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Advice on a new rifle scope |
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njsportsman
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/05/2008 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Posted: August/03/2009 at 09:13 |
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I was invited to Colorado to do some hunting. In talking to my friend it looks like it's time for a new gun and scope. The rifle I know what I want but, the scope I need a little help. I would love some ideas for scopes. Don't know what to expect but, I assume it'll be long range shooting 300-500 yd shots. He has filled me in a little bit. I am pumped. Because I am used to New Jersey and PA. hunting. Something different I am up for the challenge. So I want to make sure I have the right gear.
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njsportsman
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/05/2008 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Can't figure out how to edit. I wanted to add I am looking to stay around $300-$400.
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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Need input... type of rifle, mounting setup, price range you are looking...
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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njsportsman
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/05/2008 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Looking at a Remington 700 or 770. Mounting setup low profile . Weaver or standard base mount.
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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Any particular caliber in mind?
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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Please be realistic about what you can achieve within that budget and your shooting experience (pardon me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you haven't shot at longer ranges while hunting). Except for antelope (and even then it's rarely necessary) there aren't that many shots that need to go beyond 300 yards so that makes a $300-400 scope much more feasible. You might, for example, consider a high-quality Leupold FX-II fixed 4X scope but will probably be better off with a 3-9X or similar variable.
With a 30-06, you can have a max. point blank range inside an 8" kill zone out to 350 yards. If you want to go beyond that, I strongly urge considering a more capable scope - one with target turrets. In conjunction with a decent rangefinder you can make a shot past that distance. But not without plenty of practice and getting good at compensating for the wind. If you are willing to make that commitment and see yourself doing this more than once, here's a great scope: http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-9x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P41044.aspx - for $600. |
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Reaction time is a factor...
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Randall45
Optics Apprentice Joined: June/25/2009 Status: Offline Points: 284 |
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I suggest a M700 in 30-06 with a 3-9 Bushnell Elite 4200.Your mounts can be a medium base Weaver.Your hunting set-up should run around $800.Being from the North East most gun hunting is with shot guns loaded with slugs.
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njsportsman
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/05/2008 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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300 Win Mag.
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njsportsman
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/05/2008 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Your right I never took a shot past a hundred yards. I am just going by what this guy told me he has taken 500 - 600 yd shots. He said most shots will be within 300 - 350 yds. this will be all new for me. As a matter of fact I won't be doing this till December and possibility not till next year because of the cost of the trip and needing new equipment. Which gives me a lot of time for practice. I want to but the equipment now and practice using it and get used to taking those shots. I am a PA hunter and mainly shoot within 50 yds occasionally you get a 100 yd shot. In Jersey it's shotgun only. Looking for more adventure and to take my hunting to the next level.
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Roy Finn
MODERATOR Steiner Junkie Joined: April/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4856 |
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Try to stay with the 700. For the scope, I'd go with the 4200 3-9, Nikon Primos 3-9 or a Burris Full Field II 3-9.
Not a member of Cherry Ridge by any chance? Edited by Roy Finn - August/03/2009 at 10:16 |
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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I agree with Roy on this one, you can't good wrong with any or the above choices and you'll have to spend twice as much to get something better. |
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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njsportsman
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/05/2008 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Roy Finn
MODERATOR Steiner Junkie Joined: April/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4856 |
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Was referring to Cherry Ridge Gun Club in Oak Ridge, NJ
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Ed Connelly
Optics Retard God of no Chihuahua Joined: December/16/2007 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 24225 |
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Oh, a 3X9 or a 3.5X10....40 mm should still mount low....
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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Just out of curiousity, what rifles/scopes do you have now? I have hunted quite a bit in the West for 40-some years and haven't found that shooting beyond 400 yards or a .300 magnum is necessary for general big game hunting. |
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safariarms man
Optics Apprentice Dolphin Overton Joined: June/28/2009 Location: K67BB Status: Offline Points: 111 |
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Good question. I have never hunted in the West, but have used a 300 Win. Mag. with 150 grain Remington Core Lokt cartridges to shoot many a whitetail in NC. Versatile cartridge for anyone who is not recoil shy or who has a flinching problem. However, I have to admit, I love to use my smaller calibers, such a 243, 260 and 7mm-08 to take whitetail also. My problem is, I just like to shoot and when loaded with the proper bullet, many calibers can take many game, large and small.
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Steelbenz
Optics Jedi Knight ROLL TIDE ROLL Joined: January/03/2006 Location: Heart of Dixie Status: Offline Points: 5153 |
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I agree, A friend has a 7mm-08 that I have worked with. The more I shoot that caliber the more I like it. Although, I only own .308s......go figure.
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"Don't argue with a fool! From a distance you can't really tell who's who!"
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Roy Finn
MODERATOR Steiner Junkie Joined: April/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4856 |
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Not sure why guys still recommend guns like the 300 WM to guys heading west and Canada as well. On my first trip to Sask I asked my outfitter what guys generally used up there for whitetails. He replied 7mm and 30 cal mags. Not needing an excuse to buy a new gun I went out and got a Remington 700 APR in 300 WM. Even though the deer up there are much bigger in body weight than elsewhere, it's still a whitetail.
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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I would suggest a Tikka rifle in either 30-06 or .270 if you really want a 300 win mag what you will find it that your ammo cost four times as much as 30-06 or .270 ammo which is a lot to carry the same bullet about 300 ft per second faster than the 30-06. These two calibers have probably accounted for more dead animals than any other centerfire caliber. The 7mm08 is a fine choice of calibers and the recoil is quite mild if recoil is an issue. I prefer the stainless with black composit stock for a hunting gun. It is nice to know starting out that your TIKKA rifle has a three shots in one inch at 100 yds guarantee. Some rifles shoot well some dont. All remmingtons can be made to shoot well but it can become time consuming and expensive to have the action trued barrel floated have it glass bedded re-cut the crown rework the trigger etc etc. Save yourself some aggrivation or if you must buy Remmington buy an R5 Mil Spec .308 or 300 WM. For the scope this is a hunting gun not a sniper rifle or target rifle this is the right scope for a lot of reasons:
There truely is no substitute for practice on the range with your equipment at the distances you wish to shoot.
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=18469 thread on rifle recoil by caliber
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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