Author Topic: What scope do most people use? (Read 2964 times)

tracyj · « **on:** March 23, 2011, 06:31:20 PM »

Just bought a 7mm08 and I'm thinking about a Tasco 3x9x30 or 40, or maybe a Bushnell. I don't really want to put a scope on that is more expensive than the rifle itself. I have af few Bushnells and haven't had a Tasco in years.

revbc · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2011, 06:42:40 PM »

Tracy,
Bushnell's are ok scopes, just not Handi friendly. The have a large power ring that gets in the way of the hammer. I like the 2-7 new redfields or the 2-7x32 weaver classics. Also, Mueller has a 3-9x38 (I think), that is low profile. A lot of guys on here like the 2-7 nikon prostaff's. And of course there are always the reliable leupold's 2-7x33 (I think). If you just want a hunting scope, you won't find much better for the price than this weaver at natchez.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=WE&prodID=WE849421&prodTitle=Weaver%204x32%20Shotgun%20Scope%20Duplex%20Reticle%20Matte

bhhad25 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2011, 08:29:00 PM »

I've had good luck with the Cabela's Pine Ridge 2.5-7x32. And its only $49.99

keith44 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2011, 08:52:48 PM »

I have had bad experiences with multiple tasco "World Class" scopes, and cannot reccommend them. I have had good luck with a fixed power burris that my .45-70 wore for a short period of load development, and have also had good luck with every Simmons I have tried.

Sourdough · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2011, 09:28:17 PM »

I have had a Shepard at one time on my Handi 30-06. It was stolen. I currently have a Nikon, with a Ballisti-plex raticle. I believe it is a 3X9X40. I have a Cabela's Alaskan Guide 3X12X52, with the range finding reticle, on my 25-06.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2011, 01:00:53 AM »

I would say the most popular models are the Nikon Pro Staff, Leupold VX II and a cheap shorty 2x20 shotgun scope forward mounted on a weaver base.

My favorite is the Leupold.

CW

oldsoldja · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2011, 03:13:15 AM »

My eyes are very bad so I like lots of magnification so I buy barskas from sportsmans guide in 6x24x50 or 8x32x50, or 10x40x50, they seem to hold on target well and are cheap. On the gun rack I have many leupolds and bushnell and nikon and they are great also just expensive.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=593445
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=609198

carbineman · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2011, 03:48:14 AM »

tracyj, The new 33mm Redfield revolution has recently gone on two of my single shots and some of the others have have 20 mm Leupold scopes on them. The 20mm Leupy VX1 shotgun scope works ok on my 30-30's. I have two older scopes that have worked well. One is a 1980's Tasco World class 1.75-5x20mm and the other a Bushnell 1.5-4.5x21mm cheapie, that I have on a spare Topper 30-30.

Whatever you decide on, post here first and the posters will tell you their experiences with mounting height to get the ocular bell to clear the hammer, which is sometimes an obstacle with the Handi.

petemi · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2011, 03:56:08 AM »

I've had very good success with Bushnell Banners in 3-9x40 and 50. They need higher rings to clear the hammer, but they are excellent in low light and hold up well to heavy recoil. They won't shatter your budget either.

Pete

dks7895 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2011, 03:59:45 AM »

I really like the new Redfield Revolution line. Check out the 2-7x33. Full lifetime warranty too.

dave29 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2011, 04:25:52 AM »

As others have said, the New Redfield Revolution line is great. I am also starting to buy a couple Nikon ProStaffs since they have dropped in price. A 2-7x33 Prostaff is under $100 now.

rsh4364 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2011, 04:28:05 AM »

I put a 6-18x50 Bushnell Trophy XLT on my 308 ultra using weaver quad lock rings in size High,plenty clearance..

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2011, 04:30:23 AM »

Quote from: dave29 on March 24, 2011, 04:25:52 AM

A 2-7x33 Prostaff is under $100 now.

And it's the best scope for a Handi Rifle.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2011, 04:49:02 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on March 24, 2011, 04:30:23 AM

Quote from: dave29 on March 24, 2011, 04:25:52 AM
A 2-7x33 Prostaff is under $100 now.

And it's the best scope for a Handi Rifle.

what rings do you use for the ProStaff?

dave29 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2011, 05:00:47 AM »

Quote from: gstewart44 on March 24, 2011, 04:49:02 AM

Quote from: Swampman on March 24, 2011, 04:30:23 AM
Quote from: dave29 on March 24, 2011, 04:25:52 AM
A 2-7x33 Prostaff is under $100 now.

And it's the best scope for a Handi Rifle.
what rings do you use for the ProStaff?

I think I used medium Burris Zee rings.

oldfort · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2011, 05:55:59 AM »

One can get by with cheaper type scopes. I use Simmons ProDiamond 1 1/2x5x20 shotgun scopes on my lever carbines. They are fine, but a 7mm-08 needs a little more.

Camera Land, Inc is a sponser for the Graybeard forum. You might consider a visit with Doug over there. I am using the Vortex 2x7x32 scopes now. They are $175, delivered with no tax. They are a more better scope, in my opinion. Good luck.

hunterwinco · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:39:35 AM »

I agree with Dave and Swampman on the Nikon 2x7! I have one on my 4570 and one on my 3030, they are very bright and the rear bell is quite slender and allows for a fairly low mount without being too tight to the trigger. I have a Bushnell Banner 3x9 that is a pretty good scope, but that rear eye piece and adjusting ring are HUGE and require really high ugly mounts. With the Nikons at Cabelas for under 100.00, you wont be disappointed.

carbineman · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:54:43 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on March 24, 2011, 04:30:23 AM

Quote from: dave29 on March 24, 2011, 04:25:52 AM
A 2-7x33 Prostaff is under $100 now.

And it's the best scope for a Handi Rifle.

parkergunshop · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2011, 10:13:40 AM »

I vote for Leupolds and the high end Bushnells, 3 or 4 thousand series.

As someone pointed out some of the rear eye pieces on some of the scope lines like the Zeiss are so large that you have to go to high rings and I have had to do bolt handle work on a couple of rifles to clear the rear eye piece. And you can buy two or three rifles for the price of some of the scopes on the market today. To make matters worse some of them are rubber armored which also increases the diameter of the rear eye piece. The larger diameter is needed on the front of the scope to gather more light and increase the field of view, not at the rear.

It is also hard to work the safety if mounted on the cocking piece with some of the over sized eye pieces.

I have Leupolds, Bushnells, three of the old Lyman All Americans, two with post and cross hairs, and a couple of the old Weavers including a 6X with the post and cross hair. But I know people who just have to have a Zeiss for a $300.00 rifle.

In low light conditions and to improve accuracy in general the post and cross hair is the best.

revbc · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2011, 11:53:56 AM »

Nikons are good, but I still think this is the best scope for hunting for the $$$. Mounts low on the handi, over 4" of eye relief, magnum recoil proof, called a shotgun scope, but parallax is set at 100yds. $245 retail on sale for $99.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=WE&prodID=WE849421&prodTitle=Weaver%204x32%20Shotgun%20Scope%20Duplex%20Reticle%20Matte

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** March 24, 2011, 12:16:00 PM »

I'll second the little Weaver 4x32, it's a great little scope, made in Japan, clear and bright, very light(8.7oz) and compact(9.5") too, and has a standard duplex reticle, not the funky diamonds and circles that come on most turkey shotgun scopes, at $100 and shipping, it's a bargain scope made for a Handi.

You won't go wrong with the Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32 Shotgun scope either, made in the Philippines, about $100 new, another fine scope that's Handi friendly.

And the Redfield Revolution for a bit more money is an very fine scope for the money as has been said more than once here.

I have all of the above scopes on Handis, they work great.

Tim

jburris2001 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 24, 2011, 01:06:16 PM »

i run a konus pro on my 500 s/w. love it. it has glass etched reticle so you dont have to worry about breaking crosshairs with the recoil. I bought mine with shipping for $50.

spikehorn · « **Reply #22 on:** March 24, 2011, 01:57:31 PM »

For variable power scopes on Handi's I use the Nikon Pro Staffs. For fixed power I use Simmons Pro Diamond 4X32

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #23 on:** March 24, 2011, 02:36:25 PM »

I've used scopes in the past, always seem to return to a sourdough patridge front sight and Williams peep on the rear. The durned scope gets in the way of carrying the rifle. If you need one for your eyes, a Weaver 2.5 X fixed power is dandy and robust. Like I say, it gets in the way of carrying the rifle comfortably. Another option is to mount a long eye relief (i.e. pistol) scope out forward in what is now called the Scout configuration. It then allows you to carry the rifle at the balance with one hand.

-WH-

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #24 on:** March 24, 2011, 04:12:30 PM »

My .280Rem carries an older Bushnell Trophy...excellent scope! The new ones glass doesn't seem to be as good. On the .35Whelen I have the Weaver Grand Slam in 3-10X40....took it off my CZ 9.3x62. They are my favorite scope line for the money, but I did get mine DIRT CHEAP.

Jim

Swampman · « **Reply #25 on:** March 24, 2011, 04:35:54 PM »

Bushnells are wonderfull except you have to use high mounts which stink. Get the Prostaff.

scootrd · « **Reply #26 on:** March 24, 2011, 04:40:12 PM »

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dave29 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 24, 2011, 04:52:03 PM »

All of my Bushnells are in High rings as well, and they barely clear.

That "Elite" looks to have a slimmer profile power ring than my Bushnells though. That could be the difference.

scootrd · « **Reply #28 on:** March 24, 2011, 05:23:38 PM »

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Sourdough · « **Reply #29 on:** March 24, 2011, 05:51:38 PM »

Was not finished this morning, my battery went dead on the lap top. Big computer is in shop.

Anyway, I generaly use high power Tactical Scopes. I like the side focus, and the ability to dial in the scope for longer ranges. I won't hesitaate to shoot a fox or Beaver at 400 to 500 yards with my .223. Or to shoot a Wolf out to 500 with my 30-06. And with the 25-06 I can reach on out to 600 for Wolves and still have the power to knock them down. Therefore I need scopes to bring them up close.

Love my Night Force 3.5X15X50. Yes my scopes cost more than the gun.