Which scope for my new mountain rifle build???

E

Elkwonder

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Nov 28, 2010
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Ok folks, I am building a new mountain rifle for mule deer and will be using it here in the badlands as well. I was wanting something FAIRLY light, without being uncontrollably light. I have settled on 140 grain pills pushed from a tikka t3 lite stainless 7mm-08 mounted in a bell and Carlson medalist stock. As for a scope, that's where I'm hung up. I want the best glass for the money, and would rather not spend more than a grand. I think the Sightron SIII 3.5-10X44 illuminated is a good fit, but am worried if 10 max power is enough for 500 yards. I think the glass will be hard to beat for the $750.00 dollar mark. I also like the illumination and trust the repeatability of this scope. Consistent tracking is a must, as I will be cranking on this bad boy daily! I plan on shooting this rifle a ton throughout the year between hunting and punching paper so that I remain efficient with this set up. I really don't plan on shooting past 500 with this setup. I guess I am just worried that I will wish I had went with more magnification. What say you??????Thanks
 
For the last 50+ years snipers were taught to shoot to 1,000 yards with a set 10x scope. I think you'll be alright at 500 on mule deer sized game. :cool:

However, my recommendation is for a truly lightweight scope. It's not cheap, but it will last you a lifetime, and then some...

Figure out your hashmark drops for your particular rifle and caliber, and you'll be set!

This scope only weighs in at 16.5oz.......That's lightweight!!!

Kahles KXi Rifle Scope 3.5-10x 50mm Illuminated 4D Reticle Matte

I'd use this lightweight mount. Make sure you only torque the screws to 30 inch-pounds, or you'll have issues. Also, with this mount you don't need to use loc-tite, being that once you torque aluminum, it's pretty situated.

Brushed Stainless: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/32...-with-1-integral-rings-tikka-t3-silver-medium

Black: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/82...e-with-1-integral-rings-tikka-t3-matte-medium

I have the same mount (but for a 700), holding the same scope on one of my rifles.
 
I was looking at some other options on sample list as well as demos at camera land and a couple other sites. Sometimes you can get some awesome deals on demos if you know what you want. Im not against the kahles, but I was hoping for an adjustable turret instead of a holdover system.
 
Elkwonder said:
I was looking at some other options on sample list as well as demos at camera land and a couple other sites. Sometimes you can get some awesome deals on demos if you know what you want. Im not against the kahles, but I was hoping for an adjustable turret instead of a holdover system.
Click to expand...

Then I would look at either Vortex Viper PST or Leupold Mark 4 models. 10x is ok for 500 but 12-14 is better for me.
 
I had the exact same requirements for a scope a year or so ago.......I wound up ordering a Leupold VX-III LR from the custom shop, with a M1 dial installed and TMR reticle. This scope fits the bill perfect, I got the 40mm objective and a 30mm tube in 6.5-20 with side focus.

I forget how long I waited but it was not long at all and came in somewhere under $1k..........I would definitely talk to the Leupold Custom shop before making a decision.

Here's a pic of it on my 7# 284 Winchester

https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#AD5oqs3qGn2l2J
 
I would stick with a 10x tops for a light mountain rifle with a 500 yards limit, nothing worse than having no field of view when in the timber with long rage optic.
I think you'd find the SIII 3.5-10 a very good fit for you, one rev on the turret should get you to 500 yards, glass is good and I think you'd find the MOA reticle very usable with the dot in the center.
More than likely at 10x tops your not going to see any difference in glass between the PST and the SIII, even in our LR scopes it's hard to tell but the SIII does have a slight glass advantage but the PST has the zero stop and turret advantage IMO.
Tops is a Nightforce 2.5-10x44 but that's more than doubling a guys budget but worth it IMO.
 
what about the leupold mark4 4.5x14x50? That looks like the cats ***. Is the glass any better than the sightron or pst? Would the leupold be a better option?
 
bigngreen said:
I would stick with a 10x tops for a light mountain rifle with a 500 yards limit, nothing worse than having no field of view when in the timber with long rage optic.
I think you'd find the SIII 3.5-10 a very good fit for you, one rev on the turret should get you to 500 yards, glass is good and I think you'd find the MOA reticle very usable with the dot in the center.
More than likely at 10x tops your not going to see any difference in glass between the PST and the SIII, even in our LR scopes it's hard to tell but the SIII does have a slight glass advantage but the PST has the zero stop and turret advantage IMO.
Tops is a Nightforce 2.5-10x44 but that's more than doubling a guys budget but worth it IMO.
Click to expand...


What he said! I have a PST because I like Zero stops. If Its too dark for the scope, I probably shouldn't be shooting.

I have a mark 4 4.5-14x50 and its FOV sucks, other than that its a great scope.
 
I don't mind the PST option, but If I get the PST, I would like to have the 4-16 power option for sure. Then I can quit worrying if I have enough power or not. However, that poses another problem......I have read a lot of bad reviews about the 4-14 PST. I know in the beginning the glass was not as good in the 4-14 as it was in other models of the PST for sure. Maybe this has been fixed. Has anyone purchased a 4-14 recently? If so is this problem corrected? I know that with all options considered, the PST 4-14 is BY FAR my favorite option, I just have read so much negative about the glass quality that I had actually talked myself out of it. That's why I had decided to move on. I hope to hear that the issue is resolved, then I would by the PST in a heart beat. I can get a new sfp to my door for 620 or a ffp to my door for 820. I have a friend that has one of each, brand new in the box. He has never even pulled either one of them out of the box to look at them. LOL Now I just have to figure out if I go that route, ffp or sfp?
 
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