Looking for perfect muzzleloader scope?
 

I currently shoot a thompson center encore, and I was looking at getting a new scope. There are sooo many scopes.....I just get confused trying to make the right decision. I want something in the 4-12, or 4-16 x 40-50mm range. I would like it to have a really generous eye relief, and be fogproof and waterproof. I don't want a real expensive scope. Just a really good bang for the buck scope. Does anybody know of any scopes that fit what I'm looking for? I don't have any sporting goods stores that have many scopes for me to look at. So I kinda have to blindly order them by specs, and not by actually looking through them. Any ideas would be great thanks.

Why do you want such a powerful scope for a muzzleloader? I got the Nikon Omega 3x9x40 with the BDC reticule. I it set up for 150 gr of powder but I am only shooting 100 gr. I don't shoot long distance where I hunt but figured if I ever do I can step up the powder and having the BDC would be nice. The scope can be had for around $250 at Amazon.com.

I have the same exact scope on my Bone Collector, bagged a nice doe two days ago.
Great scope for a muzzy and the rectical is awsome for long range shooting.

The above is a good choice as would one of the Vortex Vipers on clearance.

have a encore. i use a 3-9x40mm redfield scope

I currently have a bushnell sportview 3-9x40. Its about 10 years old, and just isn't that clear anymore. My Dad got a high dollar leupold thats 4-16, and I really like how good it zooms in at about 150-200 yards. I'd like to get something a bit more powerful than 9 power. Now the redfields are made by leupold aren't they? I am mainly wanting a scope that is in the power range I said with a generous eye relief, and good quality for less than 300 bucks. I'm not that crazy about the bdc reticle. I'd rather just have a duplex reticle. Thats what kinda turned me from that nikon scope. The other cheaper nikons didn't seem to have much eye relief. Keep the suggestions coming please. Help me narrow it down. Thanks

What's your budget? We could better suggest a scope if we knew what you wanted to spend.

I mentioned in the last post for less than 300 bucks. I forgot to put it in the first post. I was looking at the 4-12 x 40 redfield revolution it says a 3.7-4.9 eye relief, and it has a lifetime warranty. Its only 210 bucks.....what do you guys thik of these scopes?

Sorry about that, totally my fault as I just somehow missed it when I read that post. I guess I just wasn't paying enough attention.

These would be my two choices under $300 right now and both will have better glass than the Redfield.
http://swfa.com/Vortex-4-12x40-Diamo...pe-P10825.aspx

http://swfa.com/Burris-45-14x42-Full...ope-P7933.aspx

Out of those two the Vortex will have the slight edge in clarity, but the FFII is a great scope too.

Nikon Omega or Burris Fullfield II. The Nikon has 5" of eye relief. These are great scopes designed specifically for smoke sticks.

Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 on my Triumph

I had a Vortex Viper, great scope!!!! But I got a great deal on a Leupold Ultimate slam, and switched it out. I really like both scopes. Try cameraland in NY for vortex, great bang for the buck.

x2 on the Viper

weaver k4. i was getting 3 inch groups at 300yrds with it on my .243. now its on my muzzleloader and works just fine. 3 shotall touching at 100. what i want is a 2x or 2.5x but the only one i can find is a millet.

I once had a 20X spotting scope that could not let me see bullet holes in paper at just 100yds. Just want to voice what others have hinted at. I am pretty confident that most would agree that the "perfect muzzleloader scope" is not going to be in the 4-12, or 4-16 x 40-50mm range. Many ML shots are close in where a 2x or even 1x low end will be more useful with its greater field of view. On the far end, even with 200yd shots, 7-9x should be all you need, assuming you have quality optics.

You state your current scope does not have much clarity. I don't know how much you are willing to pay for your new scope but in general you would be better served with putting your money toward a lower power scope with high quality clear optics rather that going up in magnification.

BINGO. Well said.

My comment is more or less an echo of others already posted. Unless you "need" that high an "X", anything in the 4X to 9X at the top should be plenty for shots out to 200 yards or so. If there is anything I have learned in the past 45 or so years of hunting is that scrimping on a scope is a mistake, and good money wasted. Obviously the top end stuff is going to be excellent ---- but these are in the $1250 - $2000 range. I have such scopes and attest that they may be your so referred to as "perfect" scope .... but you can get a great scope for far less. I would suggest that you look at the Elite line. I understand that the Bausch-Lomb Elite model numbering is changing, but I suspect that regardless of model number, in the $400-$450 range you'll get a good product. I also can from first hand experience strongly recommend the Ziess Conquest line and Leupold Vari-X III scopes. Something in the 1.5-6.... 2-8 .... 3-9x40mm would be a superb choice for a ML rifle.

I bought the vortex diamondback 3-9x40 for my Triumph its an awesome scope just beware the vortex scopes have the largest field of view and a smaller eye relief than the others so if you shooting a max load there's a good chanch of getting scope bite. I looked at the nikon omega, leupolds Saber and a redfield scope. The redfield is super clear and has a lot of eye relief that was my first choice but I didn't like the reticle pattern. Good luck choosing. Hope this helps.

Want a great scope look into Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 or 3-9x50, even if you buy one used the warranty is still good, and they back up their scopes. I have them on most of my firearms, muzzleloaders, rifles, shotguns without a problem

I have the leupold ultimate slam in 3-9x40 and I love it. The reticle is especially made for muzzleloader/shotgun and it can be had for 230 shipped from opticsplanet