Looking for a scope recommendation

[Ravenwolf]

Hi all.  I'm looking for a scope recommendation in both power and manufacturer for a rifle that I have.  My budget would be around $300 - $350.00 max (less is better if the quality is there).  First off I will say I'm almost entirely a handgun hunter so am mostly familiar with handgun scopes and when I use a long gun it is usually a lever action with open sights, so please bear with me.  The rifle in ? is a custom Remington 700 BDL that has been fitted with a laminated thumbhole stock and a 23 inch #3 contour Hart barrel in 280 Ackley Improved.  I originally had it built 20 years ago for long range woodchuck shooting.  Since then I moved to handguns, but just recently sold the old 6.5-20X scope that was on it, had the stock lightened and recontoured to make the rifle a more general purpose rifle should I go to Canada for Caribou.  I still want to use it once in awhile for woodchuck hunting to get in shape for hunting up north.  Now with all that said, what would the forum recommend for a general purpose scope to use on Deer/Caribou through woodchuck/coyote without adding a ton a weight to the slimmed down rifle.  Thanks all.....RW

[crow_feather]

For my 270 WSM, I got a Nikon Buckmaster 3 x 9 x 40 that has the BDC circles on the cross hairs.  It dosen't bother me when I'm hunting and does work when you reach out some. It goes for around 200.

[Ravenwolf]

Crow Feather, I've looked through Nikon's Monarchs and was impressed with the optics on those.  I'll have to check out the buckmasters.  Have you used the BDC reticle?......RW

[crow_feather]

all it is are o's placed in the bottom reticule, for 200/300/400/500 or 300/400/500/600 depending on caliber.  It is not perfect but it does put you in the right area and has no moving parts.

[LaOtto222]

I know I buck the trend, but I think most people are over scoped power wise. A quality 10X with AO will let you reach way out there on a Chuck. Not 1000yards, but I do not think that 500 yards is out of the question with it. For hunting, it would be a nice compromise for long distance shooting and shorter distances. If you think you have to have a variable then a Quality 3 X 9 would fit the bill. If you really think you need more power; then a 4X - 14X would be OK too. For hunting I still think a straight power scope is best, it is just one less thing to fool with. If you decide to get a 10X then the Bushnell Elite 3200 tactical is about $200 and is a good piece of glass for the money. If you want to get into the variables then the Nikon Buckmaster is a nice scope in 3 X 9 with BDC they are around $220. A Leupold 3 X 9 Rifleman is about $200. If you wanted to get into higher powered scopes then maybe a Nikon 4.5 X 14 with side focus for about $300. Or a Leupold VX-1 in a 4 X 12 for about $280 or a Bushnell 3200 Elite 4 X 12 for about $310. I am not sure how a Mueller APV (4.5 X 14) would hold up on a 280 recoil wise, but at $115 shipped it is an outstanding deal. I tried to keep you as cheap as possible here with good choices in scopes. Good luck to you.