I am building a lightweight 270 win for mountain muleys. I recently bought a used Kimber 84L Montana in 280 Ackley that I can't get the accuracy I want out of. I really like the weight and feel of the rifle, so I came up with a plan. I have a Winchester M70 I have been using in the mountains with a #3 fluted Pac-Nor barrel in 270 win that shoots very well, but is on the heavy side. I dropped the rifle off at the gunsmith yesterday to get the barrel transplanted over on the Kimber. I know the #3 fluted barrel will add a little weight, but the Kimber stock and action are still much lighter than the M70. The M70 will get a new barrel in 25-06, the stock shortened, and my wife is going to shoot it. She just whitetail and occasionally antelope hunts and doesn't have to pack a rifle far. The combination of light recoil and moderate rifle weight should be just right for her. Easy to justify me getting a new gun when she gets one too!
Anyway, I'm curious what others are running for scopes on lightweight rifles. I'm not planning on this being an extreme range gun, maybe 600yds max. I don't go looking for long shots when hunting but like to be prepared for them if it's the only option. I practice 300 to 600yds regularly but hunting like to keep shots under 500, much under if possible. Currently the barrel likes 140gr accubonds at 2950fps and if that load still works when it's on the Kimber I'll stick with it. I have a Swaro 3.5-18x44 I like with the 4W reticle and I'm leaning that way. I have Leupold 3-18 VX-6's with the TMOA reticle on the others I shoot quite a bit, but that scope is to bulky for a build like this. The VX3 with a wind reticle might be an option in 4.5-14x.
Here is a rundown of the features I want:
For magnification I want at least 12x on the top end and more is better.
A ballistic turret system for elevation adjustment and a covered windage adjustment so my Eberlestock scabbard doesn't dial it for me
A reticle with MOA marks for windage holds
An objective no bigger than 44mm to keep the scope fairly low. I don't want to go under 40mm to bad for low light either.
Very tough and reliable, this gun will likely go on some hunts I will only be able to afford once in my lifetime.
Anyone know the perfect scope for my build? Thanks for any help you can give.
Anyway, I'm curious what others are running for scopes on lightweight rifles. I'm not planning on this being an extreme range gun, maybe 600yds max. I don't go looking for long shots when hunting but like to be prepared for them if it's the only option. I practice 300 to 600yds regularly but hunting like to keep shots under 500, much under if possible. Currently the barrel likes 140gr accubonds at 2950fps and if that load still works when it's on the Kimber I'll stick with it. I have a Swaro 3.5-18x44 I like with the 4W reticle and I'm leaning that way. I have Leupold 3-18 VX-6's with the TMOA reticle on the others I shoot quite a bit, but that scope is to bulky for a build like this. The VX3 with a wind reticle might be an option in 4.5-14x.
Here is a rundown of the features I want:
For magnification I want at least 12x on the top end and more is better.
A ballistic turret system for elevation adjustment and a covered windage adjustment so my Eberlestock scabbard doesn't dial it for me
A reticle with MOA marks for windage holds
An objective no bigger than 44mm to keep the scope fairly low. I don't want to go under 40mm to bad for low light either.
Very tough and reliable, this gun will likely go on some hunts I will only be able to afford once in my lifetime.
Anyone know the perfect scope for my build? Thanks for any help you can give.
