Rifle Scopes Scope recommendation for hunting rifle

[kentuckyMarksman]

I've got a 1967 Remington 700 ADL in 30.06. It's a lighter barrel profile, and a classic hunting rifle. I like the fact that for a hunting rifle it's light and easy to carry around.

When I bought it, it had a cheap Bushnell Banner 6-24x40 scope on it, with mil dot reticle, 2nd focal plane, and .25" increments. I feel like the 6x may be a little high for the low end magnification on a hunting rifle, reticle doesn't match the increment values, and I prefer 1st focal plane so I can use the reticle for hold overs at any magnigication.

I have a Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 I could put on the rifle, which would be slightly better glass, and a more appropriate magnification range, but it's still 2nd focal plane and the reticle doesn't match the adjustment increments. Wondering about buying a different scope for it. Was thinking about the SWFA 3-15x42 scope. I have the 5-20x50 on another rifle and it works well for me. Thoughts on the 3-15x42? Any other scopes in that price range or cheaper that I should consider?

 

[BurnOut]

Best deal going right now IMO is the LRHSi 4.5-18 through GA Precision.

 

[JMGlasgow]

Nightforce SHV F1

 

[steve123]

Athlon Midas TAC 4-16. Much better glass than the SWFA 3-15, 10 mil turrets, zero stop, close focus - down to 10Y, and capped windage knob. .2 mil holds in part of the reticle. The turrets on it are excellent as well!

 

[Burdy]

I second the LRHSi. The best hunting FFP reticle in existence with that G2H. I really wish they hadn't killed this optic. They missed the boat not making a shorter version.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Thanks for the replies! That reticle on the LRHSi looks pretty nice, I'll have to look into it!

 

[bfglowkey]

Are you in the brush or have some open areas where you hunt? If you are in the brush keeping it 3x9 or a low fixed might be a better solution. Get a no frills , sturdy excellent light gathering vs some of the others suggested. If it will dual hat as a range scope then the above are all excellent

 

[Codiekfx400]

Leupold vx6 3-18x44 cds dial windplex reticle would work and I just happen to have one to sell

 

[gr8fuldoug]

For the $ the Athlon Midas TAC is tough to beat

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Are you in the brush or have some open areas where you hunt? If you are in the brush keeping it 3x9 or a low fixed might be a better solution. Get a no frills , sturdy excellent light gathering vs some of the others suggested. If it will dual hat as a range scope then the above are all excellent

Yeah, I'd rather have the low end be 3x and go up from there. All the hunting I've done has been in open fields, but I do think I'll have to find sonewhere else to hunt, and I think being in the brush is fairly likely. I'd like it to double as a range scope, my local range goes to 330 yards. I think a 3-9x would be good, but a 12x or 15x top end would be great.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Absolutely nothing wrong with the SWFA 3-15x42. I have 2 of them. Along with 7 absolutely top tier scopes (S&B X2, Premier X2, Tangent Theta X2, Kahles).
Don't get me wrong, the SWFA is no S&B or TT, but for $700, very hard to beat in that price point.

 

[DXT_Shooter]

Leupold VX5HD Or 6HD 3-15x44 with firdot duplex and CLDS that match your loads great glass with good light gathering. I just dial mine to the yardage and shoot...plus it’s lightweight.

 

[260284]

Best deal going right now IMO is the LRHSi 4.5-18 through GA Precision.

I believe these are all sold out, but look for a used one on here. I saw a 3-12 non-illuminated version the other day. I have the 4.5-18 non-illuminated and a 4.5-18 LRSTi. I don't feel handi-capped at all with 4.5, especially with the ring on the LRHS.

 

[goatboy]

This is cross posted from the "budget, high end hunting scope" thread. There being a tension between budget and high end, readers who focus on the budget may reject the suggestion of a $800 scope.

I recommend the Swarovski z3 3-10 x 42. Virtues are excellent glass and light weight at 12 oz.. It is an SFP scope. With a MPBR zero, setting the scope to 10x for any long shot and using the simple tree in the BRX reticle give you ability to visualize bullet drop out to 600m or more depending on bullet ballistics.

For example, consider a mountain gun in 6.5-284 where weight and capability are competing factors. You will get better low light performance from an objective larger than 42, but the cost is weight and bulk, and Swarovski glass is generally excellent. Loaded with a 140 Berger, the max point blank range is about 260 meters for max trajectory height of 3" or a 6" vital area for the sake of precision. With the BRX reticle, the scope will place shots out to 700m +/-.

In this set up, the horizontal stadia represent more or less 100m increments. There is a calculated 23" drop between stadia at 400-500m. A half dot cuts that to 12", and holding half way between the dots and the next stadia, cuts that to placing a bullet within 6" or so. I say "or so" because the drop rates aren't linear, with drop rate getting greater the further out as gravity accelerates it downward. With this issue of visualizing bullet path and the fact that the bullet energy drops to 1,000 fp after 600m, the Z3 and the 6.5-284 are a credible 600m package.

At 12oz and taking the entire functional package into consideration, the Z3 3-10x42 is the best lightweight hunting scope that I,ve found.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I agree that for straight forward simple great quality a Swarovski Z3 is a winner

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

I think I might go with the SWFA for now (if I ever get a 223, i'll put that scope on it). I might just put an old Nikon I have on the Remington. It's a prostaff 4-12x, second focal plane. Might be a fine scope for a rifle that only cost $330. I'll plan on ordering the SWFA around black friday and hope to catch a sale.

 

[RNWRKNP]

I have been looking at scopes in that price range for some time and the advantage I see with Athelon VS SWFA is that Athelon has continued to improve their line beyond the improvements seen with SWFA. The Ares BTR reticle also is an improvement over the SWFA. I would take a moment to talk to Doug from Camera Land above as he is a stand up dude in my opinion and will help you even if you don’t purchase his product. JM2C amigo?

 

[beetroot]

Leupold VX5hd, fantastic value for money.
I have one with the Impact 29 reticle and love it, am thinking of putting them on all my rifles.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Looking into the Athlon ARES BTR, that does look like a nice scope for the price. I'll have to look into that.

 

[308pirate]

What are you killing and how far are they on average?

If you're shooting big game inside of point blank range, a red dot may be your best answer

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Thanks for the suggestion on the red dot. I actually use that on my hunting AR. I want this rifle to be good for hunting and range use, that's why I'm looking for magnification for this rifle. It's just deer and most shots are under 200 yards. I just bought a SWFA off the classifieds here, but will look for an Athlon for my next scope.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I have been looking at scopes in that price range for some time and the advantage I see with Athelon VS SWFA is that Athelon has continued to improve their line beyond the improvements seen with SWFA. The Ares BTR reticle also is an improvement over the SWFA. I would take a moment to talk to Doug from Camera Land above as he is a stand up dude in my opinion and will help you even if you don’t purchase his product. JM2C amigo?

Always a pleasure to "meet" the members here and chat optics