Scopes, Aging Eyes and my Bucket List

S

Shep

New member
In another week, if I'm still looking down at the grass instead of up at the roots, I'm going to be 71 yrs old. My time with iron sights is about over so I've bought my first scope.

Maybe it wasn't the right decision and I would appreciate some advice from knowledgeable TFL members, please.
I really need suggestions on reasonably priced scopes (under $500) that are good in dim light for close-in (coyotes) to maybe 300 yds for deer and speed goats on the prairie / open country and, if I can get my old lungs to work at 7,000+ ft., maybe going after an elk next Fall to do another item on my bucket list. We live in hope. ;)
I'd like the scope(s) to be usable on more than one rifle, if possible.

I bought a Weaver Kaspa 2.5-10X50 scope with a Mildot reticle. I'm having some difficulty with the eye relief/cheek weld and with just learning to use a scope, but reckon I can get over that. It's now mounted on my BAR .30-06 and I need to shoot it some more to find out what I'm doing wrong.

All suggestions gratefully received. Just please don't tell me to hang it up.
I only got into shooting again about 3 years ago after many years of doing other things, so I'm trying to learn all I can to make up for lost time.

Thanks!
 
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I think the best buy in your price range is the Leupold VXII. There may be some scopes out there that out perform it, but none that I know of in that price range that have Leupold's great warranty.

Another reason I like Leupolds is that they generally have very good eye relief.
 
I wish you luck, brutha. I'm only in my 40s and my eyes are already too worthless to use irons very well. So I'd say you did well.

Scope for open plains / deserty areas under $500? Either lurk at ebay diligently for a few weeks until you catch a used Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40, or Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x42, dipping under $500.

Or, in new - maybe something like a Sightron S2 Big Sky 3-12x42:
http://swfa.com/Sightron-3-12x42-SII-Big-Sky-Riflescope-P9161.aspx

If it's going to be SOLELY for open areas, then you might even consider the SWFA Super Sniper fixed 12x42 or 16x42:
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-12x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P53714.aspx
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-16x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P53715.aspx
Although the drawback of these is the tactical knobs that might get bumped in the field.

Several other good choices, too. I'd try to get a 12x or better high end, or in a real quality glass scope like Zeiss or Trijicon, at least a 9x top end.
 
are you sure its a 2.5-10x50?? Not a x44?

Eye relief should enough with 3.15 to 3.74 so its a matter of moveing the scop for and aft to work for you . Up and down can be an issue if the scope sets to hih. If your is just clearing the barrel at the front its set right for ring height. With rifle have'n open sights sometimes you need to add a cheek swell to the stock. That can be done a number of ways that well not hurt the stock. Heres a few.


http://www.godagrip.com/cheek-pads....om/rifle-parts/stock-forend-parts/butt-plate-
parts/cheek-pieces-palm-swells/cheekeeze-prod15486.aspxhttp://www.accu-riser.com/categories/Accu%252dRiser-Cheek-Pads-and-Comb-Raisers/
http://www.blackhawk.com/catalog/Cheek-Pads,662.htm
 
This may be a pic. of the Weaver-Kaspa;

opplanet-weaver-kaspa-2-5-10x50-ill-mil-dot-tactical-riflescope-849815.jpg


$218.99 :rolleyes:

Sorry I can't help you more.
 
That 50mm bell makes you need a higher stock. Add a one of those cheap swell to it and get it adjusted for your eye an shoot away.
 
I haven't looked through that particular "Kaspa" model, but the one I did seemed to be just "ok" glass clarity wise, and was touchy on the eye relief.

There are better and you don't have to spend 500+ IMO.
 
I just to got to look thru at the range or hunting?? I have a 1.5-6 power that's fine. Don't know about that one.

I still hunt with 22 and 38 year old low priced glass.

Bit its still fine for deer hunting but I hate going over 44mm.
 
Usually best to ask for advice before the purchase. The scope you have is not a good match for your uses. A 3-9X40 VX-2 at around $300 is all the scope you really need. If that is too much money a VX-1 is $50 less.

Another scope I'd highly recommend at slightly under $200 is the Burris FF-II.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-VX-2-Riflescope-P51796.aspx
http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-VX-1-Riflescope-P51827.aspx
http://swfa.com/Burris-3-9x40-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P7932.aspx

The scope you have is a cheap scope with a lot of "tactical" gizmo's and gadgets on it that allow them to charge more for a lot of features you don't need. In fact it just complicate things for a hunter.

A basic scope like the ones I suggested above are much higher quality, with better glass, for less money. Much easier to use too.

The lower the scope is to the barrel, the easier it is to use. Folks buy the big glass thinking they work better in low light. All things being equal yes, slightly. But QUALITY trumps size. A good quality 40mm glass will beat poor quality 50mm glass. 40mm is about the biggest scope you can put in low rings and generally gets you the most scope for the dollar. Even with great glass the 50mm lenses only beat 40mm when the magnification is set on 9X. At any magnification greater or smaller they are equal.
 
Usually best to ask for advice before the purchase.
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That was my first mistake!

Lots of excellent advice, Gents, especially JMR40. Thank you.

I'll be getting the Leupold VX-2 as soon as I can get it ordered.
'Went to my LGS today and he had a couple of them...for $529.95!

'Not sure what to do with the Weaver Kaspa I bought. I'll have to give that some more thought.

Thanks again.
 
How do you know there's anything wrong with the Kaspa?
I've never looked at a Kaspa, but most scopes these days are at least usable. It's not like it's a $40 scope.
You said this is your first scope. Has anybody who is familiar with scopes shot your rig?
How do you have it mounted? How much space is there between the scope and the barrel?
 
I learned a long time ago that if you buy good, quality glass first you will have it for life. The phrase "good & cheap" does not exist IMO. You pretty much get what you pay for. My Rem 722 has a J. Unertl scope, circa 1960, that is still as clear as the day it was new. I have several Leupold VX2's and VX3's also.
 
Like you, I have always been a huge fan of iron sites, and, like you, I'm having to learn about scopes. Lucky for me, I have a brother in-law and good friend that wont shoot a gun with out one and have been helping me a great deal. I still consider myself fairly green on the topic of scopes, but I can tell you Leupold is the way to go.

I went on a stretch of just buying what looked good, or what the shop owner was telling me.....wasted many of dollar. I went out and bought myself a Ruger 77/22 hornet and wanted to use this gun for up to at least 200 yards. Brother in-law introduced me to Leupold. I knew they made great binos and range finders but never looked into their scopes. Ended up going with the VX-2 3-9x40mm and I couldn't be more happy. I called Leupold gave them my price range, told them what I had, and what I was wanting to use it for. The gentleman put me on the right scope in a short amount of time. Customer service was just awesome.

Happy hunting my friend.
 
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