Which Rangefinding Scope?

[mickeydim468]

I have started to save for my dream rifle. I have figured out everything except the scope. I am pondering three scope options. I have listed all three below as they are listed at MidwayUSA. The list is in no particular order.

1-Burris Eliminator Laser Rangefinding Rifle Scope 4-12x 42mm Eliminator Reticle Matte

2-Bushnell Yardage Pro Laser Rangefinding Rifle Scope 4-12x 42mm Mil-Dot Reticle Matte

3-Nikon IRT Laser Rangefinding Rifle Scope 4-12x 42mm BDC Reticle Matte

This will be mounted on a .257Wby to be used as Black Bear/Deer rifle. Maybe some varmint too. IE Yotes and prairie dogs. The rifle is a limited addition Weatherby Nation forum Members only Rifle! It is being built on a Vanguard action, SS Fluted and blackened channel #2 contour barrel. An Accumark synthetic Black w/Gray spiderweb design. Pillar bedded and Sub-MOA guaranteed. If anyone else wants one of these, then get over to Weatherby Nation and sign up to see details in the rifle section. They should be available to order until October 2010.

Anyway. back to my scope question. Have you ever used either of these scopes? If so, what was the good and bad about them?

There is not much feedback on these, so I am looking to you guys for help.

Thanks!

Mikey!

 

[Zak Smith]

I strongly recommend a separate laser rangefinder, monocular or binoucular.

 

[mickeydim468]

I strongly recommend a separate laser rangefinder, monocular or binoucular.

Why?

 

[Zak Smith]

* Combination scope/LRFs are typically not real great scopes nor real great LRFs - compromise on both sides

* It is very useful to be able to range things without pointing your rifle at them

* It is very useful if you have a spotter/partner for him to be able to range things and you shoot them

* If you have a separate LRF, you can ditch the binoculars and use only the LRF

 

[mickeydim468]

Good points!

I still intend to have a separate LRF in the future too. The best scope I have ever looked through was a Nikon ProStaff 3-9X40 with BDC reticle. As far as the Nikon goes, the write-ups and tech specs say the glass is on par with the Monarch line of scopes. This would still be an improvement over the ProStaff I am used to using. I am also familiar with the BDC reticle and how it is used. As far as ranging something with the rifle, I wouldn't be ranging it if I didn't intend to shoot it in the first place, so I don't see a problem there. I don't use a scope to scout for game either.

I also do not have the privilege of having a spotter/partner on all hunts and would like to have the ability to keep my rifle on target while still range finding the game. This is why I have decided I want one of these products and why I have asked for peoples experiences with them.

Zak, Have you ever used any of the items I listed?

Mikey!

 

[Zak Smith]

I know a Burris engineer and I've played with that one (I think, at the time it may have been a prototype).

 

[mickeydim468]

What was your opinion of the Burris? How were the optics? Did the rangefinder accurately depict the distances to your targets? I believe that one will actually put a red dot where the hold over for that distance should occur. Did that seem to mesh with your rifles trajectory?

Mikey!

 

[Zak Smith]

It wasn't on my rifle and I didn't shoot it. It seemed harder to get it to range than my regular LRF, but the LED/dot thing was kind of cool. If you think about it will range at the center crosshairs (in theory) but that's not where you will be aiming anyway.

 

[mickeydim468]

Don't you aim it and range it with the cross hairs and then adjust for trajectory and bullet drop?

I just think it is one of the coolest things, to have the ability to just push a button and have the distance show up in the scope, so you can know right then what the hold-over needs to be. I know the theory behind point blank shooting, but ranging an animal is quite an art in itself. Having not had much experience in this, I want something that will be easy to use. Be accurate to 350-400Yds. And have glass that is as good or better than my ProStaff scope. I am completely satisfied with my ProStaff's optics, so if I get something better. I will be ecstatic. I think that if the rangefinder is accurate to within 5 to 10 yds it would even be ok, because the trajectory won't be but a fraction of an inch for the first 400 yds or so.

Mikey!

 

[rcmodel]

Even the best range-finders are consumer electronics.
When it craps out, you throw it away and buy another one.

Even midrange price scopes are a lifetime investment.

Combine the range-finder in the scope, and the scope becomes consumer electronics too.

rc

 

[mickeydim468]

I would still like to hear from people who have actually owned one and used it. This is not a discussion of whether I should get a combo scope/LRFor not, it is a discussion of which scope/LRF is the better one. Please do not try to talk me out of the style. I appreciate your concern and your input as far as that goes, but this is "My" dream rifle, and this is what is on my dream rifle. Please tell me if you have had good or bad experience with any of these three models of scopes.

Thank you!

Sincerely!

Mikey!

 

[jmorris]

I have not used any of the above but I have used a few BDC scopes and I do hunt with a Sheapard most of the others I didn't like.

 

[mickeydim468]

I currently have a Nikon ProStaff 3-9X40 w/BDC on my 300WM. It works whether I sight it in for 100 or 200 yds. It also works for 150Gr, 165Gr, and 180Gr, bullets. You just have to practice with it and find out how to use it for each load. That part is not a big deal. I am actually very pleased with the BDC reticle, which is why I am leaning toward the Nikon.

I would still love to hear from anyone who has actually used one of the scopes listed in post #1 above!

Mikey!

 

[mickeydim468]

Has no one owned and used one of these scopes?

Mikey!