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Scope help please - Tikka T3 Lite .308 |
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dpm
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/19/2010 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Posted: March/19/2010 at 16:28 |
Hi. I've spent a lot of time going over these forums, and learned quite a lot. I was hoping I could get some advice/help with my particular situation.
First I should talk about my experience level. This is the first rifle I have owned in a long time, my only other being a nice .22 bolt action that I had as a kid. I have shot some other rifles, but my experience is fairly limited. I do own several handguns and a shotgun and have a lot of experience there - just not with rifles. As to hunting, I lived for a while in North Dakota and did a lot of pheasant and duck hunting, and then in Arizona where I was mainly after quail and rabbit. Now I live in Colorado, but have never in my life been big game hunting and that is what I purchased this rifle for. (unless you count the times as a kid going 'deer hunting' with my grandpa and just watching him get drunk around a fire with his friends) But enough about me... My gun is a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in .308. I would like some help finding a scope, and from what I have seen this place is packed with experts. My intended use is for close range big game hunting, IE deer and elk from inside 200 yards. I wouldn't mind being able to reach out a little farther, especially on the range, but for hunting purposes I don't won't be taking any shots from beyond 200. I am still undecided between a fixed or adjustable scope, but I am currently leaning towards a 3x9 model. That being said, my top priorities for this scope are durability and weather-proofness, so if the general consensus is that a fixed scope would be -that- much more durable than an adjustable, I wouldn't mind going that route. I am comfortable spending about $500, hopefully a tad less. I am also willing to go for a used model if it looks right and is guaranteed. Also, being a total beginner in rifle optics as I am, I am curious about the rifle scope mounting. Tikka sells some Optilock mounts, but unfortunately I don't know exactly what I need. Tikka part number S132R916 is a universal optilock base that fits the T3 rifles, but will that be enough or will I also need to buy some rings that are specific to my scope? I realize that this question could be a topic in itself, so I don't my for an answer. But it would be great if I could be lead in right direction, and made to understand what I do or do not need. Thanks kindly for any help or suggestions, I truly do appreciate anything I can get. ********************************************************************** |
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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3-9x is perfect for your needs.
Bushnell 4200 3-9x Zeiss Conquest 3-9x Vortex Viper 3-9x Nikon Team Primos 3-9x Any of those would be excellent for your needs I would not be to concerned about using a variable for toughness. Most decent scopes these days are dang tough. I bet most scope damage comes from improper mounting which damages the scope tubes and binds internal parts. Edited by supertool73 - March/19/2010 at 16:38 |
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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
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neilbilly
Optics Master Joined: February/07/2010 Location: Sweeny TX Status: Offline Points: 999 |
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Howdy. The Tikka is a nice rifle and .308 is a good choice. "you're doing good so far" $500 is beyond my threshold for what I'll spend on a scope without winning the lotto, but there are as you've noted a lot of folks here that do own and know gear in that price range. I'll throw out one recommendation and the rest of the guys can add their .02 http://swfa.com/Zeiss-3-9x40-Conquest-Rifle-Scope-P608.aspx |
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If God didn't want me to play with it, he'd of made my arms shorter.
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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1. Toss the included rings in the garbage, they are worthless and WILL fail you at the worst possible time.
2, I recommend Talley rings, that is what 2 of my 3 Tikkas wear (other is Warne, good rings, not as easy to mount, a little heavier.) 3. I'd say look at the Bushnell 3-9, the rainguard is good stuff. Conquest is good too, but I doubt you'll notice a significant difference between the 2, and the Bushnell is allot less $$ ($254 for the plex vs. $399 for the Conquest plex - and Bushnell will throw in a pull-over fleece.) Tikka makes a great gun, best bargain I've found in a hunting rifle. And .308 is a great round, you will be pleased with the setup. Good luck. |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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+1 on rancid's suggestion
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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We as hunters, really have alot of great choices in the $250-$500 range. I really like the 4200's, conquest, sightron B/sky, monarch and yes even the Leo V3. I'm sure I missed a few, but I'd be proud to own any of these.
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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The Bushnell is a nice scope. Rainguard is a great plus.
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Tip69
Optics Master Extraordinaire Tip Stick Joined: September/27/2005 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 4155 |
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Those T3s are pretty lite....... I'd want the 4" of eye relief that comes with the Conquest and it's reticle is great in low light. I have one mounted on my son's 700 CDL in .270 and it's awesome. Have a 4200 3-9X40 mounted on a .204 and it's nice too, but I think the Conquest is worth the extra $$! good luck.
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take em!
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300grains
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/30/2007 Status: Offline Points: 46 |
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I use Optilock bases and rings on my Sako and Tikka rifles. Like them a lot. Only drawback is that they are a bit expensive.
About scope. I would choose Zeiss without hesitation or second thoughts.
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magshooter1
Optics Professional Joined: August/27/2008 Location: El Dorado, AR Status: Offline Points: 827 |
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Might also consider a 2.5x10x42 Nikon Monarch. It's in the same price range. I think it has a little more eye relief than the 4200.
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Some people are educated BEYOND their intelligence.
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Sandracer
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/11/2009 Location: Eastern Oregon Status: Offline Points: 141 |
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I gave my son a 4200 Elite in 3-9x40 for his Tikka lite in 300 WSM and he loves it! He has no close calls with the eye relief at all! I have another of these on a 270 winchester and another on a 300 Wby , have never been hit by the scope with any of these. The Bushnell 4200 in 3-9x40 is a lot of scope for the money! The Rainguard works, it helped me nail my bull elk this last season. (it rained or snowed the whole week).
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Tip69
Optics Master Extraordinaire Tip Stick Joined: September/27/2005 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 4155 |
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bull elk huh....... how bout a pic of that beautiful beast and your 4200!!!
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take em!
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oldelkhunter
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/21/2008 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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I had the identical rifle and had a Kahles KX 3-9x42 in talley lightweights...
The selections listed above are as good as it gets
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