Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: wastickslinger on October 22, 2007, 08:05:35 PM

Title: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on October 22, 2007, 08:05:35 PM: I recently bought a Ruger #1 22-250 and am in the market for a scope. Range is $275-$350. Anyone have any good suggestions? I am thinking about the Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14X40 with BDC reticle. I kinda want one with the 50 mm objective but the buckmaster dosn't have it with the BDC as far I understand from reading. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on October 22, 2007, 09:53:29 PM: A guy on another site is really pushing the Pentax Gameseeker 4-12X40?? I have never owened or even looked at Pentax, do they make good scopes or is this a load of crap? I think the guy is just trying to sell scopes. I think I will stick with Nikon or Leupold.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: Intruder on October 23, 2007, 07:59:38 AM: Check out:
- Sightron
- Bushnell Elite (3200 or 4200)
- Vortex
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on October 23, 2007, 11:05:02 AM: Thanks Intruder.

I looked at a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18X40 with the BDC reticle today. Anybody have one that they like or dislike? I really liked it.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: arrowflinger on October 23, 2007, 11:25:29 AM: I have one that on my .223..............I love it.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: tlbradford on October 24, 2007, 02:43:29 PM: If you are going 14x or higher on your magnification, make sure it has adjustable objectives. I also like a side focus knob when using the higher magnification.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on October 24, 2007, 05:14:50 PM: The 6-18X40 Buckmaster does have side focus. I just dont know if I really need that power over 14. I looked at the 4.5-14X50 and I like it too. Just don't know if I want the bigger objective or more power. Kind of a toss up. I better not impulse buy. I am gonna do some more looking. Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: high country on October 24, 2007, 09:33:32 PM: I have a bunch of scopes from tasco through zeiss and swarovski. I would suggest you spend more $$ on quality than power. a 4200 3-9x40 can be had for 250.00 a conquest is a great buy as well. there is really no need for a 50mm unless you are shooting really late. my 50 mm swarovski really does not have anything on my 42mm leica or 44mm zeiss scopes, but it does smoke my nikon 4-12x44 monarch. my money for nikon would go to a monarch from natchez....pretty good deals there.

I would look at a conquest, 4200, leupold, sightron pretty much in that order.

I have a pentax lightseeker that is pretty damn impressive too, the low grade ones are not as good, but the lightseekers rock.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on October 24, 2007, 09:55:27 PM: Thanks high country
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: smdave on October 24, 2007, 10:57:17 PM: I purchased a Nikon 4-14X40 BDC for my 300 winmag this year, I had a doe tag for the 204 unit and did not find any bucks to shoot all week. This last sunday I shot a doe I laser ranged the area before hunting and new it was about 400 yards to where she was on the trail, I held the scope up on the third dot and shot she dropped in her tracks, the shot was high in the shoulder bottom of the spine, I should have used the second dot. The gun is sighted in at 200yrds at the cross hairs. I am real positive that with any other scope I would have really had trouble making that shot. From the deer back to the blind the shot ranged at 384yrds. You can just make out the Doghouse blind over my shoulder.

Dave

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10203/P1010103_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: addicted on October 24, 2007, 11:21:39 PM: i had just pushed that doe out of the trees and i was laying down next to the blind he shot out of scoping her when he dropped her. hell of a shot dave.

by the way im buying that same scope for my 300 win mag before next year.

also you can get the bdc redical in other magnifications like 3x -9x
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: Intruder on October 25, 2007, 10:22:41 AM: Since it is a 22-250 I'm assuming you're shooting varmints.... yes? If so, and by varmints you are intending to hunt ground squirrels too, I'd suggest higher powers. Got a 6-18 on my 223 for just that reason. If you're strictly talkin coyotes then the 3x9 is just dandy. Someone else stated having the adjustable parallax is advisable for higher powers... I would 2nd that.

BDCs are a personal choice. I'm not a big fan of em for big game rifles but for varmint shooting... yea maybe. I'd prefer better glass or high magnification over BDC if it was a dollars and cents choice. But again.... "whatever blows your skirt up" as they say :)

If you have the option, just look at a lot of different stuff. There a quite a few really nice scopes out there in the price range your looking at. Don't let the biggest ads on TV and the mags influence ya too much. I'm seeing more and more Millet, Sightron, and Vortex stuff at the range all the time. You don't hear alot (especially TV/Mags) about them but it seems like these are gaining in popularity in BR circles. I still really like the Bushnell 3200/4200 Elite stuff for the $. Anyway... good luck.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on October 25, 2007, 12:39:44 PM: Again, thanks for the replies. There are so many options. I am going to keep looking until one stands out. I'm not in a big hurry.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: high country on November 03, 2007, 02:58:53 PM: if you are gonna be shooting over a rangefinder I might look at a scope with turrets. I think at $350 you will be just getting there. I can click targets with my lrf and a quick look at my bal map and put hits on songdogs out to a grand on calm days...all about knowing your rig.

as for bdc's being needed to pull of long shots; my 3-9 leuy, on my 270win. is sighted just light of 2" @100yds, at 450yds my bullet strikes right where my crosshairs begin to transition to the thicker area when on 9x. I can make solid hits to 600yds on 6" plates on a calm day with it just by knowing where my bullet strikes at a given power on my scope. nothing against bdc's, heck I really like the ballplex and tds but they are not as handy as a bunch of practice is.

the downer on the 22-250 is the wind, you have never seen something drift like a light 22cal in a good wind. a 6' hold is common in the winter winds at 500yds....just like playing the slice in golf.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: MuleySniper on November 05, 2007, 04:33:54 PM: Slinger, I got a sweet Redfield that came off one of my rifles. I'll make you a killer deal on it. Its only about 50 years old. You cant pass up this deal!
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on November 05, 2007, 05:00:22 PM: I'll trade you for my Martin Firecat. :chuckle:

No wait... it might be an antique and worth some money.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: mkcj on November 05, 2007, 05:17:09 PM: i love my Nikon scopes just bought an 800 rangefinder also. Was also told that Nikon makes a lot of the glass out there for other makers Leupold being one of them. Just what i was told anyway
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: high country on November 05, 2007, 06:39:52 PM: actually aside from the euro stuff, most glass is made by one maker, ashai IIRC manufactures but from them and spec the grades they want, top quality glass is good, but better coatings make a big diff over just the glass. kinda like chevy....they make the geo through the corvette
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on November 06, 2007, 10:13:11 AM: I was looking at the VX-III 4.5-14 X 40 with the B&C reticle. Is there that much difference from the VX-II to the VX-III? Any opinions?

I am going to the Cabelas Special invite on 11/7/07 in Post Falls. Hopefully I can snag a good deal on a scope over there. I hope the bargain cave is stocked up.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: Buckshot Bill on November 06, 2007, 05:26:57 PM: Quote from: wastickslinger on November 06, 2007, 10:13:11 AM
I was looking at the VX-III 4.5-14 X 40 with the B&C reticle. Is there that much difference from the VX-II to the VX-III? Any opinions?

I am going to the Cabelas Special invite on 11/7/07 in Post Falls. Hopefully I can snag a good deal on a scope over there. I hope the bargain cave is stocked up.

I've owned a VX-II 4-12 X 40 Adj. Obj. for a number of years now and really like it compared to many I've used and seen. I'm sure there are lots of really good scopes out there though. It fit my budget good when I built my Winchester Model 70 300 Weatherby Mag. As far as the difference that I've seen or heard, VX-III has more reticle type selections than the VX-II as well as more power selections. The technology is newer so the lens systems are different. When you get to the higher power/long range scopes the windage and elevation adjustments and parallax focus are done with the fingers instead of a screw driver/tool. Not sure what else the difference is. I would ask the person at Cabelas when you are looking at them. They should know quite a bit also. I do know that in low light conditions my VX-II sucks in any light and makes it real easy to see stuff.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on November 07, 2007, 11:05:44 PM: Compared a few today. Nikon Monarch 5-20X44AO. And Leupold VX-III 4-14X40AO. I really couldnt tell a difference in the clarity and I like the idea of the 20 power just in case I want to do a little bench shooting at real small critters. Anyone have a good reason to chose one over the other? Thanks.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: high country on November 08, 2007, 05:47:04 AM: those are both fine scopes, I like the leuy over the monarch just cause I have had warranty issues with both and leuy does in weeks what nikon does in months. Did you look at the 4200......that is my choice in the class?
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on November 08, 2007, 07:16:45 AM: I did look at the 4200. For some reason I cant bring myself to spending $400-500 on a Bushnell. Probably because I am use to bushnel being a $50 scope from Wal-Mart. Mental thing I guess. But I will admit it looked pretty nice.

The Monarch has a few little details over the VX-III in my price range. Like side focus, 44 mil instead of 40 and up to 20X instead of 18X. Just minor details but as far as the clarity I honestly couldnt tell. The number one reason I am leaning Leupold is warranty. Tough call, it will likely come down to a coin toss in the store?
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: high country on November 08, 2007, 03:41:03 PM: I hear ya on the bushnell name.....that is why I only refer to them as 4200. I have a early 4200 that says bausch&lomb, it is my prize. I hate to admit it, but the only thing the 4200 gives up to the leuy or nikon is weight. the rainguard is worth its weight in gold to me...just me. If it matters, I am pulling my swarovski off to put a 4200 in its place. I need a reliable scope and swaro just has not been there for me......expensive lesson.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: wastickslinger on November 08, 2007, 03:50:50 PM: I have heard a lot of good about the 4200. I might give in someday. :chuckle:

I ended up buying the Nikon Monarch 5-20X44 with the AO on the side. I really like the eye relief and the easy focus. Super clear when i looked through it today with the overcast. I figured I better save a few bucks on my scope since I spent a little extra over at the New Cabelas yesterday.

Thanks for everyones input. Just came down to the best deal. I am still kinda tight when it comes to hunting small game. I figure a grand into a yote gun is more than enough. My bow wasn't even that much and it is what I use the most.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: Intruder on November 13, 2007, 12:14:35 PM: Quote from: high country on November 08, 2007, 03:41:03 PM
I hear ya on the bushnell name.....that is why I only refer to them as 4200. I have a early 4200 that says bausch&lomb, it is my prize. I hate to admit it, but the only thing the 4200 gives up to the leuy or nikon is weight. the rainguard is worth its weight in gold to me...just me. If it matters, I am pulling my swarovski off to put a 4200 in its place. I need a reliable scope and swaro just has not been there for me......expensive lesson.

This will be the next scope I purchase. I've been a devoted Leupold guy for 20 years but I just can't justify the $ for em anymore when compared to the quality in some of the stuff out there these days. 4200 is really a nice scope and a great value.

BTW... the Monarch's I've looked through seem to be great scopes. Very good glass and really clear. Please keep us informed on how you like it once you get it into the field.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: littletoes on November 16, 2007, 11:31:28 AM: Go the next step....try the TMR reticle.
It can be installed in any VX III Luppy.

But, like said above, you have to SHOOT it in order to KNOW where your firearm is hitting at said ranges.....and if your not gonna practice STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THEM.

We've got enough guys out there banging away at game animals regardless of the range.

Do they work? HELL YES.
This past year an American Sniper hit an insurgent at 1200 meters using his MIL's.......oh yea, and that was with a 308.
Title: Re: Scope question???
Post by: NORRISKI2 on February 02, 2008, 05:15:06 PM: I have a Rem 700 VLS 22-250 with a 5 x 15 x 50mm Bushnell 3200 scope. Fairly nice scope, but I think there is better scopes out there for the price. Look at Burris Fullfield II, signature series, or black diamond with a ballistic plex reticle. I have a 3 x 12 x 44mm signature select with posi lock and a ballistic plex reticle on a .300 WSM Tikka T3 lite that I use for deer / elk hunting. IMHO, I don't think there is a better scope on the market in that price range.