Buying scope

[Mossy]

Decided to go modern for elk this year instead of bow so I dusted off the old winchester 7mm and took it out to check the sight.  Dead on like usual but my problem is the bushnell trophy scope is fogging up.  It happened last time I shot a deer with it too.  So I'm going to look at the leupold vx-1 and the redfields, 4-12x40 at cabelas in the morning.  I'm sure I'll be happy with either as long as they don't fog up on me.
Couple questions:  If I take the gun in, will they mount it for me and bore sight it?  Is there a charge?
I'm also trying to figure out what eye relief means.  I think I understand it but if someone could school me in layman's terms I'd appreciate it.  Thanks

[bobcat]

Eye relief is how close you have to get your eye to the scope in order to see through it and get the full field of view. More eye relief is better, obviously. Leupold scopes are known for having more eye relief than most scopes. If it matters to you, Cabelas is probably the most expensive place there is to buy optics. Although with the Leupold, I think the price will be the same as it is anywhere else, as Leupold has a set price and dealers can't go lower than that.

[Mossy]

Okay that's what I figured, thanks for the explanation.  I'm aware of cabelas pricing but they usually have everything in stock, I'm kind of a one stop buyer.  Apparently most of their scopes are on "sale" right now.  I figured if they mount and bore sight it for free then I'm saving some money there.

[bobcat]

I'd go with the VX-II in a 3-9x40 if you can afford to spend just a little more. It's a great scope for the money. I think they're just a hair over $300. Anything less and you may be wanting to upgrade in the near future and you'll be money ahead to just spend a bit more now.

[carpsniperg2]

  my thoughts as well

[Mossy]

so nobody knows if they mount in for you?  I have the 3-9x40 bushnell now, I just want the option for more zoom.

[509er]

they will mount and bore sight it for you for free.  That vx-1 will be a hell of an up grade for you and you will like it.   

[hunterofelk]

Gun ranges often have a bore sighting service.  I don't know if Cabela's does, but I would say it's a safe assumption.  Give them a call before you go.
Here is how I bore sight a bolt action.  I get a good size cardboard box and cut two notches so the rifle will cradle the long dimension of the box.  Remove the bolt and sight down the bore at a target maybe 25 yards away.  Without bumping or moving the box, turn the elevation and windage screws until the crosshairs line up on the target sighted through the bore.  A do it yourself method, should put you on paper at 100 yards.

[Mossy]

they will mount and bore sight it for you for free.  That vx-1 will be a hell of an up grade for you and you will like it.   

Thanks, that's what I was looking for.  I'm sure it's going to make a huge difference. 

[Mossy]

Gun ranges often have a bore sighting service.  I don't know if Cabela's does, but I would say it's a safe assumption.  Give them a call before you go.
Here is how I bore sight a bolt action.  I get a good size cardboard box and cut two notches so the rifle will cradle the long dimension of the box.  Remove the bolt and sight down the bore at a target maybe 25 yards away.  Without bumping or moving the box, turn the elevation and windage screws until the crosshairs line up on the target sighted through the bore.  A do it yourself method, should put you on paper at 100 yards.

Great suggestions.  I know buying a bore sight will be a pretty smart thing to do.  I have a brand new ruger 10-22 that came with a cheapo pine ridge scope that I haven't even fired so I know I'll be on my own with that.  I might get back into rifle hunting for deer once in awhile so I'm sure I'll be purchasing a deer rifle and another scope in the future, makes sense to have one.  Thanks again.

[Mossy]

I'd go with the VX-II in a 3-9x40 if you can afford to spend just a little more. It's a great scope for the money. I think they're just a hair over $300. Anything less and you may be wanting to upgrade in the near future and you'll be money ahead to just spend a bit more now.

I'm going to use my 7mm as my primary elk gun so that's why I figured the 4-12x40.  I will probably purchase a primary deer rifle with a lower power scope like the 3-9x40 cause the area I hunt it pretty thick.  It makes sense in my head but I'm open to interpretation.  Like I said, I'm a bowhunter so I need a refresher in the optics department.

[509er]

the 4x12 will do pretty much everything that a 3x9 will do and then some. 

[Mossy]

Alrighty, I ended up doing the opposite of everything I posted.  Was there for about 2 hours, checking every scope in my range and ended up with a Nikon Buckmaster in 3-9x40 with the bdc.  Eye relief was better on the nikon than the redfield and leupold.  Seemed brighter to me as well.  To be honest, I didn't even know that Nikon had a full lifetime warranty so never really considered them.  The best part was $219.99 was the price, $199 was sale price and they have a $40 mir for the bdc models.  Downside is the weight.  It's fairly obvious holding the Nikon to either of the other two that it's considerabley heavier.  Oh, and they certainly mounted the scope and sighted it for free.  Thanks for all the help guys.

[Mossy]

Got the scope dialed in yesterday.  It's a night and day difference from my old one.  I'm not an expert on scopes but it is bright and has really good eye relief. 

[hunterbuilder]

My dad has that scope on his .257 and has been really happy with it. He's had if for a few years and when he got it it seemed to be the best bang for the buck.