Scope for Savage Hog hunter

[flytyer232]

Hello all,

My brother recently surprised me with a Savage Hog rifle, in .308, for my birthday. I has a really nice trigger, and the iron sights are okay. For those that don't know, it is basically a Savage model 11, with a 20" bull barrel, iron sights, and threaded.

My biggest issue is what scope to put on it, i was thinking about putting a Redfield Revolution 3-9 x 40mm, which i currently have on my hunting rifle, however being as this rifle is a savage, would i be better served with a higher end optic? I wouldn't want to spent more than $400-$500 on a scope,just wanting your opinions.

My primary role for this rifle is deer/beer hunting, with a suppressor on it. I would also like to "play" at the range with it, as i do hand load. My furthest shot hunting was about 270 yards at a white tail, though i have had close shoots around 10 yards before.....

Thanks,
Mike

 

[chicharrones]

My first thought when I hear of a Hog Hunter is a Leupold VX-Hog, either the standard model or the illuminated model. Although, I don't know if a 1-4x scope would be enough for you.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Leupold VX-R 3-9 40mm ,30mm tube,fire dot 4 reticle with lighted dot that can be turned on in low or bright light conditions as it is adjustable. Perfect for hog and deer low light and daytime conditions.30mm tube makes this a great light gatherer and the clarity is perfect. Opticsplanet has this for $499 catch their 10% of code save 50 bucks and always free shipping. I am changing all my hunting rifles to this scope.

https://www.leupold.com/reticles/

Link to Leupold reticles .The firedot 4 has heavy duplex at 3,6 and 9 positions but not a 12. I like this because you can acquire your target but not cover it,and have the advantage of heavy duplex. The firedot is in the middle of cross hairs.The firedot4 is on page 3 of the link.

 

[farmerboy78]

Swfa ss 10x

 

[agtman]

My primary role for this rifle is deer/beer hunting, with a suppressor on it. I would also like to "play" at the range with it, as i do hand load. My furthest shot hunting was about 270 yards at a white tail, though i have had close shoots around 10 yards before.....

Been deer hunting, but never "beer" hunting, although I can't image a Budweiser is all that hard to "kill," especially on a hot day.

Seriously, about 2 years ago I re-configured an old .308 FP 10 (had the hvy barrel chopped, etc.) to about what Savage's current "hog gun" looks like. Roughly intended to hunt hogs and deer at the same distances as you, definite inside 300yds and more likely under 200yds. And same as you, I'm running a can on it.

For that use, I topped it w/ a Leupy 1.5-5x, zeroed it for 200yds with a Federal Fusion 150gn load, and called it good.

The max of 5x is plenty for 300yds on deer/hog size game, and more than enough for shooting at shorter ranges. I put a Switchview lever on the magnification ring to make quick adjustments in the field. You really don't need a big, heavy, high-mag power (10x) scope on a short-range hog and deer slayer.

 

[flytyer232]

hum... I really like this one, but would the 40mm tube be better for light gathering than the 30mm tube???

 

[flytyer232]

What do you guys think about Vortex optics????

My brother suggested a Vortex in the same price range as a Leupold, but i dont think they are made in the USA...

 

[agtman]

hum... I really like this one, but would the 40mm tube be better for light gathering than the 30mm tube???

My Leupy is a 1 inch diameter tube. A scope with 30mm tube that was also a 1.5-5x would gather more light, especially in low-light conditions.

Just be aware that many of the so-called "budget" 30mm scopes are also heavy, depending on make and model.

For a fast-handling, close-range hog gun, I wanted to minimize weight everywhere, including the optic.

 

[farmerboy78]

The vortex isn't American made, but I believe that it is an American company. I am a savage and vortex fan. I have 3; razor, pst, and hst...

 

[Bruce Hanson]

I have a Vortex Diamondback HP 2-8 that I like. Glass is better than my Burris Fullfield II, but not as good as my Leupold VX3 1.5-5. Wish I would have bought another VX3 when Cabela's had them on sale.

Vortex has a great warranty. They are starting to produce some scopes in the US, but those are expensive. They are based in Middleton, Wisconsin as far as I know.

 

[FL-NC]

My fav in your price range is the Horus hunter- 3-12 power 30mm. I have one on a MVP thunder ranch. Some people don't care for the "busy" Horus reticles, but I love them.

 

[flytyer232]

Hum....

Now you guys have me looking at weight, what do you think about a leupold VX2 or VX3? I dont like an illuminated optic, for this role, so would you recommend the extra $200 on a vx3????

 

[Mike C2]

At this point, no. The current VX-2 is the VX-3 glass from a few years ago and the current VX-3 is being clearances to be replaced with a new version. The VX-2 is the sweet spot right now for the $, but the new VX-3 may change that. But I would be hesitant to buy into the 3 line right now because of the overlap of new/old.

I got a clearances VX-3 LR 6.5-20 from Natchez at VX-2 pricing, so if you can pull that off go that way!

 

[Bartojc]

Leupold VX-R 3-9 40mm ,30mm tube,fire dot 4 reticle with lighted dot that can be turned on in low or bright light conditions as it is adjustable. Perfect for hog and deer low light and daytime conditions.30mm tube makes this a great light gatherer and the clarity is perfect. Opticsplanet has this for $499 catch their 10% of code save 50 bucks and always free shipping. I am changing all my hunting rifles to this scope.

This is a really nice scope. Last time I was looking for a scope for a hunting rifle this is what I really wanted, but it was a bit more than what I wanted to spend at the time. If you don't want lighted reticle the VX-2 is a sweet spot, and you'll probably save a little cash in your budget as well.

-jeff