After a decade of extensive, (borderline rabid) use of the 25-06, I've found my favorite cartridge. One would think I would have found a favorite scope for it. Not so! I started with a 3x9, progressed to a 4-12x, toyed with a couple different 6-24x, and explored the realm of mil dots, target dots, and ballistic plexes.

So where am I at today? Well, my beloved quarter bore has sat in the vault unscoped for 6 months awaiting a new piece of optical hardware. And that's where the question lies. I have been dissatisfied with every single scope I've ever had on that rifle. Quality has never been an issue. Bushnell, Pentax, Leupold, Burris, IOR.... they have all worked as they were supposed to. It's just they didn't jive with me!

But I have a hunch. Infact, I'm 95% sure of what I'm gonna do. Before I spill my beans though, give me your thoughts. Incidentally, the rifle is an M77 and is a dual varmint/deer gun.

I know what you mean. This thread should bring some interesting commentary. I currently have a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10x40mm on my 25-06 but a 4.5-14 might be more flexible. That's probably why there's such a big jump in price to get to that power range!!!

I had the same rifle caliber and sported a Burris sig 4-16. Lots of power, good field of view, excellent clarity.

My 25-06 is wearing a burris compact 6X.
Take care.
smallfry

waldog,
My Rem 700 25/06 has a Burris 6x18 on top of it Would rather have a Swarovski 4x12 but

My 25-284 has a Weaver K6 - simple, great optics, good eye relief, adequate field of view and has never failed in years of hard hunting. Good power for both varmints and big game. I have Leupolds, Bushnell, Nikon and Simmons scopes - and that K6 can holds its own.

I would get a Leupold 4x12 or 4.5x14 and contact Premier Reticles Inc. and have them install a reticle that meets your individual requirements. Cost is approx $100.

I've used a Leupold VariXIII 6.5X20 for many years on my 25-06 and would never think of the use of anything else.

My .25-284 wears a Leo. 3-9X33 Compact with a Premier Reticles installed target style elevation knob. Very easy to go from big game to predator to varmit duty. E

To break up the pattern, how about a new Leupold 4.5x14 Long Range Tactical with side focus(parallex). I've found that the new side focus makes me more satisfied than the front objective lens turning. The scope I mentioned is a 30mm tube instead of 1". It also has target turrets. Add a 2.5" sunshade and you're set. Now, what did you have in mind?

Well, I guess it's about time to spill it, since I'll probably make a buy in the next week or two. I'm fairly certain I'm going to go with a fixed 6x. I was also thinking that a fine duplex would be nice, but I dunno. I have my eyes set on a leupold M8 6x32, Weaver K6, or Burris Signature. How much have you enjoyed the compact, smallfry? For the variable users, what magnification to you all spend the most time on?

On my true dual use deer/varmint guns like my 25-06 I prefer a wider range variable power scope...my Sako is topped with a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10X. 10 or 12X is about tops for me with any varmint gun. I find the extra magnification unusable on hot days when mirage is bad. Heck, if you can't hit a groundhog or PD at 400 yards with 12X it ain't the scope!

I�m with you Waldog, I find my self in the middle of most variables, (3x9) all the time.. Been thinking of a Six as well... In fact, my largest scope is a 6x18, That particular scope never moves off of the lowest setting.. Well unless I am at the range sighting in.

Later....

How do you like your Zeiss Kentucky Nimrod? And where is a good place to purchase one?

Erimicus can you tell me more about the leupold 3-9x33 compact ?? I think this or the 2-7 compact would be well suited to a rifle in 9.3x62 caliber as well.

My 1885 Browning has a Leupold 4.5x14. I did have a Reminton Classic with a Simmons Atec 3.5x10 if I remember correctly. Got some deer with the Remington, have not shot the Browning yet.

Funny that I caught this. I was just talking to a friend about this very thing. I have always shot Leupold scopes and have been pleased with them. I just put a gun together and scoped it with a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50. What a scope. I am so pleased with it that I am about to sell my Leupold 4.5-14x50 and purchase another Zeiss. The clarity and accuracy of the Zeiss for the money is hard to beat. One thing that became apparent almost immediately was the difference between the two concerning parallax and eye releif. I have always had to somewhat search when shooting my Leuopold. The Zeiss is immediate when the rifle is shouldered. Also, I got the target turrets on the scope and have used them several times and they are dead on and repeat without question. I still like the Leuopolds', but I love my Zeiss.

My 2 cents

Dale

Mine (4 of them) where 6.5 X 20's
Just last week end I was shooting steel chickens at the 800 yd mark with one of mine.
And 1000 yds is not out of the question when I install a tapered base.

"how to scope a 25-06???" Scope on top, rifle on bottom has always worked for me I think you should look at Ziess Conquest 3.5X10X44 I never knew what I was missing till I tried one of these! I' ve alway's bought good glass for my rifles (VariX-III's, Monarks, etc) After trying one of these I'll never buy another Leupold again. The images are so clear and realistic that I feel I don't need as power as I did with other scopes, And light gathering doesn't even compare. It's hard to judge differnt scopes looking out the window of a store front but if you get them where you hunt the diffence is night and day. Terry

[ 12-20-2002, 12:27: Message edited by: TC1 ]

[ 12-20-2002, 12:25: Message edited by: TC1 ]

Now the easiest thing to ask is what are you hunting with rifle or what do you plan on going after in the future with the gun?

I have 4 varmint type, slash deer/antelope rifles.
2 are heavy bull barrels, heavy stock stationary type guns in a 22-250 caliber with a (4 x 12 Leupold) the other rifle a 6mm Remington sports a (6 x 18 Unertil)with very thin cross hair reticle on top, for longer range shooting or groundhogs and Coyotes.

My other two which are both 25-06's, one in Winchester feather weight stock has a (2 x 7 )medium thick reticle Leupold mounted to the rifle for mostly deer hunting in the thick stuff. The fourth has a regular Winchester type sporter stock in wood. I put a (3 x 9) Leupold on that rifle. I use this gun for deer, coyote and antelope hunting out west. The higher powers on hot days are really useless because of the mirage which comes for the sun and heat off the barrel.

[ 12-20-2002, 20:05: Message edited by: Chigger ]

For the time being, my Sendero is wearing a Springfield Armory 6x20x56 lighted mil-dot. It is an extremely versatile scope. As someone mentioned earlier, it stays on 6x most of the time. Clarity is exceptional in low light. The rifle/scope combo really works well. This IS NOT A WALKING RIFLE, topping the scales at 16 pounds, but if you hunt from stands for deer it is deadly. It also wears a tapered Leupold base for 15 moa extra elevation for the occasional long range session. I agree with your choice of a fixed power. My next rifle will probably be a M70 Classic Super Grade in .25-06 or .257 wsm (fingers crossed) with a Leupold M8 6x40. I think that combo would hold alot of promise as a deer rifle. Of the three .25-06's I have owned scoping them with smaller variables just came up lacking somewhere in the mix.

My 25-06 is a Colt Sauer with Leupold x3 6.5-20x. It is very accurate but also heavy.

Lazzer.....how much for the 4.5x14x50 Leupold?..If you're really selling

I have 3x9 on a ruger no.1 works but then I like my 4x24s also but I think a would go with a 3x10 3x14 or something like that the little bit more power is handy when useing it on p dogs way out there.

I have 4.5-14 s on my Weatherby ultra light and my Sako ( Both do double duty for coyote and whitetail )

I have a Colt Sauer in 25-06 it has a x3 6.5-20x 40mm . It ways close to 9-1/2 lbs and will drive nails at 100yds. Every now and then I get an urge to put my x2 4-12x ao but never have .

Ditto on the Leupold 4x14x40 for my 25-06....works well for all applications.