Model 700 mtn lss 7mm-08 question

[Frank O]

Hi guys.  I have been browsing GBO forums for several months now and have enjoyed it very much.  After looking at a lot of guns and reading a lot of comments, I have decided on the model 700 mtn. LSS in 7mm-08.  I finally got to handle this gun a couple of weeks ago and I see why it seems to be so popular with so many people here.  My question is what scope to put on top of this gun.  What scope do you guys have?  I don't mind spending up to $450 or $500 but would rather stay in the $300 to $400 range.  200 to 225 yard shots are about the maximum where I hunt (whitetails in Mississippi).  Majority of shots are under 150.  I want a scope that looks balanced on this gun.  The scopes I have considered in no particular order are Leupold vx3 2.5x8x36, vx3 3.5x10x40, Nikon Monarch 3x9x40.  I am open to any suggestion.

[Chuck White]

Frank O
First off, welcom to GBO!

If I were to choose between the scopes you listed, I'd choose the 3.5-10X40!

I have a Redfield Pardner 3-9 on my M-7 7mm-08!

The Mountain Rifle is a real nice rifle!  Good choice!

[Graybeard]

A 3.5-10 is more scope than the gun needs. I don't think mine ever has worn more than a 2-7 which to me seems ideal for the range and power of the round. The Leupold 2.5-8 is a nice match but then so would be their 3-9 or 2-7.

[beemanbeme]

I agree with GB.  Also, if you can try an assortment of scopes, take a look at the appearence of a good 1.5x5 (no front bell). That makes for a serious looking weapon. 

[deerman12]

I have a Leupold Compact 3X9X32 on my model 7 7mm08 and it compliments it very nicely.  I paid about $250.

[John R.]

I've got a Leupold Vari-XII 3x9x40 on mine and it works great. Price is around $260.00. I live in MS. also. Where are you from? Oh yeah, welcome aboard!!

[Frank O]

Thanks for the quick responses.  I know there are several quality scopes that would work just fine.  I just don't want the cost to exceed the benefit if you know what I mean.  I agree that a 2x7 is the perfect range for this caliber, but light gathering ( 40mm vs. 32mm) is a concern as well since I see a lot of deer in those last 15 minutes.  John R, I live in Hattiesburg now but am originally from Noxubee County and that is where I hunt.

[John R.]

Frank, I'm from Cleveland,MS. I like the 40mm tube better than the 33mm found on most 2x7's.(Ihave a 2x7 on a 500 Smith Handi-rifle) Good luck during deer season. You'll really like the LSS Mtn rifle in 7mm/08,its a joy to carry and it shoots great too.

[handirifle]

The only draw back to a lower powered scope is at the range when sighting it in.  I have a straight 4X on my 30-06 but it makes it hard to tell if the load is a less accurate load or if it is me.  I really notice this on my Savage 17 HMR.  I have a 2x7 on it and I get 3/4" groups at 100 yds but I think the rifle will do better, just not with that scope.  I keep it low cause it IS a hunting rifle first.

I'd say go with the most power (within reason, say to 10X max) that will fit the look of the rifle that you want.  An objective lens larger than 40mm will look out of place on a light rifle.   I doubt weight will be much of a factor, since they will be within one or two ounces of each other.

[Slamfire]

Light gatherin' isn't just a product of the size of the objective lens size, but that size in relation to the magnification power of the scope. The exit pupil is determined by the objective divided by the power. A 40 mm divided by 10 leaves 4mm. Your eye can make use of 5 or maybe six depending on your age.  My 2x7x32 gives me an exit pupil of 4.5 mm at 7x which  I hardly ever use, while at 5 x it is 6.4 which is more that my eye can use. Scopes with the really big objectives pull my head off the stock, and make the whole thing top heavy. That leads to canting, which will do strange things to your accuracy, none of them good. 

[g8r]

You were on the right track with your list. The VX III 2.5-8 is in my opinion about as perfect a choice for that rifle as you could hope for. Get it and you will never have to doubt your pick.

[firstshot]

Frank O

I've got a 700 mtn. LSS in 7mm-08 and love it.  You might want to consider a scope with a bullet drop compensating reticle.  I've got a Burris FullFiled II 3-9 x 40 on mine.  They have excellent light gathering capability, great clarity and can be had for about $200.  If you're a Leupold fan, their bullet drop compensating reticle is called the "Boon & Crocket", but before you spend the extra $ on the Leupold, check out the Burris...you might just be surprised at what you can get for $200.

With these reticles you sight in dead on at 100 Yds and then you have additional aim points for 200, 300, 400 yds etc.  I've got two hunting loads worked up.  A 145 Grn Speer HotCor and a 154 Grn Hornady RN.  The Burris is sighted in for the 145 Grn HotCor's and with the additional aim points it's dead on at 100, 200 & 300 Yds.  With the 154 RN, without changing the sighting, it's dead on at 100 Yds, 1" low at 200 Yds and 2" low at 300 Yds.

Here is a pic of the Ballistic Plex Reticle.


firstshot
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Make your first shot count!

[RLB]

Why not try a nikon monarch 4x12x40 or something simular...?? you don't have to crank it up for hunting but when there standing there at 200yds that little extra is helpful...

RLB........plus you can spend the money you saved and buy more ammo..

[Tn Jim]

I've got a 7-08, but it's a T/C Encore. My choice of scope is a Nikon Monarch 3X9-40. Slightly smaller than the Nikon Buckmaster. I think it's a great scope for the money. Works great on my 7-08.

[Eagle Eye]

I had that rifle with a Leupold 2.5x8x36mm Leupold and it was a fine setup.  My recommendatiuon is to get that magnification but have a good look at the wide duplex crosshair, rather than the regular one.   If you don't care for the smaller 36mm objective, then go with a 3.5-10x40mm Leupold VX-3.  If cost is a problem with the VX-3 series, a good alternative is the Leupold VX-2 in 3x9x40.  But I'd still get the wide duplex.

Enjoy your rifle....a great choice and great deer caliber.  If the trigger is heavy, you can get it adjusted to a better weight at any gunsmith. 

[wncchester]

Since you are asking for opinions, I'll add mine.   If you anticipate hunting in any kind of wet or snowey weather consider a Bushnell "RainGuard" scope, either the 3200 or 4200 series, in the 2-7 or 3-9 range.  The trajectory and impact at long ranges with a 7-08 will be well served by scopes in that range without being overkill for your light and compact rifle.

My old 700 MTN in 30-06 carries the less expensive 3200 3-9 and I couldn't be happier if it were a Swarvoski.  It may not be quite as crisp as scopes for twice or more the money but for the few seconds I spend looking through it before shooting makes any tiny optical differences purely theoritical.  BUT, in rain, the advantage I have over all other scopes IS NOT THEORY!       And Bushnell's "FireFly" reticle is good in low light conditions too, I don't have that feature, it came just after I bought mine, but that's what I'd get today. 

Enjoy your pretty new rifle!

[Frank O]

Well, I got the rifle yesterday.  I ended up going with the Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40.  It was the upper end of my spending limit but you only live once right.  Actually, I have spent months researching scopes and I have found nothing but positives about this one.  Like I said before, there are a number of quality scopes out there that I know would have worked just fine.  Thanks to everyone who replied.  It is a great looking rig and I can not wait to get out this weekend and sight it in.

[Ahab]

Good choice on caliber and scope. Gotta love the eye relief on that Conquest.