New Tikka T3....which scope to choose

[HarcyPervin]

buying a new tikka t3 stainless synthetic in 30-06 in the next two weeks, and I'm stuck on optics. I've narrowed it down to two choices at the local gander mountain.

1) Zeiss conquest 3-9x40

2) Nikon monarch 2.5-10x can't remember, but bigger than the zeiss

Same price. Nikon is a bit heavier.

I like the BDC with the Nikon, and the larger company for some reason makes me hope that customer service should be better if it ever comes to that.

What say you, THR?

Deer rifle. Mostly woods hunting. Weather here in MN is an issue. Rain/Snow/Sleet/ heat and cold, opening day last year was 60 degrees, last shot I took was -10. Going on a 30-06.

 

[shaggy430]

I've got the exact same rifle and I put a Redfield Revolution 4-12x40 on mine and am thoroughly satified. I also really like Burris Fullfield II.

 

[guzzi]

I have a Nikon Buckmaster BDC reticle on a 30-06. It's set to zero at 100 yards, and the first dot down is perfect for 200 yards. Nice bright and clear glass.

Scope choice is a great adventure.

 

[HarcyPervin]

I really like the idea of the BDC reticle, even though its something I probably won't use very often. I don't want a scope with a bottom line magnification above 3. I used a 4x12 last year in the woods and hated it. The 2.5 bottom end on the Nikon really attracted me, but for some reason, I just can't get past the Zeiss. They both have great glass and felt great. I'm buying a 6.2 lb rifle, so a little bit of extra weight in the scope won't bug me a bit.....but Zeiss...just a cool scope....

 

[rbernie]

I'm going to be that guy that answers your question with a choice not in your list, sadly. I am quite partial to the Leupold VXIII 1.75x-6x and they work very well on the Tikkas.

 

[HarcyPervin]

I've looked at the Leupolds and own and have owned a few. For the money, I haven't been extremely impressed with the glass. Not sure if its just my eyes or whats going on there, but I've set my mind on going a different direction with this one

 

[gamestalker]

I have Leupold's in just about every grade and would drop my dime of their glass any time. Pick up a 3x9x40 Hunter model and have Leupold put the BDC reticle in it. I have some with it, but since adding the Leupold RX-IV B&C range finder with the TBR to my collection, I no longer need the BDC. It's pretty amazing to know the near precise MOA compensation or hold over needed at any distance out to 1500 yards. It isn't at all like the BDC feature, because you program it to the velocity and B.C. of the bullet being used, unlike a BDC that uses an average trajectory and velocity as the guidline.
The B&C feature also provides the width and length of the rack for some more accurate field judging.
And Leupold's customer service is legendary. I've had old out dated optics that got broken because of my stupidity such as a pair of glasses I set down on my tire and ran them over, and Leupold has always made good without even charging me a cent, not even for shipping. Almost every year I loose an eye cup or turret cap, and all I do it shoot them an e-mail and it gets sent to me at no charge.

 

[Haxby]

Go with the Monarch.
Or look at the Minox 2-10X40.
Or maybe a Bushnell 6500 1.25-8X32.

I never heard of a Leupold Hunter.

 

[trex1310]

The Zeiss hands down.

 

[HarcyPervin]

Zeiss wins. Thanks for the opinions.

 

[whalerman]

If you look through each, you will buy the Zeiss.