My first scope for tikka t3lite 7mm

I'm looking at buying a Bushnell 4200 3/9x40,  or Vortex Viper 2/7x32. Which one has better clarity and in low light situation. I'm just get into deer hunting. I've looked into Redfield, Leopold V111, and Nixon Monarch. The shots that i would probably be taking would be less than 350 yards but would like to get a scope that gives me options to shot out further. Any help would be appreciated thanks!

Welcome to OT!   I have an elite  4200, 3-9x40 on my tikka t3 .308 and have never yet been sorry! I also own a viper 2-7x32, and would be just as happy with it on my tikka. you really cant go wrong either way!

Both are nice. Rainguard is good.

Go with whichever has the most eye relief on a light 7mm mag. "just my .02"

Thanks for the response! I occasionally target shoot do you know how far i might be able to see shot placement on paper targets with either magnifications or should i go up to a 4/12x40 at least?

What is the longest shot have you made with your rifles? How clear was it out further on the 4200 3-9x40? I do target shooting occasionally. Can you see where you hit on paper targets out to three hundred yards? What kind of recticle do you have on your scopes?The one at cabelas is just multi x, is that good enough for what i will be doing or should i look at other recticles? thanks

I can see holes in a shoot and see or dirty bird with a 3-9 "at 9x" provided it has good glass. "the 4200 does have good glass" 

I've recently realized that to see better what I'm doing to the targets a spotting scope is a good idea. It's whole lot less than getting an alpha quality variable with a low end enough to hunt, and a top end and internal adjustments enough to distance shoot at targets. 

What kind of distances are you looking at target shooting? 

Probably around 300 hundred at the range. I like to know how clear is the glass on 4200 at full magnification? I target shoot occasionally, deer hunt more often, just want to clarify questions before i buy. 

How is the eye relief on the 4200, any problems.

My 4200 is mounted on a .308 and I've never had any trouble with the eye relief. 

Pyro had his 2-7 viper mounted on a .375 H&H with no issues. "I've got a couple of the 2-7 vipers mounted on .223 auto loaders, they are a very good scope and a steal at $170 and not long ago a 3-9 4200 would have been $300 so at $200 it's a sweet deal as well" Setting economics aside neither scope is going to let you see holes in paper @ 300 yards. Both scopes are going to perform VERY well in the field and are great deals right now. For the little extra I'd go with the 4200 as it does stay clear and bright at 9x and has rain guard. 

With a decent spotting scope  you'll be able to see what you've done on the 300 yard shots. 

neilbilly wrote: My 4200 is mounted on a .308 and I've never had any trouble with the eye relief.  Pyro had his 2-7 viper mounted on a .375 H&H with no issues. "I've got a couple of the 2-7 vipers mounted on .223 auto loaders, they are a very good scope and a steal at $170 and not long ago a 3-9 4200 would have been $300 so at $200 it's a sweet deal as well" Setting economics aside neither scope is going to let you see holes in paper @ 300 yards. Both scopes are going to perform VERY well in the field and are great deals right now. For the little extra I'd go with the 4200 as it does stay clear and bright at 9x and has rain guard.  With a decent spotting scope  you'll be able to see what you've done on the 300 yard shots.

+1

thanks so much for the information i appreciate it!

A question of recticles?The 4200 has a multi x.  what kind of recticle do you have on your scope and are you happy with it ?  I do like the dotted recticles they are nice and make shooting faster from what i hear. Can you give me some suggestions ,greatly appreciated.

With the 4200 you can send it back to Bushnell under their "No Questions Asked Bullet Proof Warranty" during the first year of ownership.  I did this once with an Elite 3200 and was offered my choice of a full refund or I could pay the difference and trade up.  I received a new scope in about 30 days or so. 

Between the two the Viper gets my nod, only reason Customer service. Lets say you possibly have an issue with either down the road in life.....

SVT_Tactical wrote: Between the two the Viper gets my nod, only reason Customer service. Lets say you possibly have an issue with either down the road in life..... Vortex - LIFETIME transferable NO BS warranty Bushnell - LIFETIME BS warranty if you can even get them on the phone

i will agree with you in general, but i will tell you good luck in breaking either scope. short of running it over with a 3/4 ton truck, these scopes are both very well built. ive had both on a .375H&H magnum and neither had any trouble handling the recoil. right now my 4200 is sitting on my .300wby, which probably kicks as much as my .375 does, even with the 3.3 inches of eye relief on the 4200 ive yet to get smacked.

vortex i will say is hands down  the  best cs dept in optics today imo.

I agree Vortex did me right on a set of Vortex Viper Binos and they took care of me in less than a week. They even called me before the replacements arrived and explained that they checked everything out and that even though they found nothing wrong with the binos they sent me a brand new pair anyway. I highly recommend Vortex Customer Service!!

At $200.00 I like the 4200, Good optics, decent power range, rain guard and reliable.

I can't imagine shooting a T3 LITE in 7MAG.  My buddie has a T3 LITE in 30-06 and I have no desire to ever shoot that beast again!  So I would want at least 4" of eye relief which would lead me to the Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40 (an excellent scope).

Thanks for the info everyone! What does everyone think about the vortex Blackdiamond in a 3-10-50 compared to the 4200? The 4200 is 200.00 and the blackdiamond is 249.00.

How is the vortex blackdiamond 3-10x50  at full magnification. Has anyone had one or have knowledge about it. thanks in advance!

Hey guys, i am really leaning towards the Vortex Viper 2-7x32. The price is great at $170.00 , customer service sounds great and the glass is good.  How can i go wrong! Will i have any problems mounting this scope on a Tikka T3 lite 7mm? Can you guys give me some suggestions on the best and easiest rings to get that will work. What is the easiest way to mount my scope also? Thanks so much for your time!

If you haven't mounted scopes before, you might want to have a pro do it.  You can waste a lot of ammo and or have accuracy issues with an improper mounting job!

With that said, I use and recommend Warne mounts and rings because they also sell a handy little torque wrench that is pre-set to their specs!

Hunter wrote: How is the vortex blackdiamond 3-10x50  at full magnification. Has anyone had one or have knowledge about it. thanks in advance!

i assume you mean burris blackdiamond??? or do you mean the vortex diamondback???


Edited by pyro6999 - March/15/2011 at 11:52

Pyro, i was meaning the vortex diamondback. Since i posted last i read that the diamondback's glass isn't as good as the Viper. I  like the 4200 for it's glass and rainguard. Not sure about the customer service. I like the Vortex Viper 2-7x32 for the price at $!70.00 customer service as everyone has said, and the dotted recticle. Neilbilly mentioned that you had the 2-7x32 and recommended it along with the 4200. I'll need to mount it as well. I have looked into the weaver brand rings. What do you have on your rifle? Is the Viper as good on light gathering as the 4200? I would like to do some target practicing and also have options to kill deer out further around 3 to 500yards. Is this scope magnification good for that? thanks