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Small hunting scope needed.

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jason miller View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Small hunting scope needed.
    Posted: February/04/2011 at 10:31
I have an old Smith and Wesson 1500 in 30-06.  This is the same action as a Weatherby Vanguard, and was made by Howa.  I like the action design, the trigger isn't too bad, and the walnut stock has fairly nice figure.  I actually just stripped the plastic-looking gloss finish off over a recent snow day, and am doing an oil rub finish. 

The next step is replacing the Bushnell Scopechief IV 2.5-8x32 that came on the rifle.  It's a range compensating type, but missing part of the elevation turret.  Bushnell wants something like $196 to fix it, so obviously I'm going to have to junk it.

I also wanted to replace the weaver mounts and stamped steel weaver rings, so I have some Leupold rings/bases to go on with a new scope.  I bought the Viper 2-7x32 from SWFA, but the ocular bell won't clear the rear base with the low rings I have.  I'd prefer not to get medium rings because the stock has a decent amount of drop and I don't like big gaps between the objective bell and rifle barrel.  Besides, I'm sure I can find another use for the Viper. 

This isn't a rifle that will get a lot of use because it's illegal for deer here in Indiana and I have something else more suitable for coyotes.  But I would still like to keep the rifle and mount a decent, small, fairly rugged, and still inexpensive hunting scope on it.  My immediate thought was a Redfield Revolution 2-7x33 or Weaver V7, but I noticed on Koshkin's website that he recommends the Sightron SII 4x32 as a decent scope.  With the $50 rebate, the Sightron seems like it would be a good buy right now.  All three scopes could be had for $130-$160.

So I ask, does anyone have any input comparing the Redfield Revolution 2-7x32, Weaver V7, and Sightron 4x32?  Would they all be comparable optically?  Is there another scope I should be considering?  My only concerns are that the Redfield has variable eye relief, the Sightron looks to have a pretty short tube, and the Weaver is $30 more than the other  two... 

Thanks in advance for any help.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 10:33
if the vortex wont clear with lows, i dont think any of the others will either.
They call me "Boots"
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jason miller View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 10:36
The reason it doesn't clear is because it doesn't taper in front of the power ring very much, and that part of the scope is rather long anyway.  The power ring on a Monarch 3-9x40 clears...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 10:38
hmm thats interesting. my vortex viper is on low rings and it clears my m70 just fine. oh well. back to your issue... i dont know anything about the weaver, but the sII is probably a good step up from the redfield.
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tman1965 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 10:41
I have a S&W model 1500, 30-06 and I have leupold bases and low rings with a Bushnell elite 3200 3-9x40. That set up has worked very well for me.
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jason miller View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 10:43
Yeah, the knurled surface contacts the rear base.  Already put a smudge in the base trying to mount it.  It's an extended rear base that puts the ring a little further forward though.  I'm sure that mounting it in a standard base that didn't extend that far back towards the ocular bell would be just fine.  In fact, that's what I plan to do with the scope eventually.  Just don't have the rifle to do it with- yet.

Thanks for your input.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 10:46
Thanks tman, but I am trying to stick with a smaller, more compact scope in this application.  I'll never need 9x on this rifle and would enjoy the lower bottom end and smaller size of a 2-7 or 4x.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 10:47
what about that weaver v3 1-3x??
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 10:49
I thought about that, but I don't see what it offers that the 2.5-7 doesn't.  The 2.5-7 is not much bigger, and the ocular bell/power ring looks to be the same diameter.  And the 2.5-7 has a touch more eye relief.


Edited by jason miller - February/04/2011 at 10:51
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 10:51
i really think you will like the 4x sII
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 11:55
  That Sightron has a VERY SHORT mounting area. Like 4.4".

Edited by 300S&W - February/04/2011 at 11:58
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 12:05
4.4 could be and issue

They call me "Boots"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 12:14
  I mean you can make just about anything fit now a days but that 4.4" is the reason I scratched it off of my list.  By the way Jason,I was considering it for my S&W LA.  Maybe you want to consider a VXII 4x or 6x?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 13:23
I was just on Sightron's website looking at the diagram of measurements and comparing them to the diagram of the Viper.  The bases I have are both extended, so it's only 4" from outside edges of the rings.  The only issue will be if the ocular bell somehow still touches the rear base.  The ocular bell is slightly larger diameter than the Viper(1.61" vs 1.5"), but it also looks like it's shorter and tapers more/sooner.  The big honking power adjustment ring on the Viper is the issue with that scope.  I think that little Sightron might actually just fit.  It also has long enough eye relief(4.8") that I don't think there would be any issue in that area either.  But then again, I would bet money that either of the 2-7's I was looking at would fit just fine.  Plus, I've been kinda wanting to check out one of those little Redfields anyway.  The Sightron just seems like better optics for similar money after the rebate.  Aren't SII's supposed to be about equal to a Monarch or Viper?


Edit:  A Leupy 4x33 would be just great, but they are a little more money than I'm wanting to spend for this particular rifle.  I've done some minor work myself, and it's sort of a "budget" rifle that I intend to keep for pretty much ever.  It was an even better deal for a budget rifle until that Scopechief that came on it turned out to be a bust.


Edited by jason miller - February/04/2011 at 13:25
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 13:38
 
  By the time you leave a minimum of .125"(1/8') between the front ring and the objective bell that's only going to leave you with not much more than 1/4" for any scope position adjustment you want to make.  Also are your extended bases going to extend out over your loading port?
  Maybe locate a used 4x33?


Edited by 300S&W - February/04/2011 at 13:40
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 14:06
That's a good point with the bases extending out over the port.  The rear sticks out a half inch, and the front an eighth.  I wonder if that would be enough in interfere?  I guess I need to get some ammo and shoot this thing to see if it's a problem.  Granted, I was thinking about rebarrelling it to 6.5x55- because I've always wanted one.  The slightly shorter Swede would probably clear just fine. 

I swear, getting the ideal scope/mount/ring setup is an adventure more often than not...



Edited by jason miller - February/04/2011 at 14:09
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DAVE44 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 14:16
I have had the Sightron SII 4x32 and it is a nice scope. It has a wide plex reticle and I prefer the standard plex. The 4.5 inch eye relief can be an issue because there is very little mounting room and the eye relief is pretty critical with that scope meaning your eye has to be exactly the right distance from the eypiece to get a full view. I had mine mounted on a Marlin 336 30-30 and I had to mount it as far forward in the rings as I could to get the scope far enough from my eye to get a proper image. The eye bell is a little long also so it doesnt taper much.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 14:18
 
  I can't imagine a .30-06 cartridge not fitting between the bases. I was more concerned with it just being a hassle to do with maybe not much room for your fingers and a cartridge.
 
  Hey, I'm a musical scope playing junkie although I'm getting better.  Right now I've got a 4X Conquest w/1pc Tally's on mine.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 14:38
Originally posted by jason miller jason miller wrote:

That's a good point with the bases extending out over the port.  The rear sticks out a half inch, and the front an eighth.  I wonder if that would be enough in interfere?  I guess I need to get some ammo and shoot this thing to see if it's a problem.  Granted, I was thinking about rebarrelling it to 6.5x55- because I've always wanted one.  The slightly shorter Swede would probably clear just fine. 

I swear, getting the ideal scope/mount/ring setup is an adventure more often than not...


i wouldnt  say the swede is all that much shorter, the normal swede action is considered a "long action" to accommodate those long 6.5mm bullets it shoots. in all reality the 6.5 swede probably uses the same length bolt as the 06 does.
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 15:15
Would this situation be cleared up with a different set of mounts/rings?  Why use "extended"?
take em!
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