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Scoping light 30’06 for elk?

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holzauge View Drop Down
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    Posted: June/20/2007 at 19:53
An old friend wants me to hunt elk with him.  I've got an A Bolt Stainless Stalker in 30'06 that shoots hot 180 gr. loads very well, but I'd need to re-scope the rifle which I haven't used for 8-10 yrs.  I'm 58 and need all the light I can afford.  I'm thinking good glass, 1.5-6x or 2.5-10x, @17 oz. maximum, very good minimum eye relief and exit pupil.  The price is not critical if I'm sure the scope is worth the money.  I'm not sure the VX-7, Zeiss Davardi, S&D or Swaroski Professional Hunter are.

I've chewed the specifications for about a dozen scopes and two on the top of the short list seem to be the new IOR 2.5-10x42 or the Nikon Gold 1.5-6x42.  Comments?

Other questions for the experts: 
Why is the new IOR so much lighter than their earlier scopes?
Why is the S&B 1.5-6x42 so stinking heavy?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/20/2007 at 20:46
i hunted elk for ever with an old varixII 3x9 and never had any issues with light gathering, the scopes you are talking about are far better than what i used, so i dont see how anything could go wrong with any of the choices you mentioned, an elk is a big critter so even at 300 yards with 6x you shouldnt have any trouble seeing it. i hear the ior is a good one, and i love nikons but i am pretty sure the ior is better.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wally Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/21/2007 at 08:26

I built a custom 30-06 just for the type of hunting you describe.  I've tried several scope and mount combinations looking for the best fit and feel.  I'm more concerned about how the rifle feels, balances, and a nice trigger pull, than caliber and oversize optics.  I'll take a smaller, lightweight scope nearly every time when hunting big game.  I tried a Monarch 3-9, a Conquest 3-9, a Conquest 2.5-8, but I finally settled on a Sightron Big Sky 1.25-5 with Talley lightweight mounts.  It puts the rifle at 7 3/4 pounds, balances perfectly, and points like a dream.  It also fits the scabbard in my Eberlestock pack like they were made for each other.

 

Some will probably think the small objective and the lower power are a disadvantage.  I've already done a thorough comparison of the little Sightron with SEVERAL other scopes in low light conditions, including the 2.5x8 Conquest, and an older 1.5-5 Vari-X III Leupold.  The Sightron compares very well.  I discussed this in another post on this forum.  I've hunted enough with scopes like this that I don't feel handicapped in any way, especially in the steep, thick crap where I hunt elk.  I this regard, it is a huge advantage.

 

The Sightron also has a reputation for toughness.  That remains to be seen.  They also have a pretty good reputation on their warranty.  I hope I never have to use it.  That's the best warranty to me!

 

Good luck in your search.  I am so impressed with this particular scope, that I wanted to throw that option at you.  SWFA is now carrying this scope.  I noticed a post you made on another thread about lighter scopes, so I thought I would throw this option at you.

 

Good Luck,

 

Steve

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ROCKMAN57 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ROCKMAN57 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2007 at 12:03

Be sure and check your ring spacing on the Sightron.I purchased one for my long action 30-06 and the ring mount spacing wasn't wide enough.My daughter is now the proud owner of it on her 243.Great glass though.It was the SII

3-12x42 I believe.Now have a leupold back on my 30-06 so I'm happy with the end result.

Good Luck either way,

Rock

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote holzauge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2007 at 12:22
I'm still chewing the mag question.  1.5-6 would probably be adequate in most situations, but this gun shots so very well with the Horn. Lt. Mag 180 gr. ammo (i.e. at the range I've shot groups prone off sandbags that were 2" at 300 yrd.s, more typical groups were a little under 3") that I might get in a situation where the gun would shoot do ranges that 6X would not allow me to see to see well enough to shoot.  I replaced the 1.5-6X on my .270 with the Leupy 3.5-10X50 from the ABolt because I was getting shots over bean fields at ranges the gun would do but the scope couldn't handle.  The 1.5-6 went to my 7mm08 Mt. gun and now I need to replace the scope on the 30'06.  Besides, if the wt. of the new IOR is really about 17 oz. it wouldn't be costing me much to carry the 2.5-10.
Am I making sense?  
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Duce View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Duce Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2007 at 12:36

If the price is not a problem you might want to check out this Swaro

http://www.swfa.com/pc-8638-978-swarovski-17-10x42-z6-30mm-r iflescope.aspx

Under 17 oz and bright

 

Duce 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2007 at 14:00
Both are good choices depends on the distance I really like that 1.5-6x42 Nikon Gold

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote holzauge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2007 at 15:50
Thanks Duce,
I actually looked at the spec.s on the Swaro.  It looks like a good scope, but the exit pupil is actually not as good as the others.  I think when in a practical hunting scope the exit pupil is more important than the last 1.86213% of sharpness.  I've always been impressed with the clarity of Swaro scopes I've seen.  They may even be 2% betteer than IOR's i've or Monarch Gold's I've checked.  But they cost three flippin times as much and I'd rather spend the $1,000 difference on something else.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Duce Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2007 at 16:02

I have a swaro that I have had some time the biggest advantage is their wider field of vision with the Z6 new ones, I choke on the price now too. Mine is not a Z6 but it has been and excelent scope.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2007 at 21:31

I really think that if price is a major factor you should be looking at the Nikon Monarch :

8435 New Nikon 3-9x40 Monarch UCC Riflescope                                                                                 New Nikon 3-9x40 Monarch UCC Riflescope
  • Matte
  • BDC
  • 1"
  • Team Primos
  • Free SWFA Lens Pen w/ Purchase
SWFA: $218.95
More Info... Buy Now

8408 New Nikon 2.5-10x42 Monarch Riflescope                                                                                  New Nikon 2.5-10x42 Monarch Riflescope
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot
  • 1"
  • Free SWFA Lens Pen w/ Purchase
SWFA: $399.95
More Info... Buy Now

423944M Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope                                                                                  Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope
  • Matte
  • Multi-X
  • 1"
  • Rainguard
SWFA: $259.95
More Info... Buy Now

800471 Weaver 1.5-5x32 Grand Slam Rifle Scope                                                                                  Weaver 1.5-5x32 Grand Slam Rifle Scope
  • Matte
  • Dual-X
  • 1"
SWFA: $329.95
More Info... Buy Now

800473

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holzauge View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote holzauge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/23/2007 at 07:47
Urimaginaryfrnd,
These scopes are cheaper than the IOR and Monarch Gold at the top of my list, but I can see what I getting for the difference and their worth it to me.  The Swaro not so.  What do you think of the IOR and Monarch Gold?
And I really curious:
How can the IOR be so much lighter than earlier IOR's? 
What makes the S&B so heavy?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wally Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/23/2007 at 08:29

A couple of months ago I did some extensive scope research.  One of the first things I did was contact the companies of the scopes I was interested in.  Not only was I interested in answers to my questions, but I wanted to get a feel about how serious the tech people took my questions, and whether or not they were committed to satisfying my inquiries.  If I got a brush off, or a real dumby for a technical support rep, that generally tells a lot about that company, and weighs heavily in my final choice.  If they seem to care, and are knowledgeable not only their product but how scopes function in general, it gave their particular models higher marks.  If I got a tech rep who started reciting a product description that I had already read on the internet, well, I wasn't very impressed.  If they care about their product, their company, and about selling scopes, you can usually tell after a short chat on the phone.  Generally, the employees of a company that make an exceptional scope take pride in their company and their product, and are very willing to answer your questions and concerns.

 

Give'em a call, and see how they answer your questions.

 

Steve

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote holzauge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/25/2007 at 19:33
Thanks Wally.  Good idea.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/25/2007 at 20:41

I like the IOR scopes and if you look at the old models many had steel tubes where the new ones are alloy. As optics  have advanced a lot of things about them have gotten better. Just because the scopes I laid out were a bargain price range dont totally ignore them. If it is a Nikon Monarch its good glass and if it is a Bushnell 4200 its good glass. Interestingly enough you do not see a lot of the 2-7x(33 +or -) power range scopes that were quite popular 25 or so years ago those scopes were nice on the low end for stalking  and were quite compact. I am really tempted to put the 2x   1moa aimpoint on a hunting rifle.  I put a 4moa aimpoint on a slug gun Encore last fall and it was great for pushing deer. I came very close to buying the Monarch Gold 1.5-6x42 had it on lay away and then spotted something I thought I needed worse. However I would love to have either the Monarch Gold or the IOR and I would want the tactical knobs on the IOR rather than the hunting version. The MP8 reticle is awesome. As far as S&B I know nothing about their scopes except that the Marines have gone to them following extensive testing. I dont see many $1000 plus scopes around here that are not Leupold Mk 4 or Nightforce. As far as the high dollar scopes I could really use a U.S.Optics or a S&B  for my 300 WM but I have not spent that kind of money so far.  The 3-9x40 range scopes are the most popular for hunting but I really like something in the 4.5-14+ range. I find that I use the higher power to evaluate the rack on game at several hundred yards. I just feel that you have to still keep the low end around 4x or it is really hard to use it stalking. The old reliable light weight fixed 4x and 6x scopes have a lot going for them very bright not too bulky.

One scope that I really think is a bargain is the 6x42 IOR Tactical, I would be pretty comfortable hunting with one of them so the 2-10 should be a great optic just remember to turn it down to 6x or lower as it gets dark. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote holzauge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2007 at 08:33
Thanks urimaginaryfrng.  I'll probably go with the IOR if I don't blow this years designated hunting mad money on a new Bowtech Stryker crossbow.  A wise person once said ...You can have it all...just not all at once.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2007 at 09:22

Originally posted by holzauge holzauge wrote:

Urimaginaryfrnd, 
What makes the S&B so heavy?

 

A lot of lenses, plus relatively thick tube and robust internal mechanics.  Glass is heavy, so if a scope has extra lenses -- especially thick lenses -- for improved resolution, the scope will weigh more.

Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2007 at 20:40
and also jack up the price
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2007 at 22:18

Dont think Ive seen the Bowtech crossbow, I like their bows but I have always shot Hoyt and now I have a Matthews Drenalin and it is awesome. I do have a crossbow made by PSE that I bought at Wal Mart after the season when they discount clearenced them for next to nothing. The problem I see with crossbows is that people are not inclined to practice with them as much as compounds and as a result I have seen some long blood trails some of which ended without recovering a deer. Most of my compound shot deer have gone down within 100 yds.

Dont completely disregard the lower priced scopes I listed all of which are capable of doing the job and a 4200 or a Monarch in 3-9 is still a very nice optic leaving enough money  for a crossbow like:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000581802 3

 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2007 at 10:31
Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

Dont think Ive seen the Bowtech crossbow, I like their bows but I have always shot Hoyt and now I have a Matthews Drenalin and it is awesome.

 

Hey, U-frnd, I just recently bought the Mathews Drenalin as well and agree, it is an awesome, smooth shooting, quiet bow.  I've been shooting the new Easton ST Axis 340 "Full Metal Jacket" arrows out of it, and it paper tuned quickly and easily with this arrow and I'm getting very good accuracy with it!

Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 2000Z-71 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/01/2007 at 14:55
I recently put a Nikon Monarch Gold 1.5-6 on my Winchester Safari Express in .375 H&H and I've been extremely happy with it.  Mounting can be a little tricky.  Originally I was going to use Warne bases with Warne quick detatch rings.  This turned out to be too long for the body of the scope.  I was able to use Burris reversible Weaver bases and the Warne rings and it works, but not much room for fore/aft adjustment in the mounting of the scope.
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