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Scope recommendations for 300 WSM
- Thread starter cmdc
- Start date
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
For a number of years, my theory has been this:
Leupolds, with their relatively high cost (relative to features), but bulletproof warranty, are not the best value on a low or medium-recoiler.
But they do cross over the line to becoming the best value on magnum buttstompers - pretty much anything .30 with magnum in the name, or anything over .30 cal period (except maybe .338 federal or 8x57 mauser).
So - get a Leupold - the best that you can afford. The 3-9x40s offer the best value, but you said paper, so you might want to grab a 4-14 or similar.
Leupolds, with their relatively high cost (relative to features), but bulletproof warranty, are not the best value on a low or medium-recoiler.
But they do cross over the line to becoming the best value on magnum buttstompers - pretty much anything .30 with magnum in the name, or anything over .30 cal period (except maybe .338 federal or 8x57 mauser).
So - get a Leupold - the best that you can afford. The 3-9x40s offer the best value, but you said paper, so you might want to grab a 4-14 or similar.
trg42wraglefragle
New member
Most scopes seem to have good warranty's these days, Burris, Bushnell, Nikon, Leupold all have life time ones, but the best one seems to be on Vortex scopes.
Paper punching and varminting both seem to require a similar scope, but for hunting you typically will be looking at a different type of scope.
For paper punching and varminting, weight or size isn't typically an issue, so going for a big heavy "tactical" type scope with lots of bells and whistles, lots of magnification, finger turret and a huge objective isn't a problem. Where as hunting, you usually want to get a lighter smaller scope.
For a hunting scope the Ziess conquests has excellent glass and can be found at a good price by shopping around. But the Burris C4 in either 3-9 or 4.5-14 is another good option, Burris has a good reputation with their fullfield line of scopes and C4 combines the same glass but with a finger adjustable turrets and their funky but practical reticle.
For "tactical" scopes, or longer range scopes the possibilities are almost endless, budget will dictate what's best for you. But Vortex seem's to have the best value for money at the moment, but Nikon and Bushnell and others are not far behind.
If you can afford it IMO the best do everything scope will be something from the Leupold VX6 range.
Paper punching and varminting both seem to require a similar scope, but for hunting you typically will be looking at a different type of scope.
For paper punching and varminting, weight or size isn't typically an issue, so going for a big heavy "tactical" type scope with lots of bells and whistles, lots of magnification, finger turret and a huge objective isn't a problem. Where as hunting, you usually want to get a lighter smaller scope.
For a hunting scope the Ziess conquests has excellent glass and can be found at a good price by shopping around. But the Burris C4 in either 3-9 or 4.5-14 is another good option, Burris has a good reputation with their fullfield line of scopes and C4 combines the same glass but with a finger adjustable turrets and their funky but practical reticle.
For "tactical" scopes, or longer range scopes the possibilities are almost endless, budget will dictate what's best for you. But Vortex seem's to have the best value for money at the moment, but Nikon and Bushnell and others are not far behind.
If you can afford it IMO the best do everything scope will be something from the Leupold VX6 range.
The Leupold VX-2's made since 2012 are probably the best value in a scope right now. Leupold revamped and improved the entire lineup at that time. A Current VX-2 is comparable quality wise to a pre-2012 VX-3, but selling at VX-2 prices, $300-$350 depending on features.
If your budget is less, a $200 Burris FF-II is a darn good scope. In some ways as good as the Leupold, but $100 less.
If you want to spend more, I'd look at the Zeiss Terra at $400-$450.
If your budget is less, a $200 Burris FF-II is a darn good scope. In some ways as good as the Leupold, but $100 less.
If you want to spend more, I'd look at the Zeiss Terra at $400-$450.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Well, look at the Trijicon Accupoint 5-20x50mm if long range is part of the equation.
603Country
New member
I'd go with Leupold. I can't imagine how the Vortex warranty could be any better than what Leupold offers. You can dig up a battered and leaky Leupold with shattered glass that's been in a landfill for 40 years and was owned by 20 people prior to you (and was never actually owned by you), and then went through a nasty divorce where the wife hammered all the husband's other scopes to junk with the one you found and they'll fix it or replace it for free (I think...though that might really be pushing it).
And then there's my personal scope history of having a Bushnell, a Weaver, a Redfield, a Nikon Monarch, and a Tasco die on me while in the field and in 40 years I've never lost a Leupold to failure of any kind. I've dropped em, I've fallen 4 feet onto rocks and landed on the rifle and scope, and other than scratches or dents, no failure of any kind. But that's just my story, but it's a happy story.
That Weaver failure was particularly bad. Cold morning in Louisiana, sitting on a ladder stand in snow and ice, and here comes the big buck I've been waiting on. I flip the safety off, raise the rifle, and the scope is completely fogged internally. I watched the big guy walk.
And then there's my personal scope history of having a Bushnell, a Weaver, a Redfield, a Nikon Monarch, and a Tasco die on me while in the field and in 40 years I've never lost a Leupold to failure of any kind. I've dropped em, I've fallen 4 feet onto rocks and landed on the rifle and scope, and other than scratches or dents, no failure of any kind. But that's just my story, but it's a happy story.
That Weaver failure was particularly bad. Cold morning in Louisiana, sitting on a ladder stand in snow and ice, and here comes the big buck I've been waiting on. I flip the safety off, raise the rifle, and the scope is completely fogged internally. I watched the big guy walk.
reynolds357
New member
No budget? Night Force, Kahles, or Schmidt and Bender would be your top choices.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Yeah, no budget is always: Schmidt & Bender, US Optics, and March/ Kelby first tier; with Swaro / Zeiss / Leica / Kahles / Nightforce / IOR Valdada / high-end Leupold / high-end Vortex second tier, but some of those are heavier than others. To what extent is weight a concern?
The reason I mention Trijicon Accupoint is, this is a lightweight hunting scope. Sounds like you have a hunter rifle primarily (correct?). Most - but not all - of the really high end ones are heavy heavy heavy, due to 30mm tube and other reasons (bombproof construction). I can't say enough about how much I like the Accupoint for a high-end hunter, but there are some light offering from Leupold, Zeiss, Swarovski, and others too.
The reason I mention Trijicon Accupoint is, this is a lightweight hunting scope. Sounds like you have a hunter rifle primarily (correct?). Most - but not all - of the really high end ones are heavy heavy heavy, due to 30mm tube and other reasons (bombproof construction). I can't say enough about how much I like the Accupoint for a high-end hunter, but there are some light offering from Leupold, Zeiss, Swarovski, and others too.
I appreciate the input. I have a Swarovski Z6i and a Leupold VX6 on rifles now, and I can say that the Swarovski is the better scope, but is twice as much.
I also have Trijocon accupoints and like them for the price point. As far as weight goes, since the Tikka is a lightweight rifle, I'm thinking that a heavier scope is a plus with this caliber so not worried about that, and correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm going to look at Schmidt & Bender and US Optics. Never heard of March/Kelby but will check therm out as well.
I maybe should've stated earlier that I already had some high-end scopes, but I was wondering, based on my limited experience, if there were some 'sleepers' out there that were really good bang for the buck, so to speak.
I also have Trijocon accupoints and like them for the price point. As far as weight goes, since the Tikka is a lightweight rifle, I'm thinking that a heavier scope is a plus with this caliber so not worried about that, and correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm going to look at Schmidt & Bender and US Optics. Never heard of March/Kelby but will check therm out as well.
I maybe should've stated earlier that I already had some high-end scopes, but I was wondering, based on my limited experience, if there were some 'sleepers' out there that were really good bang for the buck, so to speak.