Hunting Scopes: What Do You Use?

[Wolphmans Brother]

Howdy,

I just bought a Savage 11/111 FCNS and now I need to get a rifle scope mounted. The Savage is in .308win and I'll be using it mostly in the Midwest (KY, IN, OH,) so in all probability my average shot will be 100-150, maybe 200yrds...But I would still like to have optics that will allow me to reach out to at least 400yrds. So what do y'all use and recommend? Budget is not necessarily a problem, but I always try to find a good bang/buck ratio

 

[Kingcreek]

Leupold or Nikon 2-7x or 3-9x would be a good rig.

 

[Walkalong]

I have a Leupold VariX III 2.5X8X36 on my .308, a Vortex Viper 2X7X32 on my .35 Remington, and a plain old 3X9 on my .30-30. (Bushnell 4200) I have a Nikon 1.65X5X36 that I was going to put on it, but the eye relief was too long.

 

[click clack]

I got a Nitrex TR2 for my .308 from Natchez when they were running a rebate .. Its been great so far but besides that I've had great luck with Leupold, Redfield, and Bushnell

 

[dubya450]

I have 5 centerfire rifles, 4 of which are scoped, and I use Leupold on all of them. Three vx-3 2.5-8 a vx-1 3-9. I also have a trijicon accupoint thats isn't being used right now. But overall I recomend a Leupold. Cost can vary from $150-600+ for a new one.

 

[Dr T]

You may also want to look at Burris. I have them on several of my hunting rifles in both 2-7x and 3-9x.

 

[sixgunner455]

On my Savage 11 in .243, I have a Burris Fullfield II 3x9x40 that I quite like. I also tried a Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 that I liked on it a lot as well, which is what my brother is using on his Savage 10 in .308.

 

[browningguy]

Something in the range of 2-7x to 3-10x sounds about right for your uses. I've started using a fixed 4.75 Weaver Grand Slam on my .308 and think it's fine out to 300 yards or so. The other advantage to a fixed scope is much better brightness in low light conditions. I will say though that the majority of my scoped rifles have variable power scopes since they are so darn convenient for different conditions.

 

[jmr40]

A 2-7 or 3-9 will give you all the magnification you need for shots far longer than 400 yards on big game.

As a default I trust Leupold more than any other brand to take abuse and keep working. I have several VX-3's, VX-III's or older Vari-X III 2.5-8X36 scopes on my go to rifles, but a VX-2 would probably serve well enough. I have a couple of Zeiss scopes, one Conquest and one Diavari. Great scopes, but not significantly better than Leupold. Had I not gotten into them cheap on the used market I wouldn't pay the difference.

If on a budget @ $200 the Vortex Diamondback has impressed me.

 

[Hizzie]

Leupold FXII 2.5x20 Ultralight with heavy duplex.

 

[Hunterdad]

I have a Weaver 4-10x44 on my .308. A weaver fixed 4x on my t/c contender. Burris Tac30 on my AR and a cheap Bushnell on my 22.

 

[Sniper66]

I have had Leupold, Redfield, Weaver, Nikon, and Burris all on hunting rifles. My brother has had all of these, plus Weatherby and Picar. We agree that the best are Picar (which, I think, was bought 20 years ago by Zeiss) and Leupold. My most recent purchase is a Vari-X 3 in a 3.5-10X and is the best scope I have ever owned. I believe that Leupold, in going to the Vari-X 3 upgrade from the Vari-X III, is going in the right direction. I have several other Leupold's and they are good, but this one is great. The best inexpensive scope I have is the Nikon Prostaff 3-9X with I paid $150 for. I have it on a Ruger 77/17HMR and it is a decent scope.

 

[Boxhead]

Short of my 22 Hornet, all of my centerfires wear Leupold, either the 2-7X VX-II or the 2.5-8X VX or Vari-X III. The big bores, =/> 375 H&H, wear a 1.5-5X and one 1.75-6X. Never a problem.

 

[A_Matthew]

The only scope I really have experience with is my Leupold VX-1 3-9x40. I really like it. It has great clarity, holds a zero really well, and isn't that expensive. It also has Leupold's unconditional lifetime guarantee.

 

[CraigC]

I prefer low powered variables beginning with a 1-4x and going no higher than a 1.75-6x. A 2-7x is also a good choice at the upper end. IMHO, the ubiquitous 3-9x is too much glass for most hunting situations. Very, very few hunters actually need 9x to shoot at game. Even a lowly 4x will get you to 300-350yds easily.

Before anyone says it, scopes are for sighting, binoculars are for spotting game. Never a good idea to use your riflescope for spotting, for myriad reasons.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Good quality 3x9 variable. You might want mil-dots or ranging crosshairs at 400 but they aren't necessary.

I would take a look at Burris and Leupold scopes.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Nikon Monarch 2.5-7x32, or 2.5-8x32.

 

[MrBorland]

I'll be replacing the cheapie scope on my CZ550 soon and decided it'll be with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40

Best bang for the buck scopes? (IMO) Leupold and Nikon

 

[Chillaxin]

I don't think you can go wrong with the Leupold on the .308. I have five or six mounted on differnt rifles. I also recomend the Zeiss Conquest. I have a 56mm and a 40mm. Both of these have great clarity and have held zero well. Good luck and enjoy whichever brand you go with.

 

[amprecon]

I have yet to use it hunting, but think it'll suffice, its a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20mm illuminated circle dot. It's the only scope I own right now.

 

[joed]

I have always used Leupold scopes for 35 years. Never had to send one back yet.

You can cry one or twice, once is better.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

3x9x40 should be the most you need. Leupold VX1 or Redfield shoud do ya.

 

[Mykey]

I've always used Leupold and have never had any issues with their scopes what so ever. They are no doubt expensive but excellent optics imo and well worth the money.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Leupold VX and Vari X

can anyonte tell me what the difference is in the VX models verus the Vari X models I see a little price difference. is the Vari X the newer model?,