Mid priced long range hunting scope

Hi all.  First post here....been lurking a short time and have found some great info here.

I think SII big sky out of those four. About the right power range for long range hunting with the .300.

trigger29 wrote: I think SII big sky out of those four. About the right power range for long range hunting with the .300.

I forgot to mention that there are other choices here, depending on what type of terrain you are in, how you hunt and how far you really want to push the budget. There are several ballistic reticles available too that work well. I just chose from the ones that you listed, as they were in your  budget, and I assume you have a reticle choice in mind.

The reticle I have in mind is mil-dot.  I'm open to other reticles but would prefer to stay with a standard and consistent measure.  I've considered the BDC reticles but would rather stay with a more standard measure from scope to scope.  I probably have flaws in my logic here, but this is what I have in my head for now.

I believe you are correct in your assessment of the reticle issue.  The mil-dot requires, generally, more effort to learn to use effectively than some of the BDC's available (which have their own learning curve), but is more robust in utility.  Know your rifle, ammunition, optics.  If you know how to use a mil-dot, there is no sense in confusing yourself with other BDC's, unless you really want one.  

+2 on the Sightron. That is what I was going to get for my tactical stick. I have the new SIII 6-24x50 on my bench gun and love it. The only reason I didn't get it is that Bushnell upgraded me to a Elite 4200 6-24x50 Tactical since my TRS1 that I sent back for warranty was backordered for so long. Was going to sell the TRS1 when I got it back and upgrade my self to that exact Big Sky for my all around tactical/hunting rifle. Now it's hard to justify swapping the elite. I wanted the lower power on this other rifle for hunting reasons. 14x will still do long range. I think that unless Varmint/target, 4.5-14 is ideal.  I will probably just throw my Bushnell trophy on it for the once a year hunting trip. Most of my shooting is at the range anyway. 

I would add Sightron S3 3.5-10x44 with Mil-Dot to your list. For hitting something fairly big, even at substantial range, 10x top end is plenty, especially if the glass is good.

Alternatively, if you would really rather have more magnification, I would go with Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x42 with Mil-Dot.  This is probably the most versatile choice.

ILya

koshkin wrote: I would add Sightron S3 3.5-10x44 with Mil-Dot to your list. For hitting something fairly big, even at substantial range, 10x top end is plenty, especially if the glass is good. Alternatively, if you would really rather have more magnification, I would go with Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x42 with Mil-Dot.  This is probably the most versatile choice. ILya

At one point in time the Elite 6500 was at the top of my list.  On paper it is about perfect for what I want.  However, after I went to a local store to play with one I dropped it off my list. 

I have heard some anecdotal evidence of a few Elite 6500 scopes breaking, but they were mostly from the same two people who kept on posting their opinion again and again everywhere on the internet.

I think some more time needs to pass with these scopes in the field to determine how durable these are.

ILya

I have  a  2.5 - 16 x 50 6500 on my 7mm WSM I use for long range deer hunting. I put this scope on my bush hunting rifle for a few months and really put it through it's paces during the roar here in New Zealand. Ive had no problems with it. The pop up return to zero is very positive on mine and I have never lost my zero. At 10 power the glass is great. The only negative coment I would have is that the Mil dot reticle could have been a little finer.

Darrin.