Help this Newbie with a Scope Question

[jayson]

Hi Guys

I have always been a bird shooter, but I just picked up my first rifle. After much research, I settled on a new Browning A-Bolt II Stalker, and a Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40mm just based on the reviews. I haven't shot the gun yet, and my scope should be delivered this week. My question is: based on your experiences with 7.62mm bolt action rifles, what would be appropriate rings for this setup? As for usage: I will probably take it to the range ASAP to shoot at 100 yd targets. As for the field, I don't foresee shooting game more than 300-400 yards away. Thanks!

 

[Gunnerboy]

well first get rid of that bushnell and get your self a leupold scope you will only buy one ever and your grandchildren will appreciate that scope too, but if your stuck on that bushnell get some heavy duty rings like warne.

 

[BADUNAME37]

The way I look at scopes for any rifle or shotgun having any kind of recoil is:
Don't buy anything less than a Leupold!

Recently, I scoped two old .22 rimfire rifles, one with a $5 brand new fixed 4X scope, the other with a $39 Bushnell straight 4X scope. Seeing that these guns do not really recoil, and they are not going to get dropped which might interfere with an expensive hunting trip, I was fine with these.

With that being said, I have about $500 into a rifle and it is topped with a $500+ Leupold Scope, mount and rings. When I adjust it, the bullet moves with every adjustment, unlike some lesser-expensive scopes out there. Once the scope is right on, there is no more playing with it unless I change cartridges or change my point-of-impact!

One Leupold (my oldest one) has not moved in over 20 years and still shoots dime-size groups from a bench at 200 yards (glass-bedded receiver, free-floating barrel, accurized trigger).

I learned many years ago that my time and my ammunition reloads are worth too much to be at the range "chasing bullet holes" all over the target when I know for a fact that five different scopes were all mounted tightly, it was just a matter of the scope not adjusting with turret adjustments and/or not keeping a POI once it was set! To me, that is frustration piled upon frustration.

Other user's mileage will vary considerably.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

jayson, don't worry about that Bushnell 4200. It's a fine scope. Some people think everything they own is gold and everything everybody else owns is crap. You did just fine choosing your optics.
I would go with steel rings. I'm not a big fan of the aluminum ones persnonally. These are great and won't break the bank.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=950934

This is coming from someone who owns a Leupold too.
It's really sad that someone who is new to rifle shooting comes to us for advice and what do people do? They push stupid brand loyalty on them instead of offering sound realistic advice.

Don't buy anything less than a Leupold!

A Bushnell Elite 4200 is not less than a Leupold.

 

[BADUNAME37]

The Bushness Elite I saw advertised was $249.95 which is a lot less than my Vari-X-III!

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Elite-4200-3-9x40mm-Riflescope/dp/B000NJ0BUM

I'll admit, I am a "manufacturer-name kind of guy!" I learned the hard way.
Some people have been burnt with a Ford and will only by a Chevy, some the other way. I got burnt on what I thought were good scopes, not realizing that a lot of times, when it comes to guns and gun equipment, I get what I pay for, in corollary, many times, I do not get what I do not pay for!

I looked up the rifle this person is mentioning and they appear to be in the $500 - $750 range! I could be wrong. To me, a rifle of that quality deserves as good a scope as one can find! However, that is only my opinion, and many times, my opinion isn't worth much, just ask my wife. One thing, though, about opinions, they are free and we all have them! I also learned a long time ago to gain knowledge through other people's experiences and through their lessons which makes my learning lessons much easier (and less expensive in the long-run)!

If I spent $500 or more on a rifle, one of the scopes on the following web page would be mounted on it:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-vx-3-riflescopes.html?gclid=CLGho8bo96oCFSQ65QodHkJPOw

 

[jayson]

Thanks Paul for the advice. My decision on the scope had already been made, and all I am looking for is some direction regarding the rings. I appreciate the input. You're right on value, and the Matte finish will match that of the scope. I will place my order today.

Friendly, in case I have bad luck with the Bushnell Elite and give up on it, I will definitely look into the Leu VX-IIIs.

Thanks everyone for the quick response.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Here's hoping you have the best time ever and that scope lasts for many generations along with that new gun!

 

[CCCP]

I would suggest to choose steel "medium" rings from reputable manufacturer. Have a look on a Weaver.

 

[slowr1der]

While the Bushnell Elites, nor anything else Bushnell makes is my favorite, it's a better scope than the Leupold's mentioned in this thread so far, and I think you will be much happier with it.

As for rings, some of my favorites are the Burris Signature Zee rings with the inserts. They eliminate the need to lap scope rings, you can use different inserts to sight it in and have the scope zeroed closest to center, they are very durable, and best of all they don't leave ring marks on your scope. These are my favorite ones under $100. I've used some Leupolds and Weavers, and while they are good, they aren't near as good as the Burris rings imo.

I'd avoid the $7-11 aluminum Weavers from Walmart like the plague for a rifle that nice, and honestly the steel Weavers seem to be getting a lot of bad reviews lately.

If you want rings without inserts Burris XTR rings are decent, and if you want to step up to even more expensive rings, and don't mind dropping over $100 per set, check out the Badgers and Seekins.

 

[slowr1der]

The Bushness Elite I saw advertised was $249.95 which is a lot less than my Vari-X-III!

The Vari-X-III is Leupolds scope from several models ago. It's nothing like the VX-3 now, and the glass is no where near as good. It's similar to the VX-II now, and optically and heck all the way around the Bushnell Elite 4200 scopes are quite a bit nicer than the VX-II's and are very comparable to the VX-3's. They would blow the old Vari-X-III's away. The thing with Leupold is you pay for the name on it, and by doing so you often get a scope in the class below what you paid for. For example their VX-II line for $300+ is comparable with many of the other brands $200 price range scopes. Their VX-I scopes aren't anywhere near comparable with many of the other $200 scopes they are in the price range with, nor are the Riflemans.

 

[Walkalong]

A Bushnell Elite 4200 is not less than a Leupold

Agreed. Certainly better than a VII. Not knocking Leupold. I like them at the Vari X III level or better.

 

[highlander 5]

I have a Burris 8-32 power on my heavy barreled AR 15 in 223 and it's a very nice scope good optics and at full magniication you can read the printers name on the target a 100 yds.
It was originaly mounted on a Rem 700 and cost almost as much as the rifle. I cant't tell you the model number without pulling the rifle from my safe. One does not have to spend the cost of rifle to get good optics.

 

[redneck2]

In the interest of full disclosure....I'm a scope snob. I've got four VX-III's, and just bought a Leupold VX-R for a trip to Canada. That said, one of my very best scopes is a Burris Black Diamond. I also use 4200 on my slug gun with excellent results and one on my 7mm Rem Mag. I see no great difference between the VX-III and the 4200.

As for rings, it's hard to tell which you need until you try them on the particular rifle. Depends on the shape of the stock (height of your eye compared to the line of the scope), and also the contour of the barrel compared to the size of the objective lens. If you have a gun shop close, I'd try them and see which is the correct height to comfortably get cheek weld. If the rings are too high (particularly see thru types), you are trying to hold your head in mid-air while sighting.

I personally dislike Weaver style rings. My experience is that they sometimes slip with harder recoiling rifles. I'd second the thing about Burris rings. They are excellent. If you're concerned about marring the scope, they make ones with floating inserts. I've used them, and they are great. I also have some Leupold QD's (quick detach) that maintain zero if the scope is removed. Expect to pay $50-100 for really good rings and bases.