Hey guys, new to the forum and looking for a little advice. I just purchased a Ruger American in .308 and I'm out scope hunting. I believe I have norrowed it down to either the Nikon Prostaff with BDC in 3-9x40mm or the Redfield Revolution with Accurange in 3-9x40mm. Both have lifetime warranties, just wanting to get opinions from people with any experience with either. I plan on mating them with Leupold Standard scope rings, any idea on the height for a 40mm objective? Will medium do the trick? -Brian
Scope options
- Thread starter SCIDer
- Start date
I really like the Redfield Revolution 3-9x, but I like my 4-12x even more. My 4-12x is mounted on a .17 HMR, I have knocked squirrels out of trees 120 yards into the woods with it. Overall great clarity and light transmission. Nothing but positive things to say about them.
Hunting around here, we don't have massive open spaces so for me the Nikon BDC reticle has a lot of dots that wouldn't be used for much. Most of our shots target or otherwise is going to be 100-150 yards so The Accu-Range reticle works very well, I have to take very little account of drop, put the circle and cross-hairs on target and squeeze one off.
If you have more open space where you are shooting your .308 enough to need holdover you may be able to get more long range accuracy out of the Nikon prostaff.
Medium height rings will most likely accommodate a 40mm objective. Leupold is a good choice of scope rings.
Hunting around here, we don't have massive open spaces so for me the Nikon BDC reticle has a lot of dots that wouldn't be used for much. Most of our shots target or otherwise is going to be 100-150 yards so The Accu-Range reticle works very well, I have to take very little account of drop, put the circle and cross-hairs on target and squeeze one off.
If you have more open space where you are shooting your .308 enough to need holdover you may be able to get more long range accuracy out of the Nikon prostaff.
Medium height rings will most likely accommodate a 40mm objective. Leupold is a good choice of scope rings.
fatwhiteboy
New member
For a few dollars more, you can get a Buckmaster... I just got a 3-9X40 for $159.99 from Midway a few weeks ago...
Check this out.
http://redfield.com/battlezone/
Its called the Redfield Battlezone, it is a 3x9x42 that has .308 BDC dial system calibrated for 168 grain .308 bullets.
It is the Redfield Scope that belongs on a .308 if any redfield scope belongs on a .308.
You can get it at optics planet for not much more than the redfield revolution.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/redfield-battlezone-3-9x42mm-w-tac-moa-reticle-matte.html
http://redfield.com/battlezone/
Its called the Redfield Battlezone, it is a 3x9x42 that has .308 BDC dial system calibrated for 168 grain .308 bullets.
It is the Redfield Scope that belongs on a .308 if any redfield scope belongs on a .308.
You can get it at optics planet for not much more than the redfield revolution.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/redfield-battlezone-3-9x42mm-w-tac-moa-reticle-matte.html
DeerSlayer86
New member
On the rings...I believe Warne's lows will clear either scope. Same with Leupold if your using them.
One plus is Redfield is made by Leupold now and I'm leaning towards it. The Redfield is going for $220 and the Nikon for $180 from basspro. I will probably have them mount the scope and boresight it. Hopefully I can get one picked out and mounted by the beginning of next week. Thanks for the replies!
reynolds357
New member
I picked up a couple of Elite 4200 3X9 on closeout at Cabellas last year for $150ish each. If you can still find one, the 4200's are much better than any scope mentioned so far. I have the Revolution 3X9 and compared to the 4200 in low light the Revolution looks like a scope you pick up at Wal Mart in a blister pack hanging on the peg board.
Last edited:
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
If the use of a .308 is primarily for deer hunting, the "need" aspect of a scope has to do with typical distances at which Bambi is likely to be shot.
I know from experience that 3X is adequate for Bambi at 350 yards. My 3x9 happened to be set on 3X and Bambi showed late in the afternoon of the last day of the season. I didn't waste time worrying about scope adjustments.
My first '06 wore a Weaver K2.5, which was good enough for jackrabbits to 200 yards.
My father hunted all over wide-open parts of Texas with 4X and 6X scopes.
IOW, nothing at all wrong with a variable, but that's more a proof of one's billfold than meeting any real need. I happen to like 3x9x40, but it spends more time on 3X than on 9X. The latter is good for sight-in and for load testing, mostly.
Brands? I dunno. I haven't bought a new scope since 1997.
Low mounts are usually plenty good for a 40mm objective. The lower the better, since you usually get a better cheek weld with them.
I know from experience that 3X is adequate for Bambi at 350 yards. My 3x9 happened to be set on 3X and Bambi showed late in the afternoon of the last day of the season. I didn't waste time worrying about scope adjustments.
My first '06 wore a Weaver K2.5, which was good enough for jackrabbits to 200 yards.
My father hunted all over wide-open parts of Texas with 4X and 6X scopes.
IOW, nothing at all wrong with a variable, but that's more a proof of one's billfold than meeting any real need. I happen to like 3x9x40, but it spends more time on 3X than on 9X. The latter is good for sight-in and for load testing, mostly.
Brands? I dunno. I haven't bought a new scope since 1997.
Low mounts are usually plenty good for a 40mm objective. The lower the better, since you usually get a better cheek weld with them.
reynolds357
New member
Art, the fixed power scopes are not really any cheaper than the 3-9's now. The 3-9 is the manufacturers mainstay and is usually quite affordable.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
Can't comment on your choice of scopes. But Leupold rings are an excellent choice. And Medium high are more than sufficient on a 40mm dia. front objective. Probable leave you with a 1/4 of an inch of free area under your scopes front objective.
At times because I wear glasses w/bifocals I wish I had High rings under my scope. Especially when targeting my rifle for long distances at the range. Would be a convenience for me no doubt. But may not apply to you OP.
By the way welcome to the form Sir.