Scope advise

[TV BOY]

Need some opinions on what power scope to put atop a .308 . I would like to try some longer distance target shooting but at the same time I might use it if I ever hunt Zone 1 for deer and the area where my in-laws are it is fairly wooded and I think it would be hard to find a shot over 200 yards. Taking out an occasional coyote would also be fun. Is a 3 x 9 powerful enough to shoot 200+ or should I lean towards a 4x14?

I should add that I have always been a Zone 4 hunter.

[This message has been edited by TV BOY (edited 03-16-2004).]

[irvingdog]

2.5-10X40, 44 or 50 all sound neat, but I'm not fond of the huge objective lenses. The problem with 2.5-10 power is that you pay big money to get that magnification in a scope. Nikon Monarch gold, Leupold VX3, Bushnell Elite 4200 are the three I can think of. (that Elite is a great value in my opinion.)

[scotty18]

Tvboy, I just bought a remington rifle to take elk hunting next fall. I put a Burris Fullfield 4x14 40 mm obj. When I bought it the salesperson allowed me to compare this one with other scopes they sell. I think the burris was as good as the more expensive scopes. I don't have much experience with scopes except for long range/ varmint scopes. Then you get the scopes with the highest magnification with the largest objective. It really helps when your shooting at a pop can sized target at 500 or more yards.

Scotty

[WyoMin Fisher]

TV Boy

Go with the best optics that you can afford. I have 3X9X50 Leopold Varix2 on my .338 (for Elk)and 3X9X40 on my .308 (for Mule Deer. Love 'em. My son (who is 12)has a new .270 WSM with a 3x9x40 Burris (all he could afford for now). All work wonderful. Usually I hunt with the scope @ 4-5X with plenty of magnification in the mountains here in Wyo. For siting in @ 200 yds I usually run 7-9X. Hope this helps!

[TV BOY]

Right now i'm leaning to the vxIII 4.5-14 x 40 long range or the zeiss conquest 4.5-14 x 44. Both of these have side paralax adj.

Am I assumeing correctly that I need the paralax adj? Because leupold has the 4.5 - 14 x 40 without it also.

Thanks for the advise so far

[Swamp Scooter]

I have used a few different scopes. fixed power 4 was the first one for deer. Now I use a 4.5-14 with a 44mm optical. I love it. I also got my dad set up with a 1.5-6 on his .308 but that is only for deer.

If you are used to the higher magnification the 4 for the low end should be fine. If you do not usually shoot with that high of power you will need to get used to sighting in the closer fields.

Mine has the range adjustment to focus on the end of the optical. it twists like a camera lens. It has stood up to the use in the woods and in the rain. It is on my .7mm.

[TV BOY]

I had the chance to shoot a similar gun with a 3x9 scope yesterday. Boy was it WINDY ! I shot 10 rounds with some mystery russian ammo and then 2 five rounds with some 165gr Federals. The russian ammo was fmj's and they didn't pattern too well @ 100 yds. The federal's grouped within 1" and 1.5" ! I couldn't believe it with how windy it was and how hard it was to hold still. I can't wait to get my rifle now.

I was using the 9 power and I think that I could use a little more for 100+ shots.

[Cootz]

What I've learned is that you want to keep the scope in the Times 3 range for better clarity. 3x9, 4.5x14, 6.5x20 and so forth. Another thing you might want to keep in mind is the eye relief. I put a Leupold 6x18 Vari X II on my 220 swift and didn't like the eye relief. Had to hold it the perfect distance away to see the "whole" picture. I sold that and put a Nikon Monarch 6.5x20 Illuminated Milldot that I find is a lot more forgiving. My buddy has a Burris on his gun that is really nice too. Just my two cents.

[TV BOY]

Thanks for the input, I picked up a vari-X III 4.5-14 X 40 AO on clearance. Price was too good to pass--less than an equilivant Nikon.