Scope for Winchester Model 70, Less than 200 yards

C

Clevinger

New member
I'll start by saying that I've been deer hunting on a borrowed rifle from my father-in-law and am now hooked.

I am purchasing a Winchester Model 70 30-06 and would like recommendations on a scope.

I would like feedback on what scope to buy that would be a good all-around scope for shots of less than 200 yards. I am hunting in the upper midwest in an area where there is heavy forest separated by fields, so there are some openings where I may need to shoot out further. The buck I got there last weekend was at about 175 yards.

I readily admit I know little to nothing about scope selection, thus the post. Budget could go as high as 600 dollars if necessary but am looking more for 400 dollar range.
 
Nikon makes a great scope and can be bought for very reasonable prices. Vortex scopes are real nice and competitively priced for their feature sets. A lesser known brand but one that is great is Sightron.

Others to look at are Bushnell, Millett, leupold, and Zeiss. Zeiss will be at the top end of your price range in their lower end scopes though. Maybe slightly over $600.
 
Last edited:
I have a Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 on my Win. M70 in .30-06 since new in the 80's and still going strong. Basic rule of thumb for me was buy the most expensive scope you can afford to fall on and/or bang up and not cry about. If you are a sitter buy better glass, I'm a hill country still hunter and perhaps a little clumsy at times but I have been told I fall very gracefully. I do like Bushnell Trophy scopes and they are in my price range. I would suggest a 3-9x40.
 
Zeiss will be at the top end of your price range in their lower end scopes though. Maybe slightly over $600.
Click to expand...

When I upgrade my hunting scope, it'll be with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40. Shop around, and you can find them for under $400.
 
I believe optics planet has exactly that scope for $379.99 right now. Great buy in your price range easily.

Free shipping to boot.
 
Last edited:
Go pick up and look through a Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40, you will be amazed at the light transmission and clarity of this scope, also their warranty is killer, just go try one.;)
 
I have two 40mm, 3-9X Leupolds, a Vari-X II and a newer Vari-X 2. They seem to have the best optics for the "discounted" price of $300. I think the 3-9X is the best range for deer hunting in most situations, though some folks like the 2-7x and that would work for under-200 yard shots.
 
You can get a Zeiss for $359 right now. If I needed another scope I'd jump on this quickly.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=521460

I actually like a Leupold very slightly better, but the Zeiss has better glass and at this price someone would be foolish to buy anything else if they are considering anything else even close to this price range.

Normally a Leupold VX-2 would be my 1st choice for value for he dollar, but even I couldn't justify passing on the Zeiss at this price.
 
There is a better deal on the Zeiss Conquest is at Cabela's right now. They have the 3-9X40 for $299 with free shipping and if you can find a $20 off cupon you've picked it up for $270. If you don't have a Cabela's in your State then you don't have to pay tax either.
 
A special thanks to everyone who responded.

I ordered a 3x9x40 Zeiss Conquest off Cabelas website for $299 at your recommendations.

Do Winchester Model 70's come pre-drilled for scopes? How much are they too mount with gunsmiths?
 
Sizing your scope has a lot more to do with how close you may be shooting than your longest shot possibilities. Just about any scope from 2x on up will do the job on deer size game out to well past 200 yards. Heck, 1x is good enough at 200 yards. But even scopes with as little as 4x on the bottom can be a real nightmare if you encounter something in the timber at 25 yards. If you may have close in or fast moving shots I'd look hard at the 1.5-4x's and go no bigger than 2-7x.
 
A Leupold Rifleman would have done it for me. I can't see better than a Leupold, heck I can't see as GOOD as a Leupold, so I'm just paying for their warranty...
 
That Win Mdl 70 will last a long time. You may also end up hunting areas where you have longer shots. Look at a Leupold 3-9 X scope.
 
Heh. For deer hunting, any equivalent to the Weaver K4 will do plenty good to 350 yards or more. I had no problem in putting a bullet into a 350-yard buck within an inch of where I wanted it, with my 3x9 set on 3X. :D

I've always done my walking hunting with a variable set on its lowest magnification. High magnification is fine for sight-in (but not a necessity) and for prairie dogs.
 
We've got an old 78 Remington that has had the same 4x Bushnell on it for 20 years. I cut it down to fit the Missus a long time ago and she's never wanted a better scope. Every year, I fold an envelope into a 3x3 square, staple it onto plain cardboard and fire three shots at it from 200 yards, from a rest. I can see the cross-hairs against the envelope and it gives me a good zero check.

This year I only hit it twice, near the middle, and frayed the edge with the other shot. Guess I am getting old.
 
Scopes are a great aid, especially for older folks with failing vision (or others with similar vision). When I could no longer effectively use iron sights I got a 1.5 to 4 power variable scope. The 1.5 is great for the woods where shots are are short. 4 power is plenty of magnification for up to 300 yds. I wouldn't recommend the 3-9 power scopes. You'd rarely use the 9 power and lose the short range speed you usually use in the woods.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top