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pcgod View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Posts: 2 		  Quote pcgod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Low power scope question
    Posted: November/03/2008 at 09:40
I just purchased a Ruger Compact rifle in .243 and I need to scope it. My price range is 100-150. I am looking at the Pentax Gameseeker 1.75X5 or the Burris Timberline 2x7. Which is the better scope? How do these compare to the Leupold VXII 1x4 or the FXII 2.5 Ultra light?
This rifle will be used primarily at the range but it may see some hunting in the woods of Maine (heavy timber, brush)
 
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks
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cyborg View Drop Down
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Posts: 9391 		  Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/03/2008 at 10:11
I'm not a fan of the Burris in this particular design. The way the erector is set up limits the mounting somewhat. The Reticle is nice for range work, but will seriously be lacking for any hunting applications which might find you in low light. The Ballistic plex seems to be a bit heavier and might do a little better.
The Pentax is definitely too light for hunting, when the light starts to fail. combine this with heavy timber etc and it's just not going to work in that application.
 
For strictly range use either will likely be fine.
 
Edit to add
 
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Edited by cyborg - November/03/2008 at 10:12
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Big Squeeze View Drop Down
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Posts: 3143 		  Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/03/2008 at 12:08
Originally posted by pcgod

I just purchased a Ruger Compact rifle in .243 and I need to scope it. My price range is 100-150. I am looking at the Pentax Gameseeker 1.75X5 or the Burris Timberline 2x7. Which is the better scope? How do these compare to the Leupold VXII 1x4 or the FXII 2.5 Ultra light?
This rifle will be used primarily at the range but it may see some hunting in the woods of Maine (heavy timber, brush)
 
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks
............................Congrats on your compact purchase!.....I CAN RELATE!.....I have a 300 WSM Ruger Frontier myself. You will love your compact.
 
Because of your price range, that limits the choices that I would recomend to you.
 
However, because your key words were "heavy timber and brush" you are on the right track in choosing a low powered variable.
 
For brush and heavier timber, I am a big fan of very fast acquisition and aiming speed (for surprise moving targets or otherwise), which requires a scope with a wide FOV, while being able to keep both eyes open during the acquisition and aiming process. No squinting with your non-aiming eye. You bought a compact for its shorter OAL and better handling, so I suggest you don`t put a slower scope on it.
 
I reco that you stay with the straight tubed scope with no objective bells. They`re lighter, have a lower profile, have the wider FOV`s, are better looking porportionally on the Ruger compact and are very fast. 
 
For shots needed out to 250-300 yards on deer sized game, a 3x to 5x max is fine.
 
Weaver V3 1-3x20 @ $150 is a good one.
Leupold VX2 1-4x20 @ $299 is better optically than the V3.
Leupold VX3 1-5x20 @ $399 is better than the VX2. 
Sightron Big Sky 1.25-5x20 @ $359 about on par with the VX3.
 
The FX2 Ultralite is also good, but I would prefer the 1x4 VX2 for better versatility. To keep the price down, the 2x7`s you mentioned are ok for your compact. But, you will have narrower FOV`s with some reduced speed.
 
On occasion to spice things up, I remove my 2.5-8x28 EER Nikon Monarch scout scope from the Frontier, then take my 1.5-5x20 VX3 off my .375 Ruger Alaskan and then mount it on the Frontier. Either combo gives me an extremely fast handling bolt carbine.
 
If possible, try to stay with a straight tubed scope for your compact.  
 
 
 
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lucytuma View Drop Down
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Posts: 2448 		  Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/03/2008 at 17:07
Squeezer pretty much summed it up, though you could add:
 
Leupold VX3 1.75-6x32
Bushnell 6500 1-8x32  (I don't know if its available yet, but should be fantastic.)
Yes Dear!
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JPinSC View Drop Down
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Posts: 96 		  Quote JPinSC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/08/2008 at 19:24
In your price range you can not beat the Weaver V3.
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hunter12345 View Drop Down
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Posts: 470 		  Quote hunter12345 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/09/2008 at 21:20
Try the Bushnel Legend which is under $150 mark.Nice scope fore the money and better than the Nikon Pro Staff.The Sightron SII 2-7x32 is a nice scope fore your compact rifle but exceeds the $150 mark.
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trigger29 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1955 		  Quote trigger29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2008 at 12:45
Originally posted by Big Squeeze

Originally posted by pcgod

I just purchased a Ruger Compact rifle in .243 and I need to scope it. My price range is 100-150. I am looking at the Pentax Gameseeker 1.75X5 or the Burris Timberline 2x7. Which is the better scope? How do these compare to the Leupold VXII 1x4 or the FXII 2.5 Ultra light?
This rifle will be used primarily at the range but it may see some hunting in the woods of Maine (heavy timber, brush)
 
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks
............................Congrats on your compact purchase!.....I CAN RELATE!.....I have a 300 WSM Ruger Frontier myself. You will love your compact.
 
Because of your price range, that limits the choices that I would recomend to you.
 
However, because your key words were "heavy timber and brush" you are on the right track in choosing a low powered variable.
 
For brush and heavier timber, I am a big fan of very fast acquisition and aiming speed (for surprise moving targets or otherwise), which requires a scope with a wide FOV, while being able to keep both eyes open during the acquisition and aiming process. No squinting with your non-aiming eye. You bought a compact for its shorter OAL and better handling, so I suggest you don`t put a slower scope on it.
 
I reco that you stay with the straight tubed scope with no objective bells. They`re lighter, have a lower profile, have the wider FOV`s, are better looking porportionally on the Ruger compact and are very fast. 
 
For shots needed out to 250-300 yards on deer sized game, a 3x to 5x max is fine.
 
Weaver V3 1-3x20 @ $150 is a good one.
Leupold VX2 1-4x20 @ $299 is better optically than the V3.
Leupold VX3 1-5x20 @ $399 is better than the VX2. 
Sightron Big Sky 1.25-5x20 @ $359 about on par with the VX3.
 
The FX2 Ultralite is also good, but I would prefer the 1x4 VX2 for better versatility. To keep the price down, the 2x7`s you mentioned are ok for your compact. But, you will have narrower FOV`s with some reduced speed.
 
On occasion to spice things up, I remove my 2.5-8x28 EER Nikon Monarch scout scope from the Frontier, then take my 1.5-5x20 VX3 off my .375 Ruger Alaskan and then mount it on the Frontier. Either combo gives me an extremely fast handling bolt carbine.
 
If possible, try to stay with a straight tubed scope for your compact.  
 
 
 
 
I can't argue what Squeeze said, after all he is the compact rifle man here. I will add that if you considered spending $399 for a VXIII or $359 for a Big Sky, I would look in to these
 
 
 
I like the looks of the 1.8-5.5 x32, although it won't be as compact as some of the other suggestions. As far as the lower priced options, I'll go with what squeeze said, as I don't have much experience with scopes in this price range.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
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