OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Rifle Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - first scope, need advice..
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

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

first scope, need advice..

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
wreck View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: November/25/2015
Status: Offline
Points: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wreck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: first scope, need advice..
    Posted: November/25/2015 at 14:08
so i just bought my first rifle (tika t3 7mm laminated stainless) and need to decide on a scope.

i live in british columbia so i plan to do a lot of deer/elk hunting and hopefully one day get into sheep.

i plan to keep this rifle forever and want to put good glass on it, and from what i've read i think i wanna go with the Swarovski z3 but have a few questions..


1) i'd have to decide on the 3-10x40 or 4-12x50.. price difference is irrelevant. from what i've read bigger is better for the most part, but will the 50mm look too big/bulky on the rifle? with the 50mm, i'd assume the scope needs to be mounted higher on the rifle and i've been told you want the scope as low to the barrel as possible?

2) am i nuts to be spending $1200 cdn on a scope without illumination? ie, how important is having illumination?


thanks in advance!
Back to Top
SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Chief Sackscratch

Joined: December/17/2009
Location: NorthCackalacky
Status: Offline
Points: 31233
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/25/2015 at 14:18

Around here deer seem to know exactly sunset is and few show up before sunset if any so the 30 minutes of legal time after sunset are my main shooting opportunities and I like having illumination during those times but never found it necessary with good bold reticles and good glass.  I had a Z5 plex reticle and shot plenty of deer with it during that time. The reticle was more than bold enough to make up for the lack of illumination.

 
You want a lifetime scope, I would steer clear of illumination.  That would more than likely be the first thing to go on a scope with age... battery corrosion, etc .  I like a nice bold reticle like the swaro plex.
 
On the power range. Do you carry binos?  use your scope to identify game?   If so the 12 on the top end will help.  If not then I would even consider the 3-9x36. 
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
Back to Top
pyro6999 View Drop Down
Optics Retard
Optics Retard
Avatar
OT TITAN

Joined: December/22/2006
Location: North Dakota
Status: Offline
Points: 22034
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/25/2015 at 14:50
in short

1. thats correct

2. you would be crazy to do so imo..

there is absolutely nothing wrong with either power ranges you mentioned, the only question id ask is do you spend much time in the timber?? if the answer is frequently, i may shy away from 4x, but the real world difference between 3x and 4x isnt really much....


They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"
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: November/25/2015 at 14:52
For the most part if you are not doing any real low light hunting, illumination is not that big of a deal. 

The new Meopta r2 has illuminated reticles and are quite a bit cheaper than the high end Swaros and optics wise are very comparable.  http://swfa.com/MeoStar-R2-C10776.aspx

Swaro z6 1.7-10x42.  I would not go for the 50mm.  I like my scope low and trim. 


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
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: November/25/2015 at 19:22
Which 7mm?

1) Big objectives aren't necessary unless you're dialing up the magnification in low light. With a 3-10x40, you might find best performance at 8x or lower. 50mm would be if you're shooting into the shadows 300 yards away with the scope cranked to maybe 10x.

2) A bold reticle is as good as illumination for me. If you're talking mountain hunting, the added weight of illumination might be a consideration.
Back to Top
wreck View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: November/25/2015
Status: Offline
Points: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wreck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/25/2015 at 20:00
Originally posted by urbaneruralite urbaneruralite wrote:

Which 7mm?

1) Big objectives aren't necessary unless you're dialing up the magnification in low light. With a 3-10x40, you might find best performance at 8x or lower. 50mm would be if you're shooting into the shadows 300 yards away with the scope cranked to maybe 10x.

2) A bold reticle is as good as illumination for me. If you're talking mountain hunting, the added weight of illumination might be a consideration.

rem mag
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: November/25/2015 at 20:54
Great choice on the tikka! Wonderful rifles, so smooth and crisp right out of the box at a great price. Either one of those 2 would be fine...I might spend the extra bit for the 4-12 for a bit more mag and lowlight performance.
That thing on the left....my old ride, some days I miss her.
Back to Top
wreck View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: November/25/2015
Status: Offline
Points: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wreck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/25/2015 at 20:59
i'm starting to think for this 7mm rifle i should stick with the 3-10x40 and when i decide to buy a bigger caliber rifle for sheep hunting etc i'll go with a stronger mag scope like the 4-12x50. 
Back to Top
bcraig View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: March/14/2011
Status: Offline
Points: 51
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bcraig Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/25/2015 at 21:18
Why in the world would you need a bigger rifle for sheep ?

Back to Top
wreck View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: November/25/2015
Status: Offline
Points: 5
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wreck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/25/2015 at 21:25
Originally posted by bcraig bcraig wrote:

Why in the world would you need a bigger rifle for sheep ?


lol true.

i guess what i meant was i'd stick with a lower mag for deer/elk, and when/if i decide to buy a 2nd riffle of a higher caliber, i'd go with a higher mag scope.
Back to Top
bcraig View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: March/14/2011
Status: Offline
Points: 51
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bcraig Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/25/2015 at 22:36
I know that you meant a higher caliber

That 7 Rem mag is a flat shooter that would .be a great rifle for sheep if you dont mind the recoil.
Anything that will handle deer and elk will handle sheep.

Although I have never hunted sheep they are just an animal and plenty have been killed with
A 243 Winchester,25-06,and the 270 Winchester, to the best of my knowledge ,was a favorite of Jack O'Connor for sheep hunting.

So there is no need to get a bigger rifle caliber ,and as far as scope power goes plenty of sheep (and deer and elk etc has been killed with a 4x scope.

I would stay at less than 10x because at over that you are probably going to need a scope with an adjustable objective and that is just one more thing to be fiddling with when you should be shooting .

Plus figure that with even just a 6x scope that a deer or elk or sheep at say 400 yards only appears to be 66.6 yards away. (400 divided by 6)

Can you take a precise aim on an animal at 66.6 yards ?
OF COURSE you can !

My suggestion if you want a Variable is to get a 3-9
The low end will be plenty low enough for woods use and the High end will be plenty high in case you dont carry Binoculars.

If you want a fixed power(which is more durable because of less moving parts) then either a 4x or a 6x would work just fine.

Hope this helps you


Back to Top
Sgt. D View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: February/20/2008
Location: North Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 4525
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/26/2015 at 10:50

To each his own but, it has always baffled me why you would limit yourself on the power curve. If your gonna have a variable power scope and your budget is as strong as wreck's is. You would certainly afford a scope that could exceed the norm for that just incase opportunity (14 to 16X). Unless ofcourse you want the best glass available like this deal. http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-25-10x50-Diavari-VMV-DEMO-B-P85357.aspx It is slightly over budget but worth it for the over all quality. The down side being that you have just set a standard that is expensive to maintain. If you never intend to have a shot beyond 500yds a 10 or 12X is adequate but you really miss out on so much detail. If I am considering a shot on a good buck I like to see as much detail about the animal as possible. There is nothing worse than walking up to a downed animal and being disappointed because you didn't see enough detail (provided you have time). I understand it boils down to what you enjoy. Some like to see how well they can do with low X scopes and some (like myself) like to over power the need. Which ever group you fit Good Luck!   

and

Welcome to the OT!!

Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Back to Top
Simon View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: November/27/2015
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 9
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Simon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/28/2015 at 06:44
Another vote for the Meopta. I've got the Meopro 4-12x50 on my deer rifle. Its clearer than my Vortex Viper HS. Have a look at the Meostar R1 it comes in 3-12x50 for marginally less than the Swarovski Z3. I would quite happily put another Meopta on.my next rifle if they had the magnification range I'm after
BLR 30-06
Rem 788 22-250
Rem 572 .22lr
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: November/28/2015 at 12:05
I agree that with your budget you don't have to be limited with your one all-around rig. You can get a scope with 5x or greater magnification range that will do it all. A scope with a bold reticle and 40'+ FOV on the low end covers everything from in the brush to across the meadow. The only downside is they're heavy. 2-10x, 2.5-10x, 2-12x would be where to look. To my eye, some of the 5x range scopes lose a little when turned all the way up, so it might be worth the trouble to look at >40mm objectives if low light performance at a distance is important.
Back to Top
biggreen747 View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: October/16/2009
Location: Colorado
Status: Offline
Points: 470
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote biggreen747 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/28/2015 at 13:19
3-10x42 Z3 with 4a reticle is hard to beat for an all purpose scope. I've had one on my 7mag for a couple years and have not found it lacking in any way.
We measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, and cut it with a chainsaw.
Back to Top
harveyspecter View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: December/02/2015
Status: Offline
Points: 13
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote harveyspecter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/03/2015 at 00:20
Thanks advice from bigreen747 :) Yippee
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  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 1.545 seconds.