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Help on selecting a scope

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jamesdredmon View Drop Down
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    Posted: March/04/2010 at 09:58
I am trying to pick a scope for a new rifle I picked up.  I got a Marlin bolt action 30-06 for Christmas and I am looking for a good scope in the 200 to 300 dollar price range.  The 2 scopes I am looking at right now are a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10X50 and a Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9X40.  Most of my shots will be 200 yards or less but I do hunt in some heavy woods so light is an issue at times.  Also are there any other scopes that I should really be looking at?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sandracer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 10:28
I would get the 4200 Elite. For hunting in heavy cover you need a lower power, quick handling rig. The 3-9x40 will be bright enough on lower power settings in low light as long as you don't hunt after dark. I have several of these as well as many other scopes and recommend the 4200!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 11:16
Lighter and more compact is better in heavy cover...less to snag and drag. Also, as Sandracer mentioned, you'll tend to want to go to a lower power anyway which erases the need for a larger objective. In my experience, any scope with an objective over 28 mm will be fine when set at 4X or below. And it sucks to miss a shot because you couldn't get a sight picture fast enough. I leave my scopes on their lowest setting by default (2.5 and 3X).

Not everybody is comfortable doing this, but if your eyes and shooting ability allow it, a fixed 4X (e.g. Leupold, IOR or Zeiss Conquest) could be a nice fit. I hunted with one for a long time before wanting to take longer shots that called for a variable.
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JerseySlayer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 12:12
Nikon Team Primos.. 3-9x40...
Best bang for the buck 199 with a free jacket from SWFA!!!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 12:24
Team Primos, or the 4200 you mentioned.. Both are excellent for the money invested.
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Alan Robertson View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan Robertson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 12:57
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 13:31
200-300 dollar price range
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Tip69 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 14:31
not sure the BDC reticle would be great in "Heavy Woods"!
take em!
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jamesdredmon View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jamesdredmon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 14:35

Most of the hunting here is from a stand or blind so I am not worried about snagging with the larger scope.  I will keep my scope power set between 4 and 6 most of the time.  So I guess the question is whether the larger Monarch scope is worth 100 dollars over the Team Primos and the Bushnell is worth 40 bucks more than the team Primos.  I will get a free jacket with either the Bushnell or the Team Primos.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JerseySlayer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 14:39
-I have 2 of the Primos'. Eye relief is better than the Bushnell.. And the Primos is virtually the same as the "new"monarch
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 16:08
vortex viper 3x9 may be worth a look as well. i have  a primos a 4200 and a viper they are all excellent scopes.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 16:11

The firefly reticle on the bushnell may be good for the heavy cover and low light you mentioned.  Plus the rainguard feature.  That alone makes the elite a top pick in my book

"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote medic52 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 19:09
Go with the ELITE they are great....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 06:29

+1 on the 4200 .. have Nikon and 4200 .. 4200 is the way to go by a nose ( Rainguard)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 07:46
Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope Multi-X Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope
Stock # - 423944M
  • Matte
  • Multi-X
  • 1"
  • Rainguard
  • Free Fleece Pullover (Mail-In Coupon)
$254.95  Thunbs Up
Add Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope to Cart
Best guess is that 4200 will go back up to $299 where it stays most of the time in only a couple of days so act swiftly if you want one at that price I missed the boat last time they went on sale.

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