Hunting scope advice please.....

Hi all, im after some advice for my deer hunting set up, I have a Stevens 200 in 25-06 cal, just got a set of Leopold PRW rings 1" low (thanks 'Claw')

Presently I have a BSA 3-9 X 40 scope on it, taken off another rifle......shall I just 'see how it shoots/goes' or would you recommend to get the visa card out and spend.....
Im a bit (bit?) of a tight arse,:D... so just want to get the best I can, value wise, this will only be used for hunting and not target shooting, so Im looking at 200 mts max accuracy...HELP PLEASE

May as well try the scope you have first! Provided you didn't find it too crap on the other rifle it was on.

Two words....Nikon Monarch!

Vx3

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Bushy banner

3-9x40 is a good range. My most hunted scope has the same specs. What do you want to do? This mag range will cover most situations a 25-06 will get you into? I once owned a BSA and was not very impressed. Can't hurt to try though. Glass IMO is more important than any other consideration with a rifle. I think the Bushnell 3200-4200 range will get you a lot of scope for your buck.

bushy is the best value for lower price range i beleive.

Like James said 3x9 or maybe 4x12 will cover most situations.
Glass,well while nice glass is nice its good for Fuck all if it fogs up.
Every scope i have had has fogged till i got a vx3. Iv only had had it around two years but that's longer than the rest have lasted!

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You got leupold rings, just bite the bullet and get a leupold scope...

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Originally Posted by ebf

You got leupold rings, just bite the bullet and get a leupold scope...

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+1 even VX 1 will be better than Bushnell and yep tried both more than once

I've shot Tahr out to 525 yds with a vx2 3x9 Leupold and LR reticle on my 243. Also have one on my 6.5 and same results. The new VX2 are a good value 'scope through Opticszone.

Just saying, because one day you will need to/want to replace the BSA. Cheaper 'scopes crap out at the worst times. Its the punishment for being tight. :)

hav to agree with happy( just this once) a cheap leupold will be better than a cheap bushnell or at least go name brand then if u nt like it its still worth something

Bollocks elite 3200 is much clearer than a vx1 and a 4200 would be on par if not better than a vx3 leupolds saving grace is there unconditional warrantee


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hard to argue with that sound logic tahr:thumbsup:

I'd try the BSA for a couple of months ,you've used it before so familiar with it.If you feel you need some thing better the 3-9x40 is a good starting point .Personally I think some of the Leupold scope cross hairs are a bit fine in low light /bush hunting situations.

I've just fitted a 3-9x40 Bushnell to my LA after having a Leupold compact on it for a lot of years.
The Leupold does come with a life time warranty & repair service from memory.

If you are going to push the envelope with your hunting, you really do need something reliable. I don't think I would trust a low value 'scope doing this; still a cheap set up, but works and is reliable (my 243 & VX2).

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...dec2010039.jpg

Like a vx3 with cds! thats what im planing on putting on my win 243

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Originally Posted by Neckshot

Like a vx3 with cds! thats what im planing on putting on my win 243

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+3 :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Tahr

If you are going to push the envelope with your hunting, you really do need something reliable. I don't think I would trust a low value 'scope doing this; still a cheap set up, but works and is reliable (my 243 & VX2).

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...dec2010039.jpg

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How far away was that?

a foot by the look:thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Happy

How far away was that?

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280 yds

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Originally Posted by Tahr

280 yds

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Thanks thinking of building 243 this yr so starting research. Cheers

Not many people can out shoot there rifles, and most have a scope 1/4 the price of there rifle.
Try as many scopes as you can.
All the recomenations in hear are good, Find what suits your needs best.

Big thanks for all the feedback guys, as I want this present set up for the next couple/few years, I will give the present scope a last bash, but then seriously get my arse/wallet and finally head into gear, and get the scope my aspirations are hopefully headed....glad I joined this forum...

Now, onto the net and TM........

To have a quick look for a bargain VX2 or 3.......did I tell you I was a tight arse?

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Originally Posted by Scouser

Now, onto the net and TM........

To have a quick look for a bargain VX2 or 3.....

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Good idea. Reloaders sometimes have deals on new Loopys, or stock that hasn't moved for while and they bring it down a bit. 8 Years ago I picked up a VX3 1.5-5x20 German #4 for $495 that the late Ron Dent had brought in and couldn't shift. It was perfect for my R93 .416RM.

Have a look at Weavers too, good scopes.

For me the best scope at an affordable price is Meopta. This Czech brand plays in the same league as the other European brands but at a much lower price. I don't know if they are available in NZ. Get a decent scope, it's at least as important as the rifle. Leupold is extremely strong and reliable, but European scopes are better in low light.

Hales, a scope is most important part of a rifle unless your shooting open sights.
you could be the best hunter stalker in the land, But when you have your trophey of a life time get away because your scope is half assed.
nuff said really.

Kahles CT 3-9 or KX 3-9. Very lite and great glass.


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Originally Posted by 6MMBR

Hales, a scope is most important part of a rifle unless your shooting open sights.
you could be the best hunter stalker in the land, But when you have your trophey of a life time get away because your scope is half assed.
nuff said really.

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What are you getting at? He never dissmissed the scopes importance and meopta make a very nice scope.

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Originally Posted by kokako

Kahles CT 3-9 or KX 3-9. Very lite and great glass.


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Yep or swaro Z3

On par with the KX, both are now made in the USA.

Jeez. You are talking about a guy on a budget here.

All sound advise so far and a good selection of quality entry level glass to choose from.
You shouldn't go far wrong with any of those suggestions.
The 25-06 is easily capable of 400+ yard kills with practice and the right bullets so a scope in the 4-12 mag range with a holdover reticle or BDC might be an investment in the long run.

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Originally Posted by Tussock

+1

If your on a budget get the simplest most reliable thing you can afford. Forget glass quality etc. Scope failures are the most annoying and hard to pick issues you can have. We often talk about a cheap scope ruining a trip. You scimp and save $200 on a scope and then spend an expensive hunting trip mooching round camp because your scope broke on day one.

In reality a broken cross hair can be much more a pain than this. I had this happen to a leapold scope on my .22. The cross hair broke off and was flicking back and forwards. It would shoot perfectly for a while, then it would get a bump and be miles off, then the loose end would go back where it was. On 3 trips it shot really well, then went completely to pieces. Because it was shooting well for a start, the shooter always blamed themselves. I checked the zero twice at the range before I got the chaotic version. Then the whole horizontal cross hair just fell out.

My recommendation would be to look at your budget and see if its going to get you into the bulletproof reliability range. If your not, have back up iron sights fitted, stick with the BSA and keep saving.

You can import a VX3 2.5-8x36 for around $500nz. That would be my choice.

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+1 :)

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Jeez. You are talking about a guy on a budget here.

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hehehe, budgets are relative

one persons swaro is another persons bushnell or tasco :D

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Originally Posted by GravelBen

Have a look at Weavers too, good scopes.

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+1

Often hear that the mechanics in the Weavers are very good. Excellent deal on them from Natchez.

what tight ass has bought nfs?? no one i know

If your looking at budget priced weavers ie a "classic" DONT!
I had 3 fog in less than 3 years, replaced each time with a brand new one not repaired.

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I've had a classic v9 for 4 years with no trouble. My uncle's life has revolved around guns & hunting for about 50 years and they're his #1 value pick too.

I'd rate the optical quality as similar to Bushnell 3200, nicer than a VX1.