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Help! Scope Recommendations for .300 Win Mag? |
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Byu_Au_Hunter
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/27/2009 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 23 |
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Posted: September/27/2009 at 15:35 |
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So I'll be completely up front and admit I'm by no means a scope expert, if so, I wouldn't be looking for recommendations. So if I make any stupid assumptions, feel free to point them out.
I recently inherited my grandfathers Model 700 .300 Win Mag, his primary hunting rifle since '66 and for as long as I can remember him. We were very close so it's instantly become the firearm that means more to me than any other. I'm 28 and have always hunted whitetail/mule deer with the .243 I got as a teenager. However, for sentimental reasons I'd really like to bag a mule deer with his rifle this year. I tried placing a cheap Cabela's Pine Ridge 3x9 I had laying around on it. It did well for a few rounds but after about 15 rounds the expected happened and I think the scope blew a gasket (internally). So I'm hoping to find a "decent" scope I can use with reasonable confidence of holding up on this rifle. The kicker is I'm limited to about $250 as I'm getting laid off the 6th of November and will be pursuing a career change. Even the $250 is pushing it but my wife is being really supportive of the purchase in this case. I 't want something that can handle the recoil. I'm happy to buy used since I'm on a limited budget. Does anyone have any recommendations for scopes that might fit that price range (new or used) that would likely handle the recoil? For variable powers I'm considering: Leupold VXII (would need to be used to afford) , Vortex Diamondback or Viper Series Anyone own these scopes and use them on a higher powered rifle? Also, I know some folks recommend going with a fixed power scope for true reliability on a high powered rifle. I've seen some used fixed power's on Ebay but no nothing about good manufacturers/model for fixed power scopes. It also seems like a lot of the fixed power scopes on Ebay are used and 10-20 years old. I'm a bit skeptical as to whether a used scope that old would still be worth purchasing but I know they were made better in many cases back then. Any recommendations on older fixed power scopes that might be worth a look? On the career front, the recent job loss at my engineering firm has motivated me to pursue a career in something that isn't quite as coma-inducing. You guessed it, I'd like to break into a firearms or outdoors related industry. So if anyone has any contacts or recommendations I'm all ears. I'm happy to provide my educational/professional experience in detail. There...now I can tell my wife I was trying to work my network for a new career while prepping for the upcoming hunting season. Thanks guys. |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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If you can swing a Vortex Viper 3-9x40, that would fit nicely on your rifle and offer very good performance. For allround performance, it is hard to beat a good quality 3-9x40.
I would really recommend going with that route. If you must have something less expensive, Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 is a pretty solid choice as is Sightron SII 3-9x42. ILya
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silver
Optics Master Joined: November/04/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2291 |
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While you are at it take a good look at the rings that you have and make sure they are both round and properly sized. I say this because the scope you had while not perfect, should have lasted longer. When something like that happens, it is a good ideal to double check the rings. It is not uncommon for rings to be made on worn tooling to keep the production numbers up.
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Byu_Au_Hunter
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/27/2009 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 23 |
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That's a good point. They are Leupold mounts and rings that were installed by the gunsmith I use, so I wasn't inclined to suspect the rings. But it might be worth a look.
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3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
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Not bashing the industry but many Gunsmiths that are excellent machinist may not understand the finesse of mounting a scope. If you get it mounted and bore sighted at the box style Fishing and hunting conglomerates you must realize the sales person may have been selling shirts at S&K the week before. Since they are not still there they may not have been good at that either.
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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I think the Burris FFII would be a decent scope for you, and the 3-9 is under your price. Would leave money for new rings or other accessories if wanted.
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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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I am a dinosaur............I put a 4X on mine!!! But I'm sure a 3X9 would be fine!!!
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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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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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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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brodeur272
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/23/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 609 |
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The Sightron SIIs are a good value. I have several SIIs and they hold up well and have good glass and adjustments for the price.
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REMF
Optics Apprentice Joined: June/04/2008 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 153 |
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I've always been told to stick with a 30 mm tube on a 300WM.
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amk204
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/27/2007 Status: Offline Points: 75 |
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bushnell 3200 are worth looking into.
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pyro6999
Optics Retard OT TITAN Joined: December/22/2006 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 22034 |
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i think thats a matter of personal preference, im sure that there are plenty of members here who have .300win's with 1" tubed scopes on top of them. i am one of them. |
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375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead" 343 we will never forget God Bless Chris Ledoux "good ride cowboy" |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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My 375 H&H has a ONE INCH TUBE fixed 6x Leupold VX3 on it, One of the 300 WM has a 3-9x42 FFP Super Sniper on it the other 300WM has a Leu Mk4 3.5-10x40FFP and the 300 WSM has a 10x Super Sniper with side focus. The point being 300 win mag and heavier calibers need really tough scopes and fixed power scopes tend to do very well on them. I'll list some that I would consider with the idea in mind that you may want to upgrade when you are better off financially.
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REMF
Optics Apprentice Joined: June/04/2008 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 153 |
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I, too, have had a 1" optic on a 300WM but with a muzzle brake. I've just personally seen reticles snap in good quality 1" scopes on large bore rifles.
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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I have a 4x Pentax Gameseeker on my .458 WinMag, that I took from my .458 Lott... neither has a muzzle brake. No problems after hundreds of rounds...
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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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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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Burris FFII, Bushnell 4200 have both been proven for very reliable on 300 magnums.
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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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Holy mackeral!! I wuz just gonna ask about the Gameseeker......and now Kickboxer has just answered my question about their ability to stay in one piece!
(.....they got a Fat Eyepiece, though....)
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