The "right" scope..?

[Sully2]

Its been a long time people and Im waaayyyy behind on my "scope" data...but here's what Im thinking.

Im about to bring a new varminter online..a Remington 700 VLS in 22-250. I need a scope good for from about 50 yds to more than 350 yards and Im thinking a Leupold FX-3 12 (power fixed) 40mm Objective lens. Im not thinking of any ( or much) very early morning or late evening shooting so I havent looked at the 50MM objective lens model.

An old time prarie dog killer I used to work with said he used a fixed 10X scope but if he had to do it all over again he'd chose a 12X ( hence my choice)

What say you???

 

[Broz]

I shoot a lot of prairie dogs and gophers with smaller cals. I don't see anything wrong with your choice (other than I am not a leupold fan) But I would suggest you may want to give the Vortex Viper line a look. I sure like my 6x20x44 with a dot reticle for those lil gophers. Might be a bit cheaper too.

Jeff gun)gun)

 

[davewilson]

Sightron makes S111 fixed power scopes now. i think they are 10, 16, and 20x though. very nice scopes.

 

[Sully2]

I shoot a lot of prairie dogs and gophers with smaller cals. I don't see anything wrong with your choice (other than I am not a leupold fan) But I would suggest you may want to give the Vortex Viper line a look. I sure like my 6x20x44 with a dot reticle for those lil gophers. Might be a bit cheaper too.

Jeff gun)gun)

What dont you care for about Leupolds? I hate their sky high prices...but love the clarity when looking thru them. I'll check the Vortex line out!

 

[Broz]

What dont you care for about Leupolds? I hate their sky high prices...but love the clarity when looking thru them. I'll check the Vortex line out!

I had two fail in one year and I was done. They fixed them and fast for free , but I just can't trust them any more. I have two left and one of them is taking a crap too. (note all were VX3's) So.... I'm done. I switched all my non long range rifles over to Zeiss Conquests (close to same $$ as Lupy's) and I like them. Clairity is great on both the Zeiss and the Vortex Vipers for my eyes. So I guess you might look at Zeiss too.

Jeff

 

[Sully2]

I had two fail in one year and I was done. They fixed them and fast for free , but I just can't trust them any more. I have two left and one of them is taking a crap too. (note all were VX3's) So.... I'm done. I switched all my non long range rifles over to Zeiss Conquests (close to same $$ as Lupy's) and I like them. Clairity is great on both the Zeiss and the Vortex Vipers for my eyes. So I guess you might look at Zeiss too.

Jeff

WOW! I sure cant blame ya then. Your right I'll be looking elsewhere then. Mucho thanks

 

[Scot E]

I think that scope could fit the bill but I think there are others out there that may be better. Are you going to dial for distance? You will pretty much have to considering the reticles that Leupold offers in that model.

I am not a big Leupold fan either, too expensive for what you get and their glass should be better for the price. You may want to think about getting a ranging reticle like a mil or 1/2 mil hash reticle. Then you could do all of your holds with no dialing. For extreme accuracy this removes almost all of the potential error that comes into play when you start talking about turret error, etc. If you rely on the turrets for extreme precision then you need to spend A LOT of money for your scope IMO. A rangling reticle can save you a lot if you can make it work.

Not sure your price range but Sightron makes good fixed powers in the S III line for a similar price. The Super Sniper series by SWFA also would serve you well. They are one of the few mid range scopes that I would trust. Their turrets are very good too. Lots and lots of options. Weaver makes some good fixed powered scopes as well. Their exac track turret system is the real deal in my experience and is very repeatable. They are another mid range scope I like a lot. Not sure you will find the 12x you are looking for though. I think they have higher and lower but nothing around the 10-12x range.

HTH,

 

[Sully2]

I think that scope could fit the bill but I think there are others out there that may be better. Are you going to dial for distance? You will pretty much have to considering the reticles that Leupold offers in that model.

I am not a big Leupold fan either, too expensive for what you get and their glass should be better for the price. You may want to think about getting a ranging reticle like a mil or 1/2 mil hash reticle. Then you could do all of your holds with no dialing. For extreme accuracy this removes almost all of the potential error that comes into play when you start talking about turret error, etc. If you rely on the turrets for extreme precision then you need to spend A LOT of money for your scope IMO. A rangling reticle can save you a lot if you can make it work.

Not sure your price range but Sightron makes good fixed powers in the S III line for a similar price. The Super Sniper series by SWFA also would serve you well. They are one of the few mid range scopes that I would trust. Their turrets are very good too. Lots and lots of options. Weaver makes some good fixed powered scopes as well. Their exac track turret system is the real deal in my experience and is very repeatable. They are another mid range scope I like a lot. Not sure you will find the 12x you are looking for though. I think they have higher and lower but nothing around the 10-12x range.

HTH,

Never thought about the dial part...hmmmm??

Problem I have with different brands is that far too many dont seem nice and clear to me like a Leupold does...but your right for their price they SHOULD be top notch in something.

I can get in a Leupold brand what I want for $500-550...but i looked at Ziess and their cost was $1895......DUUUGGHHHHH?????

 

[Scot E]

All the scopes I mentioned will be in that price range or lower. If you want to go Zeiss look at the conquest line. They are top notch for the dollar and under $500 for their lower powered models. Even their based 3-9 would be plenty of power if you only need to go to 300 yards. I guess that partly depends on your eyes. 14-16x is max IMO though as mirage gets in the way about anywhere there are prairie dogs towns!

If you figure out specs and usage first, then start looking at scopes you will find it much easier to narrow down your list.

figure out if you are going to dial, range reticle etc.
1st or second focal plane.
power range or fixed power mag
obj diameter

Then start looking for scopes that fit.

 

[mountainman]

I had two fail in one year and I was done. They fixed them and fast for free , but I just can't trust them any more. I have two left and one of them is taking a crap too. (note all were VX3's) So.... I'm done. I switched all my non long range rifles over to Zeiss Conquests (close to same $$ as Lupy's) and I like them. Clairity is great on both the Zeiss and the Vortex Vipers for my eyes. So I guess you might look at Zeiss too.

Jeff

I'm not a leupold fan at all ,but I like zeiss. Last week I ask leupold and zeiss the same question, How much recoil can your scopes handle, zeiss got back to me in 2 hours, leupold took 1 week, so much for service. I was told from leupold....quote: they can handle severe recoil,they are tested and designed to withstand at least the 375 h&h magnum. zeiss says and quote: The recoil rating for ALL zeiss riflescopes is 1500g's at 1 millisecond, about 4X a 460 weatherby mag. ?????? seems pretty clear who the winner is, top it off with better optics, tracking, brightness, price,quality,warranty.... It's clear who's the best buy and scope. But don't take my word... ask for yourself and compare.

 

[Sully2]

I'm not a leupold fan at all ,but I like zeiss. Last week I ask leupold and zeiss the same question, How much recoil can your scopes handle, zeiss got back to me in 2 hours, leupold took 1 week, so much for service. I was told from leupold....quote: they can handle severe recoil,they are tested and designed to withstand at least the 375 h&h magnum. zeiss says and quote: The recoil rating for ALL zeiss riflescopes is 1500g's at 1 millisecond, about 4X a 460 weatherby mag. ?????? seems pretty clear who the winner is, top it off with better optics, tracking, brightness, price,quality,warranty.... It's clear who's the best buy and scope. But don't take my word... ask for yourself and compare.

Recoil wont be a problem on a 10 lb 22-250... Ear shattering muzzle blast....whee doogie..

 

[davewilson]

you said the guy you got your advice from was an old prairie dog hunter but didn't state if that was your intended quarry. if it's prairie dogs, then i think a fixed power would work well. they aren't very mobile and usually give you time to set up. but, if coyotes or foxes are in the mix, i think you would be better served by a variable, especially when they are fairly close. a 4-14 would work well for both senarios,and i'm pretty sure they have a Conquest in that power range. i'm not a varmint hunter, but if i was, i would have a ballistic type of reticle. those criters can really change distance in a hurry which can make cranking turrets difficult. this is where a reticle with other hash marks really shines. when it's fast and there's not much time, you can still make a good shot.

 

[Sully2]

All the scopes I mentioned will be in that price range or lower. If you want to go Zeiss look at the conquest line. They are top notch for the dollar and under $500 for their lower powered models. Even their based 3-9 would be plenty of power if you only need to go to 300 yards. I guess that partly depends on your eyes. 14-16x is max IMO though as mirage gets in the way about anywhere there are prairie dogs towns!

If you figure out specs and usage first, then start looking at scopes you will find it much easier to narrow down your list.

figure out if you are going to dial, range reticle etc.
1st or second focal plane.
power range or fixed power mag
obj diameter

Then start looking for scopes that fit.

Are you going to dial for distance? You will pretty much have to considering the reticles that Leupold offers in that model.

You'll have to enlighten me on that "dialing for distance"??
Also on "first or second focal plane" I know what focal plane has to do with cameras...but never heard that term used with rifle scopes??

Power range..EITHER 12X..OR.."X" to 12X variable...dont matter

Objective...40-50 or anything in between as long as I can buy a sunshade for the front of it.

 

[Sully2]

you said the guy you got your advice from was an old prairie dog hunter but didn't state if that was your intended quarry. if it's prairie dogs, then i think a fixed power would work well. they aren't very mobile and usually give you time to set up. but, if coyotes or foxes are in the mix, i think you would be better served by a variable, especially when they are fairly close. a 4-14 would work well for both senarios,and i'm pretty sure they have a Conquest in that power range. i'm not a varmint hunter, but if i was, i would have a ballistic type of reticle. those criters can really change distance in a hurry which can make cranking turrets difficult. this is where a reticle with other hash marks really shines. when it's fast and there's not much time, you can still make a good shot.

95% ground hogs and toss in the occasional coyote. Not too many prairie dogs around Cincinnati here.