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Help! Scope Recommendations for .300 Win Mag?

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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Rifle Scopes
Forum Description: Centerfire long gun scopes
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=19481
Printed Date: March/29/2024 at 10:53
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Topic: Help! Scope Recommendations for .300 Win Mag?
Posted By: Byu_Au_Hunter
Subject: Help! Scope Recommendations for .300 Win Mag?
Date Posted: September/27/2009 at 15:35
So I'll be completely up front and admit I'm by no means a scope expert, if so, I wouldn't be looking for recommendations.  So if I make any stupid assumptions, feel free to point them out.

I recently inherited my grandfathers Model 700 .300 Win Mag, his primary hunting rifle since '66 and for as long as I can remember him.  We were very close so it's instantly become the firearm that means more to me than any other.  I'm 28 and have always hunted whitetail/mule deer with the .243 I got as a teenager.  However, for sentimental reasons I'd really like to bag a mule deer with his rifle this year. 

I tried placing a cheap Cabela's Pine Ridge 3x9 I had laying around on it.  It did well for a few rounds but after about 15 rounds the expected happened and I think the scope blew a gasket (internally). 

So I'm hoping to find a "decent" scope I can use with reasonable confidence of holding up on this rifle.  The kicker is I'm limited to about $250 as I'm getting laid off the 6th of November and will be pursuing a career change.  Even the $250 is pushing it but my wife is being really supportive of the purchase in this case. 

I 't want something that can handle the recoil.  I'm happy to buy used since I'm on a limited budget.  Does anyone have any recommendations for scopes that might fit that price range (new or used) that would likely handle the recoil?  For variable powers I'm considering:

Leupold VXII (would need to be used to afford) , Vortex Diamondback or Viper Series

Anyone own these scopes and use them on a higher powered rifle?

Also, I know some folks recommend going with a fixed power scope for true reliability on a high powered rifle.  I've seen some used fixed power's on Ebay but no nothing about good manufacturers/model for fixed power scopes.  It also seems like a lot of the fixed power scopes on Ebay are used and 10-20 years old.  I'm a bit skeptical as to whether a used scope that old would still be worth purchasing but I know they were made better in many cases back then.  Any recommendations on older fixed power scopes that might be worth a look?

On the career front, the recent job loss at my engineering firm has motivated me to pursue a career in something that isn't quite as coma-inducing.  You guessed it, I'd like to break into a firearms or outdoors related industry.  So if anyone has any contacts or recommendations I'm all ears.  I'm happy to provide my educational/professional experience in detail.  There...now I can tell my wife I was trying to work my network for a new career while prepping for the upcoming hunting season.  Wink

Thanks guys.





Replies:
Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: September/27/2009 at 18:44
If you can swing a Vortex Viper 3-9x40, that would fit nicely on your rifle and offer very good performance.  For allround performance, it is hard to beat a good quality 3-9x40.

I would really recommend going with that route.

If you must have something less expensive, Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 is a pretty solid choice as is Sightron SII 3-9x42.

ILya


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Posted By: silver
Date Posted: September/27/2009 at 20:54
While you are at it take a good look at the rings that you have and make sure they are both round and properly sized.  I say this because the scope you had while not perfect, should have lasted longer.  When something like that happens, it is a good ideal to double check the rings. It is not uncommon for rings to be made on worn tooling to keep the production numbers up.

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"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane."   Jimmie Buffet

WWW.formitch.com



Posted By: Byu_Au_Hunter
Date Posted: September/27/2009 at 20:59
That's a good point.  They are Leupold mounts and rings that were installed by the gunsmith I use, so I wasn't inclined to suspect the rings.  But it might be worth a look.

Thanks


Posted By: 3_tens
Date Posted: September/27/2009 at 22:42
Not bashing the industry but many Gunsmiths that are excellent machinist may not understand the finesse of mounting a scope. If you get it mounted and bore sighted at the box style Fishing and hunting conglomerates you must realize the sales person may have been selling shirts at S&K the week before. Since they are not still there they may not have been good at that either.  Bucky

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Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.

Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow
Now the rules have changed again.


Posted By: helo18
Date Posted: September/29/2009 at 22:35
I think the Burris FFII would be a decent scope for you, and the 3-9 is under your price.  Would leave money for new rings or other accessories if wanted.

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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

GEORGE WASHINGTON


Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: September/30/2009 at 19:58
I am a dinosaur............I put a 4X on mine!!!   Shocked     But I'm sure a 3X9 would be fine!!!  

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Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: September/30/2009 at 20:07


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Posted By: Kickboxer
Date Posted: September/30/2009 at 22:42
Originally posted by Ed Connelly Ed Connelly wrote:

I am a dinosaur............I put a 4X on mine!!!   Shocked     But I'm sure a 3X9 would be fine!!!  



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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living


Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: October/01/2009 at 15:58


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Posted By: brodeur272
Date Posted: October/02/2009 at 10:35
The Sightron SIIs are a good value.  I have several SIIs and they hold up well and have good glass and adjustments for the price.


Posted By: REMF
Date Posted: October/03/2009 at 21:01
I've always been told to stick with a 30 mm tube on a 300WM.


Posted By: amk204
Date Posted: October/03/2009 at 21:44
bushnell 3200 are worth looking into.

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Life is to short to shoot an ugly gun


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: October/03/2009 at 22:17
Originally posted by REMF REMF wrote:

I've always been told to stick with a 30 mm tube on a 300WM.

i think thats a matter of personal preference, im sure that there are plenty of members here who have .300win's with 1" tubed scopes on top of them. i am one of them.


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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
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Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: October/03/2009 at 23:32
My 375 H&H has a ONE INCH TUBE  fixed 6x Leupold VX3 on it, One of the 300 WM has a 3-9x42 FFP Super Sniper on it the other 300WM has a Leu Mk4 3.5-10x40FFP and the 300 WSM has a 10x Super Sniper with side focus. The point being 300 win mag and heavier calibers need really tough scopes and fixed power scopes tend to do very well on them. I'll list some that I would consider with the idea in mind that you may want to upgrade when you are better off financially.
http://swfa.com/Weaver-6x38-Classic-K-Rifle-Scope-P5055.aspx">Weaver 6x38 Classic K Rifle Scope http://swfa.com/images/weaver_dualx.jpg">Dual-X http://swfa.com/Weaver-6x38-Classic-K-Rifle-Scope-P5055.aspx - Weaver 6x38 Classic K Rifle Scope
Stock # - 849418
  • Matte
  • Dual-X
  • 1"
$139.95 
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl02$Add2Wishlist$AW,%29 - Add to Wishlist
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl02$Add2Cart$AC,%29">Add Weaver 6x38 Classic K Rifle Scope to Cart  
http://swfa.com/Burris-6x40-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P3570.aspx">Burris 6x40 Fullfield II Rifle Scope http://swfa.com/images/burris_plex.jpg">Plex http://swfa.com/Burris-6x40-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P3570.aspx - Burris 6x40 Fullfield II Rifle Scope
Stock # - 200052
  • Matte
  • Plex
  • 1"
$229.95 
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl02$Add2Wishlist$AW,%29 - Add to Wishlist
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl02$Add2Cart$AC,%29">Add Burris 6x40 Fullfield II Rifle Scope to Cart
http://swfa.com/Bushnell-3-9x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P6910.aspx">Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope http://swfa.com/images/bushnell_multix.jpg">Multi-X http://swfa.com/Bushnell-3-9x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P6910.aspx - Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope
Stock # - 423944M
  • Matte
  • Multi-X
  • 1"
  • Rainguard
$299.95 
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl07$Add2Wishlist$AW,%29 - Add to Wishlist
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl07$Add2Cart$AC,%29">Add Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope to Cart
http://swfa.com/Vortex-2-7x32-Viper-Rifle-Scope-P11226.aspx">Vortex 2-7x32 Viper Rifle Scope http://swfa.com/images/vortex_bdc.jpg">Dead-Hold BDC http://swfa.com/Vortex-2-7x32-Viper-Rifle-Scope-P11226.aspx - Vortex 2-7x32 Viper Rifle Scope
Stock # - VPRM02BDC
  • Matte
  • Dead-Hold BDC
  • 1"
  • $50 Mail-In Rebate
$309.95 
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl01$Add2Wishlist$AW,%29 - Add to Wishlist
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl01$Add2Cart$AC,%29">Add Vortex 2-7x32 Viper Rifle Scope to Cart
Those are all hunging type scopes but the way I hunt is from a fixed position either a tree  stand or along a field edge or somewhere I have a solid rest and I mignt be inclined to put a true tactical scope on it like this and just accept the fact that it would not be a stalking gun but would be able to dial in correction for trajectory at long range. The 20x is the least expensive one the 10 would be a better all around choice but I have hunted a 20 X and it can be done it just looks grey in low light but its awesome in bright daylight.
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-20x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P502.aspx">SWFA SS 20x42 Tactical Riflescope http://swfa.com/images/ss_mildot.jpg">Mil-Dot http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-20x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P502.aspx - SWFA SS 20x42 Tactical Riflescope
Stock # - SS20X42
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot
  • 30mm
  • Rear Focus
  • OK for .50 cal
  • 1/4 MOA
$279.95 
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl05$Add2Wishlist$AW,%29 - Add to Wishlist
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl05$Add2Cart$AC,%29">Add SWFA SS 20x42 Tactical Riflescope to Cart
http://www.kentonindustries.com/pics/picbytype/#"> http://www.kentonindustries.com/kn

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: REMF
Date Posted: October/04/2009 at 07:06
Originally posted by pyro6999 pyro6999 wrote:

Originally posted by REMF REMF wrote:

I've always been told to stick with a 30 mm tube on a 300WM.

i think thats a matter of personal preference, im sure that there are plenty of members here who have .300win's with 1" tubed scopes on top of them. i am one of them.
I, too, have had a 1" optic on a 300WM but with a muzzle brake.  I've just personally seen reticles snap in good quality 1" scopes on large bore rifles. 


Posted By: Kickboxer
Date Posted: October/04/2009 at 09:41
I have a 4x Pentax Gameseeker on my .458 WinMag, that I took from my .458 Lott... neither has a muzzle brake.  No problems after hundreds of rounds...

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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living


Posted By: lucytuma
Date Posted: October/04/2009 at 11:32
Burris FFII, Bushnell 4200 have both been proven for very reliable on 300 magnums.

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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: October/04/2009 at 12:05
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

I have a 4x Pentax Gameseeker on my .458 WinMag, that I took from my .458 Lott... neither has a muzzle brake.  No problems after hundreds of rounds...
 
Holy mackeral!!  I wuz just gonna ask about the Gameseeker......and now Kickboxer has just answered my question about their ability to stay in one piece!  Smile
 
(.....they got a Fat Eyepiece, though....) Baseball Bat


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Be sure to visit,

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=50 - THE ED SHOW

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