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Hunting scope suggestions
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2010 at 14:46
krshunter View Drop Down
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I posted once before and thought I was close to a selection.  That was before I read the 2009 rating post.  I'm as unsure about my selection as when I started my selection so looking for suggestions from members here.
 
I am looking for a scope to top a switch barrel rifle.  The rifle is a Remington 700 and will have a .308 and a .243AI barrel.  It will be used primarily for big game hunting including antelope up to elk and occassionally for coyotes with the .243 barrel.  Shots on average will be in the 250-350yd range but may reach out to 500yds. 
 
 
Here are what I have considered as options:
 
Weaver Grand Slam 3.5-10x50 or 4.5-14x40
Weaver Super Slam 2-10x42
     Concerns with both of these are there doesn't seem to be much feedback about quality, durability, warranty, etc.
Vortex Viper 4-12x40
     Concerns about durability.  Optically I know they are good and I hear great things about their warranty department.  But that is what concerns me.  Why are so many people having to use the warranty department?
Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40
Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42 or 3-12x42
     Lots of good experience with Nikon but not with the Monarch.  Seems like a great price for what you get. 
Burris Signature Select 3-12x44
     Optical quality compared to some of the others is a concern.  
 
Throw your suggestions, things to consider, experience, etc. at me.  I'm leaning heavily toward the Nikon at the moment.  Thanks everyone. 
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2010 at 15:01
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Between those I would go with the Bushnell or Nikon.
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2010 at 16:04
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I also like the Bushnell, for no particular reason other than I've had good luck with them. Personally I'd pick the new Leupold VX3 in this price range, we all have brand loyalty.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/15/2010 at 12:53
krshunter View Drop Down
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I had not even considered the Leupold.  I hear the optics are better in the new VX3's but I've been somewhat unhappy with the direction they have taken more recently.  The 3.5-10x40 with the CDS is right in there though. 
 
I really like to try to keep to US made products which can lead to a whole thread in itself but the fact is that there are many products out there like Nikon and Bushnell that are very good optics.  Burris is only about an hour away from my home but I'm not sure they stack up. 
 
Hope to hear more from members or staff.
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/15/2010 at 13:17
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i havent heard of anybody having to use vortex's warranty, they test there scopes to handle stuff all the way up to and including the .50bmg.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/15/2010 at 14:28
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Originally posted by krshunter krshunter wrote:

I posted once before and thought I was close to a selection.  That was before I read the 2009 rating post.  I'm as unsure about my selection as when I started my selection so looking for suggestions from members here.
 
I am looking for a scope to top a switch barrel rifle.  The rifle is a Remington 700 and will have a .308 and a .243AI barrel.  It will be used primarily for big game hunting including antelope up to elk and occassionally for coyotes with the .243 barrel.  Shots on average will be in the 250-350yd range but may reach out to 500yds. 
 
 
Here are what I have considered as options:
 
Weaver Grand Slam 3.5-10x50 or 4.5-14x40
Weaver Super Slam 2-10x42
     Concerns with both of these are there doesn't seem to be much feedback about quality, durability, warranty, etc.
Vortex Viper 4-12x40
     Concerns about durability.  Optically I know they are good and I hear great things about their warranty department.  But that is what concerns me.  Why are so many people having to use the warranty department?
Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40
Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42 or 3-12x42
     Lots of good experience with Nikon but not with the Monarch.  Seems like a great price for what you get. 
Burris Signature Select 3-12x44
     Optical quality compared to some of the others is a concern.  
 
Throw your suggestions, things to consider, experience, etc. at me.  I'm leaning heavily toward the Nikon at the moment.  Thanks everyone. 

Weaver Grand Slam scopes have been around for a while.  They are well proven and offer a lot for the money.

Weaver Ultimate Slam scopes are new.  They look good, but do not have the track record yet.  I have not heard anything bad though.

Vortex Viper 4-12x40.  This is a well-made scope and I would not have any durability concerns.  However, this is the only Viper model that I do not usually recommend since it has rather significant tunnel-effect.  If that is something you are sensitive to, this scope might not work.  It is very good in every other way.

Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40 is a very nice scope.  Some complain about its eyerelief on big kickers, but that does not apply to your chamberings.

Nikon Monarch: these are decent scopes, but I am not a Monarch fan.  These scopes have never agreed with my eyes, but others like them.

Burris Signature Select 3-12x44 is very competent scope.  My only beef with it is that eye relief varies a bit more than I like as you change magnification.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/15/2010 at 14:49
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If you are looking at these type scopes... you might as well as add the Conquest 3-9X40... it's an awesome scope and has 4" of eye relief and a great low-light reticle!
take em!
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/15/2010 at 19:43
krshunter View Drop Down
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ILya,
 
Based on the information provided what would be your top three selections in order?  I appreciate the detail you provided on each scope.
 
Thanks,
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/15/2010 at 20:18
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Originally posted by krshunter krshunter wrote:

ILya,
 
Based on the information provided what would be your top three selections in order?  I appreciate the detail you provided on each scope.
 
Thanks,

In the end it comes down to how much you are willing to spend.

1) The best allround choice for the 308 is probably Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40.  Since you also want to use it for longer range shots at fairly small targets, perhaps a touch more magnification could be useful.  However, in your list, I do not see anything with higher magnification that offers a significant advantage over Zeiss at 9x.

Besides, for all round use I really think that staying with a maximum of 3x on the low end is a wise choice.

2) Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40.  Just a solid allround scope. Glass is almost as good as Zeiss, but there is a bit less eyerelief.

3) For $300 you can get Vortex Viper 3-9x40 that is performs veyr simialry to ELite 4200 and Conquest.

With all that having been said, if I were you I would extend my price range a little bit and get Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x42.  It has all the versatility you need, coupled with long and flexible eye relief.

ILya
www.opticsthoughts.com
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Those who are merciful to the cruel, are cruel to the merciful.
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/17/2010 at 14:43
krshunter View Drop Down
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ILya,

Thanks for all of your input.  I think I have the direction I need now and will feel comfortable with the final choice I make. 
 
krshunter
 
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)     Back to Top Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/17/2010 at 17:53
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I just recieved a 4200 2.5-10x40 and it's a very impressive scope. I was skeptical but it was too good a deal to pass up. I have several Conquest and my brightest is my 3.5-10x44.................the Bushnell is every bit as bright and the optical quality IMO is extremely close. I am kind of in awe about how good the 4200 is for the money and it has the rainguard feature which is just icing on the cake !!!!
FWIW............I have a 6500 2.5-16x42 md that is a great scope but is not as good in lowlight as the 4200.
On top of that I have a Conquest 4.5-14x44 w/target turrets that I personally feel is better than all of them(tt probably influence me a good bit too)..............it's a better in low light than the 6500 but less than the other two. It it has a little less eye relief than the 6500..... but it is just a clear , bright , good fov, dark reticle, great power range, all around good scope.If the 4.5-14x44 Conquest had a hydrophobic coating it would be the cats" tail" to me !!


Edited by cbm - February/17/2010 at 18:07
 
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