OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Rifle Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - $500 and a .257 Weatherby hunting rifle
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

$500 and a .257 Weatherby hunting rifle

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
Elkins45 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/07/2014
Status: Offline
Points: 25
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Elkins45 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: $500 and a .257 Weatherby hunting rifle
    Posted: August/11/2015 at 19:58
The title says a lot of it, and I apologize because I know "which scope should I buy?" threads are as common as dust...but which scope should I buy?

The rifle is a hunting, not bench gun with a 26" barrel built on a commercial Mauser action. There's the very real possibility of a 400 yard shot on the farm where I hunt, so I wouldn't mind magnification above the typical 9X top end. Because it's a hunting rifle I wouldn't mind if it were reasonably light as well.

If you had $500 to spend what scope would you put on top of a 257 Weatherby?
Back to Top
supertool73 View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar
Superstool

Joined: January/03/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 11814
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/11/2015 at 21:29
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."
Back to Top
magshooter1 View Drop Down
Optics Professional
Optics Professional
Avatar

Joined: August/27/2008
Location: El Dorado, AR
Status: Offline
Points: 827
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote magshooter1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/12/2015 at 07:42
New Elite 3500 4-12x40 might suit you.  Pretty light too at 13 oz.
Some people are educated BEYOND their intelligence.
Back to Top
JGRaider View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master


Joined: February/06/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 1540
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/12/2015 at 08:16
You can't go wrong with the leupold 3.5-10x40 VX3, with or without a CDS dial.  They are sleek, lightweight, have great glass, and the CDS works well. 
Back to Top
urbaneruralite View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman


Joined: January/03/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 479
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/13/2015 at 12:51
How short a shot is also a real possibility?
Back to Top
Elkins45 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/07/2014
Status: Offline
Points: 25
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Elkins45 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/01/2015 at 12:49
Probably 50 yards.
Back to Top
Sparky View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire


Joined: July/15/2007
Location: SD
Status: Offline
Points: 4568
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/01/2015 at 13:01
What type of game are you hunting?
Back to Top
urbaneruralite View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman


Joined: January/03/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 479
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/01/2015 at 13:48
4x is low enough if they really won't make it inside 50 yards. Is low light use a concern? How do you feel about illuminated or thick reticles? How are you going to handle windage and elevation past 250 yards? I kinda dig Weaver's reticle, but it's a little thin for extreme low light.
Back to Top
Elkins45 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/07/2014
Status: Offline
Points: 25
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Elkins45 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2015 at 05:45
How about the Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 (30mm tube)? I hear good things about Vortex.
Back to Top
Elkins45 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/07/2014
Status: Offline
Points: 25
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Elkins45 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2015 at 05:46
Originally posted by Sparky Sparky wrote:

What type of game are you hunting?


Whitetail
Back to Top
supertool73 View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar
Superstool

Joined: January/03/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 11814
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2015 at 09:15
That is a decent scope, but 6.5x is a lot on the low side for a hunting scope IMO.  I owned that scope for a while, but I had it on a varmint rifle so I didn't have many close in shots. 

But that being said, a lot of people hunt with fixed 6x scopes and like it.  So it is doable, just not my preference
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."
Back to Top
JLud View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: January/30/2010
Location: Bettendorf, Iow
Status: Offline
Points: 670
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JLud Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2015 at 21:07
Meopta 3-9 would be good. You can also find Vx 3 CDS 4.5-14x40 for 449 with a free leathernecks rebate and have swfa price match...
That thing on the left....my old ride, some days I miss her.
Back to Top
JLud View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: January/30/2010
Location: Bettendorf, Iow
Status: Offline
Points: 670
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JLud Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2015 at 21:07
Meopta 3-9 would be good. You can also find Vx 3 CDS 4.5-14x40 for 449 with a free leatherman rebate and have swfa price match...
That thing on the left....my old ride, some days I miss her.
Back to Top
Elkins45 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/07/2014
Status: Offline
Points: 25
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Elkins45 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2015 at 21:30
Originally posted by JLud JLud wrote:

Meopta 3-9 would be good. You can also find Vx 3 CDS 4.5-14x40 for 449 with a free leatherman rebate and have swfa price match...

Your Google-fu must be better than mine if you can find this scope for $449.
Back to Top
urbaneruralite View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman


Joined: January/03/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 479
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/03/2015 at 08:07
The VX3 4.5-14x would be pretty darn good with a heavy duplex. If you looking for a deal, price matching on a 3-15x Weaver can't be beat right now. I'm considering picking up another Super Slam and I don't even need it.
Back to Top
JLud View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: January/30/2010
Location: Bettendorf, Iow
Status: Offline
Points: 670
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JLud Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/03/2015 at 08:49
Super slams are very nice for he money as well as pointed out. You can find that vx3 for 449 I just double checked. Side focus model for 100 more.
That thing on the left....my old ride, some days I miss her.
Back to Top
DCAMM94 View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: April/19/2008
Location: Fort Worth
Status: Offline
Points: 3484
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DCAMM94 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/03/2015 at 09:26
I might sound like a homer, but I would recommend the SWFA SS 3-9x42.  Great glass, first focal plane, etc.  It's $599, but for the money, the glass, the features, and the reliability trump all.  I have an older Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14 on my 300 Win Mag, but I'm seriously considering swapping it out with the SS 3-9 that I have on my CZ 527.  The glass is just better, and I'll be able to shoot better at 300 - 500 with the SS on the 300 than the Zeiss.  Don't get me wrong - I love the conquest - but for longer range, the FFP reticle and turrets control.  

Sounds like a neat rig.  I hope it's a shooter for you.
Although personally I am quite content with existing explosives, I feel we must not stand in the path of improvement. -Winston Churchill
Back to Top
Elkins45 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/07/2014
Status: Offline
Points: 25
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Elkins45 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/04/2015 at 05:31
I went with the Leopold 4.5-14 because I found it at a great price.

I'm still thinking about picking up one of the Vortex Vipers because they are on sale as well.
Back to Top
Elkins45 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/07/2014
Status: Offline
Points: 25
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Elkins45 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/05/2015 at 06:12
Originally posted by DCAMM94 DCAMM94 wrote:

Sounds like a neat rig.  I hope it's a shooter for you.

Tested good out to 349 yards so far. It's sighted 3" high at 100 yards and I held dead on on a big whitetail doe at 349 layered yards and put it right through her heart.

Oh, and I did end up ordering the Vortex as well. Guess I need to pick up another rifle to put it on now :)
Back to Top
Peddler View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar

Joined: July/04/2012
Location: Oswego,NY
Status: Offline
Points: 13526
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/05/2015 at 06:27
In season?

😎
When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

It is the same when you are stupid.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.322 seconds.