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Alright, So i currently have a awesome gun. its a Remington 700 .204 I love the gun and its so much fun to shoot. But currently the optics on it are CRAP! Its sporting a BSA target scope and the best group I have ever managed with that scope is around 2" which is unacceptable for a 24x scope at 100 yrds. Now my .308 with good optics and only 3-9x I can group less than 1 inch at the same range. So I know its the scope being a piece of junk! So I want a good scope but I want to keep the price reasonable. Something decently high powered, maybe another 24x would be nice but deffinatly a upgrade on the glass. | ||
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Brando, Get yourself a Nikon 6-18 SF Buckmaster. Put the target turrets(included with scope) on it, develop your click chart for the rifle and go have fun "dialing and dusting" far off vermin with the 204! Clear optics, repeatable dialing up and down and won't break the bank when you buy it! I personally use a Nikon Monarch 6.5-20 x44 with A.O.(no longer made) on my 204 but use at least 3 of the Buckmaster 6-18's on other varminters.(17Fireball, 6mm and 25-06,,,,,,,,,,it's 4 of them! There's one on the fast twist Rock River Varminter also!!)Best value in optics today! Charlie (GHD) PS: If you reload for the 204, try 27.5 grains of Accurate 2520 and the 39 grain Sierra's. Probably all the load developement you'll need! Groundhog Devastation(GHD) | |||
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+1 for Nikon 6-18 Buckmaster. I like the BDC reticle. | |||
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I will look into that scope...Thanks for the suggestion. I have never owned a Nikon... | |||
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Nikon is the only glass I buy any more. Something about the eye relief with the other manufacturers that just doesn't agree with my eyes. All of my guns, with the exception of one, has a Nikon Monarch sitting atop of them!! No doubt, the best bang for your buck in the industry. Good luck!!! Graybird "Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after ... it's the reckoning." | |||
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Hmmm. Out of my 300WSM, I shot a .154 for three shots at 100 yards with an 8-32X44 BSA Platinum Target from a simple sandbag up front and a Protektor 13B out back. The rifle will shoot just under 1/2-moa with the proper amount of effort on my part. I have a 6-24X Contender on a .223 Encore that will pop the heads off squippels at 200 yards easy-peezy. My last BSA is a Sweet 17 that will resolve a fly on a stucco wall at 60 yards. The Sweet 17 is mounted on a Savage 93. I've only shot it a tiny bit, but it did put nine rounds into a postage stamp from 100 yards from a piece of foam rubber setting on the hood of my pickup truck. It was a bit windy that day. I'm surprised the 17HMR shoots that well in the wind. Maybe you just got a bad scope... | |||
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I kind of hate admitting this, but I have a BSA fixed 24x target scope I got on sale about 11 years ago. I use it as a slave scope, moving it from rifle to rifle developing loads. I don't shoot any big boomers, just small stuff. The scope has never crapped out. So, it's fulfilling its mission. Things I like about it are, it focuses down to 25 yards or less, it has large target turrets, and, on a clear day, you can see the target at 100 yards..  | |||
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In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and generally been regarded as a bad move......Douglas Adams | |||
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Brando, I have a "like new" gloss Nikon Monarch 6.5-20. It has target turrets, AO and fine cross hair reticle. I am looking to trade for a similar quality scope in the 3-10 range, or sell it outright for $300. Let me know if you're interested. Lou eljefe64@gmail.com **************** NRA Life Benefactor Member | |||
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Ah, who ever heard of the wind doin' anything to one of those .17 cal. pills at 100 yards. All you need is a new scope. F. Prefect Just for the record if my above post might play even a samll role in your decission to purchase some new glass, I was only kidding. A stiff wind will blow those light weight .17s clear off the paper. Just wanted to be sure you understood the nature of my reply. F. Prefect In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and generally been regarded as a bad move......Douglas Adams | |||
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Dr Lou Im interested, but I may have a Nikon lined up here local. I will contact you if it falls through. | |||
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Get a Nightforce with the 1/8th min dot. These scopes are rock solid and incredibly rugged and consistent. | |||
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Concerning Nikon Monarchs, watch the new offerings, IMO they are crap!! The first 2 generations were as good as a scope can get, even for a lot more money. I have them on 7 or 8 different rifles in various calibers, and couldn't be happier. Then comes along generation 3, and after all the Nikon advertising, I bought a 2.5X10 BDC, what a dissapointment. I can't see the cross in the middle of the one inch box on my bench rest targets, at 100yds. I sent it back to Nikon,they serviced it and sent it back. It now sits on top of a Model 72 Winchester 22, and is perfectly suited for this purpose, although a bit expensive. In my group we bought a number of generation 3 Monarchs at the same time including variables up to 16.5 and 20 power, and all of the opinions are the same. I have no experience withthe Buckmaster line, so I can't offer any experience on them. If you want a Nikon, go with the first 2 generations of Monarchs, or PASS!! Jerry NRA Benefactor Life Member | |||
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You really have to wonder how much money is spent every year by companies attempting to make a product that is already as good as it can be made, into making avff "new and improved" version that 99% of those who use it find it to be a worse product than they had to begin with. It may not happen all that often, but there are times when we do succeed in "getting it right" the first time. F. Prefect In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and generally been regarded as a bad move......Douglas Adams | |||
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I am not sure but I think that in many cases when companies change the design, components, machining time elements of a product what they are really doing is trying to maintain the quality of version 1 without the costs that it required. Or they find that the buying public was in love with some of the features of version 1 that are no longer available with version 2. I think that the intentions are clearly at the outset to improve the product or maintain the quality of the product with reduced costs. It's just the outcome is so different from the expectations, whether that be in the performance of the product or the absence of the desired features of version 1. | |||
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While in the past, I have looked at BSA as real crap... their new Contender in 4 x 16 ( or 4 x 14) has some pretty nifty features... it also looks like they have put some better Q/C in these.... the next step is to see how they back them up.. also several guys at our local range have been using those Hammer's Rifle Scopes...on 50 BMGs and have had all of them hold up in that kind of service.. for a $150.00 they have a scope with pretty darn good optics, and some real usable features for a varmint rifle.. looking them up on line, they will sell direct from their web site.. which is about as cheap as they can be found at a dealer.. some of those Mueller Optics are also a lot of bang for the buck, and are proving to be very durable.. | |||
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Original recommendation still stands. NIKON BUCKMASTER 6-18 with Nikoplex reticle. Better optics for the price and the price plus a whole lot more will not be found. And the load recomendation still stands also. 27.5 grains of Accurate 2520 and the 39 grain Sierra is all the load developemnt needed for the .204. Charlie (GHD) P.S. If they still made the 6.5 20's Monarch the way they used too I'd buy them but they don't. Now it's 6-24 Monarchs and I have one of them too. Groundhog Devastation(GHD) | |||
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Groundhog: I'll take a look at the Buckmaster line, on your recommendation. They sure can't be any worse than the current Monarch's. Jerry NRA Benefactor Life Member | |||
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Don't buy a Nikon. They are good scopes but you can buy a used Leupold VX-III for the same price. I just save up and scour the forums. Lifetime ABSOLUTLY no questions asked warrenty and made in the US. Wait till your Nikon craps and try to get some customer service. | |||
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Cheapest scope I will ever buy is a Leupold VX-III. It is a very good scope. But You are better off to spend the money once and get a Nightforce. There customer service is second to none! The product is incredable. No BS. | |||
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The Leupold warranty is GREAT. No doubt. I haven't had to send a Nikon back yet so don't know what that reaction or action will be. Have had to send some Leupolds back over time. I sell them all, I use them all. I sold a Leupold yesterday for $1785.00(tax included but about $800.00 off of list) and if it had been my rifle, I'd ha've put a Nikon on it!! But this guy had the "jack" and he wanted a Leupold!! So I sold it!! Said he'd be shooting maybe 500 yards max. Have returned Tasco's to the distributors too!! Along with BSA's. Waiting for the first NIKON failure!! And I USE A BUNCH OF THEM ON MY PERSONAL GUNS!! Nikon is the best value in optics period!! Scopes, binos, spotters! Bushnell was often thought of as "cheap" optics. The "ELITE 3200's and ELETE 4200's and ELITE 6500's" are SERIOUS OPTICS!!!Bright, clear, optional quality to the edge of the viewfield. Just pretty darn good glass for the price paid. If everyone here had the "jack" to buy whatever they wanted, Swarovski, Leica, Kahles would rule. But they don't!!! Me included!! So for the best buys in optics available todday for most shooters, NIKON RULES!! Bushnell Elites come next and after that you can pick your poisin! Just my thoughts and from a bit of experience!!!GHD Groundhog Devastation(GHD) | |||
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For $1500.00 I bet it is incredible. FS | |||
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Here is my friend shooting my rifle, while I shot him using the D2X Nikon. This is the varmint grounds in North Eastern Montana. We were shooting PDs at around 650 - 750 yards or so. Scope is USO SN-3 3.8-22 with 35mm tube and 58mm objective. Best scope on the planet in my view.  www.usoptics.com for tons of info. | |||
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Brando: Perhaps I miss understand but it seems you could be jummping to conclussions. Unless you have tried another scope on the rifle and have gotten better groups, your 2" groups could be the fault of many things, mostly with the rifle / load ////. The scope could be the culprit but can quickly be eliminated / confirmed by a scope switch. BTW all my scopes (4) are Leupolds - to each his own. --- John303. | |||
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Fasteel I said they are great scopes. I did not say they are cheap. | |||
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I had a chance to examine a Vortex 6.5 x 20 yesterday... that is going to be my next varmint scope... well maybe after I pick up a Hammers scope or two.. for those 223 class of rifles.. | |||
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. . . Lott , I have no doubt you are correct . However There are alot of NEEDED things , like a dependable sno go , that can carry me in , AND out on a wolf expedition So I can use the best scope I can afford to kill as many Moose ,caribou and sheep eaters as I can ..... A 1500 dollar rifle scope can stop a wolf hunt just because of the money .... I,m hopeing to come up with enough lolly to spring for a VX 3 3.5-10 x 50 LRD .... I would prefer a Varmint Hunter reticle as that reticle should help connect with a running predator on my 243 VT .If it can,t be grown , its gotta be mined .... | |||
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I also admit owning a BSA Contender 6-24x40mmAO. It does move from rifle to rifle. It sits on a Marlin 917v right now. For your situation I would look at Sightron scopes. I have an SII 6.5-20x42mmAO on my CZ527 varminter. Excellent glass. | |||
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Yep. They send a little black car to your house (like "Geek Squad") and they personally replace the scope AND sight it in for you. And then they buy you beer...lol JUST A TYPICAL WHITE GUY BITTERLY CLINGING TO GUNS AND RELIGION Definition of HOPLOPHOBIA "I'm the guy that originally wrote the 'assault weapons' ban." --- Former Vice President Joe Biden | |||
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Now that's funny right thar, I don't care who ya are...  | |||
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I agree 100% I have a 6-18x40 buckmaster on my 220 swift and a 4.5-14x40 on my .223 and I think they are the absolute best varmint scopes for the money. "I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me." -- General George S. Patton | |||
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A marketers way of saying, "We have made it cheaper, and we hope you don't notice the consequences." I've always liked when a company used the oxymoron, "New and Improved." If something is indeed "new," it can't be improved because it never existed before. If it is improved, it existed before therefore is not new... Kind of let's me know where they are headed if they can't even use the correct vernacular. JUST A TYPICAL WHITE GUY BITTERLY CLINGING TO GUNS AND RELIGION Definition of HOPLOPHOBIA "I'm the guy that originally wrote the 'assault weapons' ban." --- Former Vice President Joe Biden | |||
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