hey folks, what would the opinion of you all be regarding a cheaper scope on a .30-06? Unfortunately, I don't have much cash to spend. I inherited an .30-06 from my grandpa. It has an older scope on it "SPF Aquarius" 3-9x. The current scope/rifle combo is killer, but I was informed by a friend's father that the o-rings have dried up on it and the nitrogen has probably leaked out. Anyhow, this will be my first year hunting and I know a scope without gas purging is going to fog up quick. I am looking to spend around 300.00. Do any of you know whether a Vortex Diamondback would hold up to the 06's recoil? Any other suggestions would be great. Although it doesn't seem like too many folks on here dabble with 300.00 scopes (those damn USO's, PST's and Leupold Mark 4's make a man drool...) Any input, as always, is greatly appreciated!
Rifle Scopes I Hate to Ask, but...
- Thread starter FALex
- Start date
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
What do you want to use the rifle for? What range do you expect to shoot at? A little more info will allow us to give you a better suggestion.
What do you want to use the rifle for? What range do you expect to shoot at? A little more info will allow us to give you a better suggestion.
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
nothing wrong with a leupold VX-II 3-9x40
it's a very good scope and is within your budget
i had one on my weatherby in 30-06
nothing wrong with a leupold VX-II 3-9x40
it's a very good scope and is within your budget
i had one on my weatherby in 30-06
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
There are plenty of offerings available in hunting scope in the 250 - 300 dollar range.
Nikon, bushnell, nitrex (weaver)and Vortex all make good quality hunting scopes.
I would look for something in the 3-9 or 2.5-10 power range.
My personal favorite hunting scope is a Mueller Tac-2 3-10x scope. Incredible glass, high build quality (it is the only Mueller completely manufactured in Japan) solid, repeatable adjustments. It is a one inch scope with an unbelievable 95 moa of adjustment range (more than many 30 mmtubes). They can be had for about 260 bucks.
There are plenty of offerings available in hunting scope in the 250 - 300 dollar range.
Nikon, bushnell, nitrex (weaver)and Vortex all make good quality hunting scopes.
I would look for something in the 3-9 or 2.5-10 power range.
My personal favorite hunting scope is a Mueller Tac-2 3-10x scope. Incredible glass, high build quality (it is the only Mueller completely manufactured in Japan) solid, repeatable adjustments. It is a one inch scope with an unbelievable 95 moa of adjustment range (more than many 30 mmtubes). They can be had for about 260 bucks.
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
Call Dan over at Hawktech in Meridian . He carries a line of scopes named Mueller . They have amazing glass and don't cost a lot . We have mounted one on my pards .50 BMG and it held up just fine . If it does break they have a lifetime guarantee and will swap you out .
Call Dan over at Hawktech in Meridian . He carries a line of scopes named Mueller . They have amazing glass and don't cost a lot . We have mounted one on my pards .50 BMG and it held up just fine . If it does break they have a lifetime guarantee and will swap you out .
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
Yup Leupy VII or Redfield Revolution will make for a great hunting rifle. BTW what is the make model of your rifle, just curious.
Yup Leupy VII or Redfield Revolution will make for a great hunting rifle. BTW what is the make model of your rifle, just curious.
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
Get a Bushnell Elite tactical 3200 5-15X40
Bushnell 3200 Elite
I bought one from this place and don't have any complaints!
Get a Bushnell Elite tactical 3200 5-15X40
Bushnell 3200 Elite
I bought one from this place and don't have any complaints!
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
Lots of options up to the $300 price range.
I'd look at either a Leupold VXII if you want to bump right up to that $300 limit.
On the lower end of the limit, I've been impressed with the few Redfield Revolutions I've seen. Looks like a solid scope for a hunting application.
In between those two the Bushnell 3200s floating around at significant discount look to be a very nice option.
Any one of these three will serve you well.
Later,
Chrome...
Lots of options up to the $300 price range.
I'd look at either a Leupold VXII if you want to bump right up to that $300 limit.
On the lower end of the limit, I've been impressed with the few Redfield Revolutions I've seen. Looks like a solid scope for a hunting application.
In between those two the Bushnell 3200s floating around at significant discount look to be a very nice option.
Any one of these three will serve you well.
Later,
Chrome...
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
One of the best scopes for the price are the Vortex. The Viper series are currently discontinued and priced around 50% off. I have switched my hunting rifles from Leupold to Vortex because of the quality of the glass and the dependable tracking. Cameraland has the 3-9x40 or the 3.5-10x50 for $250. I have both of these models and couldn't be happier with them.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviper3-10x50
One of the best scopes for the price are the Vortex. The Viper series are currently discontinued and priced around 50% off. I have switched my hunting rifles from Leupold to Vortex because of the quality of the glass and the dependable tracking. Cameraland has the 3-9x40 or the 3.5-10x50 for $250. I have both of these models and couldn't be happier with them.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviper3-10x50
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goin'Hot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What do you want to use the rifle for? What range do you expect to shoot at? A little more info will allow us to give you a better suggestion. </div></div>
sorry, should've mentioned that...this rifle's sole purpose will be hunting.
roggom- it is a Golden State Arms Santa Fe. From my research, it appears Golden State used old Mauser surplus parts to build their rifles.
Michael N- I have been by Hawktech. Evan actually told me about a gentleman who put a Mueller on a .50 just to test it out. Sounds like it was your buddy!
Well, it's good to know there's options. Thsnks fellas'!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goin'Hot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What do you want to use the rifle for? What range do you expect to shoot at? A little more info will allow us to give you a better suggestion. </div></div>
sorry, should've mentioned that...this rifle's sole purpose will be hunting.
roggom- it is a Golden State Arms Santa Fe. From my research, it appears Golden State used old Mauser surplus parts to build their rifles.
Michael N- I have been by Hawktech. Evan actually told me about a gentleman who put a Mueller on a .50 just to test it out. Sounds like it was your buddy!
Well, it's good to know there's options. Thsnks fellas'!
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
I recently put a 4-12 non-AO diamondback on a 700 in 308. I've seen no zero shift in the 100 or so rounds I've put down range. It's not a 3000$ optic, but it's a very nice optic for the 200$ it's priced at. It should also be more than enough for hunting.
I recently put a 4-12 non-AO diamondback on a 700 in 308. I've seen no zero shift in the 100 or so rounds I've put down range. It's not a 3000$ optic, but it's a very nice optic for the 200$ it's priced at. It should also be more than enough for hunting.
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FALex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FALex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
I have Nikons on four deer rifles (3 in 270 and 1 in '06) and am pleased with them. Three were on sale at Midway and are relatively small and lightweight and have mildot reticles, so I zero for maximum point blank range (around 250 for the 270s, which takes us to around 320 yards before the flight path deviates more than 3 inches from line of sight) and, if we feel compelled to shoot beyond 320 we can use hold over. I don't see using target knobs for hunting, even in open country, but if you have the confidence, ability, time, and want to haul the extra bulk and weight around, feel free! As others have noted, there are lots of options so I would look for sale prices.
I have Nikons on four deer rifles (3 in 270 and 1 in '06) and am pleased with them. Three were on sale at Midway and are relatively small and lightweight and have mildot reticles, so I zero for maximum point blank range (around 250 for the 270s, which takes us to around 320 yards before the flight path deviates more than 3 inches from line of sight) and, if we feel compelled to shoot beyond 320 we can use hold over. I don't see using target knobs for hunting, even in open country, but if you have the confidence, ability, time, and want to haul the extra bulk and weight around, feel free! As others have noted, there are lots of options so I would look for sale prices.
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
Cant beat the Redfield Revolution for the price. I have one on my 300 mag and love it.
Cant beat the Redfield Revolution for the price. I have one on my 300 mag and love it.
Re: I Hate to Ask, but...
I have a VX II 3-9x40 on my 270 win 700 ADL hunting rifle. It takes a bit of a beating getting dumped in the back of pick up trucks and bouncing around my back when I head up the tree stand. Last year I even lost it in the mud for half a day (mental note; ditch those fu#$ing QRW mounts). Its not as pretty as when I first bought it but I feel that it is perfectly suited to its purpose. It has never malfunctioned or fogged.
At the time (many years ago) I spent a few extra dollars on a bullet drop reticle. If I had to do it again I would just get a duplex reticle for a Whitetail Deer gun.
That scope would put you right in the $300 range.
I have a VX II 3-9x40 on my 270 win 700 ADL hunting rifle. It takes a bit of a beating getting dumped in the back of pick up trucks and bouncing around my back when I head up the tree stand. Last year I even lost it in the mud for half a day (mental note; ditch those fu#$ing QRW mounts). Its not as pretty as when I first bought it but I feel that it is perfectly suited to its purpose. It has never malfunctioned or fogged.
At the time (many years ago) I spent a few extra dollars on a bullet drop reticle. If I had to do it again I would just get a duplex reticle for a Whitetail Deer gun.
That scope would put you right in the $300 range.
