Armory Sponsor
Posted: 10/26/2002 1:29:21 PM EDT
| Just bought a 300 WSM Winchester mod 70. Got any suggestions on a scope that will handle recoil |
|
Here's a few, Nikon 4.5 x 14 x 40 Buckmaster, good scope for the money, or go to a Leupold Vari-X3 in the same manification. Either one would be good, but you'll pay a hundred or so more for the Leupold. We've put both these scopes on this caliber gun with great success. As far as your recoil concern, remember that the 300 WSM has the same balistics as a 300 win mag but with 18-20% less recoil, so it really shouldn't be a problem. They kick like a 270 or 30-06 depending on the rifle. Bill3508 |
Where've you been shopping? Try $200 more for the Leupold Vari-XIII 4.5x14. SWFA currently has the Leupold for $470 and the Nikon for $250. I would base my scope selection on what type of use the rifle is going to see. For the type of deer hunting I do and the type of country I hunt (still hunting, heavy brush), I prefer the now discontinued Leupold Vari-XII 2x7 (Leupold still offers the Vari-XII models as the VX-I and VXII). It offers a wide range of magnification and precision for my needs and is fairly light and portable. For my 700 VS, since my primary uses are going to be shooting from a bench with an occasional trip in the woods, I opted for the Leupold Vari-XIII 4.5x14. If you're going to go with a pure target rifle, you may want something heavier, but for a sporter-type rifle, a 3x9 Leupold VX-II might suit you just fine ($270). |
|
Looking to spend a max of $500. I had thought about the Leupold Varix III. Most of the hunting will be in the hardwoods, mountains and farm fields so long shots will be possible. I normally hunt with a 270. I picked up this rifle for possible Caribou within a couple of years. Thanks for the input guys |
|
Last year one of my friends was bragging on his new Weaver Grand Slam 3.5x10x50mm. He said that he thought that it was "brighter" than a Leupold Vari-X III 50mm. I offered to test his GS against my 4.5x14x50 Leupold. Well to make a long story short, both of us sat in one of his tree stand "condo's" and watched deer until dark. We compared both scopes side by side, and I have to say that I was a little embarrassed. His GS was definitely brighter than my Leupold. At near dark, I could count the horns on a small 4 point at 120yds with the GS when I could just barely see the deer with my Leupold! Before the hunt I had cleaned my lenses to make sure that dust would not inhibit light transmission in my scope. It sure will do that if they are not cleaned! To ensure fairness, we made sure the scopes were set on the same power. We also changed the power, but it didn't matter, I could always see the deer better with that darn Weaver. All in all, I was very impressed with that Grand Slam. When I am in the market again, that is what I will get. It cost $279 For those who can't hunt till dark like we can here in SC, excellent low light performance may not be an issue. It sure is here though! |
Sorry, dude. Ain't no way anyone who's spent any time using any good glass is going to buy that line of bull. The "brightness" test doesn't even begin to take into account other scope factors, like eye relief, outer dimensions, weight, zero, repeatibility of adjustments, seals, and overall equipment longevity (factors that are critical especially in heavier recoiling calibers). The current Weaver scopes (they are Weaver in name only, the REAL W.R. Weaver Company of El Paso, Texas closed shop in 1983) are good scopes amongst the bargain brands with whom they compete. They are by no one's stretch of the imagination on par with ANY Leupold, Burris, S&B, Swarovski, Leica, Kahles, or Zeiss product.
Then the Leupold Vari-XIII will fit your budget and needs to a "T." If the majority of your hunting will be in hardwoods, then the Vari-XIII 2.5x8 might be a nice compromise of weight, size, etc. However, if your shooting is evenly divided between hardwoods and open country, the Vari-XIII 3.5x10 might be right. SWFA has it for just a shade over $400. |
|
I posted about this very thing on SWFA's industry forum if you care to take a look. They highly recommended the Burris Fullfield II in 3x9 with Ballistic Plex reticle. I have a Nikon Buckmaster 3X9 and it is definitely not the clearest or brightest scope I own, there are comment's from them about this scope there also. Be careful not to get a scope with to high of a bottom magnification. If you get a close shot with a scope set to high or with to high of a bottom setting all you will get is a close look at hair and not know what part of the animal the hair is on!!!!!!!!! Bill3508, the 300WSM does not match the ballistic's of the 300 WINMAG, it comes close is all. I have read numerous articles about the 300WSM when I was deciding on whether to get it or the 300 WINMAG and all of the writer's concur now that the 300WSM is close , but not a match. Lee |
Armory Sponsor