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scope for a 7-08 hunting rifle

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seattlesetters View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seattlesetters Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: scope for a 7-08 hunting rifle
    Posted: December/06/2006 at 12:21
OK. I'm struggling with a decision for a scope that will go on a new Tikka T3 Lite Stainless rifle in 7mm-08. This is going to be a rig that I'll use for deer end pronghorn in open country and the occasional cow elk. It will go with me everywhere, and will spend a lot of time bouncing around in the back of the SUV (you never know when a coyote might present itself!).

After some trigger time, I'm usually pretty comfortable shooting to 350 yards or so, and I might even take a good shot on an antelope at 400 yards if it were a nice set-up and getting closer wasn't an option.

My absolute maximum budget is $450, and less would be better. For personal reasons I won't buy Leupold. I also am not interested in Elites.

What scope would you buy? What magnification range? What reticle?

I've been looking at Burris, Mueller, Nikon, Pentax, Sightron and Weaver so far, and I have a few favorites. But I'd really like to know what people with more experience and knowledge than I would do. Thanks.
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jonbravado View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonbravado Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 12:34

GREAT caliber -

 

i would go 12 power for a max - and would entertain the idea of a ballistic plex reticle or regular plex.

 

the 'holdover' for that caliber shouldn't be too extreme - it is relatively flat around 200 after sighting it in an inch and a half or so high at 100.

 

as for make, model - i would look at bushnell elite 4200's - great glass or nikon, or burris.

 

is lowlight an issue?

AMMUNITION BALLISTICS FOR: 7mm/08 Remington

 
 
      VELOCITY ENERGY TRAJECTORY
CARTRIDGE BULLET MFG. WT. TYPE MUZZ. 100 YDS. 200 YDS. 300 YDS. 400 YDS. 500 YDS. MUZZ. 100 YDS. 200 YDS. 300 YDS. 400 YDS. 500 YDS. 100 YDS. 300 YDS. 400 YDS. 500 YDS.
7mm/08 Remington (R) 120 HP 3000 2725 2467 2223 1992 1778 2398 1979 1621 1316 1058 842 +1.9 -7.7 -21.7 -44.9
(H) 139 BTSP-LM 3000 2756 2524 2304 2096 1898 2777 2343 1966 1639 1355 1112 +1.5 -7.0 -20.6 -42.1
(H) 139 SST-LM 3000 2802 2612 2430 2225 2087 2777 2422 2105 1822 1569 1344 +1.3 -6.5 -19.0 -38.4
(P) 139 SP 2850 2610 2384 2170 1969 1780 2507 2103 1754 1454 1197 978 +1.8 -7.9 -23.3 -47.6
(W) 140 SP 2875 2597 2336 2090 1859 1647 2570 2097 1697 1358 1075 843 +2.6 -9.0 -26.0 -53.1
(S) 140 SP 2860 2625 2402 2189 1988 1798 2452 2142 1793 1490 1228 1005 +1.8 -9.2 -22.9 -46.8
(R) 140 HP 2860 2670 2488 2318 2145 1984 2543 2217 1925 1663 1431 1224 +1.7 -7.3 -21.2 -42.6
(F) 140 HP 2800 2610 2430 2260 2100 1940 2440 2135 1840 1590 1360 1165 +1.6 -8.4 -25.4 -44.5
(W) 140 PP 2800 2523 2268 2027 1802 1596 2429 1980 1599 1277 1010 792 +2.0 -8.8 -26.0 -54.0
(W) 140 HP 2770 2572 2382 2200 2026 1860 2386 2056 1764 1504 1276 1076 +1.9 -8.0 -23.2 -46.9
(W) 140 FS 2760 2506 2271 2048 1839 1645 2360 1953 1603 1304 1051 841 +2.0 -8.8 -25.9 -53.2
(F) 150 SP 2650 2440 2230 2040 1860 1690 2340 1980 1660 1390 1150 950 +2.2 -9.2 -26.7 -54.3

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seattlesetters View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seattlesetters Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 12:42
Low light will rarely be an issue. Most of the hunting will be done in arid, high-desert conditions with plenty of sunshine.

Also, I forgot to mention that I will be using a rangefinder.

Since I won't buy Bushnell, could you elaborate on the actual models you'd recommend from other manufacturers? Thanks!
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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 12:50

http://www.samplelist.com/

 

Have you looked here?

If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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seattlesetters View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seattlesetters Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 14:01
One other thing: As you may have surmised from my user name, I'm an avid shotgunner, so I have a tendency to mount my head fairly low.

What size objective should I be considering?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonbravado Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 14:45

i would say 40mm tops. 

 

i can understand why on the loopys, but why NO on the elites?

 

this one would be an excellent choice:

 

http://www.swfa.com/pc-6850-218-nikon-4-12x40-monarch-ucc-ri flescope.aspx

 

and if you didn't want adjustable objective (which i am not a huge fan of) you could do this one:

 

http://www.swfa.com/pc-6840-220-nikon-45-14x40-buckmaster-ri flescope.aspx

 

i like the BDC reticle too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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seattlesetters View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seattlesetters Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 15:08
Originally posted by jonbravado jonbravado wrote:

i would say 40mm tops. 


 


i can understand why on the loopys, but why NO on the elites?


 


this one would be an excellent choice:


 


http://www.swfa.com/pc-6850-218-nikon-4-12x40-monarch-ucc-ri flescope.aspx


 


and if you didn't want adjustable objective (which i am not a huge fan of) you could do this one:


 


http://www.swfa.com/pc-6840-220-nikon-45-14x40-buckmaster-ri flescope.aspx


 


i like the BDC reticle too.


 


 



 


 


 


 


 



I've been to half a dozen well-respected shops in the area checking out rifles & scopes over the last few weeks and every single one of them said they've had complaints from hunters who were out hunting for a few days during our rainy November about moisture problems with their Elites.

Now, I don't know if this is just rumor gone wild or not, but since I live in that rainy climate, I'd prefer not to take any chances.

I refuse to buy Leupold until their prices match their product.

Is an AO that much of a pain in the butt? I tend to prefer simple...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonbravado Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 15:13

the side focus is nice, and helps w/ parrallax out at long ranges, so that may be a great choice - nikon makes nice scopes.

and since lowlight isn't an issue, it will perform well.

 

what do you think about that reticle? it's pretty sharp and should be close enough for the 7mm08.

 

Let us know what you decide.

 

J

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 15:14
Those "well respected shops" are sometimes know as "non-Elite-stocking dealers". If there were any truth to that it would be very easy to find such rumors all over INTERNET forums, especially from folks that favor competing scopes. I know the first place I could find that type of rumor, and frankly I haven't.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trinidad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 15:19

I am yet to find a "well respected shop", all have been bias in some way or another towards thier

"stocked" products as Roy has mentioned.

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seattlesetters View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seattlesetters Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 15:20
Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:

Those "well respected shops" are sometimes know as "non-Elite-stocking dealers".


Look, I don't know what the deal is...I'm just playing it safe.

But all the shops are Bushnell dealers...that's why they were hearing the complaints from their customers.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trinidad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 15:25

Originally posted by seattlesetters seattlesetters wrote:

Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:

Those "well respected shops" are sometimes know as "non-Elite-stocking dealers".


Look, I don't know what the deal is...I'm just playing it safe.

But all the shops are Bushnell dealers...that's why they were hearing the complaints from their customers.

 

Where these the same shop/customers that said the Gameseeker was made by Burris?

 

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5080&PN=1& amp;TPN=2

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seattlesetters Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 15:32
Originally posted by SVD666 SVD666 wrote:

Originally posted by seattlesetters seattlesetters wrote:

Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:

Those "well respected shops" are sometimes know as "non-Elite-stocking dealers".
Look, I don't know what the deal is...I'm just playing it safe. But all the shops are Bushnell dealers...that's why they were hearing the complaints from their customers.


 


Where these the same shop/customers that said the Gameseeker was made by Burris?


 


http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5080&PN=1& amp;TPN=2



Yep. One of them was.

That shop was summarily scratched from the list. ;-)

And, unless I go with Sightron, I will be buying from SWFA. It's a great, useful forum they have here and I'm more than happy to grant them my business for being able to use it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trinidad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 15:35
SWFA is very good choice as a place to shop for alot of products.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ceylonc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 15:37
Originally posted by jonbravado jonbravado wrote:

the side focus is nice, and helps w/ parrallax out at long ranges, so that may be a great choice - nikon makes nice scopes.

and since lowlight isn't an issue, it will perform well.

 

what do you think about that reticle? it's pretty sharp and should be close enough for the 7mm08.

 

Let us know what you decide.

 

J

 

I like this advice.  The Monarch is a very nice scope that should do well for your applications.

I hate to see that you've eliminated the Elite 4200 series.  Here in the southeastern US I have never heard the problems you have described.  I don't want to say that your local store is biased but their opinions don't seem to be consistant with that of most worldwide forums and chat room that discuss these "issues."

Good luck to you.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 15:37

Have you checked the Sample list yet?

There are some good deals on there that may strike your fancy.

 

I asked this earlier in this thread, but you blew me off.

If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seattlesetters Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2006 at 16:16
Originally posted by cheaptrick cheaptrick wrote:

Have you checked the Sample list yet?


There are some good deals on there that may strike your fancy.


 


I asked this earlier in this thread, but you blew me off.



Not blowing you off at all. I appreciate all the help I can get.

I'm just holding out for a few more suggestions before I get down to shopping.

So, keep 'em comin'!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seattlesetters Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2006 at 00:14
I'm really liking these, along with a Sightron SII 3-12x42mm Mil-Dot.  Any thoughts?







200560 Burris 3-10x40 Signature Select Rifle Scope Burris 3-10x40 Signature Select Rifle Scope
  • Matte
  • Ballistic Plex
  • 1"
  • Hunter Knobs
SWFA: $383.95
More Info Buy Now



200616 Burris 3-12x44 Signature Select Rifle Scope Burris 3-12x44 Signature Select Rifle Scope
  • Matte
  • Ballistic Plex
  • 1"
  • Hunter Knobs
SWFA: $404.95
More Info Buy Now


6453 Nikon 44x40 Buckmaster Riflescope Nikon 4.5-14x40 Buckmaster Riflescope
  • Matte
  • BDC
  • 1"
  • Side Focus
  • Free SWFA Lens Pen w/ Purchase
SWFA: $299.95
More Info Buy Now


6546 Nikon 4-12x40 Monarch UCC Riflescope Nikon 4-12x40 Monarch UCC Riflescope
  • Matte
  • BDC
  • 1"
  • Adjustable Objective
SWFA: $354.95
More Info Buy Now


<
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonbravado Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2006 at 07:31

i would say out of the above.......the buckmaster w/ BDC reticle / the monarch UCC (if you don't mind adjustable Obj) / or the burris signiture select.

 

i would lean towards the buckmaster because of the side focus - and you are primarily hunting in daylight - so optics will be better more than adequate.

 

J

 

if not those, try an elite 4200  - i am telling you, they are rock solid !!!!! ok, i am done ranting - go w/ the buckmaster.

 

J

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seattlesetters Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2006 at 09:45
Can anyone tell me what the difference (other than price) between a Pentax Pioneer and a Pentax WTU?  The specs on the two scopes pictured above are identical...what about the glass?

Also, would I hate a 44mm objective?
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