Author Topic: Early Christmas present and I need scope advice. (Read 792 times)

WN · « **on:** December 08, 2005, 05:03:49 AM »

My wife just gave me a 30-30AI barrel that she ordered from Midway. I plan to put a scope on it and this will be my first real hunting handgun. I plan to mount the scope in T/C Weaver style bases and Millet rings. What scope would you reccomend. I am locking at a Luepold 2x or 4x. I will use this gun for whitetails with a max range of 100yds. What are some other reccomendations. I like Leuopold but they are expensive. I plan to shoot factory ammunitation to fire form some brass then start reloading. Who makes a good set of AI dies.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2005, 05:32:09 AM »

I have a Leupold 2.5 to 8X on my 223 14" Contender and you couldn't buy or pry it off of me. I would suggest if you like a fix power scope, and that makes sense with the 30-30, to go with the 4X. You can still pick up a target at 15 yards and one at 125 yards clearly. The Leupold's are nice and clear and once you set 'em, your done.

For dies, I like the Lee Collett's. I have been using these for my 223's and my 308's and have been very happy with the accuracy of the loads.

Dave.

farmerdude · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2005, 06:39:58 AM »

give swift scopes a look too.
lee dies are the best bet for the money

farmerdude

Catfish · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2005, 07:06:32 AM »

If you will not be shooting over 100 yrds. a 2X scope is all you will ever need for hunting deer. I have been shooting scoped handguns since 1968 and have used scopes from 2X to 9X on handguns. In that time I have become very set in my ideas as to what scope and what magnifaction is best. 1st. I will only buy Leupold scopes. I`ve had trouble with about every other brand, but never Leupold, and I own abt. 30 of them now. 2nd. To much magnifaction is worse than to little, especially on a handguns. But my guess is that at some time you will want to groundhog hunt or really impres the guys at the range with this gun and the 2 1/2 x 8X Leupold is a scope that will give you the point of aim to do that. I agree with Dave on the 2 1/2 x 8X. I`ve got 1 on a .222 Rem. barreled Contender and another for on a .357 max. barreled Encore. Had it on a .500 S&W but going to put a 2X on it. I`ve hunted for several years with a 27 in. Harris by-pod on the .357 max., just right for sitting on the ground and resting the grip on your knee. This year I bought a mono pod at Wally world and it is great for shooting from any posision from standing to sitting.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2005, 10:22:29 AM »

Lee Collet dies are the best idea since sliced bread, but I don't think they are available in 30-30AI. I use Redding and they work well. I,m with Catfish on the scope...for your stated purpose...2X Leupold hands down. Now clue the rest of us in...how and where did you find a wife smart enough to pick out such a great gift and sweet enough to get it for you. I get the rolling pin act just for thinking about it.

Walt

poncaguy · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2005, 11:26:27 AM »

I have good luck with my 2 Burris, a 2x and a 3x.........Have a 6x Simmons which is okay if you have time to get a real steady rest...it's on my 460 S&W...........

rickyp · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2005, 12:35:41 PM »

when I started using scopes on a handgun I bout several leupolds 2x they work well. last year I got a package deal that had a t/c 2.5-7. I have since bought 3 more. I even have one of the lighted cross hair ones on my 15 inch 209x50 encore barrel. I will be honest this bast deer season I have not turned the scope past 4x and only used the lighted cross hair one time on a rainy day. but the extra power is nice to have when in need or want it. The great thing about T/C scopes are they have a life time warranty so you can buy a used one for little money and know if something went wrong with it T/C will fix it free.

jw4570 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2005, 01:13:11 PM »

Leupolds are definately good scopes and they have a lifetime warranty also.

I have used other scopes that have not held up. Burris, Simmons, Tasco, Weaver (new ones, not the older ones). These scopes are not for kicking handguns (or rifles)

I have some friends that like Nikon's, but I seem to always find a pretty good deal on Leupolds and like to buy them because they are US made scopes. Plus, they have a "classic" look I like.

T/C scopes I imagine are just fine too, always heard good about them.
My father has one on a rifle and it's a good scope.

I agree 2X is all that's needed for 100 yards. 4x tops. I'd get a 2x or a variable, but would buy a 4x.

Cheapest AI type dies I've seen usually come from Redding. Got my father a set for his 35 Whelen AI rifle last year. Less than 1/2 the cost of RCBS. I think I got them from Midway (or Midsouth Shooters). Price was about $50-60.

Jason

Gregory · « **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2005, 01:22:42 PM »

I've owned Burris 2-7X, Leupolds in 2X and 4X, and Nikon 2X. I have 3 Nikon 2X scopes and sold off the others. I find the Nikons to be brighter than the Leupolds. I had one Burris scope fail on me so they are off the list for me. If I were you I'd jump on this one (very good price):

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=78623

Steve P · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2005, 03:54:02 PM »

I have several each of Burris, Leupold, Thompson Center, and Tasco pistol scopes. They all have their uses. Hands down favorite for hunting is the 2x Leupolds.

I have a couple of 22s and other lighter recoiling barrels with Weaver bases and Burris rings. None of my hard recoil barrels have the Weavers. They will move on you. Maybe not today, and maybe not tomorrow, but when that that big whitetail buck is in the scope and you realize your steal barrel and aluminum base are parting ways........ :cry:

My 30-30, 7x30, Herrets, etc have Leupold or Beuhler mounts and rings. There are many sets of these nice base/ring sets on EBay right now. Just left there to come here.

Your wife spent good money on a barrel. You are looking the right direction for a scope. Get a base and ring set comparable in quality.

Good Luck with your project.

Steve

P.S. RCBS or Redding for the AI dies. If you can find Remington 170HP ammo, try it. You will like the accuracy and it should fireform the brass nicely for you.

Special Ed · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2005, 02:41:02 AM »

I use the 2.5 to 8 Leupold on my 44 mag. For me it's not the magnification thats important on a handgun scope that is used for hunting. Mine is never set above 4x while hunting.
It's the light transmission, or lack of on a pistol scope that will kill you. The 2x & 4x Leupolds are excellent scopes, I have several of each. They work great for everything except Deer hunting.
I feel that first light & last light are the most important times when hunting Whitetail in my area. Stop & think about any Deer you have taken in the past, if light is not a factor, then don't worry about it. If it is, you want a scope with the largest objective lens you can get.

Ed

SOUTHARK · « **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2005, 03:54:04 AM »

I shoot a 15" 30/30AI TC Custom shop barrel and I have 2x6 Bushnell Trophy on it. I love these scopes have been using them for years and have had zero problems with them. I have been using Lee dies they are the most affordable. My AI shoots 150 gr Nosler BT"S and Hornady SST's best.

hobbyist · « **Reply #12 on:** December 09, 2005, 04:14:25 AM »

Leopold may be ok, but in my experience optics quality is not up to par with Nikon, and Bushnell. I dont have any experience with TC optics. I bought 2 Burris 2-7x32 Posilock scopes before I had checked out the other two. Quality is great, optics is good and I am generally happy with them but I have a gripe about the eye relief. As magnification goes up, the eye relief comes way down. At 2x eye relief is 20+ and at 7x, 11. for you that will probably not a factor since you wouldn't use it at 7x often except while sighting-in. I love the ballistics Plex crosshair for longer distance shooting. Bushnell 2-6 has a fixed eye relief, similar/better optics at lower price. They have a few different lines: Trophy and Elite 3200 and maybe others. If you are not familiar, a good place to buy and research optics is the Optics Zone: theopticzone.com . They have the most competitive prices I have seen and are a graybeard sponsor.

Also you may want to check out the optics discussions in the Products Forum of this site. Everyone has their favorite but for value the consensus seems to be with Bushnell, Nikon, Burris.

Good luck and let us know what you do.

WN · « **Reply #13 on:** December 09, 2005, 05:29:25 AM »

Anybody used a NCstar scope. I was searching and ran across these. The price is right. I will pick up a 22 barrel to practice with and thought i would mount one of these on a 22 barrel to plink with.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2005, 05:32:53 AM »

Now I am a Leupold guy, but only the rifle scopes. I don't care for the Leupold pistol scopes. I have had better success with the Bushnell 2X6X32mm.

Gavinator · « **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2005, 07:29:52 AM »

There are some subjects everyone will chime-in on, AI chamberings and handgun scopes must be at or near the top of that list.
I have an NC Star 2.5x30mm fixed power, it's passable and use it much more than a Simmons 4x32mm. The Simmons has a narrow field of view and the eye-relief seems more critical. These two are 2nd to 3rd rate at best, the Simmons has better glass although.
I picked up a used 4x28mm Leupold a little over a year ago and have been happy with it, it has a better field of view than I expected.
Most useful for hunting has been a Leupold 2.5-8x32 vari-x and a Burris 2-7x32, they are equal in field of view, eye relief, clarity, and contrast. However the Leupold is finished in matte silver, and the inside of the tube is also finished in silver, which can transmit glare much easier.
I also have a pair 30-30 Improved chamberings, Winchester brass has been the most consistent, although it doesn't have as much internal volume as Remington. No improvement making 30-30 from 375 WIN brass either.
A standard Lee Collet Neck Die can work, but when your loads get too hot you'll need a full length sizing die to get the action to close. Lee makes these too, about $25 at Midway. As far as the best I'd have to say Redding.
I don't know which frame you have but if Pachmayr "Gripper Decelerator" grips are available, get em.
In closing I'd recommend not buying a 22 bbl. & scope for practice, & instead spending the extra money on a Leupold 2.5-8 vari-x(you'll use it at minimum power and the pay-off will be more field-of-view), and a grip that helps with recoil. 30-30 ammo is cheap, and reloading will make it better and cheaper. So just practice with the 30-30AI.