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JTD0314
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/21/2009 Location: NH Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Posted: February/14/2009 at 11:35 |
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I am planning on adding a new scope to my TC Icon 300 WM for long rage deer hunting. However, shots range from 20-400 yards. I am considering the following:
1. Nikon Monarch 3-12X42. This appears to be the best bang for the buck (no pun intended), but the short eye relief concerns me because of the stout 300 WM recoil.
2. Sightron Big Sky 3-12X42
3. Bushnell 2.5-16x42 This appears as if it would be the most versatile.
4. VX-L 4.5-14x50
I realize that the I don't really need anything more than a 10 power scope for this application, but I would like to try more magnification for a change. My hunting scopes consist of a 3-9 Trijicon Accupoint (In my opinion, the best all around deer hunting scope), Monarch 3.5-10X 50 and a Weaver Classic Extreme illuminated 2.5-10X50. The 50 MM's sit on Encore barrels and I am very happy with them.
Any first hand experience with the above-mentioned scopes would be appreciated. |
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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The factory listed eye relief on that model is 4"-3.7", so I doubt that will be a problem.
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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trigger29
Optics Master Extraordinaire X = 180 Y = 90 (X+Pyro)+(Y-Pyro) = ? Joined: September/29/2007 Location: South Dakota Status: Offline Points: 4353 |
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Do you plan on Dialing range in, using a ballistic reticle, or just old fashion hold over?
I don't believe that the Monarch eye relief would be a problem either. I'm sure the old refield on my .300 has less, and has never been a problem with a 140lb shooter behind it.
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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." |
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JTD0314
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/21/2009 Location: NH Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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I am leaning towards a ballistic reticle. I have two Nikon BDC reticles and I like them. I also like the Sightron ballistic reticle. For some reason, I thought the Nikon had less. |
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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The 3-12x would most likely be ideal for your application as well.
I'd also consider the 2.5-10x Monarch too. I really like this scope.
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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trigger29
Optics Master Extraordinaire X = 180 Y = 90 (X+Pyro)+(Y-Pyro) = ? Joined: September/29/2007 Location: South Dakota Status: Offline Points: 4353 |
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If you look at the 2.5-10 Monarch, and can afford it, I wouldn't look past a 3-9, or 3.5-10x Zeiss Conquest with a Rapid-Z reticle. You may find a deal on something at samplelist.com also. I don't know if you are interested in a demo unit or not, but there are deals to be had there.
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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." |
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tjtjwdad
Optics Journeyman Joined: December/11/2007 Status: Offline Points: 365 |
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I think I'd go with the Nikon myself (bang for the buck) but the Bushnell would be the most versitle.
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JTD0314
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/21/2009 Location: NH Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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I am leaning towards the 3-12 Monarch and was hoping to hear from somebody with some first hand experience with one.
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huff143
Optics Journeyman Joined: December/08/2008 Location: Kansas City Status: Offline Points: 304 |
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I vote Sightron. I have a couple of Big Sky scopes AND a VX-L. I think you'd find the glass in the Big Sky superior to either the Monarch or the Bushnell. In fact, to my eyes the BS is every bit as good as the VX-L.
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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If you go with a 10 or 12 power scope and your max expected range is 400yds. Then keep it simple and use a basic duplex. You can zero 1 inch high at 100yds and your 400 yd shot will be on the money off the duplex post.
Try it at the range, I think you'll find it fairly reliable. Remember though, at 400yds have your scope on 10 power or you will be disappointed. Never mind the cat photo, it was just convenient. The duplex cross hair is your reliable adjustment. Edited by Sgt. D - February/15/2009 at 15:51 |
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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We have a feline in the open...fire for effect!!
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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Now I've done it!
Kickboxer's cat is open forum target pratice. Sorry Kickboxer, I leaped before I looked.
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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cyborg
Optics God Gaseous Clay Joined: August/24/2007 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 12288 |
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Oh...........Youv'e done went and done it now.
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With Freedom comes great responsibility, you cannot have one without the other
An armed public are citizens. A disarmed public are subjects. OATH KEEPER #8233 Support us, and join our cause. Cyborg |
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OHE
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/15/2009 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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The only thing that strikes me is that usually anything over 10X comes with either an Adjustable Objective, or the the side focus/parallax feature. When you go to those things, you have a slightly dimmer scope which isn't desirable. The other thing you get is a reduced depth of focus, particularly in the side focus/parallax models.
I went the route of more magnification once. I do alot of big game hunting in wide open deserts and thought that a 6.5-20X40AO would be just the ticket.
I found that the more I used the scope, the less I used the extra magnification. Anything over 10X, maybe 12X, I simply couldn't use to make a shot. Too much image shake and /or mirage for me.
I also have been warned by some very respected hunters I know that large objective scopes tend to loose their zero much more readily than the much smaller scopes when impacted. That is something I really need to avoid as I knock around my equipment regularly.
Frankly, I've had no trouble at all making 400 yd. shots with simple 4X scopes. The animal has to be in the clear to try a long shot or one risk having his bullet strike an obstruction and deflecting so I see no need of anything more powerfull than a 6X for such shots. OHE
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JTD0314
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/21/2009 Location: NH Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Thank you for all of the info. I think I am going with the 3-12 Monarch. Does anybody have any first hand experience with one?
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BillyWayne
Optics Journeyman Joined: February/27/2009 Location: New Hampster Status: Offline Points: 408 |
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Hey JTD0314. I was also contemplating the Monarch 3-12 for a 308 I have. I have a Monarch 4-16 with BDC that I really like. I find that anything over 12x gets a bit annoying but it is ok when using the bipod. For hunting I do not use more than 6x but when I am at the range the more x the better. That is why I think the 3-12 has what I want. I have Bushnells on my stainless rifles because of the Rainguard. My 308 is stainless so I did think about the Elite 6500 but it may be a bit too pricey.
I also live in NH. Are you hunting in my spot???
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John 11:35
The're taking the hobbits to Isengard!! |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14962 |
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Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - March/06/2009 at 08:52 |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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JTD0314
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/21/2009 Location: NH Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Only if there are big bucks roaming around
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JTD0314
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/21/2009 Location: NH Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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I have also been looking at the Burris Sig Select 3-10 illuminated, but I hear a lot of complaints about Burris. Does anybody have one or know if the glass is on par with a Monarch.
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BillyWayne
Optics Journeyman Joined: February/27/2009 Location: New Hampster Status: Offline Points: 408 |
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Check out cheaptricks review on the Monarch 4-16. It is in the Members review forum titled "New" Nikon Monarch 4-16x w/ BDC
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John 11:35
The're taking the hobbits to Isengard!! |
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