Want a new scope

[High Desert Hunter]

I have been deer hunting here in New Mexico, and for the first time I decided to stay out of the high country and hunt the foothills which consists of mainly desert plants. I currently have a VX-III 2.5-8x36 on my Ruger M77 MKII in 300 Win Mag, the same style and power as the scope on my 375 Ruger. I have decided that I need more magnification on the upper end, I had a very nice 3x4 mule deer at 588 yards, with no way to get any closer than 500 yards, maybe 475, the cartridge definitely has the legs, but the scope makes shooting a living animal at that distance a no-go for me. My problem is that I; A don't have a ton of $$ to spend, and B I don't want to go too high on the lower end. I have been thinking about this long before the season opened, as I have a bucket list item to make 3 on target hits with this rifle at 1000 yards. Since I now have the 375 for hunting in the thick stuff, I don't feel as much need for something as low as 2.5 on the lower end, plus I now have the Vanguard in 30-06 that will likely wear the Ruger's Leupold when I replace it. Just soliciting thoughts and opinions.

 

[CAustin]

Optics are not my expertise but Luepold makes a 50 mm with the CDS

 

[lcq]

You might want to check out the Vortex Viper line. Real quality scopes with a Leupold warranty at very reasonable prices

 

[Code4]

You get what you pay for. Unfortunately there is a steep gradient of diminishing return when it comes to optics. A bit like Hi-Fi. You can often pay double for a 10% increase in 'quality'.
( Speed costs money son, how fast do you want to go ? )
For me, entry level optics start at Leupold.
Not too high on the low end and more than 10X at the top, restricts your choices and you won't get any quality for under US$500.00

What's your budget ? Can you sell a rifle ?

 

[thriller]

The american assembled swarovski 's are great that or trijicon or leupold are what I go with (Replacement warranties are included with most of these)

 

[Rob404]

Nikon,, best glass for the Money I have Leupold, Vortex, Bausch and Lomb and Redfield,,Nikon s the brightest and clearest JMTC

 

[JimP]

I picked up a very nice Leupold VXII 3x9x40 to put on my .25-05 last year for $299 from Overstock.com They also carry other optics on their web site.

 

[lcq]

Nikon,, best glass for the Money I have Leupold, Vortex, Bausch and Lomb and Redfield,,Nikon s the brightest and clearest JMTC

I bought and returned 2 Nikons. Dirt and debris in the tube and the eye relief was supposed to be 4" measured out at 3.

 

[bassasdaindia]

my 2c , never scrimp on optics.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Nikon,, best glass for the Money I have Leupold, Vortex, Bausch and Lomb and Redfield,,Nikon s the brightest and clearest JMTC

+1, and most durable from what I've experienced.

 

[ActionBob]

@High Desert Hunter to make hits to 1000 yards and not spend a lot on optics are probably not compatible goals. Especially to "not go too high on the low end".

However to get an effective hunting scope on that 300 win mag out to 500 yards is a different story. I count myself as lucky but found a heck of deal on a 3-15x42 Zeiss Conquest HD with the Rapid z 800 reticle. Mounted it up last night and it feels good on my Ruger Mark II Express 300 win mag. I should have bought 3 of those when I had the chance, the deal was that good! But have to get out and shoot it yet. My favorite longer range scope is the Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x42 with adjustable turret..... The Zeiss HD glass seems about as good and I got it at less than half the cost. Not sure how I will like the graduated reticle but guess I'll find out.

I would second the thought on a Vortex. Hard to beat for the money, I just don't like the reticles they typically have but that is just me.

BTW, I don't like the larger 50 and 56 mm scopes as they don't mount low enough to get my head lined up correctly on a bolt gun. They fit AR types fine.

 

[Rob404]

I bought and returned 2 Nikons. Dirt and debris in the tube and the eye relief was supposed to be 4" measured out at 3.

Strange,,I have 5 Nikons and never had to return any for repair or have never had dirt or dust in any of them. I just put a Vortex on my 257 Weatherby, and s nice as it is I'm sorry I didn't buy another Nikon they just seem brighter edge to edge to me. But price no object I look at Zeiss, Sarvoski etc

 

[lcq]

Strange,,I have 5 Nikons and never had to return any for repair or have never had dirt or dust in any of them. I just put a Vortex on my 257 Weatherby, and s nice as it is I'm sorry I didn't buy another Nikon they just seem brighter edge to edge to me. But price no object I look at Zeiss, Sarvoski etc

I must have been unlucky for the dirt but it was the eye relief that really got me. It was going on a T3 in 300WSM and I wanted good eye relief. They advertised 4" but it measured out to 3.

 

[ActionBob]

Another great hunting scope for the money and this purpose giving a good low end magnification as well as higher end would be the Leupold VX6 in a 3-18 with CDS.

 

[JimP]

My nephew had purchased a Nikon Monarch a few years ago. The first hunting trip that he went on it fogged up. He returned it and they sent it back to him with the repairs all done. The next wet trip that he went on it fogged up again, and he sent it back to them again. This time they sent him a new scope. Guess what? It lasted the first year hunting but the second year that he took it out he had more problems. He sent this one back in and when they returned it to him he sold it and purchased a Leupold. No problems since.

No idea if they may of had a bad run of scopes or what but he had more problems than he should of after the first return.

 

[thriller]

I am of the camp that says buy a nice one once and be done with it. with a good quality scope and a good warranty you get your money out of it in the end.

 

[Rob404]

I am of the camp that says buy a nice one once and be done with it. with a good quality scope and a good warranty you get your money out of it in the end.

I would agree, My Ph had a Minox on his 30-06 and i was impressed with the Quality and Clarity

 

[larry4831]

How about a Leopold 4.5 x 14

 

[High Desert Hunter]

Thank you all for the replies, I am currently looking to stay under $1k, and whoever mentioned selling a rifle, you bite your tongue! I am going to be turning this rifle into more of a specialized long range rig for hunting the desert and open terrain, I am working on a 30-06 to take over general hunting duties, it will wear the VX-III that is on the Ruger now, right now it wears a Nikon, and I hate to say it, but I don't like it nearly as well as my Leupolds. I have been looking at Vortex, two friends have them on their long range 6.5 Creedmoor setups, and I am impressed with the clarity, especially in low light. I am also kicking around the idea of just buying another rifle to set up for long range, either another 300, or a 7mm of the magnum variety. I am wondering how much magnification I really need to hit an 18" gong at 1K? Not sure whether to pony up the extra for a first focal plane scope either?

 

[Royal27]

I picked up a very nice Leupold VXII 3x9x40 to put on my .25-05 last year for $299 from Overstock.com They also carry other optics on their web site.

Never even thought of checking there!!!!