scopes

[Eric]

Leupold VXIII 4-12x50 with 30mm tube

I have been seeing very good reviews on Leupold's VXR. Suppose to be between a VXII and VXIII in glass quality. Going to put on on my AR in the near future.

[Caughtandhobbled]

I shoot long distance fairly regular (paper and metal) and I have shot most of the scopes mentioned and I own at least 8 Leupolds that I love, with this being said my hands down favorite is my Sightron 6-24x42. The Sightron will not break the bank, I bought mine on eBay and got a great deal. The Sightron tracks very well, and the glass is second to none that I've used.

I will recommend getting a scope that has a variable power that will go to at least 20x for 600 yard range shooting. I know there are folks out there that shoot 10x at 600 yards but they do it for a living. I shoot with a fellow that makes a living shooting (leo) and he shoots 20x SWFA at 600 yards, the SWFA scopes are great also. I mentioned variable power since you mentioned that you will be hunting with it as well.

If you want a set power for hunting and long range ,a friend shoots the Bushnell 10x40 Elite that is a great all around scope for ~$200. A straight 10x will serve most hunting needs and will work for limited long range shooting by the average guys like us, that don't make a living shooting. The set power scope have way less moving parts making them tougher by design.

Have fun with the long range shooting, it's addictive. Make sure that your rifle is set up for long range shooting from the beginning and it will help the learning curve greatly. Bedding your action and a great trigger will be a good start to making your rifle be all it can be. Also make sure that your scope is mounted properly or short range shooting could be a problem. Scope mounts and rings are important as well, don't go and buy a great scope and get 2nd rate rings and mounts. Throw in some good ammo and you will be on the road to fun new hobby.

I love those 308's what brand did you get? Good luck deciding on your scope...

[rdjustham]

I shoot with a fellow that makes a living shooting (leo) and he shoots 20x SWFA at 600 yards, the SWFA scopes are great also. I mentioned variable power since you mentioned that you will be hunting with it as well.

I have the 10x SWFA scope on my 308 and love it.  When i bought mine they were called Super Sniper scopes.  Think the thing ran like 300 bucks.

[sfboarbuster]

I a close second is the $99.00 Simmons Whitetail Classic 6-20x50.

X2 on this scope, have one on my .243 and it gets beat to hell sitting in my truck, works great on a moonlit night

[Hog_Hunter_57]

Don't just go cheap it is an investment if you buy junk you will get junk performance and rember you will have some pretty good recoil from a 308 thoses cheeper scopes wont hold a zero for long. JMO

[tnhillbilly]

Thanks, all the info has been very helpful.

[Reuben]

I have a question n the Simmon scopes...What are the pros and cons when comparing the Mil-Dot and Truplex???

I do know the cross hairs Truplex are kind of wide looking on the net but have not shot with a Mil-Dot but I kind of like the concept...

So your input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[J5]

I must have had the only bad nikon prostaff. Sent one swimming last night after a box of shells. Kept walkin. Mounted up a bushnell (didnt have a choice) and in 4 shots, had it ready to fine tune. Had the nikon 3 years and couldnt keep it right. Put ten where i wanted em after i got the new bushnell lined out. I wont have another nikon. Thats just my opinion though.

[Hogsnatchers]

I know its kinda behind the curve and way out of time frame for much help but take a look at vortex you get a great scope great customer service with one of he best warranties in the business and can spend as little or as much as you want they have them on swfa.com

[zachW]

Every one will argue but all my dad has ever bought was tasco world class and he has flown too Colorado twice Alaska 3 time hauled them all threw Alaska on those rough roads and said he shot them I'n once and never had to tough them again, i know i have a task on my 25-06 and have dropped it and hauled it and it's been on for 4 years since i changed shells 100$

[KerDog77]

I know everyone has their opinions but just look through as many as you can. If they have a stock to mount them on even better. Some lower end scopes to me, make it terribly hard finding it's sweet spot.
A tip I got from a guy who who is really knowledgeable on all types of glass is to look in the objective end(the big end) look at your reflection in it. If it is like looking in a mirror stay away. This means it will lose tons of light and clarity due to the objects reflecting off the lens. If you look at german lenses you'll notice it looks like a black hole. Second you may know already is just see how closed your fingers can get on the objective end while keeping enough vision to make a shot.  This will simulate dusk and dawn.
You may want to keep it simple and stay away from the bigger adjustable objectives. Somewhere in the 2.5x10x50 would be about perfect. If you can afford go ahead and get a 30mm tube instead of the 1 inch. BTW I am also a fan of Nikon and Burris if outfitting a young hunter. Good luck on picking one out.

[Reuben]

I know everyone has their opinions but just look through as many as you can. If they have a stock to mount them on even better. Some lower end scopes to me, make it terribly hard finding it's sweet spot.
A tip I got from a guy who who is really knowledgeable on all types of glass is to look in the objective end(the big end) look at your reflection in it. If it is like looking in a mirror stay away. This means it will lose tons of light and clarity due to the objects reflecting off the lens. If you look at german lenses you'll notice it looks like a black hole. Second you may know already is just see how closed your fingers can get on the objective end while keeping enough vision to make a shot.  This will simulate dusk and dawn.
You may want to keep it simple and stay away from the bigger adjustable objectives. Somewhere in the 2.5x10x50 would be about perfect. If you can afford go ahead and get a 30mm tube instead of the 1 inch. BTW I am also a fan of Nikon and Burris if outfitting a young hunter. Good luck on picking one out.

that's some good tips...I was told that 30MM is way better than a 1 inch tube for gathering light...

[Caughtandhobbled]

I know everyone has their opinions but just look through as many as you can. If they have a stock to mount them on even better. Some lower end scopes to me, make it terribly hard finding it's sweet spot.
A tip I got from a guy who who is really knowledgeable on all types of glass is to look in the objective end(the big end) look at your reflection in it. If it is like looking in a mirror stay away. This means it will lose tons of light and clarity due to the objects reflecting off the lens. If you look at german lenses you'll notice it looks like a black hole. Second you may know already is just see how closed your fingers can get on the objective end while keeping enough vision to make a shot.  This will simulate dusk and dawn.
You may want to keep it simple and stay away from the bigger adjustable objectives. Somewhere in the 2.5x10x50 would be about perfect. If you can afford go ahead and get a 30mm tube instead of the 1 inch. BTW I am also a fan of Nikon and Burris if outfitting a young hunter. Good luck on picking one out.

Thanks, that's some good information. I will do some comparing at the house.

[KerDog77]

Yes 30mm ers are nice but they aren't king, it's all about the coating. They aren't real polular here in the states but Kahles makes real nice glass. I have a 4.5x14x50 leupold which are not on the cheap end of scopes. I picked up a 2.5x10x42 kahles and you can't beleive how much longer I can see at dusk than the leupold and it's only a 42 vs 50mm objective but it does have a 30mm tube. I just like the bigger field of view the 50 gives though.

[Hogsnatchers]

That's very correct its all about the coating. One easy way to determine if the glass is any good just look at the color on the lens when you pic it up you don't want any red shades just a nice blue green is what your looking for and the main place 30mm scopes accel is because they usually have more internal adjustment for long range shooters not to important for your basic hunting rig.  Always look at how they word how the lenses are coated you'll hear a lot of manufactures advertising multicoated lenses well that's all fine and good for a .22 or if your looking to stay on a tight budget the what your looking for in a good scope is fully multicoated lenses or optics this means that the glass is coated on both sides not just one. Im not bashing any scope out there I have anything from a centerpoint special from walmart to a leupold mark 4 on my competition rifle. Nikon, makes a good scope but generally speaking if you have a problem with it good luck getting it fixed in a timely manner. Burris makes a good product. Leupold makes good quality scopes. Like I stated in my previous post Vortex makes some good scopes and u can find some for any budget $100 up to $3000 and customer service is top notch fully multicoated lenses good reliable adjustments worth looking into if your in the market don't take my word for it look them up I'm sure most of the guys on here haven't heard of them...yet.