Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

Sorry if this seems repetitive.

I won Remington 700 SPS .270 in a gun raffle. When I pick the gun up, i'm going to first see if I can get it in a .308. My only other rifle is a 30/30. My dad has an '06 so I don't want that, I can always use his if I need it and he isn't using it. I want my own longer range .30 rifle. I think the 30/30 and the .308 combo will do me good for years. What do you think about this? Or should I stick with the .270?

I will be using the rifle mostly for Deer in PA, WV. MAYBE one day bear or a trip out west.

I know that the rule of thumb is to spend as much if not more on the scope as the rifle. Well the Rifle is 500 dollars.

I took a look at the 400 dollar Leupold's and asked the man behind the counter what he recommend. I told him I would one day like to go out west. So he recommended the Nikon Buckmaster 4.5 x 14 x 40 for 299.99. I actually liked it better then the comparable Leupold which was 399.99. So then I asked, what if I just do Deer in PA. He then recommended the Nikon ProStaff 3x9x40 for 159.99. I really like the BDC(i think thats is) circles in the scope.

My scope question: What you guys recommend for my rifle scope. I budgeted 400 for the scope so price isn't the issue. But for some reason I liked the ProStaff better for what I need it for. Is Nikon a good scope?


Thanks in advance.

Z

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

The 270 isn't my fav but it sure is an excelent cartridge for deer sized animials! As for Leupold, i have nothing but good things to say about them when it comes to a tough reliable scope... And i'm of the opinion, when it comes to hunting,if you can't hit it on 9X then you are shooting too damn far!!!

DM

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

I suspect that the .270 will do all of the things you've listed as well, or better than a .308. The .270 is a bit flatter shooting for the "out west" trip for Mule deer or speed-goats. The .308 might have a slight edge if you go for elk, because you can use a 165 - 180 grain bullet. But, for whitetails, you could put your .270, your dad's .30-06 and a .308 in a dark closet, reach in, pick one, and you're good to go... All three are superb whitetail rifles.

For what it's worth, I walked up and down the shooting line at the local gun range before last deer season, to see what everyone was shooting. There were about 30 guys, and at least half had .270's. The rest were pretty evenly divided... .243's, a .25-06, a few .30-06's, 7mm-08's, and some new .270 & .300 short mags. But, by far, the .270 Win was the most popular.

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

Have you looked at the Burris signature series. I have at least 8 Leupolds and 3 Burris scopes. The Burris is a real rock solid scope. It has a posi lock feature that maintains zero year after year. I have not touched my elk rifles scope in three years of elk hunting with plane rides and at least 15 times at the range shooting a ton of 300 WSM handloads. I really like it.

John

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

You can't go wrong with a leupold vari-xIII. I have one on all my rifles, and I think they are about the best you can get for the money. Great durability, great warranty, great glass. You won't be disappointed.

As for the caliber question, it's a toss up in my opinion.

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

Me personally, I am a big fan of the .308, but since you already have access to a .30 cal in your dads gun, stick to the .270. Lots of rifles get bought for that one day out west trip, that generally doesn't come for another 10 years, and in many cases never. That isn't to discourage you from trying to go. Right now, I am one of the guys that says one day.... although a Kodiak Alaska trip is in the works. As for the scope. I have shot thousands of rounds of .308 with the Nikon Buckmaster.I used it to take a few prairie dogs at 600+.a do mean a few.(only one day on thedogtown) it was just more enjoyable to kill more at 300-400. Anhow, I thought that it was fantastic. IMHO better than alot of high priced jobs that I have shot with at the range. I would surely reccommend it. DM makes a good point in the scope power, though I personally like to bring that target nice and close before I shot. Just personal preferance.

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

I would opt for the .308 but I wouldn't have a problem taking the .270 both good cartridges but the .308 has more ammo options available and can shoot heavier bullets.

As for the scope I'm of the opposite opinion of most and think that Leupold isn't a good value for the money. Take a look at the swift line of scopes and yes the Nikon scopes are really nice from what I can tell.

Tom

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

I do have the .30 in my dads gun, but honestly, I dont' think i've ever taken a rifle hunting with me that my dad wasn't with me, and the '06 is his baby so that is what he always carries. I was thinking .308 because if we both go on a hunt where we need .30 cals we'd be set.

Plus for an in between gun for my 30/30 and .308 i was think of a 7mm-8. One day.......but thats another topic.

I won the .270, so if Gander Mtn doesn't let me trade calibers I wont be upset...buuuutttt if they do....i dn't know why i have my heart set on a .308....

thoughts?

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

Consider a 300 Remington Ultra Mag

Use Remington Ammo:
Series One - Approximates 30-06 performance.
Series Two - Approximates 300WinMag performance.
Series Three - Full blown Ultra Mag

Grow as you go.
Dial it up or down according to where you hunt and what you hunt.

270 was my first centerfire rifle.... never was that impressed with it, it was o-k-a-y but never delivered a real "wow" performance for me, well.... okay, it was spectacular on prairie dogs.

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

.270 is great as is .308. I'd prefer the .308 but that's just me. Either will certainly do. As far as scopes, I like Leupys, but there are many other very good brands out there at reasonable prices. To name a few... Zeiss Conquest, Sightron Big Sky, Burris Fullfield II, Bushnell Elite 4200 and Weaver Grand Slam. Good luck in your selection.

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

Well if your heart is set on the .308 then see if they will switch calibers for you. In all honesty it's a toss up between the two, both have ammo available everywhere and both offer plenty of different size bullets for different applications. I own both and I would take the .308 over the .270simply because of the shorter action and all around configuration of my ModelSeven.

As far as scopes go just make sure you get a quality scope. Someone has already given you sound advise when it comes to buying scopes......"pay as much if not more than whatyou paid for thegun."I like Leupolds however I have noticed (maybe it's just me) that the quality is not what it used to be. This is judging by my newer VX-II and VX-III vs my older VX's. I am also a big fan of the Nikon line of scopes. Here you can get away with spending a little less and still get a quality scope. I have Nikons on both my H&R slug gun and Remington Model Seven.

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

You have a few choices if the shop carries some of these calibers. Not all of them will suit your needs but some certainly would.
The 270 and 308 are great choices... but on the link below you'll see a few others.
Good luck and congrats on the raffle win!

http://www.remington.com/products/fi..._SPS_specs.asp

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

270 Bushnell 3200 Scope 3x9x40. You will never need anything else.

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

Agree.

Though since you mentioned a desire for a 7mm 08 and see it is available in the 700sps. You may want to opt for it, if a chambering switch is possible. Something to chew on.

Also if you have budgeted $400 for a scope then you really should take a look at the Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40. IMO excellent value, much like the elite 3200.

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

Its available in 7MM-08. I have one.;)

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

The .308 is certainly an excellent cartridge, but I have had great performance out of the .270 as well. Either would do for your uses, including elk, black bear, and moose.

Nikon scopes are acceptable, but I have some issues with Nikon customer (non) service, so I'd buy a Leupold. I have a number of variable-power scopes, but find that whenver game appears, I just use the scope set on whatever powder it happens to be on at the time. So I've started putting 6X fixed-power scopes on all my new, serious hunting rifles. 6X is not too much, even at ranges under 50 yards!

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

Eld,

I totally agree with that statement and have been feeling that way for a long time now. It seems that even when I have time to dial in the scope it always ends up around 6x. Very interesting that you would write what I've been thinking for a while.

I've been faced with this decision a few times and I've always elected to go with the variable. Maybe next time I'll stick to my guns.

Tom

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

I have recetly (last 2 years or so) gotten on a kick of collecting vintage Weaver scopes, and specifically but not exclusively look for the Post and Cross hair reticles... just cause I've learned to use them and just am most comfortable with them.
But, I have mostly been picking up the fixed power K2.5's, K3's, K4's and K6's for the exact reason stated above. When I'm not tempted to fuss with adjustments it takes one issue out of the problems that could arise.
I used to use only fixed 4's .. but now with 54 yr old's eyes the 6's seem more appropriate for me.
Additionally I have gotten a V7, V8, a KV (which switches form 2.5 or 3 to 5 power...not a variable, but an either / or).
These older scopes are not as bright or as sharp as the finest scopes out today, but in many cases they are better than a lot of the middle of the road stuff being sold, and much cheaper if you don't mind dealing with a little "road wear". Adds character I think.
Besides, any of the older American made steel tube Weavers are often worth being restored and repaired by
Weaver Scope Repair Service
1121 Larry Mahan Dr
Suite B
El Paso, TX 79925
(915) 593-1005

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

I own four of the calibers mentioned, and baliistically they are basically identicalwith one significantdifferences - neither the 270 or the 7-08 has the bullet selection in the upper bullet weight rangesthe .308 or the 06 has. But, for deer, black bear etc. - that is not really significant.As ipscshooter said, put em in a dark room, pull one out and go hunting - neither you nor the game will know the difference. As to glass, I shoot nothing but leupold vari xII and vari xIII, 3 x 9 x40 or 3.5 x 10 x 50.

As an aside, when I bought my last rifle, I had the same choices, except I had to purchase mine :-)I chose the Weatherby Vanguard SMOA synthetic and stainless in the .308. Througheither reloading and / or over the counter ammuntion, Ican get upto 3,000 fps with a 150 grain BTSP if I so desire, or I can move way down to plinking loads. I topped it with a leupold 3.5 x 10 x 50 varixIII.

Having ranted on and on, .........if I was given a .270 - I think I would just shoot the darned thing and be the happiest guy in the field.


END OF MY RANT!!!!

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

LOL I know the feeling on the old scopes. I have a little of everything scopewise and I think I like the old Redfield Tracker 2x7 better than any of them. Damn shame it was made 40 or so years ago and I cant buy anymore. That thing is an absolute gem..I have never had a scope zero that easily. Lookin at the prices on ebay..apparently a lot of people are liking the old scopes.

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: eldeguello

The .308 is certainly an excellent cartridge, but I have had great performance out of the .270 as well. Either would do for your uses, including elk, black bear, and moose.

Nikon scopes are acceptable, but I have some issues with Nikon customer (non) service, so I'd buy a Leupold. I have a number of variable-power scopes, but find that whenver game appears, I just use the scope set on whatever powder it happens to be on at the time. So I've started putting 6X fixed-power scopes on all my new, serious hunting rifles. 6X is not too much, even at ranges under 50 yards!
[/quo



Well, at least I don't feel alone leaving my variables on my big game guns set at 6X. I also have a couple of Leupold 6X M-8's as well. I feel that the 6X setting is far more practical than the 4X for most hunting situations, and no, I don't have a hard time picking up my target with it. I guess I've been using the6X for so long, it has just become second nature to me. ]

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

I have an old 3 x7 Redfield Tracker that I originally had on my 7 mag. It now resides on my 17 HRM and I will have this scope until I die (ground squirrel death is this one). I loved it, but couldn't resist the leupold thing when I finally made some money. In addition, I have an old Weaver K6 on a 22 mag I gave my dad.I shot the Weaver for for years on my grandfathers old Remington model 721 30-06. No complaints there either. Maybe e-bay needs to be added to some of our responces:-)

RE: Two Questions Caliber and Scope
 

I bought a newer Redfield Tracker about 7 years ago from Jerry's Sporting Goods. Unfortunately I should have figured that the newer models were nothing like the old Trackers of days gone by. Although the new Redfield Tracker looked cool , with it's matte finish and sleek look, it wasn't very bright at all and no matter how much I tried to focus the ocular lens I could't get it crisp. So, dark and fuzzy suddenly looked like a rip-off insead of a deal at the attractive price.
Some newer scopes are gems, and we pay for them, but many of the older ones were more valuable than we knew back then.