Thread: The right scope

Hi team - newbie here.

Could I please ask for recommendations for an appropriate scope.

I'll be hunting primarily in bush & open areas with max shooting distances of 250m. And something that performes well in low light. Generally will be walking for about 3-4 hours per trip.

I've been tossing up between 3-9x40 and 4-12x40 - am I on the right track here?
Cheers
Andrew

3-9x will be more than suitable versatility for ranges out to 250m. It will also provide a plethora of options in terms of brands, models and price points. You don't mention your budget but you should have no problem finding both budget friendly or expensive higher end options in the 3-9x range.
I quite like my 3-9x VXI Leupold which cost me $250 used.

Originally Posted by -BW-

3-9x will be more than suitable versatility for ranges out to 250m. It will also provide a plethora of options in terms of brands, models and price points. You don't mention your budget but you should have no problem finding both budget friendly or expensive higher end options in the 3-9x range.
I quite like my 3-9x VXI Leupold which cost me $250 used.

I would agree with that and you don't need fancy dials or reticles at this point. I had a VX-1 and sold it to buy something flasher. Big regret! VX-Freedom have replaced VX-1 scopes.

Originally Posted by MB

I would agree with that and you don't need fancy dials or reticles at this point. I had a VX-1 and sold it to buy something flasher. Big regret! VX-Freedom have replaced VX-1 scopes.

agree with everything said - 3x is a great power for bush work - my .222 and .308 very seldom ever move of that setting even though one scope goes to 12 and the other 7 - now you say newbie so I will take it that you have not looked thru many scopes - big difference in glass reflected in prices - sitting on my front porch just on dark at my old house I compared my Leupold VX2 on 7 power with my new Kahles on 7 power - used a fence about 70-80 metres away as a reference - with the leupold just on dark I could see the wires clearly - but with the Kahles I could see the batten staples - the leupold I would rate 5-6 from 10 optically the Kahles 9 from 10 - but price Kahles over twice the price - moral here get the best you can even if you get a secondhand one from of the forum - if you buy second hand learn how to re centre scope before you zero it - try and get a 30mm tube if you can - and an easily adjustable eyepiece - the only leupold with that is the top of the line expensive VX5- just makes adjusting to your eyes much easier - my big complaint with the lower end leupolds - but I have used leupold for 50 years and no problems - someone on here will say a VX2 is adjustable pooh try it - useless compared to a Kahles they are as easy as binoculars - good brands Kahles Leica Swarovski top end - but GPO nice Vixen Bushnell Nikon Meopta - what would I buy if budget no issue Schmidt and Bender have fun and good hunting

there was a 2.5x8 leupold for sale here only a week back for under $1000..... would be scope to last a lifetime....
3x9 is pretty hard to go past 2x7 even better at bottom end/up close.

It's a hard one and depends on budget, try to have a look at them especially the reticle and pick the one you like, what works for some won't for others, I'd stick with sfp (second focal plane) ffp (first focal plane) in general have small hard to see reticles on low power. As for power range 2-10 or 3-12 or there abouts will be a good start
Good luck hope you find something that suits

Anything with 2 or 3x on bottom end and up to 9/10x on top should be fine for those types of hunting and ranges. I've had a 3 - 9 x 40 VX1 on my main rifle for about 20 years and never had a problem shooting from 5 metres to 300 metres.

3-9 has been the cliché default ever since variable scopes have been as reliable as fixed power. You can't go wrong with a 3-9 as long as you don't leave it on 9. I usually just leave mine on 4, and go up to 9 for the occasional distant magpie.

If you're looking at the cheaper end of things, one 3-9 that I have been quite impressed with is my burris fullfield II with bdc reticle. Nothing special in the optics, but it holds zero very well. Not sure if I just got lucky on this one, or if they are all this good but this is one that will never get upgraded because it just works.

Thanks a lot, some great honest feedback there in only a few short hours - bloody great. Have a great weekend everyone.

If your budget will stretch get a Swarovski 3.5-10 they are an amazing scope you will never buy a vx1 or vx3 after looking through one of these z3 you can pick up a second hand one for around $900-$1200

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

Shooting deer sized game out to 250/300 mtr a 6x top is all you need, and if you are doing mostly bush shooting 10-30 mtr then a 1-2x bottom is really nice.
will say that better quality glass resolution trumps magnification every time, followed by ability to see into shadow and make out shades of grey.
a nice light 1.5-6, 2-8 or euro 2-7 would be very nice and look at second hand.
I started my bush gun with a 1-4 but found for my over 50 year old eyes i wanted more for target shooting. (did take a number of deer in the 170-240 mtr range)
moved to a 1.5-6 which ended up being replaced under warrantee was offered a 3-15x44 illuminated or 2-10x42, took the 2-10 and while it's a bit larger and heavier than I wanted it's ability to look into bush margin shadows and see bullet holes on targets really impressed me.

If you can find a burris 3200 with rainguard in 3-9 or even maybe a 2-7 call it done. It sounds like they were quite a cheap scope a few years ago but lately not quite so much.
Not new second hand.
Sleeper model if you can understand the term. Punches well above its weight