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Need advice on a lower power Variable for Ruger Co

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    Posted: October/29/2014 at 13:17

I own a Ruger Compact in .260 Remington that I use as a “Utility Rifle” and carry in my vehicle that’s purposed is self-defense to the odd Hog, or Coyote that presents itself within 300 yards.

 

Currently I have a Leupold 2  ½ Fixed power compact scope on, but I find the magnification lacking for some shots over 120-175 yards, and something closer to 1x might be better for very close range.

 

I am considering the following Scopes, leaning towards the 1.5x20 Leupold slightly because of my past experiences with them and I don’t think I need anything over 4 or 5 X; but I know there are other good and possibly better scopes in the general price range. I do read good things about the Weaver,.

 

I want a compact light durable Scope with good optics,  am I overlooking any other optics in this general price range ?

 

I wish I could do a side by side comparison with these, but I haven’t found them all in one place.

 

  

   

 

 

http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-5x20-VX-3-Riflescope-P12633.aspx

 

http://swfa.com/Leupold-175-6x32-VX-3-Riflescope-P12639.aspx

 

http://swfa.com/Nikon-1-4x20-Monarch-3-Riflescope-P61591.aspx

 

http://swfa.com/Weaver-1-5x24-Super-Slam-Dangerous-Game-30mm-Scope-P46109.aspx

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/29/2014 at 13:29
Welcome to The OT. 

I really like your low powered variable idea on that rifle. I might include a Leupold VX-R to that list as well. 
(I have a 3-9x on my "truck gun".) Maybe a 2-7x with a Firedot? 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bulletslap Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/29/2014 at 13:30
I forgot one thing - are these scopes similar enough that I could go with any of them and be happy? 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/29/2014 at 15:00
I have a Leupy VX-R 2-7 X 33 with the firedot 4 reticle that would work. I'm thinking of selling mine as the gun it sat on has been sold also (thinning out the herd so-to-speak).
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JLud Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/29/2014 at 21:17
I have a minox za5 1.5-8 that fits the bill. Nice scope and versatile, not sure how easy to find but got mine off the sample list a while ago. My last two scopes I bought were a vx3 2-8x32 and weaver super slam euro 3-9x56....one very small and compact, however super slam glass pretty equal in my eyes but a lot heavier. All 3 pretty similar in terms of glass quality in my opinion.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/30/2014 at 19:04
My suggestion will be more expensive but more satisfactory.
Trijicon  Accupoint 1-4 with red post.  These are both fiber optic and tritium illuminated so they are always on and are exceptionally fast to get onto target.  I have one of these on one of my rifles and am very satisfied with it. The down side is the cost but sometimes you can find a used one on samplelist.  Other than that my suggestion would be a LeupoldFX3  fixed 6x42 with long range duplex.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DCAMM94 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/31/2014 at 09:28
I have the Leupy 1.75-6x32 VX3 on my 9.3x62 CZ550.  It has Leupold's "post and duplex" reticle (it's like a German #4, but with thicker posts and they extend closer to the crosshairs than the #4, which would be great for your stated needs, especially if you're trying to put it on a hog or a 'yote in the headlights.  It holds zero extremely well, and that rifle packs a punch with those heavy pills.  It would be a good option for a truck gun that might get banged around some.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SixCats! Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/02/2014 at 10:23

Hi OP,

    I'm following your thread with great interest as I too am trying to set up a compact .308 Bolt Action Rifle.  I have a NIB (no longer made) VORTEX 2-7 X 32 I purchased over a year ago that is suppose to be a very good Scope for the money.  The last pricing on these Scope were in the three hundred dollar (more or less) price range.  I have/might use this VORTEX on a (circa mid 1990's) Remington 700 ADL Youth .308 with a 20" barrel.  That being said.....I MAY acquire a new SAVAGE .308 Lightweight Hunter (5.5 lbs.) and I'm torn between a fixed 4X or a low power variable (2-7) or like.  The thing is, I don't want/have a lot of money for scope purchase.  I've been looking/reading reviews mostly on the following : Leupold, Redfield, Burris, Nikon, Weaver, Vortex, Sightron.  Like you, I want to keep this rifle "HANDY" and lightweight as I'm not getting any younger.  I truly don't think I'll ever need anything more than a 2-7 and I suspect that even a 2-7 may be more Scope than I'll ever need here in Maine.  That being said, I think having a variable that goes to "7" could/might come in handy at some point.  So, the hunt is on for the "best bang for the buck" LIGHTWEIGHT quality Scope.  No doubt a tough choice as every one of the brands I've listed above have good reviews/fans.  If memory serves, I believe I paid about two hundred dollars for the Vortex which I think is a pretty darn good price.  Please keep us posted on what you decide.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bulletslap Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2014 at 10:29

Thank you for all the advice.

 

A friend of mine has a Trijicon Accupoint 1x4 on an AR, and it is a great Scope, just outside of my price range.

 

I own a  LeupoldFX3  fixed 6x42, and have mounted it before on the .260 Ruger Compact; it is great for 100 yards plus, but it was slow for me to pick up the crosshairs at close range; that is why I want something close to 1x at the lower end.

 

I was able to examine the Nikon, and it wasn’t a bad scope; but so far I have not be able to look at a Weaver Super Slam.

 

An illuminated reticle would be nice to have in low light; but with it comes cost, weight, and some complexity. Right ?  

 

I am not too far from SWFA, if I came by the show room are there samples I can take a look at ?

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2014 at 10:33
Lots and lots!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2014 at 10:33
Originally posted by bulletslap bulletslap wrote:


I am not too far from SWFA, if I came by the show room are there samples I can take a look at ?

 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote saltydog235 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2014 at 15:20
Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

My suggestion will be more expensive but more satisfactory.
Trijicon  Accupoint 1-4 with red post.  These are both fiber optic and tritium illuminated so they are always on and are exceptionally fast to get onto target.  I have one of these on one of my rifles and am very satisfied with it. The down side is the cost but sometimes you can find a used one on samplelist.  Other than that my suggestion would be a LeupoldFX3  fixed 6x42 with long range duplex.

I'm considering that scope with the Amber post or the #4 with Amber since I shoot the same post in Amber on my 7mm08.  This one will be going on a CZ 550 International in 6.5 Swede.  I own a lot of rifles but that one is one of the best, most natural pointing rifles that I own.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2014 at 16:20
Try green it is the best color IMO.  I have tried them all and like it much better. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bulletslap Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/26/2014 at 14:09
I am going against my initial choices and I am going to pull the trigger on the new SS 1-4x24 sight unseen. If I decide it doesn't meet my requirements I can always repurposed it on my FAL. Big Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan Robertson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/08/2014 at 09:49
Originally posted by cheaptrick cheaptrick wrote:

Originally posted by bulletslap bulletslap wrote:


I am not too far from SWFA, if I came by the show room are there samples I can take a look at ?

 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/08/2014 at 10:37
Originally posted by bulletslap bulletslap wrote:

I am going against my initial choices and I am going to pull the trigger on the new SS 1-4x24 sight unseen. If I decide it doesn't meet my requirements I can always repurposed it on my FAL. Big Smile

Get the cat tail, it makes changes in power much faster and easier.

Also, the scope does tend the drain the battery even when illumination is off.  Keep an extra in the spare battery compartment.

I have a 1-4 SS and really like it, the perfect choice for a mid-range gun.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/08/2014 at 10:56
Sorry, my post requires a clarification: my comments were pertaining to the older, HD version of the 1-4.  I have not seen or played with the new 1-4.  I have no idea how they do with batteries, and they do include the cat tail (a nice addition.)

Let us know what you think of the scope.


Has anyone done a side-by-side of the old 1-4 with the new 1-4 SS?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bulletslap Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/15/2014 at 12:35

My observations so far on the new non-HD SS 1x4, reposted here for completeness.  

 

Koshkin was dead on about the highest reticle illumination setting not being quite bright enough for full sun, but in full sun I don’t need it.

 

The scope is bright and clear and I don’t notice any distortion, not being an Optical Expert that is about all I can add there from a layman’s view.

 

Even after careful Diopter adjustment I can’t really read the range numbers on the Ranging References, no big deal as I don’t intend to use this little rifle past 300 yards, I’ll just memorize   200,300,400,500,600,700, and 800.  I am curious if others can read the range numbers ? I do suffer from “Senior Eyesight”.

 

With the scope set on 1x it works great with both eyes open, very happy with this !

 

I installed this on a Ruger M77 Compact, using Leupold Medium Height 30MM rings, not the intended application for this scope obviously so take that into account.

 

For bolt clearance when set on 1x I had to use the shortest cattail, bolt clearance is minimal with the eyepiece of the scope, but usable. The magazine access is minimal also, but works.

 

I am not going to post targets or give group numbers, because this little Ruger is not easy to shoot tight groups with, that is not it’s purpose, and I don’t want the groups to reflect back onto the scope. However I can shoot better groups with the scope than with the 2 ½  Leupold Compact Scope it replaced.

 

 

All said, I’ll probably move this scope to my FAL eventually.

 

For 300 bucks I think I got my money’s worth plus.  Smile

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