Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

I had decided on the A-bolt II .280 all black (he has it for $629) and a Meopta Meostar 3x12x56-30mm ($699)! I really like this set up and while not a nice as I started off looking into.........I think this will be plenty of gun for me and I won't have to sell everything I own(just 3 guns...instead of 4 and a bow) !! The store only sells new and doesn't trade in guns....Itold him to come up with a package price with mounts anda sling and call me back!!

But.......I just went to pick up my son's gun from a gun smith ! He has 2 Rem.700 SPS(or whatever the cheapest ones are) for $450 .....one is a .30-06 and one is a .7mm Mag ! The biggest thing is he has a Swarovski PV 3x12x50 for $1000 ! He is willing to trade and I probably will not have to come out of pocket any money ! He will do the trigger work to get it to 2.5# !! I am not as excited about this gun but it would save some hassle of selling the guns I have to sell to get a new rifle !!

What would you guys do ??

I know I sound like an idiot since I started off last week wanting a Kimber Montana and a Ziess Diavari VM/V........but reading posts has definately steered me in this direction and I would appreciate any help !! I don't mind laying it all out there if I can get some help ! Thanks-Brent !!

BTW.... I am trading a Winchester 101 Field grade o/u 12g , a S&W .38 snub SS, and a Ruger Single Six with both cylinders !The Win. and S&Ware in real good shape.......the Ruger is indescent condition but has some scratches and stuff !

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

Can you include the link to your other discussion that swayed you away from the kimber with the zeiss glass. Then I'll comment.

Tom

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

Ohhhh I have 2 or 3 threads on this board........and I have read every post I can find on the internet for a week now !! 24hour campfire.......Opticstalk.....Mississippihunters or something........I mean you name it and I have been there this past week !! [8D]:D

Getting a gun by this weekend for no other reason than to stop driving myself crazy !! ;)

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

Tough call on this one? I would be leaning towards buying from the gunsmith. Let us know what you decide?

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

I read your posts. Here is my .02. I would get the Kimber. I would also get lower end glass than what you looking at. A Zeiss Conquest is more than you need for your shooting situation. Yes I did read that you will be shooting after dark. If those other scopes are better than we are talking like in the thousanths place and your eyes are probably aged enough for it not to make a difference.

Another point worth making is that I have a VX'-III and (2) VX-II,s and (3) Simmons Aetecs and the Aetecs have better light gathering ability. So you don't always get what you pay for.

I wouldn't rush this decision. You'll be living with it for a while.

Tom

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

Yes, I agree. I have a Zeiss Conquest 3 x 9 x 50 and with any moonlight at all I don't need a light to shoot at night.

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

I think I am definately going to get the A-bolt .280 ........just don't think I will be happy unless I go that route !!

Now the question is ..........do I trade the guy out for the Swarovski PV 3x12x50 or do I "ginea pig" the Meopta 3x12x56 mm and give you guys a review !! :D

Seriously......which scope do you guys think would be better/brighter/last longer, etc. ???

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

CDM....is the scope you are talking about new or used?. If it's new ii's a heck of a deal becuase they are right at $1500. Shoot if you dont want itgive me a # of the smith and I'll add it to my collection.
Even if it's used and in good shape it's a deal.

Oh by the way, I would go with a stainless/synthetic Sako M75/85 with the Zeiss Divari 3x12x56, I have one and wouldnt hesitate to take it anywhere. Shhot great and you can see with it way after legal shooting hours here in the states.

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

Seriously....There are plenty of quality scopes out there in the $200-400 price range that will serve your needs just as well as a more expensive scope....If you were loaded with $$$ I would say, spend it if you want it...But, when you mentioned that you are selling guns to finance....Nope, I would not put a $1,000 scope on a deer rifle...That will be the one that gets stolen, dropped, broken...etc....

When I bought my Ruger M-77 in .243 in 1980 I put a $130 Bushnell Scopechief on it (a very good scope in 1980)....I killed at least 80-100 deer or so with this scope until I upgraded to a Leupold VX-II about 10 years ago...Have killed another 50 or so with this setup....Yes, you do need a good scope....Not a $1,000 dollar scope to kill deer....And, yes our deer in NC also move late, in fact I have killed deer by the moonlight...Perfectly legal as they were eating my soybeans and peanuts...

A Nikon Buckmaster or Monarch, Bushnell 3200 or 4200, Leupold VX-II or VX-III and probably several others will do all you ever need to do...

If you had 15-20 years of deer hunting under your belt, and were getting a custom stocked rifle to deer hunt with, I'd tell you to spend the $$$...But the average guy will never be able to tell the difference or justify the $$$.

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

If I could have three good rifles, or one ultimate rifle. I would go with one ultimate rifle. Buy the best now!!! If you do not, then you will do it later in life, which will only cost you more. Tom.

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

That says it all!!! I agree 100%...

DM

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

Well actually I have never bought a rifle. My dad gave me a Marlin 30-30 when I was a late teen ager and my father in law gave me a Steyr 6-7 years ago ! I had got into bowhunting and really haven't shot a rifle much in 10 years !!

I am wanting to get back intorifle hunting..........bowhunting has been awesome and rewarding(I have close to 40 kills and 5 P&Y animals) !!

So if I can shed some light..........my buddy has the good stuff and I by all means like it and want it !! But I have a practical side that creeps in !! I bought the Diavari that I have on my .6mm (3x9x42 1") and I heard it was the best.......heard it was just as good as the big ones.........heard that a 1" vs 30 mm was no different !! But another one of my buddy's bought a Kahles 3x12x56-30mm........and his scope is better in low light than mine(not leaps and bounds.......but better) !! My Dad has a 3x9x40 Monarch UCC that really is not that much worse !!

I really just think after a week of this............the average guy can get all he needs out ofa Tikka T3 and a Meopta..........I have not tried this out but seems like that could be just as good of a gun as a Kimber/Ziess VMV if you can get over the looks part of the equation and you are not a complete gun fanatic!

Two of my best friends and serious rifle hunters have told me to get the Swarovski.........and said if I don't like it........sell it and get a Meopta and pocket some change !! It sounds good to me.........the guns I am getting rid of are nice but just about completely useless to me and would be useless to anyone who just hunts and doesn't collect guns !! Kinda nice to have but for what IMO ..........I'd rather have something I like using !!

My heavy weight friend that is a big time rifle hunter and optics nut has not called me back yet............he's the one I really want to talk to about it !!

But pretty sure right now I am going to pick up the A-bolt tomorrow and get the Swarovski...........how can I really go wrong with that for $1600-
$1700 bucks ????

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

For $1700 you could get a pretty awesome rifle and a Leopold VX-II or III and do everything that the Swaro will do. IMO

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

I'd pick a swaro or zeissover a leupold any day of the week!

As far as a rifle I prefer 700's to abolts but if you like the abolt and it fits you better then you won't be dissapointed.

I assume you'll be reloading for the .280 rem (forgive me I never checked your other posts), if so it is a fine choice. If buying factory ammo then you may want to check local availability of .280 rem offerings and if not good opt for a 7mm rem mag instead.

Good Luck

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

IN the upper end 1" scopes, you will not be able to tell a lot of difference. Nikon Monarch, Bushnell 4200, Leupold VX III ...etc. You can tell a difference between a 1" scope and a 30 mm scope. The 30 mm scope is better at transmitting ( not gathering ) light. There is some difference ( but not a lot ) in a 40 mm vs a 50 mm in the 1 " scopes, just like there is a difference between the 50 mm and 56 mm in the 30 mm scopes.

But just realize the height you have to mount a 56 mm belled , 30 mm scope. You would have to mount the thing on the highest rings you could find, which will take it out of the normal sight plane along the comb. But some people don't mind that.

I definitely want you to get what you want, butare you wanting the name brands,or doyou want good quality that will get the job done, but where you are not throwing money away. I personally would want the best I could get, but also what falls within the laws of deminishing returns. In other words, could I spend 800.00 and get a set up that is 95 % of what I like best, or should I spend 1600.00 to get 100 % of what I like best. That 5 % cost you double. For that you could buy 2 of the 95 % set up's. But in the end it will be what ever makes you happiest. Only you knows what will truely satisify you.

Good luck in your decision, and God Bless

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

To MichaelT: Your analogy of 95% to 5% is spot on. However there is a problem. The first few minutes of daylight, and the last few minutes of daylight are what constitutes the 5%. There is a difference in glass. And yes you are right, most good glass will perform 95% of the time. But my major concern is the other 5%. I would definitely go with the Swarovski.
Most people who argue about 30mm, and 1 inch scopes. And 40mm versus 50mm, versus 56mm, should study about optics. Each choice has it's pro's and con's. All my go to rifles carry Swarovski optics, and there truly is a good reason. Tom.

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

I've looked through swaravski scopes and I do think they make a superior product. With that said, I usually leave the woods at dark for ethical reasons and not because I can't see through my scope. My most expensive scope is $600 and my least expensiveis a $130 Aetec.

You'll be happy with the set up you've chosen but you'll be lighter in the pocket.

I would advise you to take Jeepkid's advice.

Tom

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

I think you are going to be very happy with your choice.
IMHO Swarovski optics are worth every penny they cost. I am thinking real hard about topping my 25-06 with a Swarovski scope? I have a Burris on it, that I do not care for.
Live & learn.

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

One thing that has not been discussed....The limitations of the human eye....
You are aware that as you get older (around 45) your pupil will not open as large (dilate) as it does when you are 25.....So all that money in a scope might be wasted...If you pupil won't dialate over 4mm, your eye will not be able to use all that extra light that the scope brings to it...Go see your eye doctor, get him to tell you how large your pupil will dilate...My vision is terrible (worse than 20/200)...I'm 51...I had to have emergency laser surgery to repair a torn retna about 6 years ago, which left me with a "floater"...I can still see to shoot a deer 15 minutes after legal shooting time, the larger reticle I had installed in my scope has helped a tremendously....

One other point....a couple of years ago I bought a pair of Nikon ATB binos in 8x42s...Money well spent....I spend more time using binos than the scope...Leave enough money to include buying a pair of quality binoculars...They come in mighty handy after legal shooting hours to let you know where you need to move to be able to get on the deer for the next hunt....Especially when hunting over soybeans, peanuts and corn fields....

Get your buddies to bring their setups over one evening and compair all of them, 30-45 minutes after sundown....Then you have a good basis for comparison...

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

Browning,Styer,Swaro,Zeiss? Sounds like a lotta overpriced jap/euro crap to me. Heres my radicalidea -BUY AMERICAN GUNS! I would only kill a deer W/ a jap/euro car.

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

Well the saga continues !! I bought the Swarovski today !!

I was driving over to get the A-bolt .280..........and I hope I don't regret this later............... but I ordered a Tikka T3 Stainless Sythetic in a .270WSM !! Pick it up tomorrow !!

Made one last phone call and got the Tikka for $499 compared to the A-bolt blued for $629 !!

It is a far cry from where I started.........but that's what I should be shooting this weekend unless fate interviens again !! [8D]:D


Thanks for all the help and advise !!

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

Did you type that on an ALL AMERICANMADE computer??? :D

DM

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

LMAO

DM that was hilarious!

Tom

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

My cousin bought a .270 WSM a couple of years ago...He shoots the 140 Federal Premium Nosler AccuBond...It does a good job on deer...They are only about $30 bucks a box...Might want to try them....Good Luck...Enjoy your new deer rifle...

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

CBM SC, I think you are going to be real happy with your choice.
IF for some reason you just hate that Swarovski scope?:D I will buy it from you.

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

The Zeiss Conquest scopesare assembled in the USA my friend. If you want to buy an American "gun" I would suggest a 1903 Springfield or a Garand. "Euro/jap" crap just happens to be the finest optics in the world and has been for 100 years. Leupolds are no longer made in the USA.....doesn't that print the picture? Get a grip....it's a global economy. If you are looking for performance, buy a Zeiss or Swaro....there are no US made rifle scopes left. Regards, Rick.

RE: Almost there but ran into a delimma ...need quick help??
 

Sorry for corny joke guys.Just trying to inject a little humor .I understand most things are made overseas but were talking about guns not computers . Come on guys is a little american made pride such a bad thing even if it is a pipe dream?I do believe lupys are still assembed here though.