Scope question?

[SteveS]

I have a rookie scope purchasing question, so pardon my ignorance. I bought my last rifle used and it came with a scope, so I haven't had to figure out what I need. My next rifle will be new, so here are my questions:
--It will be used for shots between 50-300 yards. What is the best magnification for this range?
--Best type of reticle?

 

[cratz2]

Well, you don't mention what you are going to use your rifle for and you don't mention what type of rifle it will be.

For power range, I would always err on the side of too little magnification rather than go the other way. If shots will be limited to 300 yards, 6x power is plenty. If you like variables, a 1-6x, 2-7x or 3-9x or 3-10x would be fine if not overkill for a hunting rifle. For a lever action, I like the 1.5-4x or 1.5-5x scope. If it's a heavy barrel target/precision shooting rifle, 4-14x or 4-16x or 6-18 might be called for as weight won't be much of an issue.

Just remember, on hunting rifles, more game has been lost to having a scope with too much power than too little power. If a close shot presents itself, say 50 to 75 yards, and you lift your rifle up and peer through the scope set to 16x, you've lost that shot, or at least delayed it.

I'm a big fan of the Weaver Grand Slam scopes. For about $250 shipped, you can get into their 3-10x40 scopes which have to be just about the best value in scopes over $100. Optics on par with Leupold VariX III at a price less than the VariX II.

Reticles are a personal choice. For hunting, I like a duplex or heavy duplex. For target work, a light duplex. I've never much cared for the MilDots and at 300 yards, they aren't going to do you any good anyway as you'll be spot on with most any cartridge.

 

[SteveS]

Oops...reread my post and realized that I did not provide enough information.

I haven't purchased the rifle yet, but it will most likely by a Sako 75 Stainless Synthetic in .338 win mag. I will be using it for Caribou (and possibly other large N. American game in the future).

Cratz2, thanks for the advice. It was very helpful.

 

[Soap]

To echo what cratz2 said, I would go for a 6x as the high end. Since its going to be used on large game you don't really need a high magnification scope. In fact, it can become a liability in the field. I would get a quality variable that starts around 1.5 or 1.75 that goes to 6 or 8. This way, you can use the low end for hunting and the high end for sighting in at the range. The previously mentioned Grand Slam series is quite good for the cash. I'm partial to the Leupold line myself. I would get a Vari-XIII 1.75-6x.

 

[MolonLabe416]

I'll second the recommendation for a low powered Leupold variable for your application. I'd spring for the illuminated reticle option too if the budget allowed.

 

[cratz2]

Wow... nice gun... big boomer, too!

I think Mr Flory's suggestion of the Leupold 1.75-6 VariX III would serve your purpose with excellence. About $450 from SWFA.com. If it were mine and finances weren't too tight, I might pop another $300 and get a Kahles 1.5-6x42. You can't find a much nicer hunting scope... Well, maybe the Schmidt & Bender at twice the price.