Choosing the right scope for my new build

[unclefish]

Well my 300 win mag custom should be done this month. I am having a problem trying to figure out a scope for it. It has a stiller action Mueller #4 barrel 25 inch. Bell carlson Alaskan stock. Wanted it to be on light side. I will only be elk hunting in Colorado with this rifle. Some days I sit in the woods some days overlooking the fields. I do plan to use my G7br2 range finder with this . Some things I think I would like would be zero stop 30 mm tube 50mm objective. Moa adjustment nothing wicked heavy . Would like to stay under the 2500 hundred.. and what power 3 to 18 deal 5 to 20 deal.which one. Last year I had 25 yard shot year before I could have had a 600 yard shot. Wasnt ready for that..2 years ago 200 yards. Any help or experience with that type of hunting to help me make up my mind this week.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I've been thinking of replacing the scope on my 300 Win Mag. I've got a #4 contour barrel at 24" in an HS precision stock.

I'm kinda liking the specs on the Nightforce Compact in 2.5-10x42 primarily from a weight perspective. I wish it had more magnification on the high end.

Someone on the forum was talking about a Sworovski Z5 in 3.5-18x44 with a weight of 16 oz.

 

[unclefish]

I have a Leupold vx6 3-18 by 44 now not crazy about the glass. Had Zeiss before that and Zeiss glass was nice. I did look through a Nightforce nxs 3.5 to 15 pretty clear just heavy. Would like to see out to 600 to 800 yards but also if I get close shot have that option to.

 

[jonthomps]

For a FFP scope I'd look at the NF 4-16. From what it sounds like, it may be a little on the heavy side for what you want though. For a SFF scope I'd look at the 2.5-10x42. That's one bad little scope.

 

[unclefish]

Seems like I want the nightforce just the weight keeps me second in guessing. Another guy says save up another 1000 and buy a schmidt bender but it seems like everything in mil dot

 

[ShtrRdy]

Seems like I want the nightforce just the weight keeps me second in guessing.

I agree. I've been doing some more digging and a new Leupold VX-2 with AO and CDS knob looks interesting. It comes with what they call a "Wind Plex" reticle. This reticle looks to have hash marks on the horizontal axis. I'm not sure if they're at 1 moa spacing but I think they might be. Scope Weight is ~ 16 oz.

 

[screech]

I've been/still am a night force nxs guy. Not the best glass but they are bullet proof. For me to feel confident in suggesting something I know you will be happy I'll suggest a 5.5-22nxs. I'll tell you though the next scope I'll buy will be a kahles 6-24. It will take a year or two of spinning turrets and falls before I will find if I'm sold on them but from the 2 people in the industry that I trust in scopes both have told me to try the kahles that I would be just as happy with their durability and happier with they're clarity. One used to be a huge nxs guy and the other a s&b guy. I know that may not helped any but that's my few cents.

 

[unclefish]

Does anybody have the Nightforce nxs 3.5x15-50 that they shoot out to 600 to 800 yards. Have any problems seeing that far for a good clean view.

 

[Rick Richard]

Just curious. Why not go with the 5.5 - 22 since it weighs the same as the 3 - 15 and there would not be any concern about seeing the target?

Just a bit different perspective.

 

[unclefish]

ya u are right on the weight. just one person mentioned to me about field of view when sitting in the woods. Keeps going through my mind.

 

[Rick Richard]

No problem in the woods for me.

I was where you are at and I am happy the Smith who built my three customs convinced me to go with the 5.5 - 22. Also, happy he suggested the MOART reticle.

 

[jsthntn247]

The nightforce scopes are going to be too heavy for what you want. Check out the Bushnell lrhs 4.5-18 or one of the March scopes listed on this page. The 2.5-24x42 would be great on a lighter weight long range hunter.
Bullets.com

 

[Lpart]

I have been using a Nightforce 2.5-10x32 for about 3 years. I have shot out to 1285 yards with it and do not feel the magnification is a big handicap. Definitely fine at 700-800 yards. Holds more steady than the big rigs. I don't feel shortchanged by the 32mm objective but would probably get the 42mm if getting one today.

 

[Rich Coyle]

The nightforce scopes are going to be too heavy for what you want. Check out the Bushnell lrhs 4.5-18 or one of the March scopes listed on this page. The 2.5-24x42 would be great on a lighter weight long range hunter.
Bullets.com

That March looks great!