Thread: Scope recommendations and budget

Hi everyone. I’m looking to buy a new scope for my 7mm08 browning x-bolt and curious to see how much you’d expect to pay for something decent and which brands people have good experiences with. I’m mainly shooting at 100-200 yards up to 300 occasionally.

Nothing flash required for those distances, just something reliable. Leupold has always been my first choice. VX-Freedom 3-9 x 40 should do nicely.

I have had good luck with vortex, they offer a lot of bang for your buck.

Check out the buy/ sell forum, loads of great deals pass through there.

Originally Posted by MB

Nothing flash required for those distances, just something reliable. Leupold has always been my first choice. VX-Freedom 3-9 x 40 should do nicely.

100% a great choice that will see you right.if mainly bush stalking the same in smaller 2x7 range may be slightly better but either will do the trick nicely and be reliable.

Vixens aren't bad for there price

I've been running a Leupold vx1 3-9x40 for the last 20 years or so. There was one on here for sale last week. Would be great for what you want.

Originally Posted by country cuts

Vixens aren't bad for there price

Haha! I'm just putting a Vixen on a rifle now (Leupold didn't make what I want for this rifle). It looks good, but obviously haven't used it yet.

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....6/#post1620272

See my comment in the thread. You can buy a dial for this scope too.

Whatever you get a BDC or mildot reticle should be considered. That way once you work them out you will get accurate hold overs out to 400 or so yds unlike the "Kentucky elevation" needed with a simple cross hair.

A used Nikon would be a good buy, but now they are out of production warrentee replacement may be a problem.
Burris entry scopes are also good valve.
I have had 3 Nikons, a Vixen and 2 Burris scopes plus a couple of >30 year old Nikko sterlings
oh and a refubished 60 year old Hertal and Reuss (Nickel did the refurb for aprox 300 eur) still a fabulose clear crisp scope.
Z

Originally Posted by Nkcell

Hi everyone. I’m looking to buy a new scope for my 7mm08 browning x-bolt and curious to see how much you’d expect to pay for something decent and which brands people have good experiences with. I’m mainly shooting at 100-200 yards up to 300 occasionally.

You’re getting good advice from the other members.
Nearly all brands are tiered in range, cheaper entry options through to high end and priced accordingly. Lots and lots of options that would be perfectly adequate for your brief. I would suggest picking something with known repeatability, otherwise (if dialling) it will be infuriating to use if it doesn’t track predictably. Budgets are then a matter of diminishing returns in terms of features vs application. 300m is a cake walk for most scopes these days, but that’s not to say they’ll be clear at last light for hunting compared to gongs in bright sunlight at noon.
Certainly don’t discount second hand as often you’re dollar will go a lot further than new, better features for the same or less money.

I really like the vx3 hd 3.5-10 with zero lock will future proof you’re self when you want to shoot around 500


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Originally Posted by buzzmann

I really like the vx3 hd 3.5-10 with zero lock will future proof you’re self when you want to shoot around 500


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Yip good scopes these for the money. I just bought another one last week. Go online and buy from The Optic Zone in the US, they always have an 11% discount code you put in at check out. Cost me $820 to my door for my VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL and arrived in 6 days.

Definitely consider 2nd hand scopes - there are some great deals on quality optics to be had. Typically prices for good condition (near new) 2nd hand will be 2/3rd or less from retail. 3-9x 40 or 42 will do the trick, but personally I’d go for more magnification, like 2 or 2.5 -10, or 3-12 or 3-15x. I guess it’s going to depend on budget. But focus on quality brands and optical performance. You can’t shoot what you can’t see. And often it’s that last 10min of light when the animals start to move from cover. A 44mm objective is worth considering as it gives you better low light performance, assuming quality of glass is what it should be. Leupy, Burris, Bushnell, Zeiss (HD5) all good brands without going to top end of Euro optics.

Factor in the cost of rings if you change tube size.