Hi all,
I am a newbie hunter and have brought myself a rifle and am looking at scopes for it. Any advice on type, size etc, My budget will be in the region of $1k -1.5k and I won't be shooting at much over about 300m.
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Hi all,
I am a newbie hunter and have brought myself a rifle and am looking at scopes for it. Any advice on type, size etc, My budget will be in the region of $1k -1.5k and I won't be shooting at much over about 300m.
Depends on the rifle and the type of hunting you hope to do with it. Details please.
Grandpamac.
Although you are a newbie hunter, are you versed in shooting in general? 300m is further than a lot of people realize without practice/experience
Thanks for your responses, yep Preacher I am versed in shooting as whilst I am a newbie now I use to hunt regularly when I was much younger and the equipment has moved on so much its like starting all over again! I have a Lupo 308 and will be mainly hunting in the bush / clearings of the Tararuas
do you know what magnification range you are wanting? I wouldnt go above 3x minimum for bush hunting.
2-7? 3-9 used to be pretty standard and will do everything you say. 3-15 more common now might be a bit overkill for what you want some people like the extra magnification. Also handy if youre shooting rabbits or shoot longer ranges ocassionally.
Most decent scopes now have lifetime no questions asked warranty's. So 2nd hand buying takes alot of risk out of it.
Alot of scopes also have a ballistic turret for dialing longer ranges, i think in alot of cases its worth getting if you getting a new scope even if you don't plan on using it to begin with.
Not really up to play with the current prices and new release of hunting scopes, so not sure if any is good buying for the money over others.
I love my older Bushnell elite 3-9 but its very plain - standard reticle, no turret for dialing. Can be found for 250-300 on trademe.
a few Leopold scopes like the VX freedom 3-9 CDS or VX3hd 3.5-10 in the 700-1100 dollar range
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....reticle-97996/
Something like this is a good all-round scope. 600grams so not heavy. Ballistic turret. Lifetime warranty.
That would be my pick for all round versatility and price. I have a VX5 Leupold that is probably 1600+ 2nd hand now and i would really like to look down one of those Burris scopes to see the difference.
Thanks mate, I can't see that link ( I think its because I'm new to the site) I have been looking at the Leopold VX series but yeah I find it a little mind blowing with whats out there!
I think im heading down the 3-15 way but will keep researching.
Thanks again for all the great info
Its a burris 3-15 on the for sale section.
Might be a post cap before you can see it.
A 3-9x42 or similar would be a good option for your hunting, plenty of older quality scopes around that you pick up for $300 -$600 or you could spend a bit more for a 2-10x or 3-12x or 3-15x. If you are mainly bush hunting you don’t want a big clunky scope.
The new element helix HD 2.5-16 is a very nice bit of kit and has an option to go to the long range model with exposed turrets
Yep the 2-10 Burris I got with a rifle off here has impressed me. Is it a high end option? Nope, but it's a maybe $600 scope and works just fine.
I'll Second the Burris 2-10. I have a Veracity 2-10 and have been impressed. Its a little heavier than I would like but has good features.
Just be awear that some of the 3-15x scope etc are starting to get quite large.
As above take a good look at some second hand scopes if they are a recognized brand.
PS if you are a taller guy just be aware of scopes with a sharp edge on the eye end. Mate is a tall guy and shooting uphill prone has given him scope eye a few times.
Z
Actually I just had a look. It's a Fullfield IV and it's actually 2.5-10x42. Although it came on a rifle I brought "second" hand as mentioned it retails for like $600 new and I like it for what it is. Having never had Burris before I would consider upgrade to the Signature HD 2-10x40 for a few hundred more if I could see any perceptible improvement. Can't justify 1.5-2k+ on higher end option to drag it through manuka scrub.
Or something like this https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-2-7x32-98294/
Bloody good info, thanks very much. I like the idea of not spending a crap load! I will definitely take all this on board and will be back with more questions I'm sure
Thanks again
I’ve got a Bushnell Elite 3-9x42 that needs a new home. This is the Elite model with side focus parallax and is in very good condition. Yours for $350 plus postage
Greetings @BK10,
For bush and clearings keep the max power low, especially if you tend to wind the power up to get a better look at things. Field of view is king in the bush both before and after the shot. If you get into the long range stuff you will get a rifle for that with the appropriate scope for that. Something that tops out at 10 power or below would be my pick with 2 or 2.5 max at the bottom end. There is a 1.5-5 on my little Bergara.
Regards Grandpamac.
I would go for a scope with red dot reticle. Buy the likes of a Burris and put the saved money towards binos
I don’t think you can go wrong with Vortex or Leopold scopes. As high spec as you can afford, although I have a Vortex diamond back 3-9 x 40 and it’s fantastic for $500 odd. Ideal for anything inside 300m. I’d suggest going up to a Vortex Viper though for about a grand. Good luck 😉
Leupy over vortex any day.Quote:
Originally Posted by mat_99
You need to buy two vortex so you have one to alternate between warranty claims
Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk
leupolds now sit on all my rifles..took me 30 years to manage that...gives me piece of mind if anything ever goes wrong (IVE PREVIOUSLY KILLED 10 CHEAPER SCOPES) the factory will fix it.
bush through to 300 yards is me to a T. bottom end of NO MORE than 4x a 3x9x40 freedom or older leupold 2nd hand would be my pick, the 2x7 is better still and dont over look something smaller is one comes up.
Swarovski z3 3-9 or 3-10. Can get the 4a reticle if your more bush hunting but as you said 300m could get the brh reticle, is a hold over style and once you know where the hash marks are to hold over a target you'll be away. Chrisp clear scopes and good value these days with everything else getting up there in price too!
If you're going to do clearings etc don't go too high - the relationship between zoom and available light will kick in with a vengeance in low light, so lower magnification on the bottom end will always beat higher low end mahnification in those scenarios, all else being equal
Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.
Treat yourself to a lifetime scope - @dannyb has a very nice VX6 2-12 for very reasonable money, you will never regret it.
Scopes are going to digital display so I wouldnt spend a whole lot now unless you can afford it or need a good scope because of age. The 3-9 Bushnel elites are very good for $100-$200 and will do everything to 300 mtrs. Then in the future buy a digital display job. In my earlier post I recommended a red dot and still do, but this will be over $350 second hand. A red dot makes an ordinary scope as effective as a really good scope.
Big difference on expensive scopes only shows at 1st and last light
The times u probably getting a shot i n alpine regions
Don't be cheap , don't be sad
I
Buying cheap is expensive if u think what it costs u to get out there in time ,fuel etc when u say jees could have had gear shot fir better viz
I
42 objective 30mm tube minimum imho
I think I just bought dannyb's Lupo! :)
@Moa Hunter you don't see those Bushnell elites as cheap as that anymore.
I'd buy a couple more if they did.
For the Tararuas you need absolute ruggedness , waterproofness and a low profile for climbing through scrub. That narrows you down to Nightforce SHV, Kahles and Leupold. Only Leupold VX 3 will fit into the sub $1500 budget new. For toughness, get 40-44mm rather than 50mm and a 30mm tube would be ideal. You wont need dialing . Long shots are up at slips or occasionally on the tops so range is likely to be under 250m as you probably know.
Personally Id go for the 2-8x32 or the 3-10.5x40 in VX3. You need good rings too eg Leupold or NF.
Its back to basics for the tarries, mate.