Recommended rifle scopes

[benn1124]

Hey guys,

Just curious as to what sort of Leupold scope scope and what magnification scope every one recommends for me to look into for my new Tikka T3 308 the guns going to be used for pigging up to distances of about 150-200m looking to spend at most about 600 dollars not sure weather a variable or fixed would be better what's your thoughts and recommendations ?

[Chronos]

hey benn1124

Leupold make some good hunting scopes, for me it's hard to beat the 3-9X40 VXii. the VXiii has better glass but is more expensive so unless you're hunting earlier or later in the day it may not be worth the extra expense.

i've had my VXii 3-9X40 since 2009 and recently fitted it to my new Tikka Hunter Satinless Fluted in .308 and it's perfectly suited being light weight.It was previously mounted on a Tikka stainless varmint in .223 then another in .7-08. I have used it for target shooting out to 300m and metallic silhouette to 500m.I have also hunted pigs with it on the 7-08. It has reliable accurate click adjustments (tools needed but i fitted stoney creek target turrets) but i believe the new models have finger adjustable turrets. In metallic silhouette there's lots of clicking up and down to the different distances and leupold seems to be the brand of choice because of it's ability to stay on center after hundreds, maybe thousands of adjustments

Chronos

[Aussier]

Pig hunting up to 200m doesn't need a monster scope.

The tried and true 3-9x or 4-12x would both do you fine.

Leupold VX-II 3-9X40 is about $400

Leupold VX-II 4-12X40 is about $525

[VICHunter]

Will you always be shooting at distance?

No scrub, closer shots?

[Bourt]

$600 is plenty for a good scope benn.

Any of the VX-2 in the zoom you prefer.

Some of the lower magnification range VX-3 will come in just under that too I think...

[Carter]

not sure weather a variable or fixed would be better what's your thoughts and recommendations ?

Personally I'd always take a variable.

Fixed scopes are popular and heaps of blokes are taking game with them of course.

e.g. Instead of getting a fixed 4x I'd get a 2-7x or something like that to be a bit more versatile.

Fixed scopes are a bit lighter, but at these size scopes it's minimal difference.

My 2c.

[benn1124]

$600 is just my max limit hoping to get the right scope for less then that, i was thinking either a 3-9x40 or a 4-12x40.

Would I get any benefit from a variable over a fixed scope though?

I suppose knowing what scopes to look at will help ill get the guys at the gun shop to put a few on my rifle and see how it looks and how well it suits the rifle.looks like another reason to go back to the gun shop

[Aussier]

You'll get something for less than $600 no probs.

Those 2 prices I quoted (Leupold VX-II 3-9X40, $400 and Leupold VX-II 4-12X40, $525) are just ticket price.

Might find someone just selling em cheaper or on special or whatever.

The VX-2's are good scopes mate. Go look through them both and I'm sure you'll be happy.

[Carter]

Would I get any benefit from a variable over a fixed scope though?

You get the flexible magnification.

Or did you mean to say advantage of a fixed over a variable?

[benn1124]

a fixed scope is able to be set to a magnification and left there isn't it ? ill just have to go talk to the guys at the gun store

[Chronos]

$600 is just my max limit hoping to get the right scope for less then that, i was thinking either a 3-9x40 or a 4-12x40.

Would I get any benefit from a variable over a fixed scope though?

I suppose knowing what scopes to look at will help ill get the guys at the gun shop to put a few on my rifle and see how it looks and how well it suits the rifle.looks like another reason to go back to the gun shop

mate if you're happy to buy second hand what about something like this?

http://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=39341

Ziess diatel 4X32 $450 you'll never get caught out with too much magnification and it should have great glass

Chronos

[Wilso1994]

I have a VXI on my Howa .223, I have shot out to 500m with this scope a few times now and honestly I wish I had a 50 or 56mm objective lens because I mainly shoot at night. If your a Night shooter go for a 3-9x50 if you shoot mostly in the daylight go for a 3-9x40. My scope is always on 6 power

[benn1124]

id say a fair bit of it will be night time shooting so ill deffinatly have a goo dlook at the 50mm objective

[RoginaJack]

For pigs up to 150 - 200 meters with a .308, I'd look at a 2-7X. At closer ranges and in cover etc gives a wider field of view for fast action shots. Would also be handy if you decide to chase deer. Overall, a very versatile scope and I doubt if you'll go much over 4X pig shooting.

[Chronos]

id say a fair bit of it will be night time shooting so ill deffinatly have a goo dlook at the 50mm objective

Keep in mind that at low magnification a huge objective lens to gather light. At 2X mag a 40mm objective will give you double the light exiting the scope as a 56mm objective at 12X mag

It's why dangerous game scopes with say 1.5-4X power can be just 24mm or 33mm

Chronos

[benn1124]

oh ok well in the leopould is it worth getting a variable scope just for the fact of when im shooting bench rested or at a greater distance to be able to shoot at it and just set it for closer distances when hunting pigs, because majority of my shooting will probably be at the range to get the feel for the gun and get the accuracy within reason and will probably only be used to hunt pigs when they present them selves at a distance whilst hunting on foot, so it would probably be set to a magnification setting when hunting on foot and left there but then zoomed more so at a range or when shooting afar from a vehicle.

[Carter]

a fixed scope is able to be set to a magnification and left there isn't it ? ill just have to go talk to the guys at the gun store

No mate. Got a few wires crossed there....

A fixed scope is has one magnification setting and that's it. If you get a 4x it's set to 4x. You can adjust the focus but the magnification will always be 4x normal, you can't set it to anything else.

A variable scope is 3x-9x etc. You can set it anywhere from 3x up to 9x and it will stay there when shooting.

[Norton]

oh ok well in the leopould is it worth getting a variable scope just for the fact of when im shooting bench rested or at a greater distance to be able to shoot at it and just set it for closer distances when hunting pigs, because majority of my shooting will probably be at the range to get the feel for the gun and get the accuracy within reason and will probably only be used to hunt pigs when they present them selves at a distance whilst hunting on foot, so it would probably be set to a magnification setting when hunting on foot and left there but then zoomed more so at a range or when shooting afar from a vehicle.

Sounds to me like you want a variable scope.

3-9x50 is sounding good all round. Covers you for hunting, low-light shooting and will work at the range.

[bigfellascott]

Yep the next scope I buy will definitely have a 50mm Objective, they are a lot better in low light conditions from my experience with owning/using em in said conditions.

[Westy]

Yep the next scope I buy will definitely have a 50mm Objective, they are a lot better in low light conditions from my experience with owning/using em in said conditions.

x2 Scott

[benn1124]

i ended up going the leopould VX-II 4-12x40 looks so nice on the rifle too have to get a photo to show nest time I'm at the gun shop

[Bourt]

The VX-2 is a good scope. I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

[Warrigul]

i ended up going the leopould VX-II 4-12x40 looks so nice on the rifle too have to get a photo to show nest time I'm at the gun shop

Good choice, for a centerfire I personally reckon a 4-12x is better than a 3-9x, it gives you that little bit extra when you have the chance at a steady shot.

[Lorgar]

Good choice, for a centerfire I personally reckon a 4-12x is better than a 3-9x, it gives you that little bit extra when you have the chance at a steady shot.

Ditto.

The majority of people say "4-12" is too much for hunting and some will say it's not really needed for hunting, but I'd much prefer the extra range to having 1x lower magnification for the field of view.

I've never found 4x to be too much for hunting, probably wouldn't want to go any higher as the minimum but it's not too much.

[squirrellemily]

Lots of suggestions on this thread by people that know what they are talking about.

Hey all,3-9X50 Rifle scope at $200, I have used this scopes for 2 months. that's wonderful!

You may have a look if you're interested in it.

http://www.mayershops.com/39x50-ao-mild ... p-281.html

[brett1868]

I use a Silver Leupold VX-II 4-12x50 on my Sako 85 Stainless 22-250 mainly because I wanted to maintain the look of the rifle. Good scope for the money and I couldn't be more happier with it. Bagged a 6 pack of skippies a couple weeks ago up north with it and the 50mm objective makes for a good view when spotlighting. My long range rifles are all fitted with Nightforce NXS 6-32x56 with the MOAR reticule, a fantastic scope but a little on the pricey side for your purpose. Much will also come down to what your comfortable with, how your eye feels with the optics and he reticule you like. Don't skimp on the rings though as they can be just as critical to the package as the scope itself.

[effex]

For 150m-200m 4-12x will definitely not be too much.

I reckon the guys get the most commission of 3-9x scopes