Guys,

I could use a little advise on a rifle scope purchase decision. I have a little Kimber 84M in a .25 cal wildcat (.257 DGR---.260 Rem necked down to .25 with a neck length allowing 100 grain bullets to seat to the base of the neck and be no longer than 2.80"). The barrel on this rifle is only 21" long. It has a Brown "Pounder" kevlar stock. Its a short, light package designed to be a back-pack rifle for high country mule deer.

I figure max effective killing range with this rifle is no more than 300-350 yards and 300 yards is probably stretching it. I don't need range-finding capability in the reticle (at least I don't think I do). Basically, what I want is a small, light 3 x 9 or 3 x 10 scope with execellent optics, especially light gathering, capability. I supposed I could even go with 6 x 42 fixed.

Any advise is appreciated, including brands and models. I realize every purchase decision is a bundle of compromises. As I think about it, I think what I want most is compactness and light weight with great optics.

Thanks in advance for any advise,

Jordan

Leupold 6x fits your stated requirements. The fixed power are always lighter than variables. If you really prefer a variable (I do), consider 2.5-8x Leupold.

quote:

If you really prefer a variable (I do), consider 2.5-8x Leupold

+1

Match your scope to your quarry. In other words, the smaller the prey the larger optical requirement. Conversely, the larger the pre the lower the optical power required.

Assuming your using this little wildcat as a lite varmint gun than a 3-9 would not be totally out of the question for the potential 300 yard shots at coyotes. If your looking at a short range deer gun than a 1-4x24 would be plenty of power for the application.

What is your intended target?

Hi Jordan,

go with the best optics You could afford - You won´t regret it. A very nice & little scope is the Swarovski Z3 3-9x36, but for the range of 300 yds I personaly would take something with bigger magnifition, but that´s me, not You...
Have a look here:
http://titanium-gunworks.de/sw...z3-z5/z3-3-9x36.html
(which contains 19% VAT - which have not to be paid outside European Community and Germany)

Klaus

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
Leupold 6x fits your stated requirements. The fixed power are always lighter than variables. If you really prefer a variable (I do), consider 2.5-8x Leupold.

nailed it

Jordan, One of best buys pricewise on a good quality scope are the Nitrex from Natchez Shooters Supply. Nitrex by Weaver discontinued a lot of their models and Natchez has them to sell at discounted prices...Nitrex makes prices even lower with $50 or $100 rebates. These Nitrex are basically Weaver Super Slams or Grand Slams, with same Japanese glass and internals....made in Japan by LOW, considered by some as the best scope maker in Asia.

Anyway, darn good bright/clear glass in Nitrex scopes and nothing inferior about the clicks/adjustments in windage/elevation. I've yet to have any Leupold, Burris, Nikon or Zeiss Conquest owner tell me my Nitrex TR2 3-15x42SF was inferior in anyway to their scopes after viewing thru and playing with mine at range I shoot. My Nitrex had final cost of $218 to me and once retailed for around $575. You can get a TR2 2-10x42 for $150 (plus shipping) after $100 rebate and It retailed for about $460.

Here is the TR2 2-10x42 with pullup turrets

http://www.natchezss.com/produ...500&prodTitle=Nitrex TR Two 2-10X42mm Rifle Scope Matte Finish TrexPlex Reticle

Consider the new Minox Z3 3x9x40. It is small and light and very bright and sharp. John Barsness gave it a 7+ rating. he ave the Swarovski Z6, 2x12x50 a 7+ also. Only the Schmidt & Bender Summit and new Leica 2.5x10x45 got ratings of 8. Cameraland had/has a special on demo units at $298. Regular price is only $399.

quote:

Originally posted by blanco county:
Consider the new Minox Z3 3x9x40. It is small and light and very bright and sharp. John Barsness gave it a 7+ rating. he ave the Swarovski Z6, 2x12x50 a 7+ also. Only the Schmidt & Bender Summit and new Leica 2.5x10x45 got ratings of 8. Cameraland had/has a special on demo units at $298. Regular price is only $399.

Yep, there it is. That's serious bang for the buck.

The Minox is a darn fine scope btw.

Thanks all of you for the generous advise. I'll be using this rifle to shoot mule deer and the occassional coyote.

Every scope built represents a compromise between immutable optical and physical laws. Virtually all manufacturer's scopes (other than the cheapest discount store variety) are excellent optical instruments. However, despite being excellent optics, not every manufacturer understands well the features that are most important in hunting scopes.

One manufacturer consistently combines good optics, dependable internals, absolute water proofing, compact size, light weight, and long-and-wide eye placement, all of which are important in a hunting scope. That manufacturer is Leupold. The models cited to you are excellent choices for your compact mountain rifle with mule deer as your quarry.

If I were building a rifle and scope combo for backpack hunting then I think reliability would be high on the list. I also think that a fixed would be ideal if only because there is less to go wrong and it will do your job just fine.

In view of the fact that you've built up a pretty nice rifle package I would be strongly tempted to go either S&B or Swaro. I know that in the US your scope requirements and accepted norms differ from here in Europe but if you require low light performance then I'd be looking at an 8X56 Swaro or S&B. The S&B will be a bit heavier but it feels like the more robust scope while the Swaro doesn't feel so robust but has a better field of view which makes the image feel a little better though in real low light testing that myself and some friends did we couldn't see any difference in low light performance between the 8X56 Swaro and the 8X56 S&B. Swaro has a great reputation for customer service while S&B have a patchy reputation but, in saying that, I've never met anyone who has had to use it. The standard Swaro or S&B 6X42 might also do your job and save some weight and bulk and you will almost certainly be impressed with its low light performance and it might be more than enough for you.

I run a S&B 8X56 and have never needed another scope - I shoot both in forrestry and also on the open hill in some pretty wild areas my shots tend to be between 20 and 220 yards and are often in very bad light or almost complete darkness. I bought the scope 2nd hand and it is now worth more than I paid for it plus I know that I have the best possible scope for the job on my rifle and that gives confidence.

The Minox, which has been mentioned, will certainly be a great scope if it is anything like their binos but until reliability and robustness is established I personally would steer towards the S&B or Swaro in the mean time, specially for a backpack scope. Buy 2nd hand from a reliable source and in a few years the scope will be worth more than you paid for it - you don't get any better value for money than that and you don't get any more confidence than knowing you have the best.

A 2-7x32 is more than enough power to see and kill both coyotes and mule deer out the the ranges you seek.

The Vortex Viper 2-7x32 is an extremely good optic on clearance pricing of $169.95 at SWFA while supplies last.

Another vote for an 8x56

Check out IOR Valdada. they use German Schott glass, have great light gathering ability, and cost 40% less than Swarovski.

I think someone missed the point: This is a "mountain" rifle, intended to be lightweight and portable so as to be more easily lugged around mountains at 10,000 feet elevation, and designed for hunting mule deer between the legal hours of 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

There could be no WORSE scope for this application than one which is 2/3rds the weight of the rifle and is designed for shooting by moonlight. The European-style scopes the size of an astronomical instrument are fine for sitting in a blind at midnight with a flask of Cognac to await your quarry illuminated by moonlight, but they are NOT for a mountain rifle.

Kindly consider the Leu 3 x 9 Compact. My 257 AI that I use for pronghorn and mulies wears this. It is light, reliable, and size wise is in proportion to the rifle. It is easy to mount it low enough to get a good cheek weld.