Hey guys,

Just wondering what magnification variables you are running on your .280 AI's?

In the market for a new scope, thinking about a 3.5-10x magnification.

Regards,

Michael.

Get a 1.5-6x if you can. Unless you're shooting rabbits, larger powers are not needed but can bring problems of size, focus and parallax perceived.

The modern obsession with magnification is basically marketers' desperation to move product - they can't afford to allow people to think that what they have is good enough.

I am running the 3.5-10x40 VX3 Leupold on one of my rifles and I like it. It zooms enough that I can print a decent group on the bench although the rifle is set up for predator/varmint calling.

I love my 4x33 and 6x33 fixed Leupolds and they may be great for hunting but I want more zoom if I am sitting on the bench shooting paper. The cross hairs cover too much of the bullseye for me to be effective.

Tell us about the rifle. Is it a mountain rifle? (light weight/thin barrel) or is it a custom bench gun?

I wouldn't put more than a 3.5-10X on it, but that power range will do everything you want, including allow you to be fairly precise on paper when working up loads and zeroing.

Field of view is obviously important in quick acquisition of the scope's sight picture when shooting is quick and close. But a large "eyebox" like Leupold offers plus a stock that fits you and having the scope mounted in the right place and height is perhaps even more important. With the 3.5 magnification you have ample FOV for any situation provided you also have proper scope/stock fit.

Thanks guys. Longest shot would be 500-600 yards so a 10x would be more than adequate. I do lots of closer hunting (under 100 yards) so 3-3.5x would be better.

My .280AI is a Kimber Hunter. I'm either going for a Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 with CDS or Meopta Meopto in the same magnification range. A little heavier but supposed to be excellent in low light.

kiwiwildcat: I also have a Kimber Hunter in 280AI. I put a Meopta 3.5x10x44 on it. Mainly chose that scope because I bought it during a promotion sale and had not used it yet. Suits my purpose. Mine shoots any 140gr 280AI or 280 Rem ammo equally good and to the same POA-POI.


Safe shooting...……...LL

Have you considered the Steiner GS3 4a

New 5x Zoom Range
provides sharp resolution at long distances for more accurate shooting for wide open areas.
CAT™ Color Adjusted Transmission
amplifies contrast in the peak human vision sensitivity range, to spot game in any environment.
Steiner Plex S1 Reticle
help determine holdover for distance and cascading dots/lines compensate for wind.
Steiner 4A Reticle
provides a simple, uncluttered aiming tool
Short Mounting Length
of just 5.4 inches for mounting on short actions, muzzleloaders or lightweight mountain rifles.
Rugged 30mm Tube
milled from solid aluminum stock so there are no welds or seams, for greater strength and durability.
Waterproof/Fogproof
durable construction you can trust to stand up to any cold or wet condition.

I wouldn't rule out a straight 6 power Leupold. They're really reliable, lightweight and have been successful for me from 20 yards to 400 yards. The 36mm also fits well into a saddle scabbard. Sometimes "simpler" can be better...

Yes, eddie, considering fixed power can do without the brassy scroll, maybe that's as good as it gets now, in terms of some power without unnecessary weight in the erector tube.

quote:

Originally posted by eddiel4:
I wouldn't rule out a straight 6 power Leupold. They're really reliable, lightweight and have been successful for me from 20 yards to 400 yards. The 36mm also fits well into a saddle scabbard. Sometimes "simpler" can be better...

I agree. Six X magnification is a little too much if you anticipate doing some bit of quick/close shooting -- but as I said earlier, proper low mounting and stock fit can go a long way in getting quick sight picture acquisition with a slightly higher power scope.

On a related subject, I wouldn't put a large, heavy scope with a 30mm tube on a "mountain" type light rifle. Mounting such a cumbersome scope defeats the entire purpose of having a light, trim rifle to begin with.

Depends on what you use a scope for..Big ugly scopes that ruin rifle balance is the vogue, but its not for me..I really like a 4X fixed leupold on deer, elk, PG, etc. and a 3x fixed Leupold on a DG rifle. These scopes have served me well with not a single problem, and the problems I hear about are mostly contrived or so it seems to me..the only problems Ive had with scopes is with the larger heavier scopes..

put a leupold VX-2 Ultra 3-9x33 on my daughters 280 AI. Has a MOA elevation turret.

quote:

Has a MOA elevation turret.

You can negate that disadvantage by wrapping a small piece of electrical tape around the turret to assure that it won't be moved once it has been zeroed.

6X42 leupold: Leopold dot reticle. with a 1" dot. Light and bright with a 4.5" eye relief. 7MM exit pupil.
I just like a dot. Put the dot on the target and pull the trigger.
Great for moving targets.
Do wish they offered an illuminated dot on this scope.
I have a Meopta R2 1.7 X 10 X 42 with a German #4 dot that is illuminated. Great scope!

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:

quote:

Has a MOA elevation turret.

You can negate that disadvantage by wrapping a small piece of electrical tape around the turret to assure that it won't be moved once it has been zeroed.

quote:

CAT™ Color Adjusted Transmission
amplifies contrast in the peak human vision sensitivity range, to spot game in any environment.

At least someone is admitting that they use coatings that skew the color transmission (toward the red end by filtering out some of the blue) in order to fool the eye into thinking the image is "brighter". No, dummy, it's just redder and your eye tells your brain that it's brighter. Most of us would prefer that the optical instrument transmit true colors instead of making some of the colors duller (transmitting less light) in order to make other colors stand out.