What scope for Marlin XS7 at 100yds?

[guiltybutsaved]

For about $500 what scope would you suggest for a Marlin XS7 .308? I’m going to shoot it at 100yds and max 200 yds. I was thinking 2x7 for hunting but was told that higher power would be better at 100yds. This would mostly be for target shooting or maybe whitetail hunting with shots 100+yds away (not close).

At 100yds I don’t think I need markings to adjust for distance and would prefer good optics over anything else. I’d like to put my money into that feature. I’m curious about how accurate this rifle can get at 100yds and understand that having a good scope matters. Advice would be appreciated.

 

[cdb1]

I’d put a VX-3i 2.5-8x36 on it.

 

[LoonWulf]

I agree with cdb1, that would be an excellent scope for that rifle.
I would stick around that power range. 2-7/10, 3-9/12, 4-12/14. All with a 40mm object or smaller.
There's actually a leupold on eBay right now I've seriously considered offering on. You may want to.
https://m.ebay.com/itm/leopold-rifle-scope-/302655533169

 

[Skylerbone]

Leupold FX-2 6x33mm fixed 6 power. Very light, rugged, and simple. It’s also under $400 which means money for good rings.

 

[guiltybutsaved]

I went with a Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40 in order to "try something different" than the lovely Nikon 1.5-6x42 Monarch Gold #4 which I already own.

I hope to find out
1. How Leopold compares to my Nikon (at the same magnifications and [if I can figure it out] the same "exit pupil")
2. Whether 14x magnification seems to make target shooting any easier

This is the first rifle I've scoped myself, and I didn't understand Skylerbone's comment about leaving "...money for good rings" until I parted with $139 for Leupold Mark 4 Picatinny-Style Rings. Holy smokes! Since I was in it for a bunch of $$ so far, and I'm making a bid here for accuracy, I figured I should rule out the rings as a potential problem and go with a reputable solution. I've heard the motto "cry once, buy once" and hope that holds true here so that I can have consistent accuracy with factory ammo and then move forward fiddling with load development and reloading consistency.

Thank you all for the sage advice!

 

[Skylerbone]

You made a nice choice, no waffling about it! I’ve used ring sets that cost more than the rifle but peace of mind is priceless.