What scope to buy???
 

I need help! I am shopping for a scope for my new 7mm mag, but I don't want to break the bank. I have been looking at the 3x9x40 Rifleman, Buckmaster, and the ProStaff. I am just trying to get back into the sport and the fever has taken over. Most of the terrain that I will be hunting is very thick with some areas of clear terrain that would probaly allow a shot of up to 200 yards max. When looking thru each of the above scopes, each seems to have identical optics. Ofcourse the ProStaff is around 50 bucks cheaper , which I like, but would it withstand the recoil and hold to zero? Ive also been told that the ProStaff will not zero as easy as the other two. If anyone can give me some assistance I would really appreciate it.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

You should also look at the Bushnell elite 3200 in either 2x7 or 3x9.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

I had rather have a $60 dollar rifle and a $600 scope than a $600 rifle and a $60 scope. Next scope I buy will probably be a Nikon Monarch or a Zeiss Conquest.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

I have always had good luck with Leupolds. Depending on the firearm I would generally go with a 3 x9. I like the 2 x 7 on shotguns and muzzleloaders. Good luck with your search.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

From the choices you made I would go with the Nikon Buckmaster...I have that scope on my muzzleloader and it crisp, and clear.....I also have more expensive scopes on my other guns, Leupolds, and German made Zeiss

RE: What scope to buy???
 

got one on a 7mm wsm pretty clear optics on it --for the money

RE: What scope to buy???
 

i got a vivitar 3-9x40 works great clear optics and it helped me get my deer this year:D

RE: What scope to buy???
 

sounds like you have a beautiful new gun. i wouldnt skimp on the scope .i know you want to get to the range right away but hold off if you can. i waited almost a year to purchase my vari x iii for my model 70. i was heading to africa for plains game and glad i waited! climbing in the mountains for kudu my gun took a nasty fall.of course it hit a rock right on the scope. when i test fired it after it was still on the money. i told the guide(Ph) i guess that why they cost a little more. there are many good budget choices but i would wait. hunting season is just about over most places. save up a couple more months and do yourself a favor and get a leupold. a vari xii even used cant be that much more than the scopes your looking at now. i got a brand new one off ebay for another rifle for 230$.if you buy a good scope now you will never question if you bought the right one later. get yourself good mounts also as well as lens covers. one other item i really like is a scope cover. there made by bear tooth. its a camo cloth cover with velcro tie downs that keeps the scope protected from scratchs and any glare from the body is no longer a problem.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

Zeiss conquest or Kahles. Everything else pales in comparison.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

where do you send your zeiss or kahles for warranty issues. LEUPOLD will get my hard earned AMERICAN MONEY!

RE: What scope to buy???
 

Both the Zeiss Conquest and Kahles American Hunter are assembled and warrantied in the USA. No different than Leupold!!!!!!!

RE: What scope to buy???
 

I also have a 7mm mag along with an assortment of other larger bores. After a "not so enjoyable experience or two" I went to Leupold and have never been disappointed. I'm with the previous poster...better a $600 scope and a $60 weapon than the other way around. It's not just the recoil issue but the light gathering characteristics and clearity that do it for me. Again that gold ring on the Leupold has meaning. I just hope they never go for quantity vs. quality. Best regards, Jim

RE: What scope to buy???
 

did you guys read he said he didnt want to break the bank
my 7 came with the bushnell elite scope on it 389$ out the door

some of us cant afford top shelf, nor need top shelf to "giterdun"

the scope already proved itself when the gun got dropped by my b-i-L after falling in a hole in a pasture, onto frozen ground

yea we would all love to have the best gun ,scope,truck,car,home -

but that aint life as we know it..

would you also put 250$ air jordans on an old man and expect him to perform just cause he has the shoes?????
or spend 500$ on a windshield for a 200$ CAR -I DONT GET IT, HES NOT SHOOTING A WEATHERBY, or other too expensive gun!!!
how about a 500$ bottle a wine for a 50 cent whore

RE: What scope to buy???
 

Take a look at the Tasco world class nice scope for the money.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

The ziess conquest offers superior light transmission for the same price as the leupod vxiii.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

Onebullet, paying money for a Weatherby does not mean you will shoot tighter groups than a cheaper gun. I paid less for my heavy barreled Savage than I did the scope. The package I have cost less than most Weatherby rifles alone, and will out perform most weatherbys out of the box. Price is not everything, but a cheap scope is a cheap scope. You will get what you pay for in optics. Bottom line, a leupold vari-x 2 or3 is a well made scope. I've owned several vari-x models. The nikon buckmaster would be a close second. These scopes are anywhere from $200-500 depending on model. For around $549-$599 you could have the zeiss. I have not priced the khales 3x9 lately but it is a well made scope with good lens coatings. Light gathering capabilities on the khales out perform most larger objective scopes. The zeiss I have is the 6.5X20 50mm. I paid $619.00 It is a target scope with windage and elevation adjustments. Yes it is overkill on most hunting rifles, but is a nice fit for my particular rifle. Bottom line any modern made, dirt cheap bottom of the barrel 3x9 scope on decent mounts and rings is going to kill deer out to 200 yards. How long will it last? Probably longer than you would like.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

Exactly,Weatherby guarantees 1-1/2" groups out of their rifles while tikka rifles must shoot 1" groups before leaving the factory.Tikka rifles cost less than half the price of most weatherby rifles.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

woody- as i said gun + scope out the door 389$ and your talking a 600$ scope ????? have you used a bushnell elite?? i have a leupold- and will use either gun- but i wont spend the money to by another leu after using others that work just as well on light gathering--at a fraction of the cost

HE SAID HE DIDNT WANT TO BREAK THE BANK---can ya hear me now???
damn i only got 4 more cent on this subject then i am outta money- for the subject

weatherby was just an example i could have used any expensive gun, benelli whatever-- you said it" a more expensive gun does not make you a better shooter"-nor does an expensive scope-- hey i got an idea how about matching the value of the gun to the value of the scope and vice versa-- what a concept

sounds like putting a rolls royce front end on a VW--- its still a VW

ps stubble i own a tikka- great gun thanks for the .02

i also have a jason scope,redfield and god forebid-- a tasco[:o]

RE: What scope to buy???
 

To me a rifle is only as good as it's optics, rings and bases. This doesn't mean you have to sell the farm to buy your scope but simply by as much as you can. While a 60 dollars scope might be adequate I want to know my scope is on, stays on & tracks true more importantly. This is something a decent to good scope eliminates from it's cheap counterparts. Once you appreciate this value then the clarity, brightness, light transmission, fast focus,etc will become more noticable.

For the decent quality I really have had excellent service from the 3200 Elite series. Giving decent returns in all aspects for the investment required.

Equally I am a big believer and supporter in Leupold rings and bases. All my scoped firearms wear Leupold rings/bases and my more used ones are held by the Leupold Double Dovetail design mounting system. I believe that a important part of the consideration is the mounting system and the Leupolds have been rock solid IME.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

mjlane check out post titled" simmons scopes" and i think ya got your answer

RE: What scope to buy???
 

I'm a leupold guy, true to the core. If you can afford one, I'd go that route.

Given your financial considerations, however, I will give you this one tidbit. I have a cheapie Bushnell Trophy 3-9 on my 30.06. It's a couple years old and works fine. It's no Leupold, but it stands up to my abuse. I DO NOT baby my equipment. It gets soaked, frozen, filthy, banged, bumped and otherwise abused. I expect flawless operation after what I consider "normal" hunting wear and tear. With that Bushnell, I've gotten it so far.

You can pick one up for 100 bucks, easy.

Eye relief may be an issue, however, as 3" might be a little thin for a 7MM mag. You might save 250 bucks, but spend $5000 in medical bills getting your eyeball reattached and your head sewn back together.

I'd wanna be at least 3-3/4 inches away, b/c taking one in the eye is no picnic.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

Well folks, ive made a purchase..... After alot of research and help from you guys and others i went with the Nikon Buckmaster. Got a hold of one for about 60 bucks cheaper than the Leupold, which in my opinion is very similar. Or at least i couldnt tell alot of difference looking thru the two of them.

Ok, next question...... what type of rings????? Quick disconnect, see thru, and the list goes on, and on...... What do you guys think??????

RE: What scope to buy???
 

Then don't use the leupold vxiii 3.5x10x40 because it's eye relief is only 3.5" at 10 power.
Don't use the vxiii 2.5x8x36 either as it's eye relief is only 3.5" at 8 power.

http://www.leupold.com/products/products_specs.asp

RE: What scope to buy???
 

Like I said prior I really like Leupold rings/bases, for a CF either the Standard or DD 2 Piece should do the job for you. The see thru's are weak and cause you to mount the scope higher. The detachable have some merits but if the scope is staying put on this rifle then I would just stick with the fixed mounts.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

i just got a leupold , i really llike it.....it's definately worth the money....

RE: What scope to buy???
 

i have many bushnells and have never had a problem with any of them. I have bought a few Banners in the past few years. Like em a lot.

RE: What scope to buy???
 

ditto

RE: What scope to buy???
 

the Bushnell Elite with a firefly reticle and the guaranteed anti fog coating is one of the best scopes out there