Seems like many of the new rifle scopes are designed to be mounted on a picatinny or Blaser type mounting system.
Looking to scope two medium bore rifles . One is a Mod 70 .264 Win that will again be used on prairie deer and antelope, the other is a Dakota actioned .300H&H that will be used from moose to mule deer and including plains game.

My main concern is that many of the new scopes (tube)mounting areas may be to short to allow proper mounting onto the action , not allowing for enough adjustments.

I am exploring scope options . I am looking at variable type scopes in the 1.5-8X42, 1.5-10X42, 3-12X42 and 3-12X50, 4-16X50mm, with possibly up to 50mm objective for the .264 Win.. Unfortunately there is not a retailer here where I can physically handle the scopes. Some specific scopes that I am looking at are: 1 .5-10x42 Leica Magnus non illuminated , Schmidt Bender 3-12X50mm, SB 3-12X42.

Any personal scope experiences positive or negative ？

I am not much of a 50mm scope fan. Too big, too heavy, and not much of an improvement (that I can tell) over smaller (42mm) objective scopes. I use S&B, Swarovski, and Leupold for the most part.

For custom bases check out Bolliger ( http://mountainriflery.com ) and Smithson ( http://www.smithson-gunmaker.com/scope-mounts.html ) as they make wonderful bases and rings. They also make nice rifles too!

You might want to look at the Z6 Swarovski as their eye relief seems generous.

Talley bases and rings work well on my Model 70's and Dakota rifle.

I'm interested to hear what people chime in with. I am perpetually looking for something similar (middle of the road magnification, not necessarily over 44mm objective, not too heavy or long, excellent image). I have the S&B 3-12x42 Klassic, illuminated. It is nice, but not the brightest and is heavy (and I'm not wild about the illuminated crosshair design, prefer the dot). I have the Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44, brighter, clearer in my opinion, but really long scope. I'm considering the Z5 2-12x50 for a Win m70 in 7mm Rem Mag. Also looking at/for the Zeiss Victory HT 2-10x50, which I've heard good things about but don't know that I want to pay the price in weight that the illumination and larger objective lens offer. good luck

I too am not a fan of scopes with objective lenses above 42MM. Also the big bulbous ocular lenses that are so popular now are clumsy in my opinion on a stalking rifle. My go to scope has been the Schmidt & Bender 1.5-6X42mm, I am looking for a similar scope with more top end probably 8X minimum and probably 10X at the top. I like to do some range shooting and would like a higher magnification above 6 power that has good tube mounting flexibility. I have heard of issues with some of the new Swarovski scopes.

Take a look at the Meopta line of scopes. Most have a decent amount of tube length. Doug at www.Cameralandny.com could give you all the info. you might need regarding tube length.

Most scope mfgs have gone brain dead in competition to make the heaviest, biggest scope possible

I've got a Swarovski I think it's a Z3 42mm. Even this scope requires a front extended ring.

PS. I can't see the diff between this and a Zeiss conquest 3-9.

I don't think the two are related - objective size and sufficient scope tube dimensions and rifle base locations for mounting, but my two cents:

1) I hate scopes with "planet viewing" sized objectives. Biggest I ever had was a Zeiss with a 44mm and felt that was too big. I don't even like 30mm tubes, but have three of them, all with 42mm objectives. My favorite scope are my two Leupold 3-9x33mm ultralight scopes.

2) Now for mounting. My issue is my LOP, 15". That demands the scope be placed further back. Rails give you a lot of options to mount scopes, but I think they only belong on AR/military semi-auto platforms and extreme long range rifles. I usually end up with an extended front ring and/or the base placed as far back as possible. On my Tikka with a 3-9x33mm I drilled and tapped the receiver further back for the front ring since it's flat. EAW makes some nice and $$$ rings that have some really deep extended rings.

The practice of commissioning a beautiful custom rifle and then topping it with something that looks more like a spotting scope than a rifle scope seems odd to me.

Lee

Yep...scope wearing a rifle

My favorite scoped are the Leupold 4X or 3X, and if a variblel is absolutely a mush a 2x7x"28" Ive never found the need for more other, big scopes are in the head of the shooter away from his desk, or perhaps long range shooters at targets...BTW they do make extended bases for short scopes in many cases., and the day you see a picinenny or whatever on one of my guns will be a cold day in hell!!

Did I leave out my two 2.5X Leupold Alaskans 7/8 tube, and how well they have worked on my old 06 and 99 Sav. 308..

To each his own, and for the vast majority that disagree with my choices I respect your opinion and choice, just have a different approach.

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Most scope mfgs have gone brain dead in competition to make the heaviest, biggest scope possible

Scopes like Nightforce give very accurate adjustments and on an accuracy based rifle and a very good range finder allow the scope to be adjusted as opposed to holding over. A mate of pine who posts as Blair338RUM on AR has several of them BUT the rifles wearing them are very accuracy based rifles with Jewell triggers etc. and top range finder. All good and all works. These sort of rifles have accuracy and ballistics as the goal and looks, how they feel or handle is not part of the equation.

However, many shooters think getting a big (and often cheap) scope and sticking it on their factory rifle will give the same results. Not even close.

I think a lot of shooters also want the "tactical" look of the rail and scope with big adjustment knobs. Kind of like sticking go fast stripes on an ordinary car

Caution: Bandwagon alert!!!

Just another op-ed which shows that we are not all the same.

Thanks goodness for choices!

Put a 2.5 x 8 on it and go hunt! If you desire more magnification, please go to a different forum where folks entertain a different opinion.

Zeke

Well, I like the March 2.5X25x42
http://brtshooterssupply.com.a...hunting-de-plex.html
This is a friends company selling them, so remember the Aussie dollar is worth about .68 cents to the USD.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Most scope mfgs have gone brain dead in competition to make the heaviest, biggest scope possible

Scopes like Nightforce give very accurate adjustments and on an accuracy based rifle and a very good range finder allow the scope to be adjusted as opposed to holding over. A mate of pine who posts as Blair338RUM on AR has several of them BUT the rifles wearing them are very accuracy based rifles with Jewell triggers etc. and top range finder. All good and all works. These sort of rifles have accuracy and ballistics as the goal and looks, how they feel or handle is not part of the equation.

However, many shooters think getting a big (and often cheap) scope and sticking it on their factory rifle will give the same results. Not even close.

I think a lot of shooters also want the "tactical" look of the rail and scope with big adjustment knobs. Kind of like sticking go fast stripes on an ordinary car

All good if you carry bench around with you while hunting...

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Most scope mfgs have gone brain dead in competition to make the heaviest, biggest scope possible

Scopes like Nightforce give very accurate adjustments and on an accuracy based rifle and a very good range finder allow the scope to be adjusted as opposed to holding over. A mate of pine who posts as Blair338RUM on AR has several of them BUT the rifles wearing them are very accuracy based rifles with Jewell triggers etc. and top range finder. All good and all works. These sort of rifles have accuracy and ballistics as the goal and looks, how they feel or handle is not part of the equation.

However, many shooters think getting a big (and often cheap) scope and sticking it on their factory rifle will give the same results. Not even close.

I think a lot of shooters also want the "tactical" look of the rail and scope with big adjustment knobs. Kind of like sticking go fast stripes on an ordinary car

All good if you carry bench around with you while hunting...

You are either in a vehichle and with sand bags or you are set up in a spot and shoot from there. On the sort of rifle you build I would not want a Nightforce or March scope anyhere near it and if i had to have a cheap scope with the Nigtforce/March look about it on one of your rifles, I think I would need to shoot myself.

To add fuel to the fire... If you need that kind of magnification, have you moved from "hunting" to "shooting"?

Lee

quote:

Originally posted by Lee Baumgart:
To add fuel to the fire... If you need that kind of magnification, have you moved from "hunting" to "shooting"?

Lee

I have always considered myself a shooter, not a hunter. Probably comes from being Australia. Our magazines have names like Sporting Shooter. We talk about going on a shooting trip for the week.

Personally I regard walking and shooting as mutually exclusive activities.

Blokes who shoot the Sambar deer are hunting types and stalk and all that sort of thing.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:

quote:

Originally posted by Lee Baumgart:
To add fuel to the fire... If you need that kind of magnification, have you moved from "hunting" to "shooting"?

Lee

I have always considered myself a shooter, not a hunter. Probably comes from being Australia. Our magazines have names like Sporting Shooter. We talk about going on a shooting trip for the week.

Personally I regard walking and shooting as mutually exclusive activities.

Blokes who shoot the Sambar deer are hunting types and stalk and all that sort of thing.

Yeah, I like to shoot with my eyes closed. Though the March offers huge magnification, they also offer low magnification, bullet proof, and superior glass. Check this out before you bad mouth something!

Got to admit he power range is impressive. Is it a 30 mm tube?

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Got to admit he power range is impressive. Is it a 30 mm tube?

Yes it is Duane.

Since I enjoy Ruger No. 1 rifles, I’ve had to look for longer scopes. The Leupold 3.5x10 is about as flexible as I’ve found. Optically, it isn’t in the same league as some of the other scopes already mentioned, but they have served me well.

quote:

Originally posted by JeffreyPhD:
Since I enjoy Ruger No. 1 rifles, I’ve had to look for longer scopes. The Leupold 3.5x10 is about as flexible as I’ve found. Optically, it isn’t in the same league as some of the other scopes already mentioned, but they have served me well.

The big thing with scopes like the March and Nightforce is the adjustments. Mechanically they leave the others in the dust. Optics can be somewhat subjective and especially at medium power, maybe up to 12X. My mate Blair338RUM reckons I would be Ok with plastic lenses and with scratches all over them. He is just the opposite. However, the mechanical aspects of the scope are not subjective.

Personally, I had a 270 built by Duane I would want a nice looking scope on the rifle and not heavy. I would not want a 30mm tube and big adjustments knobs sticking out. Even with a fibreglass gun like an Echols Legend I would be the same,

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Got to admit he power range is impressive. Is it a 30 mm tube?

Yes it is Duane.

How does that exit pupil diameter hold up..I calculate only 1.68 mm @ 25 X Am I wrong?

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Got to admit he power range is impressive. Is it a 30 mm tube?

Yes it is Duane.

How does that exit pupil diameter hold up..I calculate only 1.68 mm @ 25 X Am I wrong?

Duane, you might go to the website for their compact scopes.
https://marchscopes.com/scopes/d10v24/
I believe all their specs are listed. I've used a 45X March in competition. When you adjust either elevation or windage the clicks are very positive and it doesn't have to settle in a few rounds before feeling comfortable shooting. That is not critical when hunting, but most important when shooting comp. I've used a 2.5X25X42 hunting and really liked being able to go from one power to another and not change the zero. They do use ED glass. I'm not the person to talk scope specs with you.
Another good one would be the 1Xby10X by 24mm

Don't forget the tri pod hanging on the barrel, its the latest jazz...again not my cup of tea, but if it blows ones skirt up then so be it...I still prefer a rifle lean and mean, no more than a 4X Leupold, at at no more than 8.5 pounds and no attachments other than a set of nice backup iron sights and detachable mounts..I like to do my hunting before my shooting and I like to sneak up on the target. Gets harder the older I get however, by the time I get there and take the shot, I can't get up!!!