you're looking at junk, sad to say, but true. I've owned several Bushnells and they never let me down. Not the greatest of optics, but they all held up okay, which is more than I can say for Simmons. Simmons is pure crap, trust me.

I have a couple of good scopes. The Weatherby Supreme on my 7 mag is AWEsome and I got a DEAL on it on a close out for $150. It compares well with 400-600 dollar scopes I've played with. My Weaver isn't quite as bright and clear, but is a VERY strong scope. It's a 2x10x40, very versatile scope. The 2x can do still hunting and the 10x can do long range targets. Frankly I never use over 4x in the field and I agree that 1.5x4 (I have a neat little 1.5x4 Bushnell I'm not using cause it's not very bright, just 22 mm) is plenty for 99 percent of deer hunting. 2x7 is never a bad choice, either.
 
Whoooaaaah now the Simmons came free on the rifle... I really don't want to use it and don't plan to, but I just think my Bushnell 6-18x is just to much for this rifle and for whitetail out here... shorter ranges and possibly (maybe) a longer shot could present itself.

So I'll probably have to buy one, it would be a good idea to just have a scope for this rifle only and be done with it. I'll probably keep it around the $200 range as a minimum...

I do like that Nikon BDC reticle, it may be nice to have just in case I ever do hunts in a more open area where a 200-300yd shot is possible (max I'd shoot with a 30-06 without a lot of tuning & practice)
 
pentax makes a very nice very clear scope. not sure what all the magnifications are available in but i got a 3x9x40 for 125 i think and am very pleased with it

__________________________
its not the size of the gun but where you can stick the bullet that maters
 
I learned my lesson with a bushnell scope that wouldn't hold it's zero.

I only own nikon, leupold, and zeiss scopes now. IMO Zeiss scopes are overprices and I probably won't buy another. All those brands are pricey, and you may have to save up for them.....but you can count on them to be right where they were when you put the gun away. That's worth the extra cash to me.
 
The scopes I buy now are Leupold and Nightforce.

That said, I have some Simmons, Tasco and Bushnell scopes that have served me well. I'm not getting rid of them, I'm just not buying any more.
 
$200 and up scopes are going to be better.

You really won't appreciate a good scope's optics until you're presented with a twilight situation. As night closes in and hunting time draws to a close, game comes out. A poor scope will not be useful here, but a quality (Leupold VX-3 for instance) will be bright like daytime - brighter than the conditions present. Don't believe me? Check one out and then tell me what you think.

Entry level good scopes examples are Leupold VX-2, Nikon Buckmaster, Bushnell Elite and so on.

I own a Simmonds, but I have it on a .22 which I plink with so I'm not concerned with high quality. It's zeroed in and it works.

As to power, I prefer 3 X 9 or variations thereof. I hunt, but I spend time at the range more, so the 9 or 10 power is useful for paper. When hunting I crank it down to 3 ~ 4 power and it's good to go.
 
Killing deer with a K4 on top of my '06 was just as easy and the deer were just as dead as when I later stuck a 3x9 on top.

One one of my longest shots, 350 yards, the 3x9 was set on 3X. One shot, DRT.

Most times, folks buy one helluva lot more scope than is actually needed. Just like I have.

:D:D:D

Forty bucks worth of good used steel-tube Weaver K4 from a gunshow will let you kill as many deer as any Swarovski ever made.

Art
 
I never saw much advantage in high power scopes until I started hunting in Texas. If you are required by local laws to take a certain number of doe and bucks it pays (literally) to be 100% certain of the sex of the animal you are shooting. I know some guys who hunt with 24X scopes just to be that sure. I still hunt open or with 3X9 though, I think they are suffcient.
 
i like the bushnell scopes i have a 3-9 x 50 banner on my 30-06 and a 3-9 x 40 trophy on my 7mm and both are nice and cheap scopes.

steve
 
Get a Bushnell Elite 3200 or Elite 4200 in 3-9x40. Clear, holds zero, and the Rain Guard coating used on the lenses is no joke (it really works!).

I've also got a Bushnell Legend in 3-9x40 on my squirrel killer, a Marlin 60. My wife, a couple of months ago, dropped the rifle (fell about 4 ft. onto the floor, right on the scope!). Took it to the range two weeks ago and everything was fine. No Rain Guard on the Legend, though.

I had a Banner at one time; worthless piece of junk; same thing with Simmons and Tasco. I will never buy another budget (under $150) scope, ever again.
 
"If you are required by local laws to take a certain number of doe and bucks it pays (literally) to be 100% certain of the sex of the animal you are shooting."

Most generally, a 1X eyeball does that. Does don't have horns, last I wuz told. Probably got a different sort of danglies, too.

:D:D:D

Sorry; couldn't help it. It's a character defect...

Art
 
I take offense to the poster who thinks a ELITE is not as good as a Leupold VX-III.
I own plenty of good glass, Leica is by far the best, but the Elite 4200 and 3200 on my hunting rifles have converted my hunting buddy. He has used Leupold exclusively FOR EVER!
We had a side by side on a decent buck ranged at 585, he was pi$$ed:cuss: about his Leupold VX-III. Guess what kinda scope that Remington 700 is wearing know?????
I love the VARI-X models, own at least a dozen VARI-X II and a half dozen of the III's. Excellent scopes.
That said, my HUNTING rifles wear Elite 4200 or 3200's. They ain't cheep........
Hakko is an excellent brand, often overlooked because of the "Japanese" factor. That factory makes Redfield and Colt scopes I'm told. I bought one and it has been on my muzzle loader for 3 years, works every time. Very reliable, but I haven't used it in the rain:neener:
I use a K4 with post on my rem 788 in .223. Sweet set-up.
 
Well, this debate will have to be put on hold until next rifle season, just got back from the range with my 700 ADL and with open sights I was able to tweak the sights down to putting shots grouped at 100yd on a 3x3 post-it note. Which by my count is a dead deer. So with my normal spotting binocs I should be good for this year, plus my hunting partner has nice optics on his rifle so he can double check any buck I plan to aim at.

I do appreciate the advice on the scopes, this will give me some time to find a nice Bushnell with a lower range magnification for next season, I'll be looking for an older one made in Japan like the one I have now in 6-18x, it just has a sharper view than the new one I checked out at the store.
 
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