Im in the market for a good mid range scope (already have a 2-10x & 5.5-20x) so I'm looking for something in that 3-15/4-16 range. It will be shared between a 260 rem and 300wm. I need moa or mrad substensions (simply put: not interested in a duplex or b&c style reticle).
The main quality Im looking for is ruggedness and durability. I want something I can sight in then not worry about it getting bumped off in the truck bed, getting drug through the brush, etc.
I've always been a fan of Vortex and the 4-16 PST is high on my list, but I am open to the NF SHV, Trijicon Accu-Power, Burris, bushnell, etc - I'm open to anything. Odds are I won't be able to tell much difference in glass quality in this price range. It'd be great if the turrets were capped, but that's probably a big ask for a reticle like I'm looking for.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Hi Winny94,
I have a ~25 year old Vari-X II 4x12 AO duplex that sits atop my Sako AV 7MM Rem Mag. That scope has never, ever lost zero. In fact, I own about a half-dozen Leupold scopes: Vari-X II's, Vari-X III's and 2 VX-3's. They're all great scopes. My favorite is my Vari-X II 4x12 AO. A couple years ago I killed a massive bull elk in what might be the most difficult unit in the nation to draw. I shot him at 130 yards with my scope at 4 power. I've put that rifle & scope combo trough harsh hunting conditions in Rocky Mountain states. It has never failed me.
One could spend many thousands of dollars on an excellent rifle scope. I'd rather have a great quality scope and excellent quality binos. We might look through our scopes for maybe 5 minutes a day. We'll glass for hours a day. However, I can see how others like different options.
One more point. I like small objectives. I like my scopes to sit as low as possible on my rifles. That way, when I shoulder my rifle, it's at eye level. I don't have to search for sight picture. Again, this is merely my opinion. I know that some like 56MM objectives.
I began hunting with a Model 700 .270 Win (the '06 was thought to be too much gun for a young hunter) that I bought in 1974. It used to have a Redfield Ranger (low end) 2x7 scope atop her. It's an American made scope. I've killed a lot of game with that rifle & scope combo. I've made a very long one-shot kill on a buck antelope with it, one of the two longest kills I've made.
Somewhere long the line, I went off track. I've bought three more rifles plus a beautiful Belgian Browning that my dad gave to me thinking they'd be better than my very first deer rifle. My 43+ year-old Model 700 will keep up with both Sakos and out-shoot my Model Featherweight with CRF, which I think is more marketing than necessity. This year during Utah's general deer season, I'll be using my Model 700 .270, only now I have a Leupold VX-3 2.5x8 atop her. She'll shoot .5" at a hundred yards with all shots touching one another. And there are HUGE bucks in the unit for which I'm drawn.
The point is sometimes we already have what we think we need. The scopes you now have are great scopes. Just a suggestion: keep your scopes; buy an elk tag. Then kill a trophy bull.
BTW, from experience of others, when scopes fail to hold zero, check mounts first. Also, it's a good idea to assure that scope screws are tight.
One more BTW, while I have a scope that will adjust to 14 power, I always hunt with my scopes adjusted to lowest power. If I need more magnification, I'll adjust accordingly. But I hunt on lowest power.
Best of luck to you, and I hope you get what you want.
