New Shooter, New Rifle.....new scope

[beak-in-the-barrel]

Hey everyone,

I am a newbie on hunting washington and to firearms in general. I'll be purchasing a bolt action rifle in the near future and will probably purchase some new glass for it as well. I'm thinking Bushnell Elite, Vortex Viper PST or Leupold VX-3. Any opinions or tips would be very helpful.

I'm looking to go deer/elk hunting with the rifle (Savage 10 in .308) as well as long range target practice at the range. Price cap around $850.00 Thanks!

[X-Force]

Any of the above should work just fine. If your going to do long distance target you may want target turrets or exposed turrets. Vortex have more options for the money. 

I was debating about getting one of the three scopes you listed but I broke down and bought a leupold mark 4. I think I made the right move for me but I still want a viper hs lr to play with some time later on down the road.

[Worldhunter]

Welcome.  I would stick with the vortex viper if it were me, very nice scopes with a great warranty. 

[bobcat]

I will always recommend Leupold.

Great warranty and made in the USA.

[Bob33]

You may find a better scope than Leupold but you won't find a better company.

[beak-in-the-barrel]

I really like the Vortex Viper PST. So..... 4-16x50 FFP or 6-24x50 FFP. Also for hunting does First focal plane and Second Focal plane have certain advantages/disadvantages of one antoher. Thanks for all the information.

[jackelope]

4-16x50 or even by 40 if there is such a thing. That 6-24 is a beast of a scope. I think you get to a point where bigger is not better and also bigger becomes impractical. The 50mm bells are gigantic. 95% of the time there will be no use for all that glass.
 

[cwuhunter]

I would run from the .308, too many new calibers that out preform it 

[Simcoe hunter]

I would run from the .308, too many new calibers that out preform it 

06= an older one that outperforms 308 and can be found in more stores when you forget your ammo.

[MadHatter]

I would run from the .308, too many new calibers that out preform it 

?

It's a time proven caliber for hunting and long range shooting... Are there new rounds perform better, yes and no ... Yes they may have better terminal ballistics or shoot flatter, but no they are not better in that some are still pretty oddball rounds that you cannot buy just anywhere... So unless you reload already, you are also looking at having to get a reloading setup if you intend to not spend a fortune on ammo.

But in the end you're sending a bullet down range to your target, and for a beginner 308 is a great round, lots of data... Ammo is (normally) easy to find just about anywhere and it will kill things just as dead as any other bullet out there. The key is that you have to do your part. It does no good for a new shooter that is shooting 2moa because of skill to have a 1/4moa round. 308 is a great round to learn with because of the vast amount of data out there and it's relatively cheap in comparison to some of the new fangled rounds out there... Having a short action savage like the op is talking about also give the option on switching the barrel later on to another better performing short action round.

Op: Go leupold... You will not regret it...

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[MadMooner]

308 is a great choice. It will do it all and choices in factory ammo can't be touched by any other chambering. 7-08 is a great choice as well. You put a good bullet where its supposed to go and they all work.

A Rem 700 in 308 and a Leupold 3-9 is a good place to start, though its really hard to beat a Leupold fixed 6.

Shop used and save some coin.

700's are dead simple and choices abound. Leupold scopes are backed by a great company.

Howa/Vanguards are great choices as well. M70's are great and some of the older push feeds can be had for smokin' deals.

If you are hard on your gear, I would look for stainless/synthetic.

[Fishmasterdan]

What ever you choose try and stick with good ole Made in the USA products. I see to many people recommending scopes like Ziess and Bushnells. Please try and contribute the your own economy.

Savage is good Founded in 1894 in NY. Now residing in Massachusetts. Just don't buy one made in canada.
Leupold and Stevens is also a great choice Made in Oregon.

I admit I have purchased some things not made is USA but  I try and buy "MADE IN USA" as we ALL should.

[beak-in-the-barrel]

America!!!! I completely agree dan, i always try to buy made in USA products.

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[MichaelJ]

If you want to shoot/hunt long range I'd start out with a 7mm chamber. 7 WSM is really hard to beat in the short action. Why handicap yourself by starting out with a 308? Sure guys roll 308's to 1k every day, elevation isn't the issue though it's bucking the wind and that's where your faster higher BC bullet is going to save you. In hunting situations it's all about reducing your margin of error. Starting out with a 308 is putting you at a disadvantage.

If you already had a solid shooting 308 then I'd recommend rolling with it and some good glass, but starting out with a new rifle I'll recommend against it every time.

Mike

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