Which scope and WHY?

[Blakenzy]

I am looking to equip a "do-it-all" bolt action .308 with a scope of some sort. I was thinking about one that would allow a lot of versatility in use, leaning towards long-ish range shooting. I came up with two possible candidates:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-viper-pst-2-5-10x44-riflescope.html

and

http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-patrol-vx-r-3-9x40-illuminated-riflescope.html

Which would you choose and why? If there are other suggestions please by all means let me know...

Edit: Midway's pictures of the Leupold seem to show a scope with different turrets... http://www.midwayusa.com/product/32...stments-illuminated-firedot-tmr-reticle-matte

 

[Vern Humphrey]

First of all, you can't go wrong with Leupold.

Second, I can count on the fingers of one hand the times I've had to use a variable power scope at any other than the lowest power setting. I prefer a fixed power scope in 4X -- you get a better scope for the money.

Third, large objective lenses are not an advantage. Admittedly, at high powers (which I never use) they give you a brighter image. But at any reasonable power, a 28mm objective lens gives you all the light you can use.

 

[readyeddy]

http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold...th-matte-black-finish-and-duplex-reticle.html

I would go with a Leupold 2-7x33. As a do it all rifle, I would want point blank capability at 2 power and long range with 7x. Also, the spread between 2 and 7 is moderate to allow for better clarity. Finally, your two choices are too heavy for me. The vortex is over one pound. The Leupold comes in at 10.5 ounces.

 

[Sniper66]

Those are not great prices; you can do better if you shop around. I have or have had dozens of different scopes and different brands. The best I own, in the magnification range you are leaning toward is a Leupold VX 3 3.5-10X. It is an outstanding scope in every way, most important being crystal clear optics under many conditions. You can get the VX III version, which is the earlier version of this scope for under $400 used. The newer VX 3 is better, but the VX III is still a very good scope. I found mine on GunsAmerica for $400, but you'll probably pay around $500. Another option if you want higher magnification is Bushnell Elite series. I have the Elite 4200 4-16X, which I bought for under $350. They do not have the warranty of the Leupold, but I have friends who have had Elites for many years with no problems. I'm in the process of buying another Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24X for even more magnification. If you are planning to shoot longer distances, you might consider it.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I've chosen to go with Leupold for my scope needs and I don't look at other brands anymore. It's a good quality brand and I like the lifetime warranty. Asking if a scope is the best is the wrong question. Is it good is the better question For hunting rifles I have a fixed 2.5X and a fixed 4X. For longer distance I went to a 3-9.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I've heard very little of Vortex, so I'd be inclined to go Leupold. That's the only reason, though... Any scope $200+ is going to be great.

 

[jmr40]

Neither. This will do anything you need to do and save yourself some money. You can spend more, but this side of $1,000 you will never tell the difference, and even above $1,000 it will be small.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-VX-2-Riflescope-P51800.aspx


There is absolutely no need for anything bigger than a 40mm front lense. The added expense and complexity of the illuminated reticle is not worth the trouble. Buy quality, not gadgets.

 

[CB900F]

Blakenzy;

If you want a do-everything scope, it'd also be wise to consider the availability of a do-everything reticle. I won't suggest a brand, but I will suggest something in the 3-9X or 3.5-10X with a mil-dot reticle.

900F

 

[Blakenzy]

Good feedback.

I agree that illumination seems like a complexity just waiting to go wrong (although it seems the single red dot on the Leupold might lend itself to be used as a sort of quick scope for closer snap shooting on lowest magnification)... anyone have any experience with electronics in scopes?

Regarding the reticle type this is where it gets complicated, some sort of range estimating capability is a solid feature I would really enjoy, mildot (as mentioned by 900f) or TMR or EBR or other. I think I may have to rule out duplex only sights.

Weight and size is an issue too, I like the idea of keeping it as small as possible. I know that magnification itself is meaningless without good glass and optical clarity. Anyway, how far out would you draw the limit for a quality scope under 9x, say 7x?

 

[Beentown]

Vortex is my first choice in scopes now. You get SO much more for the money an no one has a better warranty.

 

[tc54]

i've read (repeatedly) that the best selling scope in america is the 3-9x40, and has been for more that 3 decades. get a leupy vx2 and enjoy the years of hunting ahead.

 

[Jackal]

Find yourself a used Burris Fullfield 2 (us made) or an older Pentax. Good glass, rugged and good priced. 3-9x generally the best.

 

[readyeddy]

For me, I would feel comfortable shooting a pie plate out to 500 yards with 9x and 400 yards with 7x. But consider that I'm a blind old man.

 

[Welding Rod]

My favorite is a VXIII 3.5-10x40 CDS.

Stand up American company, great quality, great optical quality, reasonably light weight, at a fair price.

 

[BluegrassDan]

Which brand and model gun? Lightweight sporter or heavy barreled target/varmint gun? What is the longest distance you will shoot? What is the average distance you will shoot most often? Paper puncher or hunting rifle?

 

[CB900F]

Blakenzy;

In a critical hunting situation, complexity is not your friend. When a shot has to be made within a fraction of a second after the stock's seated in your shoulder, A/O's that are out of focus, illumination that has to be fooled with, and needlessly complex reticles, are things you don't need.

I prefer the mil-dot. It's very easy for me to use and it's huge saving grace is that it gives you a wind correction that things like BDC's don't. I have mil-dots on a lot of my guns now & as I upgrade glass, will get more. My primary varmint .22lr has a mil-dot & it's what I've learned to use the reticle with. Can't beat several thousand rounds of practice a year for getting to know a reticle. Since the wind does tend to blow a bit here on the Rocky Mtn. front range, I find it extremely useful.

900F

 

[Geno]

I like the Trijicon AccuPoints. I have a 1-4 with German reticle, and a 2.5-10 with Mil Dot. I selected the green dot for each. I do like my Nightforce scopes, but they involve more messing around, adjusting, and turning on the reticle, etc.

Geno

 

[benzy2]

There is no do-it-all scope. Every optic is a compromise of some sort. I find my use leans towards one extreme or another. I like either very low powered optics or very high powered optics, depending on the use. I had the accuracy bug for quite a while and it was clear that quality high magnification was a huge benefit. Optics with 40-50x magnification were rather common and nearly mandatory.

Then came the switch to 3-gun style shooting and the optics went to either no magnification red dots or 1-4x type scopes. 4x gives me enough to make clear identification and precise aiming to hit out as far as I'm personally effective with a .223 on small-medium sized game. More magnification isn't bad, but for non-paper punching, I would rather a great pair of binoculars to do all the viewing and rely on the riflescope only for aiming. Once the binoculars have told you it's a shooting situation, the extra magnification is minimally important.

I think a lot of people have gotten into the habit of using the riflescope as a viewing optic rather than an aiming optic. Separating the two quickly reveals how little magnification is needed in most hunting situations to aim precisely.

I suggest you determine what you plan to shoot at as well as the distance/circumstances and buy the best fitting optic for each desire. While having multiple quality scopes is expensive, ammo is also expensive and having an optic that doesn't quite cut it for any use you have is no fun at all. Many mid-grade scopes can be had reasonably while being built well with good glass.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Personally I would pick the Vortex. I am really impressed with their scopes and their warranty. I like the higher end Leupolds , but still yet prefer to buy a NightForce or Premier if I o that far. I have a Vortex Viper on my 700 SPS Tactical and love it. It is my "plinker". I tried to have it fully setup (rifle, trigger job, bipod, strengthening the stock, scope and sling) for under a $1200 budget and it does great.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I've got a bunch of Vortex and Leupold optics and can't fault any of them. I used a Leupold 2-7 VX-R on my elk hunt last winter. Very happy with it. It's pretty hard to beat a 2-7 for general hunting of coyote, deer and elk. They are compact and easier to carry.