How to Choose a Scope
- Thread starter YoteXX
- Start date
SD Handgunner
New member
You have received a lot of good advise. The one thing I did not read anyway mentioning is how you mount the scope on your particular Rifle. A lot of guys get caught up in the bigger is better, not only in terms of Magnification but also Objective Lense Diameter.
To me I think if you choose a better quality optic with really good lense coatings the Objective Lense doesn't need to be as large as a scope with inferior lenses and coatings to get good light transmission.
The larger the objective lense diameter the higher you have to mount the scope on the rifle to get the objective bell to clear the barrel. With most of the large (over 40mm) objective scopes I have found that I have to mount them too high to get a good cheek weld on the stock. With proper cheek weld on the stock when you shoulder the rifle you eye will automatically be aligned with the scope, and you do not have to lift and or bob you head around to find the field of view and the critter in that field of view.
I also agree in that there can be some really good bargins found for decent scopes on the used market. A year or so ago I bought a 3x9x40mm Nikon Buckmaster in really great condition for $100.00, and have been totally pleased with the scope. I can not comment on Nikon's Warranty / Service as I have never had to send on it for repair.
If you can go to a sporting goods store and look through as many different scopes as you can in your price range, and don't forget to look through their used scopes also.
Good luck, happy hunting and welcome to Predator Masters.
Larry
To me I think if you choose a better quality optic with really good lense coatings the Objective Lense doesn't need to be as large as a scope with inferior lenses and coatings to get good light transmission.
The larger the objective lense diameter the higher you have to mount the scope on the rifle to get the objective bell to clear the barrel. With most of the large (over 40mm) objective scopes I have found that I have to mount them too high to get a good cheek weld on the stock. With proper cheek weld on the stock when you shoulder the rifle you eye will automatically be aligned with the scope, and you do not have to lift and or bob you head around to find the field of view and the critter in that field of view.
I also agree in that there can be some really good bargins found for decent scopes on the used market. A year or so ago I bought a 3x9x40mm Nikon Buckmaster in really great condition for $100.00, and have been totally pleased with the scope. I can not comment on Nikon's Warranty / Service as I have never had to send on it for repair.
If you can go to a sporting goods store and look through as many different scopes as you can in your price range, and don't forget to look through their used scopes also.
Good luck, happy hunting and welcome to Predator Masters.
Larry
Dave Allen
New member
hello...i wouldn't mess around with a bdc..reticle..unless you know how to use it ?? i don't...don't get caught up in the marketing..hype..a reticle won't teach you how to shoot @ 400 yard's...only you & your rifle can determine that...
Quote:
I'm thinking seriously of going this route (genesis's rifle). Sometimes I like to deliberately set up long range shots, setting my e-caller waaaayyy out there, and of course using a higher power scope. I'd be embarrassed to tell you how many times I've had my scope cranked up to 18X and had a coyote show up within 100YDs of me headed for my far away caller. More often than not, I not only don't get a shot when they are in my lap, they don't show themselves out at the caller either.
I have absolutely Zero experience with these newfangled Eotech sights, but they look they might just be the best of both worlds.
This method works equally well.
Aimpoint with a swing away 3X magnifier. You can use the iron sights (which I have the rear sight removed in this pic)
or use the red dot, or flip up the magnifier and use the scope.
Works great!!!
I'm thinking seriously of going this route (genesis's rifle). Sometimes I like to deliberately set up long range shots, setting my e-caller waaaayyy out there, and of course using a higher power scope. I'd be embarrassed to tell you how many times I've had my scope cranked up to 18X and had a coyote show up within 100YDs of me headed for my far away caller. More often than not, I not only don't get a shot when they are in my lap, they don't show themselves out at the caller either.
I have absolutely Zero experience with these newfangled Eotech sights, but they look they might just be the best of both worlds.
This method works equally well.
Aimpoint with a swing away 3X magnifier. You can use the iron sights (which I have the rear sight removed in this pic)
or use the red dot, or flip up the magnifier and use the scope.
Works great!!!
Squeeze
New member
Quote:
Ok, so like a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9X40 BDC scope would be a good choice for the longest shot being 400YDS?
YoteXX,
I purchased a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x SF, with the BDC
reticle, and was not pleased with this reticle for small
targets, like varmints, or 1" black squares on paper. It is
TOO Thick! The BDC reticle may be OK for intermediate range
big game shooting, but at longer ranges, this reticle is
going to cover more of the target area than suits me.
Others may like the BDC reticle, but when time came for
another Nikon Buckmaster, it had a Nikoplex reticle, and I
am much happier with this reticle. Just something to think
about.
And the advice about staying low in the magnification
ranges, is very good advice. I thought bigger was better,
until I found mirage, FOV, and critical eye relief all
combined to make anything above 18x more frustration
than the extra power was worth. On my CAR-15, I had a
3-9x scope, and had several close encounters with varmints,
and predators, that were lost due to having the scope set
at 9x, or even lower. I have the scope on a Armalite
scope mount, so I can put it back on the rifle, with
no loss of zero, but for the most part, I have a Bushnell
Trophy Red/Green dot sight on it. I don't miss
opportunities because of sights /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Sometimes I
just can't miss fast enough, but that is other issues /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
So if you want to shoot small colony varmints,
or paper, at 400 yards, then something up to 18x would
be a good choice, but for a calling rifle, my maximum is a
2-7x, and I would not think twice about shooting 7x
out to 400 yards, if I have a good fix on windage, and
hold over.
Squeeze
Ok, so like a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9X40 BDC scope would be a good choice for the longest shot being 400YDS?
YoteXX,
I purchased a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x SF, with the BDC
reticle, and was not pleased with this reticle for small
targets, like varmints, or 1" black squares on paper. It is
TOO Thick! The BDC reticle may be OK for intermediate range
big game shooting, but at longer ranges, this reticle is
going to cover more of the target area than suits me.
Others may like the BDC reticle, but when time came for
another Nikon Buckmaster, it had a Nikoplex reticle, and I
am much happier with this reticle. Just something to think
about.
And the advice about staying low in the magnification
ranges, is very good advice. I thought bigger was better,
until I found mirage, FOV, and critical eye relief all
combined to make anything above 18x more frustration
than the extra power was worth. On my CAR-15, I had a
3-9x scope, and had several close encounters with varmints,
and predators, that were lost due to having the scope set
at 9x, or even lower. I have the scope on a Armalite
scope mount, so I can put it back on the rifle, with
no loss of zero, but for the most part, I have a Bushnell
Trophy Red/Green dot sight on it. I don't miss
opportunities because of sights /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Sometimes I
just can't miss fast enough, but that is other issues /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
So if you want to shoot small colony varmints,
or paper, at 400 yards, then something up to 18x would
be a good choice, but for a calling rifle, my maximum is a
2-7x, and I would not think twice about shooting 7x
out to 400 yards, if I have a good fix on windage, and
hold over.
Squeeze
Here's my favorite scope these days for shots out to 500 yds. or so--
http://www.rapidreticle.com/22lr3-9x32.htm
The reticle is designed for the 22 LR trajectory, but easily adaptable to another, but as Dave Allen mentioned above there is a learning curve in understanding reticles to learn to apply them as accurately as possible.
http://www.rapidreticle.com/22lr3-9x32.htm
The reticle is designed for the 22 LR trajectory, but easily adaptable to another, but as Dave Allen mentioned above there is a learning curve in understanding reticles to learn to apply them as accurately as possible.
greg223
Active member
Quote:
I use a 1-4X on my calling rifles and very rarely turn it up to 4X.
Jack
I'm with Jack 100% /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif I do have one calling rifle with a 3x-9x but it rarely gets cranked up over six, mostly for spotting. If it were me, I would put a high quality fixed 4x on it. My other two calling rifles have that and I would not change it.
I use a 1-4X on my calling rifles and very rarely turn it up to 4X.
Jack
I'm with Jack 100% /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif I do have one calling rifle with a 3x-9x but it rarely gets cranked up over six, mostly for spotting. If it were me, I would put a high quality fixed 4x on it. My other two calling rifles have that and I would not change it.
NM Leon
New member
Quote:
This method works equally well.
Aimpoint with a swing away 3X magnifier. You can use the iron sights (which I have the rear sight removed in this pic)
or use the red dot, or flip up the magnifier and use the scope.
Works great!!!
That's a very interesting set-up genesis. I'm assuming you can use the red dot without the magnification right? Can you use the 3X part as a spotting scope without having to look through the red dot? Do they come with any other power magnifier (maybe 6X)? That would be very cool.
I guess I need to get out of the stone age and move up at least to bronze spear tips. I can't believe I'm getting as set in my ways as those "fuddy-duddy" old guys used to be. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
This method works equally well.
Aimpoint with a swing away 3X magnifier. You can use the iron sights (which I have the rear sight removed in this pic)
or use the red dot, or flip up the magnifier and use the scope.
Works great!!!
That's a very interesting set-up genesis. I'm assuming you can use the red dot without the magnification right? Can you use the 3X part as a spotting scope without having to look through the red dot? Do they come with any other power magnifier (maybe 6X)? That would be very cool.
I guess I need to get out of the stone age and move up at least to bronze spear tips. I can't believe I'm getting as set in my ways as those "fuddy-duddy" old guys used to be. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
knockemdown
New member
Naaaaa Leon....
With you packin' a DTECH 243Wssmssmsmsssmmmmm and a having a 6.5 on the way pretty much puts you smack dab in the NOW!
With you packin' a DTECH 243Wssmssmsmsssmmmmm and a having a 6.5 on the way pretty much puts you smack dab in the NOW!
SodakJim
New member
I have used the .243 for 50 yrd shots through the timber and even 1000 yard steel targets, and it did a good job on both. I tend to agree with Verminator2 that a variabe in the 2.5-10x40, 3-12x40, or even 4-16x50 would do the job there in Iowa. The 4-16x50 will have some extra bulk and weight to pack around if your a walking hunter. From a stand the extra power can be a blessing at times. I have used several scopes from Mueller and Bushnell for $140 to $200 that would be a better choice than the Tasco. I think that your Vanguard rates a better scope. Good Luck with your choice.
Dultimatpredator
Well-known member
99 percent of my optics are Leupold. Trust me they are far from being the greatest optic out there, but they seem clear enough and reliable to get the job done. They are kinda like the craftsman tools of scopes, a moderately priced lifetime warranty product. My 243 wears a VX111 4.5x14 with target turrets. In my opinion its a yote only scope being if I ever had a deer run past me full throttle at close range in my neck of the woods the narrow field of view would be one hell of a challenge to pick it up. My average shot on a coyote with this rifle, shotgun range. Over scoped but I wouldn't trade it if my life depended on it. The 2.5x10 you referred to would be perfect. I just don't trust the manufactures who produce this variable till you jump to at least a Nikon Monark price. Why the hell doesn't Leupold make a VX1 in a 2.5x10?