Optic for my son's first rifle

[megastink]

I'm building my son his first deer rifle. Its going to be a 6mm Creedmoor built on a Savage 10 receiver with a Carbon Six 16" barrel with brake and a factory Savage Accufit stock so that he can grow into it. I want to keep the rifle light. I think it will be around 6lbs unscoped. Shots will all be within 300 yards on game. I was thinking that the SWFA 2.5-10x32 would be a great fit with a picatinny rail and Burris Zee Rings. I've ready that the eyebox is tight above 8 power, but that rifle shouldn't kick much at all. I also like that you can remove those turret caps and dial with that scope, which I do with my Bushnell LRHS's. Before I go buy one for him, I want to hear from the community:

1) Hands on experience with that scope?
2) What other optics should I consider in that general weight, magnification, and price range?

I was originally thinking a Bushnell 2.5-10 Nitro, but I'm not crazy about the weight of it.

Also, this forum has been very generous with reloading supplies to get him started. A special thank you to you all who volunteered some gear.

 

[Wedgy]

First what is your price range ?
Personally I won't buy a scope without a side parallax/focus but if you absolutely aren't shooting past 300 yards then I wouldn't worry too much about it. All the SWFA's I've looked thru are a great scope for the money.

 

[megastink]

First what is your price range ?
Personally I won't buy a scope without a side parallax/focus but if you absolutely aren't shooting past 300 yards then I wouldn't worry too much about it. All the SWFA's I've looked thru are a great scope for the money.

I originally was going to spend $200 on a Nitro, but I'd be willing to spend $350 or so on the SWFA for the weight savings. So, $150-$350?

 

[Wedgy]

I think you will be happy with the SWFA, they are a lot of scope for the money.

 

[Bullmark]

Meopta makes some of the best scopes for the money that you'll find. European optics built by an old guard company that still does things the way you'd prefer.
Good glass never wears out, so you will get a much better long term return on your investment buying quality and using it forever.

 

[Jon Bischof]

Highly visible reticle for young hunter recommended

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

Well without your price range I'll start at the easiest—maven RS2. Handy straight duplex, light with plenty magnification. I've killed a ton of game inside 300 yards with a straight duplex—they also have a SHR reticle that is fairly straightforward. $550

RS.2 - 2-10x38 SFP

Buy Maven Outdoor Equipment Company RS.2 Riflescopes. Our RS Series Riflescopes stack up with the most celebrated and expensive scopes in the world…bar none.

mavenbuilt.com

Next:
Vortex viper pst—never been a huge Vortex fan but I've shot a lot behind this scope and it is a passing long range scope—my nephews dials true—reticle is fairly straight forward and decent glass quality for $750

Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen 2 Rifle Scope 5-25x 50mm EBR-2D MOA

The Vortex Viper PST Gen II hands an unfair advantage to shooters who seek to keep the upper hand in every situation from close quarters to long-range...

www.midwayusa.com

Leupold LRP

While I absolutely hate the top turret the two I owned were dead nuts and the glass was good for the money spent—and weight for performance was good. $800

Natchez

www.natchezss.com

Finally not light but I will say tough as nails..this was my first LR scope—and I used it for the better part of 10 years moving it around on rifles. Investment piece for a young shooter $1550

Nightforce Like New Demo NXS 5.5-22x50 Zero Stop MOAR-T Riflescope C505

Nightforce Like New Demo NXS 5.5-22x50 Zero Stop MOAR-T Riflescope C505 | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

Or just get him that TT in the classifieds and he would be ruined forever.

Ed

 

[SEGARE]

16" barrel and a brake- make sure he doubles up on hearing protection EVERY time he shoots.

I second the Meopta.

 

[megastink]

Meopta makes some of the best scopes for the money that you'll find. European optics built by an old guard company that still does things the way you'd prefer.
Good glass never wears out, so you will get a much better long term return on your investment buying quality and using it forever.

16" barrel and a brake- make sure he doubles up on hearing protection EVERY time he shoots.

I second the Meopta.

What model Meopta should I be looking at?

 

[SEGARE]

The Optika 5 or 6 line. Either will serve him well. I have an Optika6 3-18x50 and am very pleased. It compares very well with Leupy's VX6 at less than half the price.

 

[skipglo]

I originally was going to spend $200 on a Nitro, but I'd be willing to spend $350 or so on the SWFA for the weight savings. So, $150-$350?

Check euro optics...I believe they have an Athlon scope 6X24 on sale for 269.00. All the Bells and Whistles Parra,dialable, illuminated...can't go wrong there

 

[SEGARE]

IMO, 6x on the bottom end is too high for a 300yd hunting rifle, especially for an inexperienced hunter. When a buck walks out at 10 yards at last light, I would hate to have a young hunter trying to find him against the dark background at 6x.

 

[Bullmark]

IMO, 6x on the bottom end is too high for a 300yd hunting rifle, especially for an inexperienced hunter. When a buck walks out at 10 yards at last light, I would hate to have a young hunter trying to find him against the dark background at 6x.

i agree.....we all know movement is the same, whether your scope is on 5x or 15x, but it certainly appears to be "shakier" as the magnification increases. I've tried to teach my sons to shoot at the lowest mag setting so they have to hold on a smaller spot and their movement isn't magnified. A nice 3-18 or 3-15 is a nice option for any situation.

 

[SEGARE]

Not only the shakiness, but more so the ability to find the target with the increased magnification. A pressure situation, with fading light and a novice (OP, not sure of your son's skill level- not disparaging his aptitude) hunter can make for a blown opportunity. I keep my scopes dialed down until I see the target, then adjust accordingly, and I've been doing this for 45+ years.

OP, I would also recommend an illuminated reticle to make it easier to find the crosshairs in that last minute of legal shooting light, when buck always seem to appear.