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Best 3-9x Hunting Scope?

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brencat View Drop Down
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    Posted: August/22/2008 at 15:20
Hi gang.
 
Which of these 4 would you all select for a 3-9ish mag range hunting scope? Will be for hunting mostly in wooded areas vs open field.  Gun is 1968 Sako Finnbear in 30.06.
 
Leupold VXII 3-9x40
Sightron SII 3-9x42
Bushnell Elite 4200
Nikon Team Primos 3-9
 
Many of you might say Elite 4200 but I tend to like a lot of eye relief.  Thanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 15:30
Out of that lineup I would get the Bushnell....with the sightron a close second. Bushnell's got Rainguard on top of all that....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brencat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 15:37

Hehe...figured on the 4200 being popular choice. But should I be concerned about the 3.3" eye relief? The Leupy has over 4" I think.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 15:44
I have one on my 45-70 and it works fine.  Haven't hit me yet.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 15:44
Originally posted by brencat brencat wrote:

Hi gang.
 
Which of these 4 would you all select for a 3-9ish mag range hunting scope? Will be for hunting mostly in wooded areas vs open field.  Gun is 1968 Sako Finnbear in 30.06.
 
Leupold VXII 3-9x40
Sightron SII 3-9x42
Bushnell Elite 4200
Nikon Team Primos 3-9
 
Many of you might say Elite 4200 but I tend to like a lot of eye relief.  Thanks.
.......................Hmmmmm...........Of your 4 choices, the Elite 4200 would be my choice. I used a 3x9 4200 on my 300 WSM compact and on my 375 Ruger Alaskan (both of which have more recoil than your `06) and had no issues with eye relief............But then again, if your hunting in mostly wood areas, where the shooting ranges will be reduced, you may want to consider a lower variable than a 3x9 with some better FOV`s.
 
The 1.75x6, a 2x7 or a max of 2x8 would be a better compromise for the woodys and still offer ample magnification for the longer open plains shots! Better compromises for both the woods and the plains in my view!
 
I`ve seen 1.75x6`s 2x7`s, 2x8`s on `06`s, the WSM`s, 300 Wby`s 300 RUM`s, 338 RUM`s and other longer range rounds. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 15:50
Originally posted by brencat brencat wrote:

Hehe...figured on the 4200 being popular choice. But should I be concerned about the 3.3" eye relief? The Leupy has over 4" I think.

 
yes it's so far away I have to write it a letter..........
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brencat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 15:51

If I may add another constraint...$350 and under. Can't really go above that at the moment. Open to other suggestions besides the 4 I listed of course.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 16:05
Are you looking at the Big Sky Sightron. At 350 it would probably be the leader of the group if eye relief is a big concern to you. The Big Sky has some type of rain protection coating I assume to be similar to Bushnell's Rainguard. A Sako Finnbear is not a lightweight and a 30/06 isn't a particularly heavy recoiling caliber. I have 4200's on a 280 Ackley, several 30/06's and a 300 Win Mag with no concerns of eye relief. If more eye relief makes you feel more comfortable, then by all means get it. The Sightron and Leupold will be the ER leaders.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 16:15
Originally posted by brencat brencat wrote:

If I may add another constraint...$350 and under. Can't really go above that at the moment. Open to other suggestions besides the 4 I listed of course.

.............There are always little catches uh??...........If I were you, I`d scrounge and come up with another $50 and get the 1.75-6x32 VX3. That would be my 1st choice for your needs.
 
It`s light, with more than enough eye relief, has a lower profile, offers more FOV for the woods than a 3x9 and has enough on the high end for the longer plains shots out to better 400 yards on deer sized game............The perfect balance for the woods and the plains!
 
Other choices would be the;
 
2x7 VX2 @ $299............2x8x32 Monarch @ $289...........2x7 Vortex Viper @ $299
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 16:18
Get the Elite 4200 and never look back.  I just put an Elite 4200 2.5-10x40 on my Finnbear 30-06 and love it. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brencat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 17:06
I remember years ago looking through a Sightron S2 and the glass was pretty good given its price. How does the glass on the Elite 4200 stack up to the Leupy VX2?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 17:09
4200 is much better than the VX2
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 17:09
Most think it is better than the VX3
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

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brencat View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brencat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 17:17
Wow, surprised to hear that. I mean the 4200 3x9 for only $250 seems like a steal. I guess I just need to get past that eye relief thing. Anyway, I suppose I could always send it right back for refund given Bushnell's no hassle policy.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 17:20
You will like it.  I have two of them and they are great scopes. 
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 17:50
I have 6 4200/4000's and I have several Leupold Vari-XIII's and have owned probably at least a half dozen Leupolds in the past and to my eyes the 4200 and 4000 have brighter and clearer glass. I think these scopes are at least as strong as Leupolds are if not stronger. Never have had a single problem with either of these Elites. You could say that their eye relief is a drawback and you could say the variable eye relief on Leupolds is a drawback as well, although that creates a different set of drawbacks. Personally, I like a somewhat constant eye relief and on my rifles, I have never been concerned that the 4000/4200 was going to be a problem with it's shorter eye relief.

PS. There is no question that the 4200 is better optically than a VX2.

Edited by Roy Finn - August/22/2008 at 17:53
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 18:00

When I saw your post "Best 3-9x Hunting scope" and before I opened it and read it, I immediately thought of recommending the Conquest 3-9X40 and its 4" of eye relief.  But after reading this thru, Squeezer makes a good point about going with something in the lower mag range and you'd rather not spend more than $350.

I have a 3-9X40 Conquest and a 3-9X40 4200 and I like the Conquest quite a bit better.... as far as eye relief and cheek weld, it just "fits" me better.  I haven't had the opportunity to hunt with either one yet, so can't compare actuall field conditions at this time, but I think I'll like the Conquest better  then as well. 

For the money and if you don't mind the fancy reticle, the Primos is hard to beat!   But I doubt you'd be making a mistake with any of those scopes.  I'd probably rate the VXII slightly behind the others as far as brightness and clarity for whatever thats worth.
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brencat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 21:11

Yeah Tip. I really like the Conquest -- the glass is awesome. In fact, I just sold my 6.5-20x50 to help fund an IOR purchase for my tac rifle. They hold their value really well. Mine was 2.5 yrs old and in like new condition and I ended up selling it for $695 shipped surprisingly.

I didn't list it because $400 - $450 is more than I wanted to spend. I'm lucky if I put 10 rounds through my Sako per year. The Zeiss is almost twice the price of the Elite 4200...do you like it twice as much for 2 hunting trips and 10 rounds per year?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 23:13
Elite 4200.  Good glass, great price tag, and the raingaurd is an awesome feature.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DAVE44 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2008 at 23:34
The only thing I dont care for in the 4200 is the reticle is a little thin for me and it turns a bronze almost transparent color in certain light situations. As far as brightness, it is good. I have a Conquest in 3-9x40 and it is maybe a hair better in resoloution but is pretty close optically. The reticle however is a nice thick one that stays black and defined even in low light. Either is good. I think the Zeiss has a more comfortable view, probably becuase the eyepiece has a bigger image. If you hunt 99.9 percent during the daylight hours then get the 4200, if you want to be able to pick out those crosshairs in those 5-10 minutes before the 4200 reticle is visible enough to see good then get the Conquest. I have a Browning that is now discontinued but is basically a 4200 elite with no Raingaurd and it is a good scope, I have it mounted on my TC Encore Muzzleloader.
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