Go Back  HuntingNet.com Forums > Firearms Forum > Scopes and Sights
Scope advice for cantilever mount slug gun >

Scope advice for cantilever mount slug gun

Scopes and Sights Discuss firearm scopes, sights and related accessories here.

Scope advice for cantilever mount slug gun

Old 03-03-2014, 06:29 AM
  #1  
Spike
Thread Starter
 
bigmossy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southern Ohio
Posts: 52
Default Scope advice for cantilever mount slug gun

At first I was leaning toward the lightest possible scope setup. Now I'm wanting a little more magnification, low-light ability, and a lighted reticle.

Do I need to be concerned about the weight of the scope since it's going to be on a cantilever barrel?

All of the scopes I'm considering are from Leupold. My gun is a Rem 1100 12ga with 21" fully rifled cantilever barrel and Timney trigger fix for a more rifle-like trigger. This slug gun is still in the setup stage.

Here are a few of the top-runner scopes at the moment I'm considering (all with the Firedot 4 reticle):
Leupold VX-R 1.25-4x20mm. 4.1" ER, 11.5 oz, 9.5" long.
Leupold VX-R 2-7x33mm. 4.2" ER, 12.7 oz, 11.3" long.
Leupold VX-R 3-9x40mm. 4.2" ER, 15.3 oz, 12.7" long.

Previoiusly I was considering the Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20mm with 4.4" ER, 9.3 oz, and 9.5" long; mainly for the compact size and light weight.
bigmossy is offline  
Old 03-03-2014, 07:23 AM
  #2  
Fork Horn
 
OpticsCamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 237
Default

3-9x is probably overkill, and you can get away with a smaller objective and less magnification for the same or similar light transmission you'd get from higher magnification and a bigger objective.

One thing though, illumination is something you're going to pay for that's going to detract from other areas. For example, rather than paying $400 for the best glass and build quality, you're paying for $300 worth of glass and $100 worth of illumination, for example. Not saying you shouldn't do it, it's your gun and you know what you want, but it is something to consider.
OpticsCamp is offline  
Old 03-03-2014, 07:29 AM
  #3  
Spike
Thread Starter
 
bigmossy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southern Ohio
Posts: 52
Default

Originally Posted by OpticsCamp
3-9x is probably overkill, and you can get away with a smaller objective and less magnification for the same or similar light transmission you'd get from higher magnification and a bigger objective.

One thing though, illumination is something you're going to pay for that's going to detract from other areas. For example, rather than paying $400 for the best glass and build quality, you're paying for $300 worth of glass and $100 worth of illumination, for example. Not saying you shouldn't do it, it's your gun and you know what you want, but it is something to consider.
Nope. The VX-R's are VX-3 optic quality and the difference in "real world" price between the VX-3 1.5-5x20 and the illuminated VX-R 1.25-4x20 is only $30.

One of the main issues I'm asking about is whether I need to be concerned with the few ounces of weight difference between them since it will be mounted on a cantilever.
bigmossy is offline  
Old 03-03-2014, 07:35 AM
  #4  
Fork Horn
 
OpticsCamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 237
Default

Like I said, it's your call, but I see illumination as an unnecessary novelty in most cases. But the difference in weight is less than four ounces in the three you listed. If you can tell a four ounce difference in a fully loaded slug gun with scope mounted, you're a better man than I.

Edit: Duh, forgot to answer the question. I don't think it will make a difference with that mount, you should be fine. The amount of difference weight is going to make on that type of mount is below the margin of error for most shooters.
OpticsCamp is offline  
Old 03-03-2014, 09:50 AM
  #5  
Typical Buck
 
buffybr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SW Montana
Posts: 550
Default

I don't think the cantilever will have any problems with an extra 4 oz in scope weight.

It's your gun and $$, but I couldn't justify the cost of a VX-R scope on a cantilevered barrel on a Rem 1100 slug gun. I have a cantilevered rifled barrel for my Rem 870. It came with a Simmons 3-9x which is as much scope as I ever see needing for a slug gun.
buffybr is offline  
Old 03-03-2014, 01:31 PM
  #6  
Giant Nontypical
 
jerseyhunter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: the woods of NJ.
Posts: 5,643
Default

Previoiusly I was considering the Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20mm with 4.4" ER, 9.3 oz, and 9.5" long; mainly for the compact size and light weight.
I think that's plenty for an 1100, I only have a 1.5x4 and it's more than enough, If I can see it where I hunt I can hit it. Granted my furthest shot was only 110 yds but most are 85. Actually I stopped using my slug guns a few years ago and switched to a muzzy with a 3x9 .
jerseyhunter is offline  
Old 03-03-2014, 02:03 PM
  #7  
Nontypical Buck
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Warren County NJ USA
Posts: 3,899
Default

I have many slug guns in all sorts of actions including semi-auto most with the cantilever, they all wear 3-9x40 Leupolds VX-II (now known as the VX-2) with a plex...never an issue
BOWHUNTERCOP is offline  
Old 03-03-2014, 05:29 PM
  #8  
Spike
Thread Starter
 
bigmossy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southern Ohio
Posts: 52
Default

Thanks all for the responses. I'm leaning towards the VXR 2-7x33.
bigmossy is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.