Which Leupold Scope for my Model 700, 280 Rem.?

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NYH1

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I have a Remington 700 Classic 280 Rem. It currently has an older Redfield Tracker 3-9x40mm Scope on a Leupold one piece base and medium rings. I'm going to put a Leupold VX-II Scope on it. I have a few VX-II Scopes and I really like them so that's the Leupold series I'm going to get.

I use three different rifles/carbines and two slug guns for big game hunting which includes deer, hogs and black bear.

I use my Remington model 7600 Carbine 30-06 Spr. with a Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm Scope as my main, all round rifle. I use it when I'm sitting and for some still hunting where my shots will be 2 to 200 yards. It shoots 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards (where it's zeroed) with Fusion 165 gr. PSP factory ammo. I use this rifle probably 70% of the time, it works great for it's purpose, nice and handy while still shooting flat enough for any of my woods hunting.

I use my Marlin model 336C 35 Rem. with XS Ghost Ring Sights for thick brush, deep thick woods, still hunting, drives ect. where my shots will be 75 yards or so. It shoot minute of deer at that distance with Remington 200 gr. Core-Lokt RN factory ammo. I use it about 10% of the time.

I use my Remington model 11-87 12 or 20 ga. with the cantilever scope mounts. The 12 ga. is mine, the 20 ga. is my dads, he doesn't hunt anymore so I can use which ever one I want. I have a Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm Scope on the 12 ga. and a Nikon Pro Staff 2-7x32mm Scope on the 20 ga. I like the VX-II better. I use them when I hunt in counties where rifles aren't allowed. I hate slug guns and wouldn't have them if I didn't have to use them. They shoot 2 to 3 inch groups with sabot slugs at 100 yards. I use them about 10% of the time.

This leaves me with my model 700 Classic 280 Rem. My favorite rifle in my favorite cartridge.....wish I could use it more, just not pratical for most of my hunting. I'm going back and forth on whether I should go with a VX-II 3-9x40mm or a 4-12x40mm AO. I use it for watching fields, power lines and clear cuts where my shots will most likely be over 200 yards, out to 300/350 yards. It shoots an inch group with Remington 140 gr. Core-Lokt PSP factory ammo. I have it zeroed about 1 1/2 inches high at 100 yards which puts it right around zero at 200 yards. It also shoots 165 gr. Core-Lokt RN to the same windage but right on at 100 yards.

Here's the deal. I have a VX-II 4-12x40mm AO (fine cross hairs) on my Remington 700 BDL 223 Rem. and really like it. I'm seriously thinking of taking it off my 223 Rem. and putting it on my 280 Rem. and buying a VX-II 6-18x40mm AO Scope for my 223 Rem. I'd kind of be killing two birds with one stone. I only use my 280 Rem. for long open range hunting so I don't have to worry about FOV and that kind of stuff. The game I hunt with my 223 Rem. is a lot smaller and I target shoot with it as well. I wouldn't mind the add magnification the 6-18x40mm scope would give me. I'm not a "bigger scope is better" kind of guy. As you can see by my above mentioned rifles/carbines/slug guns, my scopes and sights match them pretty well. What do you guys and gals think?

Thanks, NYH1!
 
Sounds like you've already answered your own question.

I would suggest looking into changing the one piece mount to a two piece. This will save you a little bit of weight and more importantly, gives you a more access to the action should something got Tango Uniform, such as a round getting jammed into the left hand bolt guide.

The 40mm bell of a Leupold will clear the barrel of a Remington sporter profile barrel using Redfield low rings, in case you're interested
 
Leupold is coming up with an upgraded VX-2 scope after the first of the year and they are heavily discounting current inventory. This is a great time to pick up a VX-2.

Personally I don't want or need anything over 3-9X40 on a big game scope and would go that way. 4-12 isn't too bad and if you wanted to go that way.
 
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I'd get a 3-9X for your .280. It's a bit lighter in weight/length and doesn't have an adjustable objective to worry about in the field.

The 3-9X is as accurate and should do everything you want to do, include spot antlers, if necessary, before the shot.
 
Personally I don't want or need anything over 3-9X40 on a big game scope and would go that way.

I'd get a 3-9X for your .280.

Ditto and ditto.

My old Ruger 77 .280 wears a Burris 3-9x40. It's all I've ever needed. I hate to encumber a rifle with a larger than necessary scope.

35W
 
Here's the deal. I have a VX-II 4-12x40mm AO (fine cross hairs) on my Remington 700 BDL 223 Rem. and really like it. I'm seriously thinking of taking it off my 223 Rem. and putting it on my 280 Rem.

I would never put fine crosshairs on any rifle that I may use in low light, like while deer hunting.
 
I have found the fine-crosshairs to be too thin for hunting conditions, with the exception of squirrel hunting in bright light. (eastern grey squirrel).

I also have a Leupold VariX-II 3x-9x50mm with heavy duplex crosshairs I bought used (obviously for the reason I dislike it, and bought it CHEAP!) that I find to be way too thick for hunting as they cover too much of the intended target. After hunting season, it will be sent back to Leupold for replacement of the reticle with a standard duplex reticle.

I have a Leupold 3x-9x40 that I also bought used that I'm very fond of. (has standard duplex). I would definitely go with the 3x-9x. I however prefer the VariX-III and newer VX3 in 2.5-8x as an all purpose scope. But, due to expense, I often go with a lesser but not "cheap" scope such as the Nikons, or Burris scopes.

I have a Nikon ProStaff 3x-9x on a Remington Mod-7 CDL in .260Rem that is fast endearing itself to me as my favorite hunting rifle...... It's accurate out of it's league and is proving to be unquestionably effective on deer. And, it weighs less than 7lb's loaded...... Hard to beat....
With the right scope, your .280 will be hard to beat for an all-around rifle.
 
Take a look at the Leopold VX-R line of scopes. They offer a "firedot" type of recticle(s) and you can get it in a 1-4, 2-7, 3-9, and I think a few others.

Check out the SWFA website as they seem to have the best prices. I am going with the VX-R 2-7 with the Ballistic firedot recticle. Awsome! Leopold makes great glass.
 
Thanks for the replies!

The fine cross hairs haven't been a problem so far shooting woodchucks and such at 200 to 300 yards with the 223, even towards evening. However, if I don't like them on the 280, I can always have Leupold change them to the regular cross hairs.

If I get a VX-II 6-18x40mm AO Scope for my 223, I'm going to put my 4-12x40mm on my 280. If I don't get the 6-18x40 for the 223, I'll go with a VX-II 3-9x40mm for my 280.

Thanks again guys, NYH1! ;)
 
I'd put a 3x9 Zeiss Conquest on it, you can buy one for $400.00 or less and it's a fantastic scope. It's a better low light level scope that i've ever looked through for any where near it's price range!

If you can't get big game with a 3x9, it's too far away to be shooting at it!

DM
 
I've gone to a fixed 6x on my 270 and several other big game rifles since I've had a few variables go belly up. It's plenty magnification for shots out to 350 yds on big game. The Leupold 6x36 or 6x42, esp with the LRD (long range duplex) reticle have performed well for me. I find it much easier to hold steady on my target at 6x vs 10-12x. The LRD is a simple reticle compared to other ballistic reticles. It's a plex with 2 dots on the lower verticle post. Zero your rifle at 200yds, 1st dot will be 300, and 2nd dot will be 400 roughly. Of course you need to verify with your own load/rifle.
 
Gentlemen:

While reading the above articles, I noticed what appears to be a possible misunderstanding about certain criteria about optics. I thought it might be wise to pass along a few Laws of the Physics of Optics.

1. All things being even somewhat reasonably close to equal, optical resolution (measured by the resolving ability to distinguish line pairs at distance) is directly proportional to the diameter of the objective lens.

2. Light gathering ability is proportional to the square of the objective lens.

3. A fixed (non adjustable) scope is simply set at generally 100 yards/meters, such that parallax cannot be adjusted for other distances. An adjustable ojective is a desirable feature above about 6-8 power.

4. Different manufacturers use different Anti-reflective coatings (ALWAYS demand fully multiple-coated optics at a minimum with good quality glass, internal light ridge baffles and mechanically locked down lenses) are designed for optimal light transmission in low light OR optimal visibility in haze, which latter choice then necessarily blocks the predominately short wave-length light during times nearing darkness. If possible, try to get fluorite High Definition lenses, as that makes a massive improvement in resolution and detail sharpness.

Gary Gerlach, PhD.
Electo-optics, Plasma Physics and Quantum Field Theory
Colonel, USMC
 
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DM~ said:
I'd put a 3x9 Zeiss Conquest on it, you can buy one for $400.00 or less and it's a fantastic scope. It's a better low light level scope that i've ever looked through for any where near it's price range!
I'm sticking with Leupold. I've used their customer service in the past and it's second to none, in MY opinion. They took really good care of me. So until that changes I'm going to continue to buy their products.

DM~ said:
If you can't get big game with a 3x9, it's too far away to be shooting at it!

DM
That's your opinion. ;)
 
6.5swede, I like variable power scopes, that's just me. I already have the 4-12x40mm AO Scope. It depends on what I do with my 223 as to which scope I put on my 280. If I put a 6-18x40mm AO scope on my 223, I'll have the 4-12, might as well use it.

gelande, thanks for the info!

Thanks guys, NYH1!
 
I'm sticking with Leupold. I've used their customer service in the past and it's second to none, in MY opinion. They took really good care of me. So until that changes I'm going to continue to buy their products.


That's your opinion. ;)

I've got more Leupolds than anything else, infact they were my standbys for MANY years. Great scopes, but so are the Zeiss, and the Zeiss is brighter in low light that any Leupold i've looked through.

At $400.00 the 3x9 Conquest get my vote for the reasons above.

As for needing something with more power to shoot big further away, i thought this was about "hunting" not about "snipeing".

I'm a hunter, i move up on my big game for my shots, not snipe at them at obsene ranges. If you want to start a snipeing thread, have at it...

DM
 
When I first purchased my 270 I took my VX-II 4-12 AO with fine duplex off my Anschutz .22 and used it for deer hunting for several years.I shot deer from 20-400 yards and some way after sunset without any problems.If your eyesight is good I don't see you having any problems with the fine duplex and I really liked the 12X on that 400 yard shot.

As to the longer shot,it was taken from my shooting house with a rifle rest and I knew what my rifle would do at that range.

I did recently put a 3-9 Zeiss Conquest on that rifle because it is a little better suited to 99% of the shots I will take with it.I think your 4-12 with fine duplex will do a fine job however if you decide to go that route.
 
I've killed deer at 350 yards with 3X, and my father in front of witnesses on different occasions killed deer at 500 yards with 4X and 6X.

I figure that anybody who really feels the need for 9X to be able to kill a deer has more learning to do. :D

As far as using a 50mm vs. a 40mm, I've yet to see the need when my legal shooting time is from 30 minutes before official sunrise time to 30 minutes after official sunset time. Believe me, I've checked that more than just a few times. :)
 
quote: "I only use my 280 Rem. for long open range hunting so I don't have to worry about FOV and that kind of stuff."

The beauty of deer hunting is they show up at any distance. Keeps it fun! I love my Leupolds, usually a fixed 4x. Never thought about bringing more than one rifle at a time, though i often carry a shotgun in the truck for birds. Golfers and caddies jump in my mind, chhosing the right "iron" fot the shot, lol!
Seriously, I think you answered your own question. 4-12AO on the .280 sounds like a winner to me for what you intend. 6-18x on a varmint/target gun sounds like fun as well. Great choices!
 
I did a lot of reading about scopes and found that almost everyone who bought a high-magnification scope wished they hadn't. The problem wasn't the high end of the magnification, but that the low end didn't go low enough. So, if possible, try and get one that goes down to at least 3x.
 
my win featherweight 280 has a vx2 2x7 on it and ive never longed for a more powerful or better scope on that gun. It works just fine.
 
I've used 3-9x40s and 3.5-10x44s on my hunting rifles with the power set on 3 or 3.5 when hunting. Most recently, I put a 2.5-8x36 on a Ruger No. 1...it's a very handy package. My original set-up in 1976 was a Rem BDL in .30-06 with a Redfield 2-7x...it was always a very comfortable package.

Like many things in life, less is more.

FH
 
DM~ said:
I've got more Leupolds than anything else, infact they were my standbys for MANY years. Great scopes, but so are the Zeiss, and the Zeiss is brighter in low light that any Leupold i've looked through.

At $400.00 the 3x9 Conquest get my vote for the reasons above.

As for needing something with more power to shoot big further away, i thought this was about "hunting" not about "snipeing".

I'm a hunter, i move up on my big game for my shots, not snipe at them at obsene ranges. If you want to start a snipeing thread, have at it...

DM
DM, I appreciate you advice. However, I'm staying will the Leupold. I've had good luck with then and their customer service so I'm not switching. There is no reason to mention another brand.

As for wanting more power to shoot at longer distances, to me, and a lot of other hunters, it is hunting.

When I'm sitting in my tree stand with a shooting rail at one end of a hay or freshly cut cornfield and a buck steps out 350 yards away. Guess what he is going to do as soon as I unload my rifle, tie a rope around it, lower it to the ground and start to climb down out of my tree stand to get closer. Yep, you guessed it, he's going to take off. This rifle will be used very little, only when I'm hunting over fields, power lines or clear cuts. Which is a few times a year. It's "NOT" a woods rifle. That's what my 7600 carbine 30-06 Spr. w/ Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm and my 336C 35 Rem. w/XS Ghost Ring Sights are for, as mentioned.

I don't have to start a thread about sniping. . . . ."I" started this thread!

NYH1! ;)
 
Yesterday would have been a great day to pull the trigger on a new Leupold from Dick's. They had 25% and free shipping. I did some price checking after their discount and found no one cheaper on the models I was looking at.
 
Yeah, I know. However, I won't be buying until after the holidays.

It's going to come down to what I do with my 223. If I get a VX-II 6-18x40mm AO for my 223, then I'm definitely put my VX-II 4-12x40mm AO on my 280, I already have it and like it. I wouldn't take it off and not use it. If I don't buy a new scope for my 223, I'll probably get a VX-II 3-9x40mm for my 280. That said, I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the new scope for the 223.

Thanks again for all the replies, NYH1! :)
 
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