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Help me buy some Nice Glass!

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Mopar View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mopar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Help me buy some Nice Glass!
    Posted: December/02/2010 at 14:28
Hi All, I would greatly appreciate some advice on purchasing a good all around scope for my new rifle.
 
I just purchased a Weatherby Vanguard in .308  - I'm looking for a good "all around" scope for it as I imagine I'll do a little bit of everything with it -  i.e. target shoot out to as far as is practical as well as hunt deer, pigs, etc.
 
So far the scope that's caught my eye is the "Burris Six X 2x-12x-40mm with the Ballistic Plex E1 Reticle" for $769
 
 
I talked to a Burris rep and the reticle on this scope calibrates quite well with the .308 and the 150 grain Winchester Silvertip.  With a 100 yard Zero the first hash is 195 yards, 2nd is 304, 3rd is 403 and the 4th is 506 yards.
 
The Bushnell 2.5-16x42 Elite 6500 also caught my eye as well as the two below at lower price points and on sale:
 
Competitor links removed
 
Would I just be dissapointed with one of these scopes? 
 
I also need a new scope for my Mini-14 (the old 3x9 Simmons fogged up..) so would it be a horrible idea to try one of these on my new .308? 
Would "those in the know" chuckle softly to themselves if they saw me with one of these on my Weatherby in the field or at the range;) ?
 
I don't want to buy junk but those are attractive prices.. although I have read differing opinions on the quality of the Millett and BSA scopes...
 
So, that being said I now humbly bow my head and ask for suggestions, comments, observations on my scope selection! 
 
I've shot mainly pistols and .223 and .22 rifles with admittedly crappy glass on them so this is my first "real" and "nice" reach out and touch something rifle and I'd like to put something nice up top for under a grand.
 
Thanks in advance for your responses, I'm looking forward to reading your suggestions and comments.
 
Jon


Edited by tahqua - December/02/2010 at 17:23
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 14:42
Personally I would not get the BSA or Millett, they are not well known for durability. 

That Bushnell and Burris on the other hand are good scopes.  Buy the best glass you can afford, you will be glad you did. 

Give us a budget and a mag range you want and that will help.

If you are going to be shooting targets at longer distance you are really going to want one with tall resettable turrets. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cruft Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 15:13
get an illuninated scope whatever your choice.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 16:48
Originally posted by cruft cruft wrote:

get an illuninated scope whatever your choice.


Why?


If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 17:04
For pig hunting would be my guess
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 17:20
Mopar, welcome to the OT. You're wise to stick with a low magnification on the low end (2-3). If you want an all-around scope, think of something like the Super Sniper 3-9X42 or one of the many 2.5-10X scopes available. BDC reticles are alright, but only are spot-on with particular loads and atmospheric conditions. A more generic reticle, such as a mil-dot combined with info from a ballistics calculator, like the free JBM online, will allow you to use any load out as far as you can resolve the target. I feel quite comfortable using a 3-9 or 2.5-10 out to 600 yards with my .308s. Beyond that, you'll need to have a thorough understanding of ballistics and perhaps some equipment, such as a chronograph for muzzle velocity and a rangefinder.

BTW, please be careful in the future not to post links from competitor's websites. Good luck with your search for the right scopes.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Short Shot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 18:10
I just purchased a Wby Vanguard in .270. I went with the Redfield Revolution in size 3-9x50. Have yet to mount and shoot.....but I'm raring to go!    Wink
"Show me where the bullets go."
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mopar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 20:57
Hi all and thanks for the replies so far.  First of all, I'm not really dead set on any particular magnification range but was operating under the assumption that "More is always better". 
 
That being said I'd definitely like a low end in the 2x-3x range for close in shots (angry pigs;)without having to wave the rifle around to get on target.  I honestly don't think I'd be shooting at much more than paper at more than a couple hundred yards out so that would open up the possibility of something in the 2.5-10 range if the consensus is that 10X is enough magnification.
 
I'd be willing to spend up to $1000 on a really nice scope... but I'd like to spend less;)
 
Thanks,
Jon
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cruft Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 20:58
for pigs mostly as can be quite dim when they are out. and  fog.  if all you do is when the sun is fully up forget it.  if not an illuminated reticle is worth its' weight in gold.  cheap upgrade why not?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 21:09
Originally posted by Mopar Mopar wrote:

Hi all and thanks for the replies so far.  First of all, I'm not really dead set on any particular magnification range but was operating under the assumption that "More is always better". 
 
That being said I'd definitely like a low end in the 2x-3x range for close in shots (angry pigs;)without having to wave the rifle around to get on target.  I honestly don't think I'd be shooting at much more than paper at more than a couple hundred yards out so that would open up the possibility of something in the 2.5-10 range if the consensus is that 10X is enough magnification.
 
I'd be willing to spend up to $1000 on a really nice scope... but I'd like to spend less;)
 
Thanks,
Jon
 
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Jon,

I think 7x would be more than enough for 200-300 yards (and longer).
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WestOfPecos Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 21:13
Mopar- if you are hunting pigs at night, the illuminated reticle makes a huge difference. The best illuminated reticle for shorter range shots is the Trijicon (no batteries needed) - I like green best but most "traditionalists" like red.

However, Trijicons have a short adjustment range, so, if you are using the same scope for everything, it won't work well at long range, above, say 450-500 yards. If you don't do any long range you don't care, and the Trijicon will be perfect. If, on the other hand, you are intending to do some long range, then the Trijicon won't work well for you, and the SixX would do better.

If you are not hunting pigs at night, then illuminated reticle is not a big deal, and your choices are much wider.

Btw, there is a phenomenal illuminated scope, the Swarovski Z6, that does everything well - but it goes for over $2G. If this is in your budget, it will be better than the rest.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 21:15
Hunting pigs at close range in low light and long range target shooting are at opposite ends of the scope world as pigs at close range low light just screams illuminated reticle in low power and shooting longer distances out past 600 yds is something that requires target / tactical knobs to dial in correction.  If its a hunting scope primarily close up to 200 or 300 yds I would go Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-10x56 with illuminated reticle probably the green mildot as the mil dot can be used both to determine distance of a  known size target and to use the dots for hold over at known distance if one runs a balistic chart with the trajectory drop in mils.
Trijicon 2.5-10x56 Accu-Point 30mm Rifle Scope Mil-Dot Crosshair w/ Green Dot Trijicon 2.5-10x56 Accu-Point 30mm Rifle Scope
Stock # - TR222G
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot Crosshair w/ Green Dot
  • 30mm
$822.95
If you want to weight the rig toward long range shooting there are several that I like
Sightron 6-24x50 SIII 30mm Riflescope Mil-Dot Sightron 6-24x50 SIII 30mm Riflescope
Stock # - SIIISS624X50LRMD
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot
  • 30mm
  • Side Focus
  • Target Knobs
$804.95
soon to be released:
Vortex 4-16x50 Viper PST 30mm Rifle Scope Vortex 4-16x50 Viper PST 30mm Rifle Scope
Stock # - PST416S1M
  • Matte
  • EBR-1 Mil Reticle
  • 30mm
  • .10 Mil Adjustments
$699.95
A favorite of all of us who have one:
SWFA SS 10x42 Tactical Riflescope Mil-Dot SWFA SS 10x42 Tactical Riflescope
Stock # - SS10X42HD
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot
  • 30mm
  • Rear Focus
  • OK for .50 cal
  • .10 Mrad
  • HD Model
$799.95
SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical Riflescope Mil-Dot SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical Riflescope
Stock # - SS39X42
  • Matte
  • First Focal Plane Mil-Dot
  • 30mm
  • OK for .50 cal
  • 0.1 MRAD
$599.95


Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - December/02/2010 at 21:16

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 21:19
I'll mention this one also cause I have an order in currently to buy one of these but it only has 50 moa of internal adjustment so it s probably a 600 yd and closer scope and power is a tad high for close up hogs but I think it could be used for that:
Trijicon 5-20x50 Accu-Point 30mm Rifle Scope Mil-Dot Crosshair w/ Green Dot Trijicon 5-20x50 Accu-Point 30mm Rifle Scope
Stock # - TR232G
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot Crosshair w/ Green Dot
  • 30mm
  • Free Sun Shade w/ Purchase
$1,039.95

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/02/2010 at 22:35
" One Thousand Dollars!!!! .............let me get your address...."   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                              
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cruft Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/03/2010 at 05:14
have had two burris scopes.  first was a compact the glass quality and tunneling made it worthless.  factory said it found no problems.  second is my Euro diamond 1.5-6 illuminated.  superb clarity and build.  wonderfull but would never buy another burris altho this has had zero problems and am thrilled .  why?  because of customer service.  enough said?  swarovski has a new 1-8 illuminated at $2,300 save for it. but on the other side of the divide  just bought a vortex viper 2-7 for $160 from swfa because of the deal.  not needed but holy cow what a scope for $160.  btw;  the real reason for low initial magnification is keeping BOTH EYES open to have hugh field of view for closer shots.  this is far more important than high mag needed for long range and varmint hunting and varmint hunting will be liminted to 14x if high volumn do to mirage off the barrel.  wish people would stop confusing hunting and benchrest requirements.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/03/2010 at 07:14
trijicon 2.5-10x50
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