Scope help questions?

Personally, I don't think that 4X is too much on the low mag end of the scale, and I think a 4X16 would be a fine magnification range on a decent scope. But for scopes I have and use, I lean toward Leupold but have recently tried a few others. I had a Weaver V10 (2X10 magnification range) and it was a fine inexpensive scope and is about $180ish new. I only sold it to get something that I really wanted to try, and that was a Burris 4.5X14 Fullfield II, which was $299ish. To sum up, I do prefer Leupold scopes, but I do like that new Burris and I was content with the Weaver. Unless you want parallax adjustment, that Weaver has the range you appear to want (2 to 10) and the price is quite affordable.
 
I have a Leupold VXII 4x12x40 AO, on my 7mm rem mag, that I love. I'm now in the market to 'scope' my Savage .270, and I think the Vortex gets the nod,, I was told by one of the freindly staffers that the "Crossfire" would be fine with the recoil and all, it's only 149.00 at Midway so, I got to try it.;)
 
I find it hard to believe that those who are recommending a 9x at 1000 yards, have shot at 1000 yards...that's worse than using irons at 100 yards.

You don't have to use maximum magnification all the time. Dial it down when hunting, or at shorter ranges if mirage becomes an issue.

I wouldn't go with anything less than the 4-16 you mentioned.
I have a Vortex Viper and am also a big fan of the scope, but I'm not sure about the Crossfire line. I've read about some issues with them, so do your homework.

The Bushy 4200 is a great scope, but the one mentioned at 9x is not going to cut it at 1000 yards.

You're asking a lot for one scope- do you really think you're going to be shooting at 1000 yards?
 
I have to also totally disagree with the other posters saying 4-16 is too strong for a .308. I do agree that 4x on the low end should be the max, but there is nothing wrong with 16x or greater beyond 200yds or more. Even in the south there are opportunity's to take deer beyond 400yds or more. Ever hunted a soybean field and had a nice deer come out on the other side of it? Good luck with 9x. I will give you, if all you do is woods hunt or put corn out at 60yds then yes you don't need anything more than 3-9, but if you plan on hunting some big fields that can at times present a long shot then you will really want 12x or more. JMO from hunting in the south.

Also the whole point of a zoom model scope is so you can adjust the x to what ever suits you best at the time, don't be scared to turrn the zoom ring that's what its there for......:rolleyes:

(Oh and by the way if you have the skills and the confidence there is absolutely nothing wrong or unethical taking a long shot....:eek::eek::):)
 
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Palmetto-Pride, I certainly don't figure there's anything wrong with high magnification on a hunting scope, on the high end. But the deal is that it's not needed. The difference is between need and want.

All that my father ever used were 4X and 6X. He was witnessed to kill deer at 400 to 500 yards. One of my longer kills was at 350 yards with the 3x9 dialled down to 3X. The hit was within an inch or so of where I wanted it.

Sorta bugs me for newbies to be led to believe that high magnification is some sort of "must have". :)
 
It's not on a 308, but I'm in love with my Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14X40. It's very clear and bright, tracks perfectly. It has all the features you could wish for on a moderately priced scope-quick focus eyepiece, side focus AO, and finger adjustable turrets.
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You can't go wrong with this scope. I have several Nikon's, never had a problem with any of them.
 
I believe you will be hard pressed to find better glass for the money than one of the new Redfields. If you want a 50mm, the 3-9 x 50 is very bright. I tried one out last season and to my eyes its as good as my older Vari X-III's and not far behind my VX3's. My youngest has laid claim to it and its on his .270. His older brother was impressed and bought one for his 7mm Mag.
If you want more maginification they make a 4-12 x 40. I picked one up last week and it is destined for a Savage .222. I put it on a 22 to try it out. Again its very good glass for the money. Plus theyre American made with a lifetime warranty. IMO that makes it a no brainer.
 
Good info,again. I still am shopping and weighing options.

Do plan on shooting a lot of 1000ydthe shots? Maybe, there a military range 8 mns from my house open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays, for 20 bucks they provide everything, including a golfcart! You just have to get through a very detailed inspection at the gate and be preapproved.

I took a buddys4x-16 into my stand the other day, spoted it where I've taken a few deer and was able to focus on the low end. The only difficulty might be a hurry up and locate situation.

Understand that im asking a hunting scope to work as a long range scope, but my pockets are shallow right now.
 
Art, I am and wasn't saying you cant make long shots with a scope under 10x. I was more or less countering the argument that 16x is too strong for a 308. To me that is an absurd statement, there is a big difference than saying 16x is not needed and saying its too strong. I don't need a 18volt DeWalt drill to drive a sheet-rock screw, I can get by with a 9volt, but damn its nice to have the 18volt when you want to drive lag screws.....:) My point is the extra magnification is nice to have when you want it.:)
 
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I'm with Palmetto-Pride, in that having extra available magnification is good. You don't have to use it. Back in Louisiana, where the shooting was closer, I kept the scope on 5 power. Here in Texas, where shots are typically longer, I keep the scope on 10 when on an open field and back on 5 when I'm in less open territory. And if I'm on the field and a 300 yard shot is about to happen, I'll crank the scope to max power. And I put the scope on max, whatever that is, when I'm shooting paper. I got rid of all my 3X9's, and my 2X7's are on rimfires now and the 4X's are in a box. I'm a big fan of the 4X16 scopes these days. That's a very useful range, as is the 4.5X14.

And you might ask why I use 5 power a lot. Well...5 is my lucky number.
 
X however many we're up to on the Bushnell 4200. They also make a 2.5X10X50 that's got a pretty big rebate on it. Great hunting scopes and bright as can be. Get out and go look at a bunch of glass. Ask to take them outside or into a low light area to get a better idea on light gathering for yourself. A 40mm Ziess will gather more light that say a 50mm Nikon Buckfailedopticmaster. Oh yeah, Ziess has a 3X9X40 for a great price too.

I'd shy away from "reports" or "reviews" or "blogs" that aren't substantiated or credible. Talk to people at the local range and find out what they are having success with. Talk to hunters when you see them and get an idea of what they like. Chances are you are going to hear a few names come up over and over again as being the best of your price range. Others will talk about fogging lenses, won't hold zero etc but how the warranty is great. Great warranties don't mean jack sh*& when a trophy is hauling the mail because your scope failed. Don't buy refurbished or warrantied out scopes and stay away from companies that sell that junk, they got sent back and fixed for a reason, it was crap once and still is.

I'd buy something serviceable to use in the short term and save up for a quality optic.
 
I ordered my Vortex Crossfire yesterday.. I hope it's a good one, but if not they do have a very good warranty!!! I will give an overall opinion after mounting, sighting in, and firing it a few trips!!:)BTW it's the 4x12x40 AO fine crosshair model 168.50 to my door!
 
Vortex Crossfire

Got out to the range today, despite the mid 80's and humidity. First I want to say that I'm not quite 50 years old and I have some sight problems.... Second of all I gave 168.50 for this scope and I did it with open eyes, so to speak, meaning that if it turned out to be a bust, then I didn't have alot tied up in it. Third most less expensive scopes are just junk and hard to work with. Having said all that, I really believe this scope to be a good one. It was easy to focus the eye-piece so that I could see through it ( on all powers), so it impressed me from the get go. Sighting it in was easy because of the tall turrets, and they had crisp 1/4 moa increments. I'm totally happy thus far, baring any "gremlin" sneakin up on me in the future, I will be purchasing another one.

I zeroed this rifle in at three inches high at 100 yds and here are pics. The rifle is a Savage 110 .270 win, I'm shooting a Hornady Custom 130 SST Interlock factory cartridge. This is a five shot group that's not too bad for me, with one flyer which was the fifth shot actually..... All in all very good results and I'm highly satisfied with this purchase!!!:):):)
 
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Nice shooting.
I just bought the 6-24 Crossfire... I figured what the hell, expectations are low.
I really like my Viper 3.5-10, and when I saw this Crossfire at 70% off...

I've read good, and bad, on the Crossfire. Hopefully, I got a good one as you did. The rest of the Vortex line is Japanese optics, the Crossfires are Chinese :eek: One thing I do know- if it takes a dump on me, Vortex will replace it.
 
Palmetto, I guess my only real concern about variables is when guys get something like 6X on the low end and then talk as if their deer hunting could include up-close and hurried shots.

Beanfield expectations are a whole different deal. Heck, where I hunt, the whole danged place is like a beanfield, except it's not flat. :D

Back when TFL was young, I played pawnshop for a guy on a match target Bushie. Tasco World Class 6x24x40 on top. Nice to see .22 holes quite easily at 100 yards. :) And the scope was surprisingly good; you could adjust and run the box and return to original zero as close as you could tell. Half-MOA deal.

I dunno. I guess that day-in, day-out, the old 3x9x40s work about as good as 95% of needs go...

In the FWIW department, Weaver bases and rings have never given me any sign of a problem. Not saying anything about "best", but they work as okay as anything else that's ever come on a rifle.
 
Weaver 3-10x40 Tactical. It can be had for under 3 bills and has everything you need to put on top of a Savage 110 in 308, especially the exposed target turrets in 1/10 mil to go along with the mildot reticle. Made by LOW, the same company that makes Bushnell's Elite lineup.

If you are going to have fun at 1K you'll need at least 45 MOA of UP adjustment to with most loads, and if I remember right the Weaver has around 75 MOA total vertical adjustment, so you might want to invest in a 20 MOA canted scope base.

Jimro
 
Good and bad news today,,,, The Vortex "Crossfire" shot craps after just 21 rounds total of .270 win.:( The first shot it went totally blurry, I used the power ring and turned it down until it refocused on the target then shot again and the scope went blurry...:mad: The good news is I saved you all the anguish of making this purchase!!!:p:D;) I will add some cash and upgrade to maybe a Diamonback 4x12x40...
 
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