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30/30 Scope help

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Bboy623 View Drop Down
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    Posted: November/15/2013 at 17:00
Ok guys, it's been awhile since I've been on here, but I need some scope help. I have a Marlin 30/30 with a Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40. I bought a Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40 to put on her. After receiving the scope, it's a tad long for my tastes for my 30/30. I've also been wanting a 50mm objective to be able to get all of the light I can for 30 minutes after sunset and for 30 minutes before sunrise. The Elite 4200 has been sitting in the safe for 2 years...not mounted, still in factory box.
What would you recommend? I know some don't think ANY scope should be on a 30/30. Should I just go with the Elite 4200, or at least mount it and try it? Or should I look at a Nikon Buckmaster or Monarch 3-9x50? Redfield 3-9?
I don't want to break the bank, but I know I can sell the Elite 4200 and recoup some $$$ being that it truly is brand new in box...only took it out to look at it and back in the box it went and then into the safe.
 
Thoughts? Suggestions?
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/15/2013 at 17:59
What price range are you wanting to hold at. The 4200 Elite is several steps higher than the Trophy you have mounted. The Elite you have will be better in low light scope than either the Buckmaster and likely the Monarch too. Better glass and coatings will give you more light than larger poor glass. This leads to higher prices. To me the 50 MM will make the 30-30 off balance /top heavy.
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Bboy623 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bboy623 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/15/2013 at 18:10
Yea 3-tens, I was thinking about the top-heaviness of it. I know that the Elite is a LOT better than my Trophy, but my Trophy is a nice quality scope. I'm impressed with it. It is about 17 years old and is a lot better than Trophy's I have looked at today at Bass Pro and Dicks Sporting Goods!

I know the Monarch is better than the Buckmaster, but I thought that the Zeiss Conquest, Nikon Monarch and Bushnell Elite 4200 were all in the same category and quality. It was more of brand preference I thought. Please enlighten me; especially how the Zeiss Conquest and Busnell Elite 4200 stack up.

Another thought is I HAVE a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 on my Browning .270. Again, I'd like to have the 50 mm objective....but I could put the Elite on the Browning and the Conquest on the 30/30. I just don't know what to do. I am interested in the new Hornady Leverevolution ammo for the 30/30. It takes a 100 yard gun to over 300. Wouldn't a BDC or the likes help with such a thing?

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JD548 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JD548 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/15/2013 at 20:09
maybe a smaller scope with lower magnification?

 my 1-4x24s (30mm tube)  seem to do quite well at gathering light , i know lots of people who hunt hogs and pests at night with them.  turn them down to 1x and the pick up light with the best of them.

i would guess that a vortex diamondback 1.7-5x 32 or something along those lines could work well and not look too out of place on a 30-30.

just a guess as i have never scoped a 30-30.


there should be some people around that can steer you the right direction.


it seems like i knew somebody with a 2-7x 32 on a 30-30 --IIRC he seemed to like his-- cant recall what scope it was --probably a leupold vx2---

smaller might well be better in this case--





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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/15/2013 at 22:28
I have a 1969 3-9 Weaver on a 336. I can say that the scope has directly cost me at least 4 deer. I can only remember 1 deer that I could say that I probably would not have taken the shot without the scope. It makes the rifle heavy and slow to shoulder and cumbersome in brush. Sad I am guessing that where you are in NC is close to situations I hunted in Tennessee in my youth. . My experience has taught me  In heavy cover to keep the 30-30 clean. Then get a scoped bolt rifle when hunting in a area providing longer shots. To get back on topic of which scope. The best scope I see if I were to scope a 30-30 right now would be the Zeiss 1.2-5 X 36 Conquest Duralyt scope on the samplelist for $599.95. Small, Good glass. Option of the Illuminated #60  with center dot reticle. This is a versatile close to medium range scope.  Smile
 As far as the Hornady Leverevolution Set your zero at 150 Yards and shoot. If going over 250 yd get a bigger rifle. There is a difference in what a rifle can do, and what it should do. (Just My opinion)Loco


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/16/2013 at 07:02
Minox 1.5-8 works well ... Bushnell Elite 2-7 , Nikon 2-8 Monarch or a Leupold 2.5-8 are good fits .. You don't need 50 mm objective lenses when you opt for quality glass .. The 4200 Elite you have will definitely gather sufficient light if you can get past the way it looks on the rifle ( which makes me wonder why you would consider a bigger scope at all)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tman1965 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2013 at 14:28

If I was in your shoes, and didn't want to break the bank.... there is no doubt what I would do. if I just could not get used to the "look" of the 4200, I would put the conquest on it and call it a done deal.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2013 at 16:43
Why don't you get an IOR 4X?  That is decent sized, I think it weighs 15 oz., and would be good in low light, and it's got enough magnification for 30-30 distances.   



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Bboy623 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bboy623 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2013 at 17:25
yea...I was thinking of putting the conquest on the 30/30. I just want my BEST scope on my .270.

so which is better?? Zeiss conquest 3-9x40 or Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40??

its just such a pain in the butt to get them sighted in!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hatton mann Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2013 at 20:09
This past Saturday I popped a doe in cover at about 30m  at about 7:03 am w/  a Marlin 30/30. (Morning was pretty gloomy in the woods, but the sun came out a few hours later.) It's been carrying an older Bushnell Banner 2.5x20 on it for svereal seasons. Fairly compact, light, decent Jap glass. A couple seasons ago that scope was able to make a neck shot on a large 9pt. through a small window in the brush at about 35 yds. or so.
Low power varible or even fixed power should be more than adquate for what  a 30/30 is called upon to do.
 
If you want to shoot in the dark or semi darkness, find out what scopes your pig shooting friends are using. You can sell your other scopes to defray the costs of a decent night vision rig.
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/19/2013 at 07:52
Sorry I'm late to this thread.  BBoy,  I put a vortex diamond back 3-9x40 on my cousins 30-30.  It is more than enough for around here.  When I sighted it in I got a 3 shot group of less than 1" with it, which for the round is more than adequate.  We also took it out to 400 yds hitting freon jugs using the bdc hold over marks.  I was with him on a hunt last weekend and even after teh 30 minute window had passed we could still make out several does at about 150yds with it dialed down to 4x.  We could have taken a comfortable shot on any of them.  I had my 300 WSM with me as a backup to him.  It has a swaro z5 on it.  I could see them a bit more in detail at the same time but thats to be expected when you pay an extra grand.  The Diamond back allowed him to destiguish they were does just as easy as I could.  
Also before I worried to much about that leverevolution ammo, I'd try it.  Shot like crap in 4 different 30-30 lever guns I've tried it in.  Some things won't change.  The 30-30 is limited to effective range and some spendy ammo ain't going to change that that I've seen.  I've only heard of a couple guy here locally that have had luck with that ammo and their definition of accuracy ain't what i'd call good.  Use the 270 if you think your shots are going to be longer. 
 
 
IMO, 
leave the conquest on the 270.
sell the 4200 or trade it in towards something with a shorter tube that looks acceptable on a dirty 30.  personally the vortex diamondback 2-7 would be my first pick.
Keep the tasco for a 22 or something in the future. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bboy623 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/19/2013 at 09:32
thanks SVT...its been awhile huh.

is that diamondback the Chinese line from Vortex?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/19/2013 at 09:34
don't think so, can't recall.  Its been a great scope with surprisingly good glass.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan Robertson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/19/2013 at 12:36
Originally posted by Bboy623 Bboy623 wrote:

yea...I was thinking of putting the conquest on the 30/30. I just want my BEST scope on my .270.

so which is better?? Zeiss conquest 3-9x40 or Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40??

its just such a pain in the butt to get them sighted in!

bboy623

Howdy Bboy623,
I've owned both and they will easily get you past legal shooting light, they're about equal in the low light department and in most ways that count. That .270 needs your Conquest. The 4200 has shorter eye relief and thinner reticle and Rainguard. The biggies on scope mounting for a .30-30 are clearance at the hammer and balance of the rifle.
If I were going to mount something on a .30-30, something along the lines of a 1.5-6x32 or a 1-4x or as suggested, a 2-7x would be where I would look. I think 32mm is about minimum objective if low light performance is paramount. Scopes with too much magnification at close range will cost you a shot. Pulling up on a magnificent buck trotting by at 15 yards through a narrow gap when all you see is a lens full of hair at 6X...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MikeStaten Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2013 at 18:34
I mounted a 1.75-4x32 trophy on my marlin 336. Not the best scope out there but it fits the rifle very well, good field of view and the circle x reticle is quick to pick up. If buying another scope for it I'd go with the 1.75-5 or 2-7 vortex diamondback. They both have very good field of views and the glass is exceptional for under $200. I have three   elite 3-9x40 and like them a lot for certain rifles, however, my friend has the elite 3-9x40 on his 336 and it looks huge on the rifle.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bboy623 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2013 at 19:22
Thanks for all the replies guys. I think I'm gonna save that Elite 4200 for either an X bolt or a Tikka T3. I want to stay with the 3-9 for the 30/30. Probably will get the Diamondback as SVT and everyone suggests.

Only question is how much BETTER is the Viper over the Diamondback? Worth the extra $100??


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