Scope advice

[Jaeger]

I will FINALLY have some $ to get a good scope for my 30/06 Savage 116FSAK. I should have up to $500.

Part of me wants to get a good deer hunting scope for eastern PA. German reticle, lower power adjustable mag.. The other part wants a good long range scope for nailing groundhogs at extreme range.

I am considering a Leupold VXII 3-9X40 tactical, Burris Fullfield 2, Bushnell Elite 4200 (w/firefly reticle), one of a few different Nikons,Trijicon Accupoint.....

Decisions, decisions! Any experience with any of the above? Opinions? I'm really leaning toward something with some long range capability. I have my Enfield scout and Marlin lever scout for up close and personal woods hunting.

 

[Art Eatman]

Well, I guess an old ought-six oughta be enough to handle a groundhog...

Dunno 'bout tactical, but I used a VX II 3x9x40 for a long, long time. One of my longest shots on a buck was with the scope set on 3X, so go figure.

If you use a spotting scope to find the groundhog in the first place, 9X oughta be enough to nail him...

Art

 

[dakotasin]

look for a used leupold vx-3 in 4.5-14. i just got one used for $275. this scope is exactly what you are looking for.

if you must buy new, it is very hard to beat a vx-2 in 3-9. an option to explore is buying target knobs from stoney point, or something along those lines, and installing them on the scope. not quite as attractive as factory turrets, but functional.

 

[Jaeger]

That is a good possability. I know of a VXIII 3.5-10 AO for sale for $350 at a local shop. (used)

Groundhogs need a round with a little extra umph when you are shooting at them from 600+ yds.!

 

[AZRickD]

I know where yer comin' from.

I have a Savage 10FP in .308 (my only precision rifle) which I plan on using for tactical play, large game, coyotes, and, heck, why not a ground hog?

Beware the man with just one rifle... His wife probably knows how to use it.

Having just purchased a scope (which works great but has none of the following)...

I would look for

illuminated reticle
long eye-relief
hunting? Shepherd scope reticle
AO
One of them-thar internal leveling bubbles

Rick

 

[Jaeger]

Does anyone have any experience with Sightron's SIII 3.5-10X44? It's a 30mm tube, sidefocus, mildot reticle, 1/4" adjustments w/ 80 minutes of travel.

Sightron is supposed to be excellent quality but I've never seen one of these models in person. The SII models I have seen have been nice.

 

[Futo Inu]

As far as best *values* go, I've heard really good things about new Swift Premiers, Bushnell Elite 4200s, Weaver Grand Slams, and used Leupold Vari-X IIIs and Burris Black Diamonds, but dunno what power would meet your multiple needs best.

 

[Jaeger]

10 power is more than sufficient. I generally don't care for more than that on a field rifle.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

IMHO, 4 power is plenty. More than that and the view shake does more harm than the magnification does good.

 

[Coltdriver]

There is a lot of versatility in a 3X9 40 or even a 4X12 40.

I too was looking for the best combination to put on a 30 06, In the end I opted to put a 3 X 9 40 Bausch and Lomb on mine. There are better brands but I think the magnification capability is a good match to the caliber and the intended use.

My 06 is just for deer and elk. You can pick up and follow somthing easily at a 3X magnification. You may be looking all over at 9X. Even higher and you better be on a bipod or somthing to stabilize your view since your actual field of view becomes fairly small.

I'm off to sight in my 06 tomorrow in preparation for a November Elk hunt.

If you want serious long range and you are able to hunt from a bipod then I think there may be better choices for a 500 yard ground hog shot.

I just mounted a 6.5 X 20 X40 with an adjustable objective on a little .17HMR Savage. The scope can look out past where the rifle can shoot! But for the detailed work that the .17 is capable of under 150 yards this scope is a good match. A real quality version of that scope might be a good choice for a fairly serious long range shot too.

Let us know what you decide

 

[Sunray]

What's a 'German reticle'? Just curious. For $500 you can get a dandy scope. On a .30-06, I'd put a 2.5 to 8 or 3 to 9 variable. 32mm front lens. anything else is heavy. That'll give you the versatility you want and not be too heavy when deer hunting.
As to the make, your side of the border seems to prefer Leupold. They're really expensive up here. I've been using the 2.5 to 8 Bushnell Scopechief on my rifles for years with good results but they're not made any more. Have one on my 03A4. Works great. I hear the Bushnell's QC has gone down in the last 30 years, so you may want to go with the Leupold. The term 'tactical' is nonsense. That's just the finish. And a non-tactical scope, the same thing but not flat black, will be cheaper. If you want "tactical", put some flat black hockey tape on it. Or bandage tape in winter. Camou 's purpose is to break up the shape. Tape does that.

 

[Jaeger]

German reticle.