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Help with deer rifle scope plz |
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Wevil
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/02/2006 Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: July/02/2006 at 23:14 |
I have been reading the forum for 2 days straight now, and think I'm finally ready to post my question. It's time to replace the very low end tasco thats been on my deer rifle for probably 15 years, it's starting to fog. The rifle is a Winchester model 70 30-06, stock from the factory no modifications. I take most of my shots inside 100 yards, and don't think I have ever tried for more than 200, very often at first light, or dusk. The Nikon Buckmaster on samplelist.com in 3x9x40, $149.00 looks fairly tempting from what I have been reading on this forum. I have no local place to try these out before I buy, so any help would be appreciated, I will more that likely buy from the sample list, or riflescopes.com. Would I be better off stepping up to the Monarch for $199.00 is there much difference? Is there another scope in this general price range that I should be looking at, or should I save for a while longer and try get into a more expensive scope. Also is 3x9 the appropriate magnification for what I am using this for? As you can tell I keep my things for a long time, and am finally going to try to buy a decent scope, last deer season was horrible trying to see through this foggy thing, but that time of year is a little tight money wise, so I guess I should do it now so it will be ready come deer season.
Thanks in advance for any help, John |
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MAragorn
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/02/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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I was in that position about 10 or 12 years ago maybe. I was gonna buy my first real scope. Went into the local gun store, where they have some pretty high dollar stuff. I wanted either a Redfield of leopold 3x9. The salesman suggested I step outside and compare the optics on the Tasco Worldclass with the other 2. I bought the Tasco, and have never regretted it. I don't know if they are the best, but I have 3 now, and they never failed me... have been flawless. I have taken deer up to 350 yards and they dropped like a stone.
As an aside, I happened to order 2 in stainless today because I recently picked up a Ruger MkII 77 in 270 and a Ruger ranch rifle both in stainless, and they will do the job for me. |
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silver
Optics Master Joined: November/04/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2291 |
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The Basic Bushnell 4200 3x9 is listed at just under 300 dollars. It has very clean optics for the money. I'd say you are getting close. In the two to three hundred dollar range is stuff I know you can stay happy with for a long long time.
3X9 is enough glass. If you hunt in brush it can be too much glass. Just because some sponcer of some show or some writer gets to try out a 20 to 300 zoom scope under controlled conditions and claims it is the greatest thing since free beer don't freak out. Take advantage of the volume of product sold and get higher grade glass. |
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Acenturian
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/07/2004 Status: Offline Points: 543 |
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Welcome to the forums.
I think you will find any of the scopes that you are looking at and some of the ones suggested are going to give you years of good service.
Is the Nikon Monarch a better scope than the Buckmaster, yes In my opinion and to my eyes but it cost a bit more. The Buckmaster is a great scope for the money. A couple more that I would suggest that you look at are:
Burris Fullfield Pentax Pioneer or Whitetail Unlimited Bushnell Elite Series (with a strong preference to the 4200) Weaver Grandslam
All of those are very nice scopes. Personally, and this is just me and one guys opinion I'd lean to the Weaver grandslam it is very impressive in the optics department especially for the money. It is about $300 dollars but can hold its own to some more expensive scopes. Some people dont like the "look" of the scope with its strange power adjust ring but if you hunt where there is snow with gloved hands...its great. Also, the Bushnell Elites and the Weaver tend to have a bit less eye relief then the others so I wouldnt put one of them on a real hard kicking weapon but on a 30.06 should be fine.
As far as magnification goes 3-9 is more than enough especially if your only shooting out to about 100 yards. In fact, I might even look at getting a bit lower magnification but the old 3-9 will work great.
I'd encourage you to do a search here on the forums based on the names of the scopes mentioned there is plenty of information out there.
Good luck AC |
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fourinone
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/14/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 169 |
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I would buy the Monarch over the Buckmaster because the lens are rated at 95% light transmission.
If you do want to spend more money....The Elite 4200 in 2.5-10x40mm would be nice. The 2.5 end of the power range will give you a larger field of view. But 3x9 is OK. |
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hondo56
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/05/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 19 |
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Welcome to OT, Wevil.
While my designation here is still GrassHopper, I have hunted for 35 years and bought many rifle/scope setups. For your money and long-term use the Burris Fullfield II 3-9 x 40 is very hard to beat. You can find them for under $200. SWFA has an excellent selection of Burris scopes. I have 2 and took a hog at close to 250 yards at early dusk with it. The Burris scopes are very rugged and are known for staying true when zeroed. I had a Buckmaster mounted on a .243 and after 2 years it had problems staying zeroed. Sure it is warrantied but do we really want to have to mess with warranty returns? Try the Burris. You'll never regret it.
Good luck and safe hunting. |
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Here's to ya, pilgrim.
Hondo56 |
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Longhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: February/02/2006 Status: Offline Points: 466 |
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I will second Hondo56's recommendation.
If some of your shooting is over 100 yards, the Burris Fullfield II 3-9x is a great choice. Its optics are clear, and color rendition is excellent. In addition, you can get the ballistic plex reticle. To improve the deal even more, there is usually a free offer of binoculars or a spotting scope when you buy this scope. A really good scope, and a great deal for about $200.
If all of your shooting is within 100 yards or less, you might think about the Weaver Grand Slam 1.5 - 5x. This is a great lttle woods scope with a really wide field of view. |
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ranburr
Optics Master Joined: May/16/2004 Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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FFII, far superior to "Trashco".
ranburr |
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Wevil
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/02/2006 Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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I took everybody's advice into consideration, and when SWFA dropped the price of the Elite 4200 3x9 to $259, I could not resist. Thanks for all of your help! |
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hotshot110
Optics Apprentice Joined: April/29/2006 Status: Offline Points: 69 |
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Good choice going with the bushnell the rain guard coating is very good plus the strength of the one piece tube goes a long way in my book. Happy hunting and keep us posted to let us know how it works out.
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