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BRH
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/21/2011 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Posted: December/21/2011 at 21:15 |
Hello Shooters; I'm new to the forum and need some help. I've been shooting for years and read this forum but have not added my 2 cents worth in. I have not purchased a scope in about 5 years and was shocked at the new prices, on to my story. I was on a hunt this week on a trophy lease with a friend. He missed the shot at the deer of a lifetime twice. We carried his gun to the range only to find out his scope went south. The scope was a 6-24, I won't say the manufacturer, but when I called, they said they operated out of a warehouse and wouldn't tell me where. I think his 300 wby. shook the internals loose in the scope. I'm looking for at least a 16 power magnification and preferably 20-24 on the high end for the extreme distances on this club. All info and input will be appreciated. thanks.
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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Welcome to the OT!
What is the budget? What are "extreme distances" in your case?
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-Matt
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BRH
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/21/2011 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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I looked at several bucks from 275 to 600 yards. The powerline poles are 180 yds apart and I could see 6 poles down with my binoculars. Most of my shots in east texas are under 200 but I have a 300 yd. range in my field. Another reason for the high magnification is to judge the deer before firing. I also forgot to mention he's looking to spend $500.00. Deer are regularly shot at 400 yards over there and most of the guys shoot something in the 300 class. I felt my little 7-08 needed training wheels.
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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Well, my first suggestion is to take some pride in your 7-08. That is one of my favorite rounds.Second, I would recommend you lower the max magnification substantially.
I regularly shoot to 600 yards and beyond, and 10x-12x is more than enough for me. In fact, my 7-08 wears a 2-7X32, and I find it has plenty of magnification ringing steel at 500 yards. I also killed my buck this year at 335 yards with that little 7x scope, and had a pretty good view of the target. I find a spotter much more usefull for trophy evaluation myself, but if glassing with a riflescope is a must, 10x should give a pretty good look at antlers, even at 600 yards. It would be like looking at a buck at 60 yards with the naked eye. With a budget around $500, most scopes above 14x are going to have some pretty poor optical performance. This would be a great match, IMO: |
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-Matt
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biggreen747
Optics Journeyman Joined: October/16/2009 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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This would probably be the best option for around $500.00
http://swfa.com/Minox-3-15x42-ZA5-Riflescope-P46138.aspx This would be my second choice http://swfa.com/Nikon-4-16x42-Monarch-Riflescope-P42332.aspx And if you really feel you need more mag. http://swfa.com/Vortex-65-20x50-Viper-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P10822.aspx The Viper is a good scope but for deer I just can't see 20X. 15-16 at the most even out to 600 yds. I've shot plenty of Antelope (Including small yearlings) at well over 300yds with just a 3-9 scope. Or in lieu of judging deer with your rifle this combo would serve you well. The spotting scope, while not Swaro quality is not bad and the 4.5-14 FFII is considered by many to be the best of the FFII scopes. I am assuming that since it is a lease/club you are primarily hunting out of stands. If that is the case this would be a great option. http://swfa.com/Burris-45-14x42-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P196.aspx In any case any of these would be a big step up from something that came from an unknown "warehouse". My bet is you shoot better groups with your 7-08 than any of the guys with the bigger guns. Edited by biggreen747 - December/22/2011 at 08:21 |
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We measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, and cut it with a chainsaw.
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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Well said/done Bitterroot. I couldn't agree more. I'm always amazed at the mindset of the hunter who "needs" these 20-30x "deer hunting" scopes. |
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Cooper25
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/01/2010 Location: MN Status: Offline Points: 50 |
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I have 30X on the top end but in the rare times I take it hunting it is usually set at 10.
Hell when I shoot targets at 30 I see my heart beat in scope movement.
All my other scopes are a top end of ten and they are all more than adequate for hunting.
That said, if you feel like you want higher, go for it. I would throw a bushnell elite in the mix with the others mentioned.
I would also say that 7m08 will get the job done. Without your shoulder taking a beating.
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Jeff
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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Blasphemer... where are the hoards of self-righteous proclaiming your evil????
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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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BRH
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/21/2011 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Thanks for the info. I have to agree with most of you, I can't see the reasoning for the higher power, but the scope is not for me. I just needed some feedback for my friend. My heart thumps in the lens of a 24 power scope while looking through it. Also for my 7-08, that's my backup gun. I shot my buck with a .243 with a 2.5-10- 4200 bushnell. In my friends defense, it is pretty hard to look at a marginal set of horns in low light on 10 power, hence a good set of binos, which I also own. I'm going to try to talk him into a 4-16 and see if that flies. thanks for the input. Has anyone bought a scope off the sample list? Just curious what the difference in an A and B demo and the shape of the scopes. I'm looking for a couple myself. |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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My feedback was for your friend. If he is dead set on high magnification, the Vortex Viper biggreen747 referenced above is a pretty nice scope.
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-Matt
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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