What are your thoughts on 30mm scopes on compact rifles?

[Leaky Waders]

Hi,

I'll be returning home in few months and have made quite a few really good friends here. Two of them are members of families that actually guide for elk hunts. They have invited me for elk and mountain lion hunting when we return to the states - needless to say, I'm pumped.

I was gonna buy a new rifle, even before I had this opportunity. One chambered in 6.5x55, 260 remington, or 7mm-08. I want a 'tame' cartridge that my two sons can shoot (one's 13 and one's 8). I also want a rifle that they can handle easily.

I already own the scope a 30mm leupold 2.5-10 lps.

Looking at online sites is very painful here...our connection is like two dixie cups strung together with dental floss, while 100 pidgeons perch on the string for interference...

Thus far, I've narrowed my choices to compact rifles like the model 7 or winchesters version in a model 70. I do not like the iss system in new remingtons. So I'm really leaning towards the winchester - probably 7mm-08 because of the shorter action or the 6.5x55 swede...just because.

Does putting a 30mm scope on a compact rifle defeat the purpose of having a compact rifle? I mean big heavy scope on a small light rifle? Does it look weird? What rings and bases would you recommend? The rifle will mainly be used for deer except when these unique annual opportunites arise.

V/R,

LW

 

[Brick]

Hello everybody.â„¢

Dunno about compact rifles. Personally I think compact scopes go with compact rifles...aka...expensive ACOGs, etc.

 

[dakotasin]

yeah.... compact rifles look ridiculous w/ big scopes. i know because i have one scope that i swap between all my rifles when i am doing initial load devlopment and accuracy testing. so, i've had massive scopes on guns like a rem m7 youth, and currently, that scope is residing on my 16" ar w/ collapsible stock - at least until we thaw and i can finish testing (and subsequently remove that scope).

anyway, for a compact rifle, i would reccomend something to fit w/ the theme of the rifle, ie handy and light. look into leupold's compact line. the 3-9 compact isn't bad, but perhaps the 2-7 is the better choice... the higher magnification on that small of a scope body is very hard to do and maintain resolution, etc. if you are into fixed powers, the 6x36 is pretty good, the 6x42 is really good.

for bases and rings, for this application, there is only one clear choice: talley lightweights. very strong, very light. the base is integral to the ring. for ~$40, you can't go wrong here - especially since most conventional systems will cost that much or more, anyway (both rings/bases w/ mounting screws weighs less than one base of the leupold 2-piece system w/ no mounting hardware - and is stronger to boot).

as for the iss... i'm no fan of it either, but i like remingtons. so, on some rifles i just live w/ it, others i replace the iss shroud w/ parts from gre-tan. end up shaving some weight, and removing the iss in the process. just an fyi - you aren't necessarily stuck w/ the iss if you don't want it. also, used is always an option - the iss is a relatively new development.

 

[Dave R]

What are you trying to optimize? Appearance? Performance? Weight?

A big scope will look ugly on a small rifle. Do you need that much magnification? Can you afford to buy a smaller scope? I'm thinking a Leupold Compact 2X7 runs $199 at Cabelas or Midway online.

Are you trying to keep it as light as possible because you'll be packing it around for miles during the hunt? That would also argue for the compact scope.

Are you trying to maximize hunting performance? If so, then maybe you do want to put the big scope on the small rifle. It'll give you slightly better optics and better light gathering than a compact scope. Maybe you don't care if its ugly. And if it helps you make the shot that gets your Elk, it'll look pretty good at that moment.

So decide what you want to optimize and that'll make the decision for you.

 

[Jonathan]

Normally I would caution about a good base system with a heavy scope and a compact rifle due to potential recoil issues, but the calibers you mentioned won't give any trouble.

Of the calibers you mentioned, especially regarding hunting, I like the 6.5x55 in the Winchester.

I'd second the choice of the Talleys.


Besides, your LPS only weight 2 oz more than a VXIII 3.5-10x50

 

[Leaky Waders]

thanks for the replies so far...

I guess I'm trying to optimize function from a boys perspective. I don't want to mount some big clunky scope on a rifle that I'm trying to get balanced and light enough for my sons to use. The only reason I was thinking of going compact was for my sons' ease of use.

I own several scopes that could be swapped around easily, or I could purchase another.

The scope that isn't on any rifle right now is the LPS 2.5x10 45mm objective with a 30 mm tube. Will talley lightweights even accomodate that setup on a winchester featherweight or model 7? How high of rings would you expect to have on it (med ore high)? I was looking on www.midwayusa.com and it looked like they only made medium height rings in that style and they were all 1" scope rings.

I also have a 3x9 by 40 world class tasco that is like 12 years old on another rifle...I could swap the leupold for the tasco. I'm not sure. Maybe I'm just better off purchasing a full sized rifle?

I have plenty of time to think about it.

What sized scopes do you put on your compact rifles?

I wished Art Eatman would read this thread. He has lots of rifle experience. And, I do appreciate the experience that you guys have shared with me thus far?

V/R,

LW

 

[Dave R]

What sized scopes do you put on your compact rifles?

I've got a teeny custom rifle based on a Martini Cadet action. It wears a full-size 3X9X40 scope now, but I will eventually put a Leupold compact on it. Saving up the $$ now. Should make it a touch less top-heavy, and should look significantly better.

 

[Charles S]

No don't do it! A large scope will severely degrade the balance and fast handling character of a compact rifle.

The rule of thumb is that your scope's weight should not exceed 15% of the weight of the rifle so a 6.5 pound rifle should have a scope that weighs no more than 15.5 oz max.

I prefer much lighter on a compact rifle. My current compact 308 wears a fixed 2.5 power Burris that is very clear, short and light. The combination works well for me.

Charles