Contender Scope

[valongbeard]

Looking to put a scope on my 7-30 waters for deer hunting (100 yard and under shots).

This may have been discussed on here before but I am going to ask anyway.

What is the preference Burris 2x, Nikon 2x or Leupold 2x?

[Junior1942]

Looking to put a scope on my 7-30 waters for deer hunting (100 yard and under shots).

This may have been discussed on here before but I am going to ask anyway.

What is the preference Burris 2x, Nikon 2x or Leupold 2x?

That's like asking which is better--redheads or blondes.  I'd go with the one on sale......   

[Curtis]

I have Burris in 4x and a bunch of Leupold 2x pistol scopes.  I prefer Leupold but have never tried Nikon.  I agree about quality being somewhat equal but eye relief range can be more generous in some brands.  This mainly comes into play though in powers above 2x and especially variable power pistol scopes.  With the variables, some manufacturers choose to maintain eye relief best across power levels at the expense of field of view at higher power.  Others have extreme variation in eye relief across power levels but FOV remains somewhat constant.

I had a 2x, then a 4x on my 7-30.  The 2x was fine for deer at the ranges you mentioned but I wanted more magnification for playing from a bench.  The 4x was a bit harder to acquire a quick sight picture.  I have a 2.5-7 Leupold on its way to me now that will perch atop the 7-30 and I hope will satisfy me in both rolls.

The 2x Leupold on my 10" 357 Herret barrel comes up into my field of view with cross hairs almost dead on where I'm looking.  It may be the combination of rings and the shorter barrel on that barrel but it just gets on target quicker than my 14" 7-30 ever did even with the same 2x Leupold.

Curtis

[shot1]

I have had a lot of pistol scopes but for the past 5 or so years I have gone to the Weaver 2.5 - 8 X 28 . They only cost right at $200.00 and are very clear and they hold up. You can keep it on 2.5 but when you need more magnification you can crank it up. I have three of them. One on a 357 mag barrel, another on a 6mm-225 barrel and one on a 30-30AI barrel for my Contenders. I deer hunt in some of the same conditions you spoke of, 100 yards and less. I keep the scopes set on 2.5 but that higher power up to 8 really is nice for those 80 to 100 yards shots for precise bullet placement. I learned a long time ago you always have time to turn up the power on a scope but you never have time to turn down the power so I always keep my scopes set on the lowest power. It came in handy this year. I had a 7 point buck pop out of the cut over 45 yards away into the logging road I was hunting on and he never stopped in the road but kept walking going across. I grabbed hold of my contender I had set up on a sand bag on a shooting rail of the stand and got on his shoulder quickly and shot him when he had his head and neck in the woods on the other side of the road. If I would have had the scope turned up on high power I may not have been able to find him in the scope quickly and get that shot off.

[SD Handgunner]

When I started hunting with Single Shot Handguns there were no such thing as a variable magnification handgun scope. There were 2x and 4x from a few manufactures and the 7x Burris.

A few years after I had been hunting with Single Shot Handguns Burris came out with their 2 1/2x7x LER Handgun Scope. Man I thought that was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

The one thing I have learned over the years is field of view in a handgun scope is very important. Typically a 4x Riflescope will have a field of view of around 30' at 100 yards. Most of the 4x Handgunscopes have a field of view of around 9' at 100 yards.

In 2x handgunscopes most of the better ones have a 21' field of view and should be fine for the ranges you are talking about. I have used 2x Leupolds, 2x Burris', 2x Swift and a 2x Weaver.

In regards to Weaver Handgun Scopes they offer a lot for the $$$. I have used a few of the Weaver 2.5x8x Handgun Scopes. They are a very good scope, quite clear and adequate field of view. However in Handgun Scopes in this magnification range the 2x7x Burris is the king of field of view. The 2x7x Burris LER Handgun Scope has a 21' field of view at 100 yards on 2x, the most of any variable handgun scope I know of.

I have also used the Burris 2x7x Handgun Scopes and have no complaints with them.

Personally on a 7-30 Waters Contender I would opt for a 2x7x Burris Handgun Scope or a 2.5x8x Weaver Handgun Scope (if I couldn't afrord the Burris).

Larry

[bobg]

 Don't overlook the Bushnel Trophy. I had one Weaver and five Trophies on my Contenter barrels. I liked the Bushnels the best.

[Hopalong7]

     I know I'm a little old fashioned, but I still find myself favoring the fixed power scopes for most of my shootin' and huntin'.  A quick inventory would find a few, various brand variables, but mostly Burris, Leupold and Tasco 2X, 4X, and for load developement and serious plinkin' and varmitin' a couple of Burris 7X's and even one Burris 10X.  I would be hard pressed to name a favorite amongst the three.  Almost all of my scopes are pretty old which I guess says something for their durablity and warranty.  A good deal of my Burris's and Leupolds were purchased on the used market, without hesitation.
     I will have to put in a good word for my newest....a 2.5 - 8X Nikon Monarch...nice...at least so far.  This one is currently riding on top of my 309JDJ, which is a pretty tall pedisal 'round here.
Walt

[twohats]

I have 2 Simmons Pro hunters 2x6's only because of the good deal I got on them.I do find it hard to get good focus on anything above 2 power.I am new to these as well.I do have a old Swift 2.5 x32 on my Super 14 .44 mag barrell and I really like that,but they don't make the 2.5 x 32 anymore only the 2x20.I to am looking to what would be clear and easy to focus medium priced scope that will let my aging eyes focus better...

[Curtis]

Twohats, I hear you.  The Simmons scopes were a great value to me for many years, and held up to the recoil of my heavy hitters as well.  I have owned many of them and still own a few.  A few years ago I built up a Contender pistol in 7-30 for my cousin and went with Leupold for his, since I wanted everything to be top notch.  That was when I noticed the difference in optical quality.  The Simmons scopes had served me well until as you say my eyes started to age.  Also my wallet is not near as empty as in those old days.

One by one I have been upgrading my Simmons glass with Leupold that I've been picking up here on GBO.  I almost hate to share this with you since now you may be competing with me for good deals, but I watch for bargains on 2x Leupolds and have gotten some really great buys here.  Before it is all said and done, all my glass will be either Leupold or Burris.

Curtis

[twohats]

Curtis..No worry.Since I do alot of Traditional Archery,I spent way more than i should have this year buying longbows.Thank goodness the car business(Parts) did well for me.I hope to get that .444 barrell with the Leupold scope for $275 soon.Then i will have a Leupold to try.Take care

Danny

[mbopp]

While I have a 2-7X Bushnell on my 218 Bee barrel, for deer hunting with the 357 Herrett I went from a Leupold 2X to a Bushnell Holosight. With no magnification and a wider field of view it's easier to line up quickly especially if you practice shooting it with both eyes open. The next optics to try will either be an Ultradot or Burris Fastfire.

[valongbeard]

Thanks for all the advice!

Tried a Nikon and really like it but also tried a 2 - 7x Burris and love the field of view in the Burris.

Think I am going to go 1.5 to 4x Burris or 2 - 7x Burris.

[highwayman]

i have a 2.5x7 t/c scope that has been rock solid for years on a 14'' 30-30

[wallacem]

I have several TC scopes and Leupold scopes, all fixed power, could not ask for a better view from either.  Wallacem

[hunt4570]

i have a 2.5x7 t/c scope that has been rock solid for years on a 14'' 30-30

  Me to, same exact thing,same scope,same barrel..love it...also have a pair of the Tasco proclass scopes,a 4 power and a 6 power...I LOVE target dots!!