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Low power scopes... which one!?
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527varmint View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Posts: 33 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 527varmint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Low power scopes... which one!?
    Posted: March/20/2010 at 01:50

The rifle is a tikka t-3 lite .243

Purpose for this rifle is coyote calling in western oregon in heavy timber, places you might use a shotgun. This gun will have to do some double duty in the wide open desert of eastern oregon and in mountain meadows.  Second use is walk around jack rabbit gun. I have other guns and other scopes I can use for targets, varmints, load development etc.
 
I have it narrowed down to 3 scopes. i see a few pros and cons with each.
 
sightron big sky 1.25-5x20.
I like my 3-12 big sky on my other rifle, I like the huge FOV, has a little more high end then the leupy 1.5-5.  Cons are its so small it may limit mounting options, , most folks say the duplex is too thin for heavy cover, not many reviews on it, some reviews say eye relief is very critical and the relief is a bit shorter then the leupy however the eye relief is consistent across the magnification.
 
Leupold vx 3 1.5-5x20
 
lots of reviews, known to be good scope, available with heavy duplex for thick brush(not positive I need this worried it could cover up the dog on long shots), said to have forgiving eye relief in regards to eye placment. cons are its only 4.5x and less fov, the eye relief changes alot with magnification, it costs more then the sightron, worried its so small could cause mounting issues.
 
leupold vx3 1.75-6x33
basicaly same as above but a bit more power could be nice but much smaller FOV then the other scopes. It weighs the most  and is the most bulky. could gather more light?
 
TOOOOOO MANY SCOPE CHOICES!
 
Now I know most folks will just shoot down the sightron and go leupy because that is what they have and use. I'd like to hear from some sightron guys too!
 
leupold 1.75-5
 
The only good coyote is a dead one.
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527varmint View Drop Down
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Posts: 33 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 527varmint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 02:33
I should mention its bound to see some bad weather living in oregon.  If I know its raining I try to carry a shotgun so no optics to fog up but never know when it might start raining when out calling and also never know when it could be raining but I find myself in some wide open country and need the rifle. maybe the rain coating on the sightron could help. However on my big sky I have breathed on it in the cold and it fogs right up. I was sort of expecting it not to fog at all. I have to compare it with my other non coated scopes. I live in los angeles now so my gun hasn't seen any rain. I' m moving to oregon soon.
The only good coyote is a dead one.
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billyburl2 View Drop Down
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Posts: 910 		Post Options Post Options   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 06:24
In the rain, the Bushnell 4200 seems to be the perfect choice. It has Rainguard,which seems to get very good reviews(I don't have one). Not quite as much magnification as your choices, but with an illuminated 4a reticle it should be very easy to pick up in low light situations.

Bushnell 1.25-4x24 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope4A w/ Illuminated DotBushnell 1.25-4x24 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope
Stock # - 421424M
  • Matte
  • 4A w/ Illuminated Dot
  • 30mm
  • Rainguard
  • Free Fleece Pullover (Mail-In Coupon)
$419.95
Yes I am a retard,but at least I don't have work hard at it!
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DAVE44 View Drop Down
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Posts: 461 		Post Options Post Options   Quote DAVE44 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 06:30
Well, I know Bushnells Raingaurd doesnt prevent a lens from fogging either. Raingaurd coating makes the condensations water beads much smaller which allows you to still see through the fogged lens well enough to make a shot. Did you try looking through the Sightron lens once it was fogged and compare it to another scope without the hydrophobic coating?
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lucytuma View Drop Down
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Posts: 3571 		Post Options Post Options   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 07:47
I am familiar with the low powered leo's and I do like them.  They have decent glass, nice eye relief and are reliable.  That being said, I wouldn't have a problem with the Sightron scope in question.  Actually the sightron might have better glass and they have a decent warranty.  The Bushnell listed above might also be a great alternative?
Yes Dear!
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Ed Connelly View Drop Down
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Posts: 18138 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 10:11
Just get a 4X scope and don't breathe on it.........Bucky
 
 
 
an IOR 4X................Bucky


Edited by Ed Connelly - March/20/2010 at 10:11
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shankapotamus View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		Post Options Post Options   Quote shankapotamus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 16:52
I know you narrowed it down to 3 but it wouldn't be any fun if I didn't add another one! Just yesterday I received from SWFA a Weaver Superslam 1.5-5x24 30mm scope. It has the german #4 illuminated reticle and I couldn't be happier. Appears to be very ruggedly built. Never owned a weaver before but a cousin swears by his so I took a chance. Was pleasantly surprised to see that the illumination of the dot can be either red or green. Very fine dot also so precision target shooting would be no problem. First focal plane reticle too I might add. Unfortunately, I couldn't mount it because I got the wrong height rings. Hopefully next week, and I'll let you know how I like it. Oh yeah, it is a heavy scope, but that doesn't bother me. Others it might be a factor for. 

I also have the leupold 1.75-6x33 that you mention. Mine is heavy duplex. Excellent for woods hunting. Used it for many years for whitetails and moose on a 358 bolt gun. Definitely harder for precise aiming at long distance. I did shoot a bedded buck in the neck at a ranged 176 yards once so it can be done. 

I also have the VX-ll 1-4x20 on my daughters rifle. I've shot it a little and like it well enough. Fits her just right on a 35 remington pump.

Lastly, I have a Trijicon 1.25-4x24 on my 30-06 pump carbine. Had it two years and LOVE it. Can shoot precise with the tip of the triangle and for up close work, just put the the whole triangle on the shoulder and you're good to go. Almost too natural for me if that makes sense. 

As you can see, I love my low power scopes. The weaver is going on my AR-15 for coyotes. The Trijicon Accupoint is on my current deer gun. The leupold heavy duplex is retired on that rifle. Would have put it on my pump but I always have to try something new. It's a sickness.  Anyway, hope this helps. I did consider the bushnell that the previous poster recommended but ultimately went with the weaver. I have no experience with Sightron. Good luck
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527varmint View Drop Down
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Posts: 33 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 527varmint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 20:03
The super slam does look pretty good! However it doesn't list the specs for that particular scope on the weaver sight that I can find.
The only good coyote is a dead one.
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Posts: 6578 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 20:15
  here you go:
 
 
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527varmint View Drop Down
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Posts: 33 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 527varmint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 20:26

I like the bottom one it seems to have all the features I want. Heavy duplex, HUGE FOV could try this two eyes open with that one for sure. I think its slightly longer might help mounting adjustment.

I see just 3 problems with it.
Its over my budget of 400.
It is VERY heavy for its size.
No reviews or history of good performance and durability
 
One of you optic guru's shoudl go buy it and give us a review then pound it to death on a big bore rifle.
 
 
 
I have a weaver rv7 rimfire that I LOVE for the price. I have used the v-16 and I also LOVE that scope for the price.
 
 
The only good coyote is a dead one.
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527varmint View Drop Down
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Posts: 33 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 527varmint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 20:30

Wow I looked up the specs on my other scope.

The big sky 3-12x42 weighs 13.8 ounces
 
The tiny little weaver is an ounce more! I think it might make my rifle tip over lol. I wonder it that is a typo or something.
The only good coyote is a dead one.
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shankapotamus View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		Post Options Post Options   Quote shankapotamus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 20:55
You could give weaver customer service a call. They should be able to answer your technical questions. Gentleman I spoke with was very helpful to me.  1-800-635-7656. 

If you are dead set on heavy duplex, then the superslam that I got probably wouldn't be up your alley. The crosshairs are pretty fine but do increase in size as you go to higher power. Sorry, I didn't see your budget when I mentioned this one. 
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