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Rifle Scopes Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

C

Crow Terminator

Private
Minuteman
Jan 21, 2009
3
0
#1
I searched the forums looking for something similar to what I'm looking for. All I could really find were folks who had rifles like I have, but had different applications than what I'm looking for.

I have a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .308. I put a Bell Carlson Medalist stock on it. That's all I plan on putting on it, other than the scope.

I'm a deer hunter mostly, and in the rolling ridges of east TN, we don't have very far shot opportunities. I am wanting a good scope with the max shooting range of say, 300 yards.

A 3-9 scope is too small for my eyes. At 100 yds, I can't really see my bullet holes at 9x, unless I shoot a Shoot n See style target.

This gun will be used mostly for hunting, and a little target shooting. I don't nee the target turrets or anything that fancy...just a good scope, with good low light, BUT with a good find cross hair for target shooting too. I like the mil dot look, but don't necessarily know if I really need that.

My price range is gonna be sub $500. What would you guys recommend as far as scopes go...and then what kind of bases and mounts for it?

I'm looking at the Leupold Mark 2, 4-12. You can get them for about $519 or so...but if I can get by cheaper with something else, I'd like that too.
 
#3
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

Lots of good choices under 500 for a hunting scope. A Zeiss conquest 3-9x40 is crisp enough to see bullet holes at 100yds, and the low light performance is outstanding. Nikons 4-12 Monarch, Bushnells 4200 4-16x40 would be a very good choice, the rainguard is a very nice feature.

For a straight up hunting scope I doubt you would need FFP or Target turrets or the like, most shots taken at game are under 200yds, for that a 308 sighted for 100 yds requires no adjustment.
 
#4
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

If you get a scope with really good glass I think you will find that you will have no problem seeing your target with a 3x9 scope.It will also make the scope better in low light with lower magnifacation.The other thing to think about is when you go up in magnifacation it is harder to get a clear sight picture.I am a hunter also and I really like the Zeiss conquest scopes for the money.Here is a link to Doug at cameraland he has some really good deals on shot show demos.The 3x9x50 would be in your price range.
http://www.cameralandny.com/demos-zeiss.html
 
#5
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Crow Terminator</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I searched the forums looking for something similar to what I'm looking for. All I could really find were folks who had rifles like I have, but had different applications than what I'm looking for.

I have a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .308. I put a Bell Carlson Medalist stock on it. That's all I plan on putting on it, other than the scope.

I'm a deer hunter mostly, and in the rolling ridges of east TN, we don't have very far shot opportunities. I am wanting a good scope with the max shooting range of say, 300 yards.

A 3-9 scope is too small for my eyes. At 100 yds, I can't really see my bullet holes at 9x, unless I shoot a Shoot n See style target.

This gun will be used mostly for hunting, and a little target shooting. I don't nee the target turrets or anything that fancy...just a good scope, with good low light, BUT with a good find cross hair for target shooting too. I like the mil dot look, but don't necessarily know if I really need that.

My price range is gonna be sub $500. What would you guys recommend as far as scopes go...and then what kind of bases and mounts for it?

I'm looking at the Leupold Mark 2, 4-12. You can get them for about $519 or so...but if I can get by cheaper with something else, I'd like that too. </div></div>

What an interesting first post, I hardly know where to begin, except at the beginning.

Let's tabulate your needs:
Deer Hunting = Yes
MAX Range 300 yds = YES
Turrets = NO
Good in Low light = Yes
Find Cross-hairs = Yes, you have to look for them, to FIND them. Guess he means FINE Cross-hairs....
3-9 too small for your eyes = Get smaller eyes
Cannot see a 30 cal bullet hole @ 33 FT (11 yds) = get better eye glasses or maybe a spotting scope
Fashion Conscious = Likes the looks of a MILDOT Reticle
Less then $500.


Now if we plug that all into our handy Sniper's Hide Scope Selection Computer Program (SHSSCP) (Note: you have to have a genuine Sniper's Hide decoder ring to make inputs)

We get a 404 ERROR.......Meaning Answer Not Found, parameters exceed....

I guess we did something wrong. Let's see, Low Light capability, and Find (Fine) Reticle, does not compute unless said Find reticle is illuminated, which BTW makes it easier to Find in the dark. All of which is tough to do under $500 clams. So........

However, you could do this:

SWFA European 4-12x40mm w/German #4

All for $499.95. No, it does not have a Find Reticle, but it does have a reticle you can see in low light. As a bonus it does have metric adjustments. Which is the same as a 0.1 MIL adjustment. You don't need that now, but when the bug bites you, and you want a scope with turrets, and a ranging reticle, having used a scope with MIL adjustments will make your transition over to the dark side easily....

Best of luck,

Bob







 
#6
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Crow Terminator</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I searched the forums looking for something similar to what I'm looking for. All I could really find were folks who had rifles like I have, but had different applications than what I'm looking for.

I have a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .308. I put a Bell Carlson Medalist stock on it. That's all I plan on putting on it, other than the scope.

I'm a deer hunter mostly, and in the rolling ridges of east TN, we don't have very far shot opportunities. I am wanting a good scope with the max shooting range of say, 300 yards.

A 3-9 scope is too small for my eyes. At 100 yds, I can't really see my bullet holes at 9x, unless I shoot a Shoot n See style target.

This gun will be used mostly for hunting, and a little target shooting. I don't nee the target turrets or anything that fancy...just a good scope, with good low light, BUT with a good find cross hair for target shooting too. I like the mil dot look, but don't necessarily know if I really need that.

My price range is gonna be sub $500. What would you guys recommend as far as scopes go...and then what kind of bases and mounts for it?

I'm looking at the Leupold Mark 2, 4-12. You can get them for about $519 or so...but if I can get by cheaper with something else, I'd like that too. </div></div>

What an interesting first post, I hardly know where to begin, except at the beginning.

Let's tabulate your needs:
Deer Hunting = Yes
MAX Range 300 yds = YES
Turrets = NO
Good in Low light = Yes
Find Cross-hairs = Yes, you have to look for them, to FIND them. Guess he means FINE Cross-hairs....
3-9 too small for your eyes = Get smaller eyes
Cannot see a 30 cal bullet hole @ 33 FT (11 yds) = get better eye glasses or maybe a spotting scope
Fashion Conscious = Likes the looks of a MILDOT Reticle
Less then $500.


Now if we plug that all into our handy Sniper's Hide Scope Selection Computer Program (SHSSCP) (Note: you have to have a genuine Sniper's Hide decoder ring to make inputs)

We get a 404 ERROR.......Meaning Answer Not Found, parameters exceed....

I guess we did something wrong. Let's see, Low Light capability, and Find (Fine) Reticle, does not compute unless said Find reticle is illuminated. Which is tough to do under $500 clams. So........

However, you could do this:

SWFA European 4-12x40mm w/German #4

All for $499.95. No, it does not have a Find Reticle, but it does have a reticle you can see in low light. As a bonus it does have metric adjustments. Which is the same as a 0.1 MIL adjustment. You don't need that now, but when the bug bites you, and you want a scope with turrets, and a ranging reticle, having used a scope with MIL adjustments will make your transition over to the dark side easily....

Best of luck,

Bob







</div></div>


Got to love humor and wit all rolled into one! LOL!!!!
 
#7
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

Ya, you want a hunting scope and don't shoot over 300 max, but then you say you can't see bullet holes at the range. Rather than a 3-9 for hunting maybe you should lower power scope for better shooting at short range. Then get a spotting scope for the range.
 
#9
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

Get a 10x SWFA Super Sniper for under $300 and a Tasco Spotting scope then you can see your hits at 100M and have a decent scope that will work in lower light with a really cool mil dot reticle that you can actually use to range with. If you get a mil dot scope you will of course laern to use it because your inate curiosity will overcome your fear of the unknown
grin.gif
 
#12
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Crow Terminator</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I searched the forums looking for something similar to what I'm looking for. All I could really find were folks who had rifles like I have, but had different applications than what I'm looking for.

I have a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .308. I put a Bell Carlson Medalist stock on it. That's all I plan on putting on it, other than the scope.

I'm a deer hunter mostly, and in the rolling ridges of east TN, we don't have very far shot opportunities. I am wanting a good scope with the max shooting range of say, 300 yards.

A 3-9 scope is too small for my eyes. At 100 yds, I can't really see my bullet holes at 9x, unless I shoot a Shoot n See style target.

This gun will be used mostly for hunting, and a little target shooting. I don't nee the target turrets or anything that fancy...just a good scope, with good low light, BUT with a good find cross hair for target shooting too. I like the mil dot look, but don't necessarily know if I really need that.

My price range is gonna be sub $500. What would you guys recommend as far as scopes go...and then what kind of bases and mounts for it?

I'm looking at the Leupold Mark 2, 4-12. You can get them for about $519 or so...but if I can get by cheaper with something else, I'd like that too. </div></div>

I see Ramen in your future.....

Vortex PST...
 
#13
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

Your options are virtually limitless, as there are lots of good scopes under $500 that will easily fit your needs. Personally, I would get a 4-12x or 4-16x with standard duplex, but you always pick up a mil dot reticle as most manufacturers are offering them. I would not recommend the Leupold Mark 2, as I think they are considerably overpriced for what you get. I don't think you will be happy with a SS 10x, either, as it limits your options as a fixed power scope.

For under $500, look at any of the following:
-Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16x
-Sightron SII Big Sky 3.5-10 or 4-16x
-Nikon Monarch 4-16x
-Weaver Grand Slam 4.5-14

Any of these scopes will easily pick up bullet holes at 100 yards, and won't break the bank.
 
#14
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jason280</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your options are virtually limitless, as there are lots of good scopes under $500 that will easily fit your needs. Personally, I would get a 4-12x or 4-16x with standard duplex, but you always pick up a mil dot reticle as most manufacturers are offering them. I would not recommend the Leupold Mark 2, as I think they are considerably overpriced for what you get. I don't think you will be happy with a SS 10x, either, as it limits your options as a fixed power scope.

For under $500, look at any of the following:
-Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16x
-Sightron SII Big Sky 3.5-10 or 4-16x
-Nikon Monarch 4-16x
-Weaver Grand Slam 4.5-14

Any of these scopes will easily pick up bullet holes at 100 yards, and won't break the bank.
</div></div>

+1- all good choices well within your budget, also a 10 power fixed scope is not a good choice for deer hunting.
 
#17
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

+1 on Nikon buckmaster or monarch, vortex viper and ebay'ed leupolds (many recent closed sales on VXIII 4.5x14 and 6.5-20 in the 430.00 to 550 range). DO NOT get a fixed 10 or 16 power, that has no place in hunting in heavy cover or close moving game. In open area's they will work but with a max of 300 and most at or under 100 yards, no!

Base and rings, EGW makes a good inexpensive weaver rail. Burris signature zee rings, while not the cheepist 1" rings are well worth the money and will not damage the scope finish. They are all I use for 1" tubes and the scope wont shift on you even on heavy recoiling handguns.
 
#18
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

You've gotten some good suggestions for <$500 scopes. Based on my experience, I'd say Vortex Viper, Nikon Monarch and Bushnell 3200 are all good choices. If you want more magnification than 3-9, consider a 4-12 or 4.5-14 range. Don't go with a fixed 10X for deer hunting. I wouldn't recommend anything with a low power above 4.5X.

You should be able to see .30 caliber holes at 100 yards with a good 3-9X or better scope. But maybe not if you're shooting at black targets. Use a lighter colored or white target and your impacts will be easier to see.
 
#19
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

My 2cents, nikon buckmaster 4.5x14x40. I mounted one on my 308 700p for the breakin periond. good glass " not the best but good". you can find one for under 300 bucks. mine has the BDC ret. and zeroed at 100 yards the hold over circles will hit 3 inch circles out to 400 yards. 1/4 at 100 groups, 1/2ish at 200 under 3/4 at 300 and right at an inch at 400. IMHO that is more than accurate enought to hunt big game.

700p, blue printed, bedded, trigger job, using 168 FGMM
 
#20
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

Vortex, maybe the 4-12x40 with BDC reticle. I just got my first personally-owned Vortex Viper from Liberty Optics and am in love. Are there better scopes? Yeah, there are...but not at that price point. I'm thinking of buying several Vortex scopes just for the hell of it. They're going to go up in price over the next few years, I think. I'm reminded of the first 2.5-10x42 IOR that I bought for about $400 and the rapid price increase with that company (though I think the Vortex probably has vastly better customer service).
 
#21
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

I would go for a good used Leupold Vari-x III 1" tube 3x9 . These can be found for about $350 and the light gathering is fantastic, glass is great,lifetime warranty, resale value is awesome as long as you take care of it and don't scratch it or ding it.

I don't recommend a fine cross hair for hunting, it gets lost in the shadows. You will hate a fine cross hair for hunting.

Get a spotting scope for the target shooting and zeroing.
You can post in the WTB (Want To Buy)section for a Leupold scope or any other choice and one of these guys probably have about 2 or 3 laying around in their safes that they no longer have a rifle to fit them.
Good luck with your choices...SmokeRolls
 
#22
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

Since I don't know any of you guys, I really don't know how to take some of your answers. If I were someplace I knew well, I'd almost be sure that some of you are being smarty butts, BUT I sure would hate to come across as a jerk with just my 2nd post.

Okay so let me give some feedback as to why I put some of my wants on here.

I had a cheaper scope on this rifle at first. It was a Leupold VX II 3-9x40.

It was good in low light and a decent hunting only scope. It had the regular Duplex reticle. So maybe I need to clarify what I meant by wanting a finer reticle.

The way I bench shoot may be different than what some of you do. At 100 yards bench shooting, I will take a blank target and fire 1 round. That bullet hole becomes my precise aiming spot for the following rounds. This is how I group shoot.

With the 3-9x40 I had on this rifle, the regular size reticle was TOO BIG for this. It covered so much of the bullet holes that I couldn't tell where I was really holding, other than in the vicinity of the hole....which gave a big area of "whoopsie" in group sizes. The only way I could see the holes good enough to shoot at, was at 9 power. I wish it had a little more for this kind of shooting.

When I hunt though, I'm not shooting groups and I usually leave the power on 4. But I did shoot a groundhog back in the summer at just under 300 yards with it...and the 3-9s reticle was so big it covered most of the ground hog itself.

My reasoning was that a smaller reticle makes a big difference because I've bench shot my dad's Sendero with a Leupold VX III 4.5-14 and it has a much finer reticle than my VX II did, and I could really see well enough to shoot at the bullet holes themselves. Now I've not hunted with his rifle so I don't know how his scope would do in actual shooting in low light.

But at any rate, that's why I'm looking for what I'm looking for. I'll check out the suggestions you guys made.

Thanks!
 
#23
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Crow Terminator</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Since I don't know any of you guys, I really don't know how to take some of your answers. If I were someplace I knew well, I'd almost be sure that some of you are being smarty butts, BUT I sure would hate to come across as a jerk with just my 2nd post.

Okay so let me give some feedback as to why I put some of my wants on here.

I had a cheaper scope on this rifle at first. It was a Leupold VX II 3-9x40.

It was good in low light and a decent hunting only scope. It had the regular Duplex reticle. So maybe I need to clarify what I meant by wanting a finer reticle.

The way I bench shoot may be different than what some of you do. At 100 yards bench shooting, I will take a blank target and fire 1 round. That bullet hole becomes my precise aiming spot for the following rounds. This is how I group shoot.

With the 3-9x40 I had on this rifle, the regular size reticle was TOO BIG for this. It covered so much of the bullet holes that I couldn't tell where I was really holding, other than in the vicinity of the hole....which gave a big area of "whoopsie" in group sizes. The only way I could see the holes good enough to shoot at, was at 9 power. I wish it had a little more for this kind of shooting.

When I hunt though, I'm not shooting groups and I usually leave the power on 4. But I did shoot a groundhog back in the summer at just under 300 yards with it...and the 3-9s reticle was so big it covered most of the ground hog itself.

My reasoning was that a smaller reticle makes a big difference because I've bench shot my dad's Sendero with a Leupold VX III 4.5-14 and it has a much finer reticle than my VX II did, and I could really see well enough to shoot at the bullet holes themselves. Now I've not hunted with his rifle so I don't know how his scope would do in actual shooting in low light.

But at any rate, that's why I'm looking for what I'm looking for. I'll check out the suggestions you guys made.

Thanks!

</div></div>
If it was me, sorry.. Some of us can be kinda blunt on recommendations, including me. I am just stating what I have discovered or experienced over the years. Now that you have given us more info we might be able to help even greater.

On the Leupold and the crosshair. I understand about having to heavy a crosshair to hit a small target. Leupold makes a reticle that is heavy on the outside of the crosshairs but is fine (much smaller on the inside).( I wish I could remember what it's called) This allows you the best of both worlds. You never will lose your crosshairs until it gets way to dark to see anyway and you will have a refined cross hair to knock a field mouse off your target at 300 yards. I like this reticle as well..... Based upon what you have said, I would try to find a good used Luepold Vari-X III in 4.5x 14 x 40 or 50 with the crosshair that I meantioned......Hope this helps.....SmokeRolls
 
#25
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

Hey guys, I bumped this back to the top to ask a few more questions.

I looked over and over the scopes you guys suggested. There are some that made the chase for good.

Where's the best place to buy a SWFA SS scope? The only one I'm interested in, is the 3-9x40 and I think the only place I could find it was directly off the SWFA website for $599. I read a ton of reviews on it, and it seems like a really good scope.

And I noticed that none of you guys suggested the Leupold Mark 2. There were a few other sites I read reviews on that suggested it as one of the best scopes for the $$. Are the Vari X IIIs a better scope?

At any rate, we're still dealing in the general price range of what I was looking to spend. Now it's just finalizing the pick of which I want out of the bunch.

And one more thing. The Zeiss is a wild card in the mix for me. Some of you guys said to look for demo models. Where can you find demo models at?
 
#27
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

All but a couple of my hunting guns get either a Pentax pioneer or a Burris FF II. I seldom if ever have to rezero and they spend alot of time getting bounced around a 4 Wheeler. Last time I checked I owned 5 my main hunting rifle has a pentax which was was dropped about by a guest hunter. I checked it that afternoon and gave it 2 clicks right and 2 clicks down at 200 yards. They aren't the worlds best glass but they only run $200-500.
 
#28
Re: Best HUNTING Scope for this .308

A Leupie 3.5-10x 40mm non-adj/obj Tactical will fit the budget,complete with base/rings.

I've zero qualm with 10x to 1K and beyond.

 
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