Scope for a varmit rifle......

[The_Hammer_Man]

My absolute all time favorite p-dog gittin', hedgehog killin' scope is my IOR Valdada 3-18x w/ the mp8 dot reticle. (mine's illuminated)

Expensive but the glass is extremely good all the way to max magnification and it has a 40 mm tube so it handle low light situations pretty well.

There are two variants of this scope. One is called the "modified mp8-dot". The modification is the addition of a 10 more mils to the lower vertical axis. For those REAAAALLY long shots .

http://www.valdada.com/product/2db3f757-a005-4e3d-a442-ea0370a2a1a8.aspx

pricey like I told ya but worth it if making that 4-500 yard shot is important to you.

 

[Maverick223]

Expensive but the glass is extremely good all the way to max magnification and it has a 40 mm tube so it handle low light situations pretty well.

I really like IOR glass, but 40mm that tube seems a bit excessive to me (I don't like 34/35mm for most applications, but they can be useful for LR). When you need to reach out too far for the elevation adjustments available in a *good* 34/35mm it is time for a tapered mount (which is what I ended up doing) or new chambering IMO.

 

[win71]

Like doubleA

I have four heavy barrel varmint rifles. I don't have much luck with high fixed power scopes, 24x plus. It gets difficult to find the furry little buggers with low field of view and long range. I do however use one when I work up loads.
243 has a Redfield 6x18
22-250 has a Weaver KT-15
222 has 4x12 Redfield (1977 vintage)
204 has 4.5x14 Leupold

All things considered I think I would settle on the fixed power 15 if I had to pick one. But they all seem to work fine.

 

[K-Dirt]

I found a Zeiss Conquest 4.5 x 14 (44mm I think) on closeout at Sportsmans Warehouse a couple years ago. It still seemed pricey at the time, but I've never regretted it after using it. I put it on a stainless Savage 22-250. I think it's a great coyote rig.

 

[X-Rap]

If you are moving on foot a lot and have a light rifle the Leupold Compact scope is hard to beat. If you have a big heavy bench gun that you are going to carry little and shoot much such as on a prarie dog town then the high magnification AO scope on straight
10X to 14X would be in order. Heat waves do have a big effect on those higher powered scopes, especially past 200yds.
For one that you are thinking of pushing out far past 500yd I would sure look at the 30mm scopes like the MK IV.

 

[45crittergitter]

I'm very happy with a 4-16x40 AO Bushnell Elite 4200 on a similar rifle.

 

[RonE]

The following was written by a Gunsmith on another forum. The gentleman is not trying to sell anything and his opinions seem to be valid.

by Popeye on Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:45 pm

.I am going to say something very unpopular. I will preface it by saying, I am the gunsmith at a local gun shop. I am also the person who purchases scopes for resale at the shop. I examine them closely and under varying conditions before making a purchase.

Leupold VX-I, VX-II and VX-III rifle scopes are quite overpriced. You do not get proper value for your money when purchasing one. The VX-I and VX-II scopes, in particular, are not good scopes. They are on par with the competition's scopes that sell for between $50.00 and $150.00. I consider them throwaways. They are a huge disappointment to me.

Right now the best glass for the price, in my opinion are:

Sightron - SII and better
These are Japanese manufactured scopes. As far as I know, this company came out of nowhere. I'm glad they did. For $400.00 you can purchase a scope of the quality for which Leupold charges nearly $700.00.

Bushnell - Elite 3200 and better
Yup. Bushnell scopes are manufactured in the Philippines and in their price range they are the brightest scopes available. Their new 6500 line, while more expensive, are fine scopes. I am impressed with them.

Nikon - BuckMaster and better
Nikon's prices have increased this year. They are not the bargain they were in years past. They remain very good scopes, they just cost more now.

Konus
Manufactured in China and proud of it. These are the best budget scopes on the market right now. You don't pay much but you get more than you pay for.

Scopes to avoid.

Leupold
Unless you are willing to spend $1000.00 or more, superior scopes are available. That little gold ring doesn't mean much anymore. It did once upon a time but no longer. You get to pay too much for the "name".

Zeiss - Conquest
You get to pay too much for the "name". The Conquest line is a downgraded line made for the US market. Like Leupold, Zeiss shines at the $1000.00, and better, price range.

Burris
Since Beretta bought them their prices have increased while their quality has decreased.

Tasco
Simmons
BSA
Redfield
Weaver, except for their T-36.

 

[Maverick223]

I'd say the gunsmith you quoted above is right on a few points but wrong on others. The Rifleman, VX-I, and VX-II lines are all overpriced and sub-par IMO. The VX-III is a good scope but are still overpriced unless you are seeking certain features not available from other manufacturers (especially gloss, the reason I purchased one a couple of weeks ago). All the Leupolds that are above the VX-III are grossly overpriced for the quality (which isn't bad) IMO. Zeiss Conquest is a magnificent scope and a good value IMO. It has great glass and can be had for as little as $300.00 for a fixed 4x IIRC. Bushnell Elites (all series) and Nikon Monarchs also provide great quality at an affordable price, and generally I would take them over a comparable Leupold...but not Zeiss.

 

[AKElroy]

I have not seen this suggested yet----

I have owned low-dollar Bushnell products & have been generally unimpressed. That changed last week when I received this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bushnell-Elite-3200-5-15-x-50-AO-Matte-Riflescope/4790985

Made in Japan, excellent build quality. Heavy, but that is a plus for your application. I am extremely impressed with it. I got mine on gunbroker for $289.00 shipped; no tax NIB w/ sunshade. Optics rival if not exceed my Leupold's & Nikons, I have several of each.

 

[Maverick223]

I have owned low-dollar Bushnell products & have been generally unimpressed.

I bet they held together and retained zero didn't it? All the Bushnells that I have ever owned held up great, despite the fact that many were inexpensive models. The glass was as you would expect from a $20.00 scope.

 

[AKElroy]

I bet they held together and retained zero didn't it? All the Bushnells that I have ever owned held up great, despite the fact that many were inexpensive models. The glass was as you would expect from a $20.00 scope.

Yes they did, and they still do. The only issue with the cheap Chinese versions is the soda-can thin aluminum tubes. The higher-end Elites have exceptional Japanese quality.