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Scope help please - Tikka T3 Lite .308

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dpm View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dpm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Scope help please - Tikka T3 Lite .308
    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 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/19/2010 at 16:33
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote neilbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/19/2010 at 16:37
Welcome

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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/19/2010 at 16:54
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/19/2010 at 19:50
+1 on rancid's suggestion
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/19/2010 at 21:24
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/19/2010 at 22:04
The Bushnell is a nice scope.  Rainguard is a great plus.  Thunbs Up
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 10:39
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.
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300grains Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/20/2010 at 13:15
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote magshooter1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/22/2010 at 07:43
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sandracer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/22/2010 at 11:57
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/22/2010 at 13:26
bull elk huh....... how bout a pic of that beautiful beast and your 4200!!!

No Pics
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oldelkhunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/22/2010 at 21:14
Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

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. 
 
 
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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