.300 Win Mag scope suggestions

[MISportsman]

Looking to upgrade the junk scope that came on my .300 win mag and can't decide what to put on it. I am kind of partial to leupold, but not sure what model or power range. I have a price range of about $400. I will use the rifle for a Colorado elk hunt in 2021 and plan to use it for moose and caribou in alaska and possibly some black bear here in Michigan and maybe up across the border in Canada. I also hope to bring it on a plains game hunt in a couple of years. All of this said that means that I will be anything from 25 yards in thick brush to 400 yards of open prairie. I'm not sure wether to go with the vx-3i in 2.5-8 or 3.5-10 or maybe go with a vx-2 or vx-freedom in 3-9. Suggestions??? Thank you

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I like the Nikon Monarch series. Good glass, but not great. Great price however and these scopes have proven very durable on my big bores.

 

[johnnyblues]

I agree with Phil, ME I am a Leupold man to be honest but I do own a Trijcon also. Both very good scopes. One word of advise….raise your price point on what you want to spend. Sounds like you have some great trips planned and you should not scrimp on price. Buy a good scope once and be done with it. 2.5 -10 x50 would be my recommendation. I prefer the 50 because of possible low light, kinda gives you a bit more edge.

 

[bruce moulds]

for the game you mention, the 2.5 - 8 leupold cannot be bettered.
part of its attraction is it compact nature.
they are still good in poor light, despite what the marketing machine says you need.
bigger is not always better.
bruce.

 

[thriller]

I would recommend the following there are lower cost options also i have had luck buying higher end used optics some times from some places if your interested in that i can provide a link or two
swarovski z3
leupold vx3
Trijicon

 

[Andy S]

For $ 400, leupold vx-3

 

[thriller]

For $ 400, leupold vx-3

https://stevebarnettfineguns.com/scopes-for-sale/leupold-vari-x-iii-25-8-scope

 

[TTundra]

Opticsplanet has a VX3 3.5-10x40 for $399. You without a doubt can call in and ask for a best price and get at least another 5%, if not 10% more off.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-leupold-vx-3i-3-5-10x40mm-riflescope.html?_iv_reticle=duplex

 

[BnC 04]

Don't think you would go wrong with the recommendations tossed out.
If you cap at $400, I'd be looking at a VX3 Leupold, if you decide to go all on out on budget I would look at a Swaro.
3-9x40 or 3-10x42 should fit nicely for what ya need it to do.
If you have a gun shop/Cabelas/Bass Pro ECT it would benefit you to just go take a look through the price spectrum available to you and decide what you like or think is better.
Best of luck...lots of choices out there!

 

[WAB]

The Leupold VX6 2-12x or the Swaro Z6 1.7-10x are two that I use that would be a good match to that rifle. Both are great scopes.

 

[JakeH]

With a $400 budget put me in the group that’s recommending the VX-3 in whichever you prefer between the 2.5-8 or the 3.5-10. If you can spend a bit more, a Meopta has really clear glass....

https://www.opticsplanet.com/meopta...e-riflescope.html?_iv_code=OZ-RS-M3940-598370

 

[Ridgewalker]

Good info here! Personally as I’ve written many times, I’d rather spend more on a scope and put it on a cheap rifle. You can make a cheaper rifle shoot well, but you cannot do anything with a cheap scope. 2.5-8x or 3-9x should handle anything you plan to hunt.
I grew up using nothing but a fixed 4x killing antelope out to over 400 yards. Even my coyote rifle in 22-250 used a 4x for many years calling them in and shooting them at over 200 yards.
Best of luck in your choice, just don’t over power and sacrifice good glass!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have the Leupold 2.5x8x36 on a couple of my rifles and think it is a great scope and great value.

Randy Wakeman had a good article on this scope:
http://randywakeman.com/Leupold_VX-3_2.htm

 

[Hogpatrol]

Another option is the Sightron line. There's a nice 6x24 SIII model for sale on another forum, $600. PM me for details.

 

[Rickmt]

Leupold vari x 3i is a great scope in that price range- great low light ability and wonderful value- I have 2

 

[WAB]

With a $400 budget put me in the group that’s recommending the VX-3 in whichever you prefer between the 2.5-8 or the 3.5-10. If you can spend a bit more, a Meopta has really clear glass....

https://www.opticsplanet.com/meopta...e-riflescope.html?_iv_code=OZ-RS-M3940-598370

I missed the $400. Go with the Leupold VX-3.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

https://stevebarnettfineguns.com/scopes-for-sale/leupold-vari-x-iii-25-8-scope

If that scope is a Vari X III as opposed to a VX-3i, I wouldn’t buy it. The newer VX-3i has much better glass.

 

[WAB]

I used the old Vari X III scopes in 2.5-8x for years and still have a couple. They were and still are great scopes. I now shoot mostly Swaro and VX6 scopes. I sometimes wonder if I really shoot any better than I did with the old 2.5-8x.

 

[Shootist43]

I purchased a 308 Norma Mag. about a year ago. After agonizing over a scope (much like you) I mounted the Leupold VX 3 2.5 -8. I plan to use the lower settings for where I hunt in Michigan. If I ever get out to where longer shots are required the 8 power capability is all that I'll need. IMHO of course.

 

[MISportsman]

Thank you all so far for all of the great advice. So far I'm leaning towards the vx-3i 2.5-8 but thats not 100% yet.