Scope recommendation

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Jonny2guns

Jonny2guns

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I have a Tikka T3X with a 24" bbl, standard contour (light weight?) Looking for a scope that will perform as good as the gun without breaking the bank, but at the same time I prefer to buy once cry once. Will mostly be shooting 168-200gr bullets out to 400-600 yards.
 
Amy preference on magnification? And you mentioned bullet weights but not what the rifle is actually chambered in, so that might be helpful as well.

Oh, and a general budget would be helpful to. My standard for breaking the bank is probably cheaper than yours. :D
 
Jonny2guns said:
I have a Tikka T3X with a 24" bbl, standard contour (light weight?) Looking for a scope that will perform as good as the gun without breaking the bank, but at the same time I prefer to buy once cry once. Will mostly be shooting 168-200gr bullets out to 400-600 yards.
Click to expand...
My "go-to" scope for most any new-to-me big game rifle is a 3X9 Leopold (about $300.00). However, when I was shopping for a scope for my then-new 308 Norma Mag, I compared a 3X9 Leopold to a 3X9 Weaver - side-by-side for over an hour. I even let my wife compare them, and there was no doubt about it - the Weaver was clearer around the edges. So I bought the Weaver - same price (about $300.00).:thumbup:
 
BigBL87 said:
Amy preference on magnification? And you mentioned bullet weights but not what the rifle is actually chambered in, so that might be helpful as well.

Oh, and a general budget would be helpful to. My standard for breaking the bank is probably cheaper than yours. :D
Click to expand...


My bad on the caliber, it's 300 Win. Mag.
Didn't specify magnification as others probably know better than me for what I'm trying to do. Budget, well I'd like to keep it below $1200 if I can and get good performance out of the rifle.
 
In my post, I wrote "3X9 Leopold" is usually my "go-to" scope for new-to-me big game rifles. Sorry about that - I meant 3-9 Leopold is my usual "go-to" scope for new-to-me big game rifles.:oops:
Nevertheless, I had 3-9X40 Leopolds on both of the 300 Win Mags I had before I got my 308 Norma Mag, and if I'm not mistaken, my old 30-06 Ruger still wears a 3-9X40 Leopold. It could have just been the "luck of the draw" when I compared that 3-9 Leopold to the 3-9 Weaver that day when I found the Weaver was clearer around the edges. Maybe it was a "bad" Leopold and a "good" Weaver or something like that. I ended up buying the $300.00 Weaver, but you can bet I'll still be looking at $300.00 Leopolds (if inflation doesn't drive the prices for all scopes through the roof before long) for my next big game rifle.:thumbup:
 
Below is what I just put on my 700LR 300wm. My X-bolt pro 300wm has Veracity 5x25x50. Very happy with the Burris, the Helos is looking good but I haven't had it in the field yet.
You mentioned 400yd plus as your desired range, so I don't think a 3x9x40 will serve you well.
I also have a Veracity 3x15x50 on my 30-06, this would be my min magnification for the distance you mentioned.
Screenshot_20220226-135722_Chrome.jpg
 
I have a Weaver Grand Slam on my Tikka, but they are discontinued. My go to has always been Leupold and I recently Bought a Vari-x 3i. I also just got a Burris Fullfield E1, as Troy posted in another thread. But these are for hunting at limited ranges. Others can advise on better scopes for more advanced applications.
 
I confess I don't have a huge amount of knowledge where scopes are concerned. But after looking at a range of options for my Tikka T3X .30-06, I chose a Trijicon Huron 3-9X40 with a BDC. I have zero complaints. It does everything I want and is the clearest scope I've ever used, including the Leupold MK4 I once owned.

Edit: I expect the rest of the Trijicon line is just as good.
 
These are on back order from this source at the moment, but this is what I'd use on that rifle. They should be available from other sources.

Buy Leupold 3.5-10x40 VX-3HD Riflescopes at SWFA.com - SWFA Outdoors

There may be better scopes at the moment, but Leupold is never a bad choice. They have a reputation for ruggedness and durability which will be needed on a lightweight 300 magnum. And at 13 ounces is 1/2 lb or more less than many competitors. You have a light rifle; I'd want to keep the scope weight down too.

The CDS dial used on these is a good design for hunting. Once zeroed it locks down so it can't get moved while hunting. You can run your numbers through any of the ballistic programs and print out a cheat sheet for long range shooting. You only get one revolution on the dial which will not be ideal for the guys shooting 1000 yards or farther. But with a 300 mag should get you out well past 600 yards.
 
What jmr40 said. I have a couple of the VX3 in 4.5x14s but in 30mm tubes and they are spot on for a hunting rig. They are a little brighter late and early with the larger tube...
 
I just read the the bulk of Vortex scopes are made in China, the next level Philippian's, and the jighest in Japan except one scope in made in the US. I don't know if that matters. I did buy some Weavers made in the Philippians and liked them.
 
Go spend some time at a shop or shooting range looking through scopes mounted on a rifle. Some great scopes have reticles that drive some of us nuts. Some eyeglass wearers or people who have stiff necks need a larger eye box, exit pupil size, eye relief or magnification. Some scope controls are placed in different positions that users might not like, The feel of the controls may not appeal to your likes. Check customer service reviews and budget for decent mounts and rings. Is shooting in crappy light important to you while your at the range? Weight? Some scopes manufactures such as Vortex give salespeople a bonus to sell scopes.
 
BigBL87 said:
Re: Burris, the Droptine and Fullfield IV lines at least are made in China.
Click to expand...

XTREME TACTICALTM XTR III SCOPES -- 34mm USA
201200 3.3-18x50mm SCR MIL, Non Illum SCR MIL
201201 3.3-18x50mm SCR MOA, Non Illum SCR MOA
201202 3.3-18x50mm SCR 2 MIL, Non Illum SCR 2 MIL
201210 5.5-30x56mm MIL, Non Illum SCR MIL
201211 5.5-30x56mm MOA, Non Illum SCR MOA
201212 5.5-30x56mm MIL, Non Illum SCR 2 MIL

XTREME TACTICALTM XTR II SCOPES -- 34mm Philippines
201031 3X-15X-50mm illum SCR Mil Front Focal
201032 3X-15X-50mm illum SCR MOA Front Focal
201042 4X-20X-50mm Illum SCR Mil Front Focal
201043 4X-20X-50mm Illum SCR MOA Front Focal
201051 5X-25X-50mm Illum SCR Mil Front Focal
201052 5X-25X-50mm Illum SCR MOA Front Focal
201080 8X-40X-50mm illum F Class MOA Option

RT Series -- 30mm
200472 1X-6X-24mm illum Ballistic AR - Philippines
200475 1X-6X-24mm ill,FFire3, PEPR Ballistic AR - Philippines
200480 3-15x50mm SCR 2 MIL - China
200481 5-25x56mm SCR 2 MIL - China
300261 RT-1 2 MOA Dot - China
300262 RT-3 Ballistic 3X - China

VERACITY SCOPES - 30mm Philippines
200621 2X-10X-42mm Ballistic E1 FFP
200636 3X-15X-50mm Ballistic E1 FFP
200640 4X-20X-50mm Tall Knobs Ballistic E1 FFP Varmint
200641 4X-20X-50mm Low Knobs Ballistic E1 FFP
200650 5X-25X-50mm Tall Knobs Ballistic E1 FFP Varmint
200651 5X-25X-50mm Low Knobs Ballistic E1 FFP
200652 5X-25X-50mm Low Knobs SCR MOA Front Focal

SIGNATURE HD SCOPES - 1" & 30mm China
200530 2-10x40mm Ballistic E3 RFP
200531 3-15x44mm illum Tall Knobs Ballistic E3 RFP
200532 3-15x44mm Plex
200533 5-25x50mm illum Ballistic E3 RFP
200534 5-25x50mm Tall Knobs Fine Plex
200535 5-25x50mm illum Tall Knobs 6.5 CM FFP

FULLFIELD E1 SCOPES -- 1" Philippines
200320 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex E1
200346 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex Shotgun
200347 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex Muzzleloader
200348 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex 450BM
200366 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex 350Legend
200338 4.5X-14X-42mm Ballistic Plex E1
200341 6.5X-20X-50mm Ballistic Plex E1 MV

FULLFIELD IV SCOPES -- 1" & 30mm China
200485 2.5-10x42mm Ballistic E3
200486 2.5-10x42mm illum Ballistic E3
200487 2.5-10x42mm Plex
200488 3-12x42mm Long Range MOA
200489 3-12x42mm illum C4 Wind MOA
200490 3-12x42mm Ballistic E3
200491 3-12x56mm illum Ballistic E3
200492 4-16x50mm illum Ballistic E3
200493 4-16x50mm 6.5 CM
200494 4-16x50mm illum Long Range MOA
200495 6-24x50mm Ballistic E3
200496 6-24x50mm Fine Plex
200497 6-24x50mm SCR MOA

FULLFIELD II SCOPES 1" Philippines
200162 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex (30-06 Rem 1917)
200183 4.5X-14X-42mm Ballistic Plex (7x57 Mau)
200193 6.5X-20X-50mm Ballistic Mil-Dot

DropTineTM -- 1" Philippines
200017 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex
200019 3X-9X-40mm 22LR Ballistic Plex 22LR
200077 4.5X-14X-42mm Ballistic Plex

SCOUT SCOPES -- 1" Philippines
200261 2X-7X-32mm Ballistic Plex
200269 2.75X-20mm Heavy Plex


HANDGUN SCOPES -- 1" Philippines
200218 2X Plex
200229 2X Plex
200291 2X-7X Plex
200279 2X-7X Ballistic Plex
200298 2X-7X Plex
200299 2X-7X Ballistic Plex
200309 3X-12X Ballistic Plex

AR-PRISM SIGHTS China
300208 AR-332 3X - 32mm Ballistic CQ
300210 AR-536 5X - 36mm Ballistic CQ
 
dranrab said:
FULLFIELD IV SCOPES -- 1" & 30mm China
200485 2.5-10x42mm Ballistic E3
200486 2.5-10x42mm illum Ballistic E3
200487 2.5-10x42mm Plex
200488 3-12x42mm Long Range MOA
200489 3-12x42mm illum C4 Wind MOA
200490 3-12x42mm Ballistic E3
200491 3-12x56mm illum Ballistic E3
200492 4-16x50mm illum Ballistic E3
200493 4-16x50mm 6.5 CM
200494 4-16x50mm illum Long Range MOA
200495 6-24x50mm Ballistic E3
200496 6-24x50mm Fine Plex
200497 6-24x50mm SCR MOA

DropTineTM -- 1" Philippines
200017 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex
200019 3X-9X-40mm 22LR Ballistic Plex 22LR
200077 4.5X-14X-42mm Ballistic Plex
Click to expand...

I guess I stand corrected on the Droptine line.
 
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