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Best sub $400 3/4-12/14x? |
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luckystrike
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/03/2009 Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Posted: November/03/2009 at 22:32 |
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Looking for something in the (3 or 4)-(12 to 14)x (heck even up to 16x if there's a good one) to put on my new .30-06 (still trying to decide on which to get...leaning towards a Tikka Hunter) that will serve as mostly a range rifle but get a used one week a year elk hunting.
Trying to keep it sub $400 but if there's something that's a big jump in quality for another $50 then I might be able to stretch it to $450 Any and all suggestions are much appreciated, thanks |
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Randall45
Optics Apprentice Joined: June/25/2009 Status: Offline Points: 284 |
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Check out the Sightron S2 Big Sky line.They even offer a $50.00 rebate.I would also take a look at the Bushnell Elite 4200 line.Both scopes are very good performers in foul hunting weather.
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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+1, both of those lines would make a great optic for you. |
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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." |
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luckystrike
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/03/2009 Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Thanks...after doing a bit more research I've got a short list that includes the SII BS, 4200 and the Nikon Monarch.
Now i just need to head to a store to look through them and see which I like best. |
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luckystrike
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/03/2009 Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Looking at the difference in price between the ones i'm looking at and their 3-9x counterparts is pretty depressing......makes me wonder if 9x would be enough but I've got a Mueller APV 4-14x on my .22lr and am just kinda used to magnification in that range
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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I have never hunting anything with more than a 3-9x. I have killed animals at 400 yards and done just fine. 3-9s are a bargan
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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." |
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luckystrike
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/03/2009 Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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If it was just for hunting i probably would get a 3-9x....however i only elk hunt one week a year....the other weeks it'll be used for target practice where i think i'll want that extra power
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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well then get a little more.
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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." |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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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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danjojoUSMC
Optics Journeyman Joined: August/20/2009 Location: NE Ohio Status: Offline Points: 329 |
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If you stay with the original price range you can do a Weaver Grand Slam or Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14...should be the best scopes at that magnification range for around $260-340.
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"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be"
"Every part of life comes into focus just as you are about to pull the trigger." |
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Alan Robertson
Optics Master Joined: October/31/2009 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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The Vortex Viper scopes are highly regarded around here.
Great optics, eye relief, adjustability and ergonomics. Right now all models are selling with a $50 rebate. This 4-12x40 model is parallax adjustable with a BDC reticle and quick focus eyepiece. http://swfa.com/Vortex-4-12x40-Viper-Rifle-Scope-P11230.aspx |
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"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
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luckystrike
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/03/2009 Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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I hesitantly upped my price limit to sub $500 and had the Monarch, Big Sky and 4200 on my short list but now I'm looking into these Vortex scopes.
Before looking at Vortex I'd been leaning towards the Monarchs because they're cheaper then the Big Sky and 4200 but have heard some negative things about their customer service. I'm thinking of cutting my shortlist down to just the Monarch or Viper. I have heard that Vortex has great customer service so if the Viper can match the Nikon quality wise then I may lean that way. One bad thing is that for the same price as a 4-12x viper, Nikon has a 4-16x. If they're equal in other aspects it may come down to deciding whether I want higher magnification or better customer service. |
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RONK
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: April/05/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3199 |
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I think you're making a mistake a lot of elk hunters make; not being able to decide whether you are an elk hunter or a target shooter.
You can certainly do both, but it would be far the best to have appropriate setups for each discipline. A good target rifle does not make a good rough-country big-game rifle. And the converse is just as true. Sorry if that disrupts your plans, but I believe it to be in your best interests to take this advice into serious consideration...
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luckystrike
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/03/2009 Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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I'm well aware that it'd be far better to have two dedicated setups (on a rifle forum i'm getting the same type of advice as I waver between lighter rifles and more target oriented ones) but I only have the money to put towards one bolt action gun as my "Guns/gun stuff to buy list" is not lacking in length (next on the list is a .44mag revolver).
I'd say if I would weight the importance to me it'd be 80% focus on target shooting/20% on hunting. I base this on the fact that I'm only elk hunting (that's the only hunting I do) one week a year...the other 51 weeks the rifle will be used for target shooting. So I'm willing to sacrifice more the "things you want on a hunting rifle" side of things....mainly humping a pound or two heavier rig up and down hills. Definitely not a perfect situation but it's the one that I'm in and yeah it seems to be a common dilemma |
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RONK
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: April/05/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3199 |
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I understand where you are coming from, but since it usually costs a great deal of money to go on an elk hunt, licences travel, guide/trespass fees, meat processing, etc. I think you might want to weigh those into the equation as well, in addition to the 1 week/51 weeks balance.
I guess rather than compromise both; I'd suggest building a near- ideal hunting rifle, and accepting any handicap that it places on your target scores. You probably won't be competitive score-wise against the guys with dedicated target guns anyway, so just try to shoot decent and ever-improving scores against yourself with your hunting rig, for your own satisfaction only...
I like hunting even more than target shooting, though, so I'm biased in that direction. You may be inclined the other way.
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luckystrike
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/03/2009 Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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I'm in oregon and hunt on public land with a bunch of guys who've been doing it a long time (which means they have all the equipment like wall tents/stoves, cots, etc) so it costs me relatively very little to elk hunt. My most expensive cost is the gas to drive 6 hours from the valley to the east side.
Definitely one of those dilemmas where people would fall on one side of the issue or the other depending on their personal situation
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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Any others you know with your interests? What are they using?
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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1911man
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/17/2009 Location: NW AR Status: Offline Points: 165 |
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I just mounted and zeroed a Bushnell 3200 Elite 4-12x40 DOA for a friend and was very impressed with it
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Bill Wilson
www.wilsoncombat.com |
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