i'll be getting my tax refund in june or so, and since i'm probably stuck with my .300 magnum it would be nice to have a scope for it.

i don't know what, where or under which conditions i will be hunting, only that it will take place on this continent.

i'm one of those who thinks 2500fs is plenty, and doesn't intend to shoot anything outside 200m(one possible exception is mouflon and chamois).
so i'm thinking(90%sure but i'm open to suggestions) of a 3-9x40, 9x should be plenty for all "long" shots, and 3x should work for driven game.
ruggedness is the quality i value the most, i don't think i need a red dot.


given these parameters, what would be the cheapest scope you would consider?

I have Swarovskis in 3-9x36mm and 3.5-10x42mm and love them both.

Steffen,

for a 300 Mag about the best compromise to cover European-wide Hunting would be in the 2.5-10x48/50 or 3-9x50 range IMO.

If you're not so hung up potential for night time use then the 3-9x50 VX-II would do you fine and you may have some change in your pocket - Dunno.

Just my $0.02 - have fun.

my next rifle will be a CZ in 300H&H, and it will have a Leupold 3-9X or perhaps a 3.5-10X. You could probably use the 50mm objective lens since you will not be using it in Africa.

Rich
Buff Killer

Jeff, he's asking for the cheapest scope we would consider...... I would rather suggest him to have a look here:

https://www.theopticzone.com/home.htm

They have a very good reputation and can send a scope to Norway; I've bought 3 riflescopes from them, saving about 50% compared to the italian retail prices. Leupold VX3, Burris Signature Select and Nikon Monarch would be my suggestions; I own one of each and I'm satisfied.

quote:

Originally posted by Steffen:
i'll be getting my tax refund in june or so, and since i'm probably stuck with my .300 magnum it would be nice to have a scope for it.

i don't know what, where or under which conditions i will be hunting, only that it will take place on this continent.

i'm one of those who thinks 2500fs is plenty, and doesn't intend to shoot anything outside 200m(one possible exception is mouflon and chamois).
so i'm thinking(90%sure but i'm open to suggestions) of a 3-9x40, 9x should be plenty for all "long" shots, and 3x should work for driven game.
ruggedness is the quality i value the most, i don't think i need a red dot.


given these parameters, what would be the cheapest scope you would consider?

If You would not have commented a cheap scope (which is in most times wasted money) - I would take one of those new Swarovski´s:

Z6i http://www.titanium-gunworks.d...re/z6i-25-15x42.html (which is an awesome compact and handy scope with long range AND Ballitic turrent)

Z6i 3-18x50 - if You want shoot longer range or hunting pigs during night conditions like me here - take it also with allitic turrent!
http://www.titanium-gunworks.d...e/z6i-3-18x50-p.html

Z6i 1,7-10x42 - all purpose, but without the BT
http://www.titanium-gunworks.d...re/z6i-17-10x42.html

of course they are all available without illuminated reticle - then have a look at Z6 (witout the i)

Klaus

Try EGun.de for a good 2nd hand scope.Scopes without an illuminated reticle have lost their value to some extent.
I bought an old Kahles 3x9x42,sent it back to the factory for refurbishment.Its back now and perfect for my needs,which dont seem to dissimilar to your own.And it cost less than 300 euros.
11/2x6x42,3x9x42,21/2x10x42.Theres a good choice out there.
I would put my money down on a 2nd hand scope of German or Austrian origin first

I just purchased, awaiting delivery, of what I hope will be the perfect all-around scope.

Swarovski 1.7-10x42mm Z6 --- it's a little heavier than I'd prefer and it was more expensive than I'd hope to pay but I didn't see anything that came close to it that I liked even almost as much,

zeiss diavari 2.5-10x42
30mm tube
legendary zeiss optics
15.5 ounces
#4 reticle
front focal plane

quote:

Originally posted by DB Bill:
I just purchased, awaiting delivery, of what I hope will be the perfect all-around scope.

Swarovski 1.7-10x42mm Z6 --- it's a little heavier than I'd prefer and it was more expensive than I'd hope to pay but I didn't see anything that came close to it that I liked even almost as much,

Good choice - I hope You have taken the SR-rail mount on it? -> best way how to mount a scope!

It all boils down to what you like and how many crowns your willing to depart with.

A lot of stores do lay-away on expensive items like guns and scopes. This is always an option.

I have a quite a few guns on layaway right now. Euro Optics has really good prices on scopes and does layaway. He ships all over the world. For some reason German glass is cheaper in America.

http://www.eurooptic.com/

Given the current state of exchange rates between the UK, the US and the Euro zone, the cheapest place to buy new German/Austrian optics at the moment is actually the UK. UK prices are 100-200 Euros less for identical products than any I can see from the Euro zone or the US.

However, second hand Euro optics are much cheaper form the US than they are in the UK.

I can't fault Scubapro and DB BIll's suggestions and will second them 100%. I'm a long time fan/user of the Swarovski 1,5-6x42 as a general issue scope but today, I would opt for the Z6 1,7-10x42 or the 2,5-15x42.

I can see a reason for the variable if shooting at running game is an issue but if not then a 6x42 if low light is in the equation and a 4x32 if it's not.

Both extremely unfashionable, both extremely effective.

1894,

I think the variable gives you a bit of flexibiliy if you are travelling. I tend to stick with 6-8x magnification at home but when I'm elsewhere the higher end has become usefull if the shot is a bit further than our normal home ranges. I rarely use the lower mags apart from to turn a scope down when following an animal that has run outof sight at the shot.

FB

I would agree largely that a good fixed 6x - 8x is pretty perfect for UK/Irish deer stalking. I have little or no use for 3x-5x when I am stalking.

I bought the big variable to give that flexibility Kiri spoke of for travelling hunting - wild boar trips really. In reality low "mag" performance of a FFP scope is a bit compromised due to the reticle shrinking. If I had to do it again, I would take Gerry's advice and keep the 8x56 for low light work, and buy a specialist red dot type 1x scope for driven boar.

However, I do like the idea of a higher mag variable for foxes crows and paper punching. I think that is where I will drop my cash the next time.

I would suggest the following four as my final short list for all round scope.

1.5 - 6 x 42 Schmidt with flash dot

1 - 6 x 24 Swarosvki Z6i

1.7 - 10 x 42 Z6i

3 - 9 x 50 Z600 Conquest

1.5 - 6 x 42 Schmidt with flash dot

+1

i like the nightforce 2,5-10x 24.

very classic look and they are bright all out of porpotion to the lens.

peter

I looked at your web-site and your horses are magnificent. Are they bred for the saddle or harness?

The German scope manufacture NICKEL has their 3-12x50 with Illuminated sight an special for $1000Euro.
The 50mm objective bell would be a great option as most game is found right on Twilight or often at night.
They are heavy in weight though.

It's extremely unlikely you will ever need more than 6x to shoot even muntjac at ranges up to 200yards. I've shot less than 1% of my total lifetime's cull with over 6x.

Perversely more than 6x is a help is in the woods where you may be shooting at a portion of deer. It also helps in a herd situation when you are trying to shoot prickets and the deer are milling such that by the time you've put your binos down and picked up the rifle they've changed position.

Even given those weaknesses I personally prefer the familiarity that one power brings. Never on the wrong setting etc.

I'm about to do some trophy roe buck stalking with a 30year old sako and swaro 4x32. Looking forward to it!

I've pretty much decided that the extra couple of deer a year I could get with a bigger scope (power and objective) isn't worth the expense, weight, bulk and departure from my 'standardisation'