Scopes

[Wander]

I'm picking up the Winchester Model 70 7mm-RSM I posted about before this weekend. It currently has a Bushnell scope that is OK but not great. I'm getting a great deal on the rifle so the scope is just a happy extra and I'm thinking I would like to upgrade it. A buddy has a Leupold VX-3 on his X-bolt that is the same caliber and loves it. I was trying to figure out the difference between the VX-2 and VX-3 other than a couple hundred. I'm also interested in Nikon as I love their lenses and have shot Nikon cameras for years. Any insight would be very appreciated.
I'm in eastern NC so the longest shot will be about 200 yards and kind of rare as the woods are pine, often swampy and tight.

 

[AZ_Husker]

Matt,

Nothing wrong with a VX3 scope, but they are over priced for what it is. Back in the day, they were inovative and pretty much better than all the rest. Those days have long since passed. Way more competition these days and Leupold has spent most of their money on marketing. You know, trying to convince you they are "better" than the rest. It's all bs. The difference between the VX2 and VX3 will most likely be coatings and maybe some mechanicals. You can call Leupold, but I wouldn't be suprised if they don't give you much info.

Nikons have great glass and coatings. I'd buy a Nikon Monarch before a VX3, but both are comparable. You get a wider magnification range with the Monarchs. The real value though is in the Nikon Buckmasters line. All the optical performance you'll need and will hold zero. I highly recommend it to the general hunter.

Bushnell Elite 3200 provide all the quality you'll need, and can be had at very reasonable prices.

I'm guessing you're hunting medium to large game and you state that 200 yards would be a rare occurance. Within these parameters, all you need is a scope that holds its zero. Sight in for 150 yards, and leave it alone. Turret repeatability won't be a factor. Don't get carried away with power either. Get one that will go down to 2 or 3x on the low end.

Oh, and when you get tired of that magnum, trade for 7mm-08 or a .308 Win. Magnums are for LONG shots!

 

[nwoods]

I'm really liking the fairly affordable Redfield scope I bought recently. Made by Leupold, in the USA. It's a 3x9x40mm, just your basic stuff, but the reticle is very clear and bright, it has a fantastic peep or whatever you call the crosshairs, and a very generous eye relief (up to 5") which allows me a very comfortable cheekweld.

http://www.redfield.com/riflescopes/

 

[nwoods]

LOL, you should check out the "Rifle range" simulation on Redfield's site. Pretty neat.

 

[DrMoab]

I just bought a Rock River AR-10 .308 and was having trouble trying to figure out what I wanted for a scope. I finally settled on a Nikon Monarch 4-16 x 42. I couldn't be happier. I've got scopes ranging from cheap tasco's on .22's up to VX-III scopes on my 22-250 and I would put this Nikon up against any of them. For less than half the price of the "gold ring" stuff you can't go wrong.

 

[tdesanto]

Ever considered Carl Zeiss scopes?

 

[Klierslc]

Good info so far, but you kinda need to narrow your parameters.

Price range
Desired magnification
Illuminated reticle or not (seems to help if you shoot a lot right at dusk or dawn)
Size (matters for field of view and depending on what rings you use--big scopes don't generally work with low rings)

From what you have said so far, I would buy a 4x scope from a good brand--you can get a better 4x scope for the same price as a lesser 3-9 scope.

4x will be fine for 200 yds, you won't have to worry about "oh crap there is a deer 40 yds away and I am cranked up to 9x" moments, and you gain some ruggedness with the simpler scope. I have an old weaver K4 on my .30'06 and really like it.

 

[john101477]

I have both the VX2 and VX3 as well as the B&C low profile. As you can probably tell I like my Leopold scopes. I have also shot with swarovski and liked it a lot.

I shoot Nikon cameras and love the lenses BUT for hunting and glare reduction, Leopold gets it every time, even over the monarchs and buck masters.

My dad and I recently compared binoculars as well and while his Zeiss 12x50 are a little brighter, My Leopold at 1/3 the price also 12x50 are every bit as clear and just as powerful.

 

[Wander]

Thanks for the help so far, I know I need to narrow it down to help you all but that is part of the issue. The last time I hunted deer around here was about 25 years ago and I (being a typical teen at the time) wasn't paying a lot of attention to the details. The deer aren't huge as it stays pretty mild in the winter and the shots aren't long. A co-worker helping me with this had his scope set at 200 yards with a one notch lift in his B&C reticle at 100 so if that helps...
My orginal plan was to get a 270 but then the deal on the 7 mag came along and it is a good deal so I didn't let it pass. More than I need for this area but I'll never be lacking no matter where I go. I also have a cousin in MI that I'm hoping will take my strong hints and invite me up to his deer camp in northern MI this year so the 7 mag may come in handy. I did notice the Redfield's on the Leupold site and they are a good price, sounds like another one to look into. Maybe I'll get lucky and Bushnell that is on it will be a good one!

 

[wcdu]

I would certainly wait until you see and try the Bushnell that is on the rifle. Since I am not marketing influenced what-so-ever, my motto has become "Don't fix it unless it is broken." Bushnell makes some very satisfactory scopes in the 3200 on higher lines.

I have scopes in virtually every configuration and I have seen all of them out there with thousands and thousands of rounds down range. I must say that Luepold is always my first choice for value for the dollar. You can do better, than a VX-III but it will cost you a bunch more. Having hunted back east, I am from Virginia and was a US Marine in NC over and over again, I would advise you to take a look at the Trijicon traditional scope models. They are very price competitive and have features you will find very attractive.

A full confession is that I took one of the pre-production models to Africa on a .375 H&H. I left a very, very, disgruntled leopard wandering around. The scope a 1x4 if I recall correctly gave it up on the hunt but only gradually. The company made it right immediately.

Good luck!

 

[ssc45]

I would have to agree with wdcu about checking out the scope on the rifle. It just might surprise you. With that said, I do favor the leupold VX3. I have a few and they have taken a beating and hold their zero. The adjustments are outstanding. I also have a VariX3 and there is a difference between the two scopes in brightness and clarity.

I have compared the VariX3 with VX2 scopes and they are similar. I do believe the old VariX3 scopes are what the VX2 scopes seem to be and the VX3 scope is improved. For me, there is a difference. However, I still have the VariX3 on,"Old Black Death" even though I bought a VX3 to replace it. Call it superstition or karma, but OBD kills everything. It has made more trips to Africa than I have, as in my circle, the gun is legend and someone is always borrowing it. It holds zero not-with-standing the travel, having been dropped down a ravine and used as a crutch when I broke my ankle. I also run a VX3 on my DG rifle, which has seen its fair share of cape buff.

I might suggest the nikon monarch as a very good scope for the money. I have them and they have nice glass. I have not put them through the same hell as my Leupolds, so cannot comment on durability and ability to hold zero. The Zeiss conquest line is another good scope for the money and I like the eye relief better than the leupold, but have little experience with them.

Having done a bit of white tail hunting in NC, VA and NY, I would not go beyond a good 3-9X40. There is no need for a 30mm nor large objective lens.

Just some thoughts having spent too much time messing with this issue.

Wcdu, bummer about spots. Where were you hunting? OBD has taken spots a few times, but I have never done so.

Cheers, Steve

 

[wcdu]

Steve,

That particular hunt for Leopard was in a gov concession near Victoria Falls. The Win M-70 in .375 was my light rifle for this trip. I took Elephant and Buff with my .470 NE Kreighoff. Although I had taken Zebra and a Kudu with the .375 the hits just weren't where they were suppose to be.

We knew the scope was going but Zim laws make Leopard a strickly dusk- dawn proposition. I did discover that a properly fitted express sighted double rifle can do most anything including 100+ yard shots.

I agree with your advice also. I have a semi-custom Win M-70 .30-06 with the VariX-III that has taken enough game to feed a village. I don't expect to ever change a thing.

I might add that one of the best things about Luepold is their customer service. In my many years of teaching, no company ever gave better service than Luepold. Granted, I am sure it didn't hurt that I am a Gunsite instructor but my one personal experience, I did not adise as such and their response was certainly first rate.

Steve

 

[stewwalker]

If you have the extra money, get a Zeiss. I have one on my 7mm-08 and every gun on the ranch that I guide on has them on their guns. After you get over spending the money, you will fall in love with these scopes.

 

[nwoods]

Steve,

That particular hunt for Leopard was in a gov concession near Victoria Falls. The Win M-70 in .375 was my light rifle for this trip. I took Elephant and Buff with my .470 NE Kreighoff. Although I had taken Zebra and a Kudu with the .375 the hits just weren't where they were suppose to be.

We knew the scope was going but Zim laws make Leopard a strickly dusk- dawn proposition. I did discover that a properly fitted express sighted double rifle can do most anything including 100+ yard shots.

I agree with your advice also. I have a semi-custom Win M-70 .30-06 with the VariX-III that has taken enough game to feed a village. I don't expect to ever change a thing.

I might add that one of the best things about Luepold is their customer service. In my many years of teaching, no company ever gave better service than Luepold. Granted, I am sure it didn't hurt that I am a Gunsite instructor but my one personal experience, I did not adise as such and their response was certainly first rate.

Steve

Steve, you need to post on ExPo more often. I suspect you have a lot of interesting tales to tell. Where abouts are you located?

 

[ssc45]

I must agree with Steve on Leupolds customer service. This is yet another reason to choose Leupold.

As an aside, Chasing Buff is alot of fun. Hunted them in the Dande and Omay. Seen alot of Mr. spots down around West Nic area of Southern Zim. Last year in Namibia, we were asked to tag along to follow up on a wounded leopard. I must say that was in the top three of the most exciting hunting situations I have been invloved in. Steve, you will get him next time. :ylsmoke:

Cheers, Steve