Need Scope suggestions

[kuntreeboy80]

I have a Remington 710 in 30-06. I like the gun still has the original Bushnell scope on it and I'm not fond of that! I was hoping for suggestions on a good scope that wont break the bank but will be accurate, have good eye relief and be adjustable? I cant change the stock or anything else on the gun because they just dont make parts for it. I like long distance shots, and I know some people have told me you cant shoot that long with a 30-06 accurately but I wanna shoot this one to the full extent. I'm not a hunter this will be a shooting gun not a hunting one. So I'm open to suggestions tell me what you like and whats not worth the money?

 

[cbrgator]

What is your budget?

 

[kuntreeboy80]

Budget not too much of a concern. Now don't get me wrong I have maybe 300 or so in the gun? I don't wanna spend enough that I could go out and get a 308 or a 338 and make it a tack driver but for now I'm taking all suggestions

 

[cbrgator]

Well for around 200 you can get some decent glass. Nikon Buckmasters, Burris Fullfield II, Bushnell Elite 3200. Might be some others I'm leaving out but those are a good place to start looking.

 

[kuntreeboy80]

I'll start looking there. Thanks for the help

 

[cbrgator]

If you want to spend a little more you can get a low-end Leupold which is where they really start getting good.

I have a 3-9x40 Nikon Buckmasters on my 30-06 and it works perfectly well, but I try and stay on a budget so if you've got a little more dough laying around, there is definitely better.

 

[kuntreeboy80]

I was looking at a Leupold mark 4 I think it was starting around 450-499 somewhere. I'm not real sure if I wanna go that high but if I do that might motivate me to get a better rifle!

 

[kuntreeboy80]

I'm a ground solider and not real familiar with what all the number X number stuff means? Guess thats why I never put in for sniper school! Could you tell me bout them?

 

[cbrgator]

You can get a VX-II for like 300

I'm not really the one to give you all the details. There are others who know better than I. I'm just trying to point you in the right direction.

 

[kuntreeboy80]

I do appreciate that. I been looking at VX-II 6-18x40mm Adj. Obj. of course I saw the price and think I will go a little lower this one runs bout 555

 

[cbrgator]

Just remember the gun is only as good as the glass. Even if you could spend the extra money on a better rifle, you'd still need the quality glass to get the performance you want out of it. So don't feel bad about splurging on a good scope if you really want an accurate gun.

 

[kuntreeboy80]

Good point there! Thanks for all your advice!

 

[lipadj46]

The two best bang for your buck scopes today are (via SWFA.com):

Nikon Team Primos 3-9x40 - $199 (this is a Monarch on closeout)
Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40 - $280

The Bushnell has rainguard and the Nikon has a bit more eye relief both have a lifetime warranty and are made in Japan unlike the other lower level scopes. Note these scope have better glass than the Leupold VX-III so that is the level of quality we are talking about here.

If you want better glass than these look at the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 for $150 or so more.

Edit: Go over to the optics talk forum for more suggestions on optics. These days there are so many quality options in the under $500 category so do not settle for budget scopes like the VX-II or prostaff, buckmaster etc. Also look over at SWFA's Sample list for reconditioned, showroom models, discontinued, trade-ins etc...

http://www.samplelist.com/

 

[rcmodel]

and I know some people have told me you cant shoot that long with a 30-06 accurately but I wanna shoot this one to the full extent.

Whoever told you that is full of it clear up to his brown eyes!
The 30-06 Springfield was winning 1,000 yard matches (with iron sights) long before 99% of us were born!

As for your Bushnell scope?
Will the rifle shoot decent groups at 100 yards with it?

If so, spend your money on practice ammo.
A better scope will not help you all that much if what you have now is already doing the job.

BTW: The x means the scopes power or magnifacation.
1x = 1 power, 9x = 9 power, etc.

1,000 yards through a 3x-9x variable scope set on 9x looks like 111 yards.
Plenty enough x's to shoot good groups at almost any range you are likely to be shooting a 710 Remington.

rcmodel

 

[nefarmboy]

So what you're saying is that if I can shoot well at 100yards with the irons, I'll be about as good with a 3.5-9X40 at 1000 yards?

 

[cbrgator]

No, it just means the target will look about the same size. Mistakes will be amplified though.

 

[zammyman]

The Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 is pretty good for $200, but I'd agree with cbrgator- go with a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 for $300. Some of the brighest glass you'll find in its price class!!

 

[lipadj46]

go with a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 for $300. Some of the brighest glass you'll find in its price class!!

I need to stop reading these optics suggestion posts :banghead: IMO Leupold VX-I and VX-II are on the bottom of the list for glass in their price class (maybe a bit of an exaggeration but not by much). Nikon Monarch, Team Primos Buckmaster, Bushnell 3200, 4200, Burris Fullfield II etc all have better glass for less money. Bushnell and Nikon also have good warranties. Leupold has a larger marketing budget though. IMO Leupold used to be the best and they rely on this and have sat back and reaped the benefits, other scope companies have learned from, caught up, and past Leupold IMO. They do have good warranties but you pretty much pay for it as they are $50-$200 more than other scopes in their class.

But that said the VX-I and II's definitely will get the job done so if you want a Leupold get one especially if it will make you more confidence in your setup

 

[kuntreeboy80]

Well I settled my problem! Her's what I did I went and bought a Remington 700 in 308 (Police Model) and now I have the 308 with a 3.5-14x50 scope for longer distance and the 30-06 can stay the same for now! But thanks again for all of your help!