Rifle Scopes Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

[JelloStorm]

I recently picked up a Remington 700 308 varmint barreled action and added a McMillan HTG stock.

Now comes time for the scope and this is proving to be the hardest part. I'd like at minimum 3x magnification. Here in Northeast PA you don't get many shots at long ranges for deer. BUT, I'd like at least a 10x top end in case I do get the chance for a long shot or even for groundhog hunting.

I've been looking at the Nikon Monarch 3-12x42 side focus. Seems to have everything I want and can get them for around $330 ish new. I missed one for sale here on the Hide a week ago.

On the other hand, there is the Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x40 but will cost me about $150.00 more.

I'd like to get the best glass possible for my buck (pun) so if you know of something competitively priced let me know what and why.

 

[Guns4570]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

Jello for a hunting rifle you would be hard to beat a Zeiss Conquest in 3.5-10 with a Rapid Z reticle or one in 4.5-15-50. I have the latter on a 7 Rem Mag Remington 700 Titanium and love the combo.

 

[msiebert]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

I have several high end european scopes and will admit that there isn't much of a gain in what you see at dusk or dawn thru them vs. the Nikon Monarch Gold that I also own. I think you would be very happy with one on your rifle especially for the money. Leupold has gotten better with their glass but I also have two of them and they are not as light gathering as the Monarch Gold. Of course the scope you choose has to hold it's zero but for hunting you are mainly concerned with how it performs in low light.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

If you want about the nicest hunting scope I have ever encountered I have a Karl Kaps 1.5-6 I will sell you for a great price. You will NEVER beat the glass for anywhere near the cash. Depending upon where you are in NEPA you can even check mine out in person.

http://www.opticshq.com/Merchant2/mercha...egory_Code=KAPS

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

i like the monarch for the money, it's equal to the leupold if not better and cost less

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

I got to play with a Monarch at Cabela's but under those lights and indoors it was hard to see any real "wow" factor to it. The Monarch logo looks like a cheap plastic gold and the variable ring was hard to turn in those wood and rubber rings.

Anyone notice any issues with them not holding up under hunting conditions? I'm sure it'll be banged around, but not abused.

 

[wdhigh]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

3-10x50 meopta meostar r1.

I personally sat down at 30 min before sunrise one morning with a buddy and we compared a few of his scopes. None of these were mine so I had no dog in the fight.

First up was a 3-9x50 bushnell elite 3200 to set the stage.

Next up was the 2.4-10x50 nikon monarch 1" not the gold. I saw little to no difference in it and the 3200. I was pretty surprised, I just knew the monarch was going to blow it away and it did not.

Last was a scope I had never heard of in my life. It was a meopta 3-12x56 r1. I did not think much of it as I pulled it up and did not expect much out of it. I was blown away at how bright and clear everything seemed. We were using a crime watch sign 200yds away and it resolved it so much better. Now I know it is still not a diavari, but at $1k less it ain't bad. I just got rid of 2 R1's because I thought I needed a NF and I think I messed up. I have heard of complaints of eye relief but on a 270 win I never had an issue with it. Light is a big deal here in SC due to being able to sit 1hr before and 1h after legal sunrise/sunset.

 

[cowlickkid]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

Jello, I sent you a PM on a Kahles CL 3-10x50mm side focus.

Talk about "best glass possible for my buck".......

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

Fireball,

Yeah you and another gentleman sent me almost the same PM's on the same scope, however that's out of my price range for the time being.

The way I figure it is, if the Monarch is the top of one tier at $330, I can always step up later on but I need an optic right now to get this rifle shooting now to get it ready for hunting this year.

I was checking out the Leupold VX-R earlier... any comments on that? What glass in the VX family (2? 3?) can the VX-R be compared to?

 

[ptalar]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want about the nicest hunting scope I have ever encountered I have a Karl Kaps 1.5-6 I will sell you for a great price. You will NEVER beat the glass for anywhere near the cash. Depending upon where you are in NEPA you can even check mine out in person.

http://www.opticshq.com/Merchant2/mercha...egory_Code=KAPS
</div></div>

That is one nice candy store you posted in the link. I am glad you shared. I never heard of Kaps scopes. I assume they are german made. They sound like a quality scope.

 

[Raider Power]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

I have three Monarchs and one Leupold VX3. I've been thoroughly impressed with the Monarchs for the money. Visibility at the extremes of shooting hours is impressive to say the least. I have a Leupold VX3 on my 7mm Mag and the Monarchs are brighter and clearer at dusk and dawn. All three of the Monarchs have held their zeros well and the adjustments have tracked well and are repeatable.

Edit:
Monarchs are 5.5-16.5x44, 5-20x44, and a 6-20x50
VX3 is 4.5-14x50

The 44's are still brighter than the Leupold which is what really surprised me.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

How do the Monarch's hold up when you will eventually stumble with them, or a tree branch hits them, etc...

 

[scotharr]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Opticsspecialist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i like the monarch for the money, it's equal to the leupold if not better and cost less </div></div>
+1 When your question is "best for the money" it's hard to beat Nikon: first-rate stuff.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

My primary deer rifle (R700 Mountain LSS in .260) wears a VX-III 3.5-10x50 with 1" tube. It is an excellent optic and easily gives an extra 10-15min of shooting light each morning/evening over my other hunting scopes, Fullfield II 3-9x40 and Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40.

My Savage 110 .270 (first deer rifle I got when I was 11 years old) is now wearing a Meopta Artemis 3000 3-9x42..but it has a 30mm tube. I look forward to seeing how the bigger tube and #4 reticle work for me this year.

Owning a Monarch 5-20x44, I don't think anybody could go wrong choosing one to hunt with, especially if its more than a C-note cheaper than comparable Leupy.

 

[gtriever]

Re: Having a hard time choosing hunting rifle scope.

Lots of guys in my neck of the woods are running Sightron SIIB scopes.