New Ultras

[kenbev]

I just picked up my two new Ultras that I got from mt3030. Thanks again Wally for the opportunity to own these rifles (357 Max & 444) as well as the 30-40 barrel. Now I need to fit them with scopes. This may have to wait for the funds situtation to improve. Do you fellows out there have any suggestions on what type scopes for these two calibers as well as my 35 Whelen?

[Haywire Haywood]

I've become a real fan of Nikon scopes in the past few years.  They won't break the bank as compared to a good Leupold and have great optics.

Ian

[kenbev]

Not just Brand, but type and power of scopes....

[cwlongshot]

LEUPOLD VXII all the way!! You get what you pay for!!! Watch EBAY and local gunshops, I bought many used a a fraction of origional cost!!  Leupolds also have a LIFETIME warrenty's = ZERO worries!! Buy it used, send it to factory asking for a thouogh checkup!! Get it back and enjoy ZERO WORRIES!!!

My suggestion is for my favorites the 2X7X33 and the 1X4X20. Bolt VXII's. I prefer the matt finish. These will do everything I have ever needed from long to short range. They are also offered in a shotgun version. This gets you a shorter paralax setting. I have those on my 12ga, Maxi and my 500. You can still shoot at longer distances, but those close shots will be crystal clear!!

Here is a 1X4 on my 12ga ULTRA SLUG:


Here is a 2X7 on my new 500:


Here is a couple 1X4's one on my 357 Maxi and one on mt 45-70:


Here is a couple 2X7's on a 223 and a 25-06:


So you can see, I do REALLY like the LEUPOLD scope!!

Good luck,
 CW

[mrlizzzard]

I like Mueller they advetize here.

[Mac11700]

I too like the Leupolds....but believe it or not..I prefere the cheaper(cost) version...the VX-1 series...my 45-70 wears the 2x7x33...my 338-06 wears the 4x12x40...and I have always had excellent luck with them...for a whole lot less money than the VX-2's...they are a great scope for the money...you can pick one up for around $179.00...for the 2x7x33....and about $279 for the 4x12x40...

Mac

[lostsniper308]

$279 really? If i remember right i found 4-12x40 for $249

[Haywire Haywood]

Not just Brand, but type and power of scopes....

IMO none of those calibers are flat shooting long range unless you are a real good shot and have and use a range finder, so paying for high powers and adjustable objectives probably isn't needed.  I'd say 9x at most unless you can get more for the same money without sacrificing the bottom end, I.E. don't get a 6-18x in favor of a 3-9 just because the price is right.  A 4-12 only gives up 1x at the bottom.  
Personally, I favor large objectives and their light gathering ability for shooting right up to dusk and still being able to see what you are shooting at.  This is more important if you are woods hunting where it will seem to get darker faster.

just my :money:,
Ian

[quickdtoo]

An ideal scope for a lot of hunting conditions that the .357 and .444 would be used is a low power, fixed power scope. I've read of the Weaver K2½x20 being used on a lot of dangerous game big bores with great success and happy hunters. And at $115, being Japan built, with 4" of eye relief and weighing only 7oz, is a nice little scope with a great field of view and quick target aquisition. It can be mounted low due to no power ring in the way, too!!

Just another alternative!

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=2527



I've used a Luepold Vari-X 2-7x28 Compact for many years, and can only remember using it on any power above 2x a few times. The current VX-1 2-7x33 is an excellent scope, I have 2 of these mounted on Handis right now and love em!!

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=2841

[Couger]

I'm another committed Leupold scope user.  Can't afford NOT TO use Leupold's!  AS I only have to buy a scope for a rifle once!

Congrats on the new acquisitions, BTW.

I'm just getting started with Handi-Rifles and think the VX-one's are the way to go for buying several scopes that are DEPENDABLE and won't bust the budget.  Plus Leupold will still back them up like their VX II's and VX III's.  I've sold guns and scopes for a big retail chain in Utah during my college years.  Leupold's customer service is LEGENDARY!

As for size recommendations, I also like Leupy's 2X7X and 3X9X size scopes, and their compacts.  Never had a need for a scope bigger than 3X9X when hunting elk or pronghorns, nor mulies.  Always carried the scopes turned WAY DOWN, and had plenty of time to turn them up if necessary.

I'm hopig to acquire .30/06, 7.62X39, .280, .223, .243, and .45/70 barrels for my .308 Survivor (gonna put that stock on an SB1 12 gauge, and instead get a real rifle stock).  Most scopes I'll buy will be VX-1's.  For strictly bench-work and working up loads, I'll use a VX-1 4X12X - but not in the field.  That much magnification is unnecessary.  Hard to beat Leupy's 2X7X scopes if one is trying to save ounces and even space.

[cheatermk3]

I've found several of the older fixed-power Leupolds and Weavers for $10 - $40 at gunshows.   I don't know if the older Leupolds are still covered by thier warranty; I've yet to have reason to find out.  My guess is that they'd replace a defective scope with a modern version if it were not repairable.

[Couger]

Any Leupold scope that's a Gold Ring type will likely be covered by their warranty.  I even had customers who sent models back that were no longer made covered - usually by a newer model if the old couldn't be repaired.  Any extra $$$ involved was always minimal and very reasonable.  I never ever sent a Leupy back for a busted reticle.  Actually, I've still never ever seen a busted reticle in a Leupold.

[mt_jeep]

When I worked part-time at the gun counter of a local sporting goods store I spent my break time comparing scopes under low light conditions.  I found the best value to be a Sightron... It was not as good as a VXIII but was better than a VXII.  

I was in elk camp earlier this week and one of the guys who now works at the same gun counter told me he that he has three of them.

If you can find the Sightron, it is an exceptional value.

[quickdtoo]

Sightron SII & SIII scopes are excellent, but I wouldn't say the same for the SI line, they aren't what I would call a good buy. The SI is priced close to the Nikon Prostaff, but isn't near as good a scope.  They're now available from Jon at The Optic Zone

[Mac11700]

$279 really? If i remember right i found 4-12x40 for $249

I'm sure you can find it cheaper on the web out there..but the matt-normal duplex I bought was with sales tax added on from a local dealer...and it's an about figure anyway...give or take a few dollars...and for the money...it's a great scope...and what I have sitting on top of my 338-06...darn good scope for the money...and I won't waste any of my hard earned cash on any other brand from now on...it just isn't worth it...


Mac