Need a scope for my new savage

[Elquatro]

Hey guys, I recently bought a new savage in .308. It's the first rifle I've owned (shot boatloads before) and now I need some optics for it. I've been reading about scopes, or the parts i can understand at least, but I'm still a bit lost.

I'm mostly looking to do long target stuff, but I still want to use it for hunting. I've been hearing that too much magnification severly hurts you in the short range.

Any suggestions or nudges in the right direction are greatly appreciated.

-Long time lurker, new poster

 

[Abel]

I'd say that a variable power scope that is from 3x to 9x gives you the best of both worlds. The objective lens could be anywhere from 32mm to 40mm and be more than adequate.

 

[Big_E]

Vortex, Nikon, Sightron, Burris. All good scope brands for the money.

I would recommend a 3-9x as well, but if you are doing a lot of long distance stuff then 4-12x w/ adjustable objective (i prefer mine on the side of the scope). Someone will jump in here and say Leupold, but even though they make some good scopes, I am through with them. Vortex has above excellent customer service and an excellent product at the right price. Most lower end models are Hecho en China, but they reinspect them here in the USA. Better models are Philippines or Japanese made and I would go with that. If you don't have a budget, then any German scope maker is a great choice.

 

[Uncle Mike]

I've been hearing that too much magnification severly hurts you in the short range.

Yes it would, IF you tried to use high magnification at short range, sounds like you might have been reading about fixed power stuff.

A good variable scope will offer you the best of both worlds, near and far.

There are many magnification sets to choose from today, as Abel said, there is the 3-9, which used to be the 'all around' magnification set, but there are a lot better sets out there like the 2-12, 3-12, 4-16, 5-20, well, the 5-20's are encroaching on too much magnification on the low end for woods hunting up close.

The 3-12's are the widest used set today, offering 3X for the really close stuff and 12X for the distant targets.

The objective lens diameter is what you should think about, some folks think 40mm is all one will ever need, obviously some of these folks have not not used a 50mm at dark thirty...the 56mm is better yet, BUT the mounting height becomes nasty, and without a special stock, the 56's will be more trouble than they are worth.

A good quality 3-12X50, or the Burris 2-12X50 will do for you pretty much everything.

Don't be mesmerized by the 30mm main tube, a 1" tube is just as good, and in some scopes, better than a 30mm tube. The bigger tube does not let more light through the scope, so forget that. The bigger tubes simply offer more erector latitude, which unless your going out to 700y and beyond, and dialing on elevation, you will never need.

Remember to get your eye on the same plane as the scopes center line, you may need a aftermarket cheek piece.

 

[benzy2]

If I were on a budget I would avoid scopes that adjust 4 times the low magnification (such as a 3-12x which is a change of 4 time the low magnification) and stick with a 3x magnification range (say 3-9 or 4-12, both being a range of 3 times the low magnification). While the extra magnification is great, it isn't free. It takes better glass to look good on a scope with a magnification range of 4x or more. If money is a key aspect of this purchase, I feel you get a better all around scope for the same money sticking to the 3x adjustment range scopes. Honestly, for a .308 hunting rifle I wouldn't push beyond 9x magnification. You can, but you certainly don't need to. You shouldn't be using the scope to determine what you are looking at, only aiming with it. A good set of binoculars should tell you if that buck is a trophy or not, not the scope. For hunting accuracy you don't need more than 9x to hunt to the outer limits of most factory rifles.

You sound like you want to punch targets more than hunt so a bit more magnification certainly is a good thing. That said, there are a lot of guys out there who can shoot better at 10x magnification than I can with the hubble telescope. I wouldn't shy away from more magnification, just know it isn't the be all, end all that it is often made out to be. That said, if I were going to buy one scope for my one rifle, it would be an expensive, quality scope with a big magnification range. On a budget, I would probably look for something in the 4-12 or 4.5-14 magnification range if target shooting were more the focus. The other option is to buy two scopes, say one in a fixed 4x that you mount for hunting and another in say 6.5-20x for target work. Not overly convenient but better than being stuck at 6.5x for hunting or on the top end of a low magnification variable for target work. The two types of shooting really benefit from scopes on two ends of the spectrum. You have to decide how far toward one side or the other you want to go. Something like a Bushnell Elite 6500 4.5-30 would cover both ends of the scale well, but it costs $900. That Burris 2-12x is a $700 scope as well. Big magnification ranges cost a bit of money. You could buy a $250 fixed or lower powered magnification scope for hunting and a $450 target scope for that money and reach a bit beyond 12x.

Again, it really depends on what you want feature wise and how much you are willing to spend.

I think before we go further you define long range, define how often you plan to shoot and how often you plan to hunt, and you budget. Knowing these factors will make it much easier to pick a good scope for you. Some people don't want to spend $150 and others won't spend less than a couple grand. A rough budget would help a ton.

 

[Maverick223]

Need to know your target budget, but I would strongly suggest any of the following roughly in order of preference (and inversely in terms of price), colored by relative performance group: Kahles CL, Zeiss Conquest, Meopta Meostar, Sightron S-III, Minox ZA-5, Vortex Viper, Bushnell Elite 4200 & 6500, Nikon Monarch, Sightron S-II & S-IIBS, Vortex Diamondback, Weaver Classic V, Bushnell 3200, Nikon Buckmaster, Sightron S-I.

 

[dakotasin]

sightron s-2 3-12x40 is a great scope for this type of an open-ended application for a relative new shooter - you will never have to replace it unless you want to.

the redfield 4-12 is a simpler scope for a little less money that will be serviceable for your needs to start.

the one scope that i think gets overlooked way too often by new shooters is the leupold 6x36 (fixed-6 power). this is a great, versatile scope if you can abide a fixed power.

if you truly want to do long range shooting you will eventually want a scope that has target turrets on it. i suggest you not necessarily seek out the turret models until you shoot enough to 'need' them. by then, you will also have a good idea of what fits your needs for glass.

when i scope a rifle my #1 priority is repeatability/tracking and durability. most scopes have enough clarity for most hunting purposes, and not many scopes truly get ruled out because of brightness due to the legal hunting hours here. i think money is better spent on binoculars than a riflescope, assuming you get a scope that isn't just pure junk (and there are some of those out there).

good luck!

 

[Elquatro]

Thanks for the input. I didn't pay a ton for this rifle so I'm looking to keep it in the $200 range, preferably less but it's flexible.

Right now a vortex in 4-12-40 is looking promising.

 

[WardenWolf]

Simmons makes some very good scopes in the $100 range. I just bought one for my Romanian PSL. I'm very impressed with the optical quality. I pointed it at the mountain that's probably around 1/4 mile behind my house. I could see individual cactus needles.

 

[Uncle Mike]

$200 range, check out the Weaver 40/44 series.

$200 doesn't buy much quality in optics any more, a tear rolls down my cheek! lol

 

[Red State]

Welcome Elquatro,

I spent a bit of time (and money) in the last year upgrading my optics and I also helped out a friend who, like you, wants to use his .308 for targets and some hunting.

My favorite place to buy optics is www.libertyoptics.com (limited selection, but great prices).

My first pick for your needs would be the Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40 with side focus for $280.

The less expensive alternative is the Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40 for $200.

Also, for more information you can check out www.opticstalk.com.

 

[Maverick223]

My favorite place to buy optics is www.libertyoptics.com (limited selection, but great prices).

Amen, I have had the same experience. To make it even better Scott offered to provide us THR.org members with a discount, but you MUST call or E-mail him for this offer. I am not sure what discount he is providing now, but I can assure you that it is significantly lower than his advertised prices, all you need to do is ask for THR Forum Discount and he should hook you up.

[Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Liberty Optics, Scott, or any scope manufacturer and in no way benefit from mentioning this offer other than to provide a mutually beneficial service to both the kind folks here at THR.org and an honest businessman.]

 

[dakotasin]

I'm looking to keep it in the $200 range

in that case i stand by my redfield revolution reccomendation...

 

[slowr1der]

I'm not going to lie. I like Simmons too in the $100 and under price range. I see others already suggested it though. The Bushnell Banners also have a decent reputation. I've got quite a few friends that use Simmons, a few that use Banners, and a few that use Tasco's. In general most of them seem to have decent luck. Are any of them as good as a $200 Burris or other $200+ scope? No. However, they do seem to be good for what they are.

 

[benzy2]

In the $200 range there are a couple good options. That vortex is decent. The best made scope with the best glass is going to be a nikon team primos 3-9x. Top tier scope at a great price. The nikon prostaff 4-12 would work well and is a decent scope, though not up to par with the team primos. The bushnell elite 3200 3-9x is in the budget. Good scope but again a tier below the team primos. Burris has some options under $200. Sightron is another underrespected scope in the $200 range. As long as you don't go above 12x magnification you can get a decent scope in that price range.

 

[car15bill]

I have a (dont laugh) Bushnell Banner 6-18x AO that is suprisingly clear for the hundred bucks I paid for it. I keep telling myself to go buy a better scope, but then I go read the reviews on midway's website, and i have a hard time looking for anything better for my range(300 yards and under) and budget(500, but it would have to bring something to the table that the Banner does not).

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=128054

its clear enough to use as a spotting scope out to 150 yards as well, so you don't have to buy one or walk down range.

 

[benzy2]

My banner died fairly quick on a .243. Mine was china made. The philippine made banners seem to be better quality than china ones.

 

[Elquatro]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Looks like I have a bit of homework to do now.

 

[MachIVshooter]

A 3.5-10x, 4-12x or 4.5-14x would be a good compromise for both hunting and bench work. Anything with higher minimum magnification can prove troublesome for big game hunting when the shots get close (and they will).

That said, nothing in the $200 range is gonna be a particularly good long range target scope. You need clear glass and parallax adjustment. Double your budget, quite a few more options open up. Quintuple it if you wanna be competitive, but I presume this is a sporter with a light barrel contour, so at that level, the scope will outperform the rifle in all likelihood. Not that it wouldn't help, but it's hard to justify, and at the point of diminishing returns for most of us.

 

[homers]

for $200 or so... 3-9x-40 is probably the most competitive.


Nikon Team Primos (monach rebranded) $199
Bushnell 3200 (or 4200 for about $220)
Burris Fullfield II
Redfields

 

[osteodoc08]

You get what you pay for when it comes to glass. Just a few questions...

To the OP: How far is "long range"? What are you looking to do, plinking and hunting or true long range work in a competition setting? What is your realistic budget, experience, conditions?

If just shooting at "stuff" under 500 yds and not looking for target accuracy any of the scopes mentioned would work. It is hard to make a hunting and true long range (1000+ yd) rig into one gun. Use the right tool for the application.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I have Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 w/ RapidZ600 reticles on my Savage 116FHSAK in .30-06 and on my Rem 700 SPS SS in .308 Win. I've been delighted.

FH

 

[Elquatro]

Definitely not anywhere near 1000 yards. I could stand a 500-600 yard cap on it. And I'm still aiming for around $200.

 

[MJ]

10X SSM, this one is over ten years old and has been fine.

 

[slowr1der]

What's a SSM?