Help me choose a scope for my new Tikka!

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KDS

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I just ordered my new Tikka T3 Hunter in 30-06. I have wanted one of these forever so I can't wait to get it. I want to get a good variable power scope and am looking at a 3-9x40. I've always wanted a Leupold so I think I am going to go that route. In addition to hunting with this rifle, I do a lot of target shooting so I think this type of scope will be the best for my uses. Here are my Leupold options.

Leupold VX-II 3-9x40
Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40

I am also considering a Zeiss Conquest but am pretty sure I am going to go with Leupold. So is the VX3 worth it over the VX-II? what would you choose? Thanks.
 
The VX-2 is good enough for any hunters needs and priced at $300 is a lot of scope for the money. The VX-3 is a slightly better scope, but at $479, is not that much better in my opinion.

The Conquest at $400 is a good scope and splits the difference. The Conquest may have slightly clearer glass, but is also heavier and longer. My personal choice is the VX-3 in a 2.5-8X. They run right at $400 and are plenty of scope for any hunting needs. I use the lower powers almost exclusevely and actually like a good 2-7.
 
Nikon scopes are pretty tough and pretty light weight. You might compare weight as one of your criteria?

Also, are you using the stock Tikka rings? If so, pull all the fasteners and go to your local big hardware and buy replacements in SS. They are metric, but most big hardware stores will carry what you need. The factory fasteners are a bit on the soft side and may not hold torque? Then your scope will move and you'll be unhappy.

Alternatively, you can buy a metric ring and base screw set from Brownells in black steel with Torx drive heads that will hold up to any kind of abuse you can throw at them :)
 
Does the rifle come with rings? I was planning to get a set of rings when I buy the scope. From what I can tell, I need medium rings for a 40 mm objective. If someone has a recommendation for rings, I'm all ears.
 
Does the rifle come with rings?
Click to expand...

Yes, Tikka's come with rings. Lots of guys upgrade, mainly because of looks. The looks didn't bother me, the rifle is a working rifle, not a showpiece.

I did replace all of the mounting screws with hardened steel screws bought at a hardware store. Total cost was around $3.00. I found the factory screws were soft and rounding off when I tightened them with hex wrenches.

Nikon scopes are pretty tough and pretty light weight. You might compare weight as one of your criteria?
Click to expand...

I have no problem with Nikon scopes, they have pretty clear glass for the money. Actually slightly better than a Leupold VX-2 in my opinion, but they are about 6 oz heavier and about 2" longer than a comparable Leupold. They also suffer from quite limited eye relief.

A Nikon Monarch, 2.5-10x is 14" long, weighs 18 oz with 3.6" of eye relief
A VX-2, 3-9X is 12" long, weighs 12 oz. with 4.7" of eye relief
 
I bought a nikon buckmaster a while back and it has been completely awesome! For the price, you will not find higher quality glass. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty. I varmint hunt a fair amount, so I got the mildot set up, but they also offer the bullet drop compensator reticle which is nice.
 
The Tikka T3 I bought my son almost 3 years ago came with rings. A buddy who is a gun smith suggested I swap out the screws just like others have suggested. I mounted a Buckmaster 4.5-14 with BDC reticle and he dropped his first deer ever at 323 yards. I was about to tell him what circle to hold on but he had shot so many rimfire rounds with a BDC reticle it was second nature once I called out the distance to him. I was quite proud.
Nikon's BDC reticle combined with our Spot On program really lets you tune your rifle/scope and ammo together. Pretty cool and it's FREE.
Doesn't hurt to look KD before you finalize your decision.
Bart
Nikon Pro Staff
 
All the Nikon fans here have me considering a Buckmaster now too. Bman, tell me more about Spot On, I have never used a BDC reticle.
 
KDS
I bought a new Sako Finnlight the other day and just got my Zeiss conquest 3-9X40 today from Midway. I was in the same boat, considering which scope to buy. I looked through a bunch VX-II, Weaver, Bushnell, Nikon etc. All fine products with their own plusses and minuses. I found that the Zeiss Conquest was for me. It cost more, but for me, it was worth it. I think that in order to judge them fairly, you have to look through them side by side. The clarity of the lens, the clean view all the way to the outer edge of the reticle, and the crisp Z-Plex reticle all were what put me over the top.
Good luck with your decision making. Enjoy your Tikka Hunter. I have heard only good things about those rifles.
 
the tikkas come with rings, i just picked mine up on wednesday. I'm incredibly excited to shoot it. here's a picture. I put the zeiss conquest 3x9-40 on it. the zeiss has some of the clearest glass i've seen and everytime I point it out into the yard, even in low light, i'm amazed at the clarity. tikka 4.jpg

tikka 7.jpg

Mine is a .30-06 as well. I was also looking at the nikon with the bdc as well as a leupold, like I have on my .22-250. I'm very impressed with the zeiss, as were the guys at longrangehunting.com who also advised me on the purchase. I paid $375 for the zeiss, at Cabin Fever.

I will admit the nikon spot-on program online is a great feature, which is why i print out the results and have them why I go shoot. The load data is very helpful, and with a little time, can be used just as effectively by holding over, or adjusting your scope. Once you know your range, the rest is easy - at short to moderate ranges in basic conditions anyway, provided you do your part
 
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Toejamm is on it. You cannot believe what you hear or what you read. You have to take scopes in your hand and compare them side by side and look for yourself. I recently purchased a Redfield by doing just that. Don't be afraid to make your own decision and forget name brand, price, even reputation at times. I remember when I was buying camera lenses years ago. Often times, money bought CONSISTENCY, not necessarily quality. Look for yourself, as Toejamm suggests.
 
I am liking the buckmaster too. Have one on a subsonic 308 and another on a 223. Works great on both. Adjustments are accurate and consistent. Scope is nice and low profile, fairly long, but sleek.
 
Well, I ordered the Nikon Buckmaster in 3-9x40 with the BDC. After looking through one and looking at the price differences between it and the Leupolds, I don't think I made the wrong choice. Thanks for all the input.
 
I think you made a good choice. I've never had or used a Nikon Buckmaster, but I know a friend bought one last year and loves it. That being said, I have had a Nikon Prostaff, and a couple of Nikon Monarchs and they have all been good solid scopes.

Two other good choices in this price range I feel are great buys are the Burris Fullfield II, and the Vortex Viper. This doesn't help you, as you already ordered one, but I thought that for others reading this wondering the same thing it may give them a few more options to look at.

To me the Leupolds just aren't impressive and you can get a lot better scope for less money with Burris, Nikon, etc. The Zeiss Conquest you asked about is not even in the same league as the Leupold VX-3. It's lightyears ahead of it in every way. The Conquest really is a great scope.

I think that you made a very good choice as it is as it should serve you very well, and they are pretty reasonable on the price.
 
KDS said:
Well, I ordered the Nikon Buckmaster in 3-9x40 with the BDC. After looking through one and looking at the price differences between it and the Leupolds, I don't think I made the wrong choice. Thanks for all the input.
Click to expand...

Nikon offers good BFTB. Zeiss and especially Swarovski are a bit better in low light but in its price range Nikon is hard to beat. I have Monarch-series scopes on a few hunting/range rifles and there are few situations where a thousand dollars or more for a "better" scope would be justified.

I also like Nikon's BDC reticle more than Zeiss' Rapid-Z, but that's just a personal preference. Maybe I'm just more familiar with it.
 
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