Scope for Tikka T3X

[skxf430]

Total noob at rifles, but I am looking for a scope to put on Tikka T3X in 6.5 creedmoor with 24" barrel. Shooting will be primarily target with some boar/pig hunts but more emphasis punching paper out to maybe 300 yard.

Looking at both the Nightforce SHV 4-14x56 and the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15X56. Also, is the 56 objective overkill and would a 44 or 50 be better matched? Lastly, what height scope mounts. Some boards says Talley medium and others say high.

Thanks for any feedback.

[Imageview]

That's a lot of scope for your stated purposes. An oft repeated rule of thumb is 1x for every 100 yards you are expecting to shoot for hunting. I can't attest to how true that is, I've yet to get serious about trying to hunt big game, but the most frequently recommended range is 3-9x. I have a 4-12x50 on my tikka, because I happened to get a good deal on it, and medium rings are just sufficient but any larger would probably require high (all things being equal, which they aren't because the scopes will be different lengths).

[theLBC]

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/ffp-scope-for-up-to-500-yards.7080896/#post-9548404

[NapalmCheese]

If it were my money...

I'd put a 3-9x40 capped turret, duplex reticled, Leupold VX-Freedom on that gun and take the money saved on scope and drop it on SPY for a year. Then after saving for an additional year and earning a bit of interest, buy a proper target rifle and target scope.

[Trapper]

For target shooting and hunting within 300 yards you’d be fine with a 3.5-10x40mm. You won’t need turrets for a 300 yard shot and, in my opinion, the 56mm objective is overkill for your intended use. My recommendation in that price range would be a VX5 HD in 2-10x42 or 3-15x44mm.

[MongooseV8]

Is this a heavy barrel tikka or a normal light weight? When picking a scope I would keep weight in mind. 10x is plenty of zoom for target shooting ad moderate ranges and hunting. Id look for something in the classic 3x9 or 4.5x10 range.

[JackEllis]

Bigger objectives mean more weight. Higher magnification means a narrower field of view. Add them together and you're spending money on glass that gets in your way.

8-9 power on the top end is plenty for a hunting rifle and it's also enough for punching paper or pinging steel at 300 yards. I have a 3-7 power Vortex Diamondback on my Tikka T3 in .243 and it's just fine.

My eyes are another story.

[Divernhunter]

Leupold VX3i 3.5X10X40 with Duplex reticle and non-AO. If you really think you need more power get the VX3i 4.5X14X40 Duplex reticle and also non-AO

[skxf430]

Is this a heavy barrel tikka or a normal light weight? When picking a scope I would keep weight in mind. 10x is plenty of zoom for target shooting ad moderate ranges and hunting. Id look for something in the classic 3x9 or 4.5x10 range.

It is a normal lightweight barrel. Total weight on the rifle is about 6.5lbs
The 3x9 and 4.5 were my original thought but a person suggested a larger objective because of my aging eyes.

[MongooseV8]

It is a normal lightweight barrel. Total weight on the rifle is about 6.5lbs
The 3x9 and 4.5 were my original thought but a person suggested a larger objective because of my aging eyes.

Glass quality can help some with that. Get something mid to higher end so that even a smaller objective can still be bright and crisp. Leupold (on cheaper side), Swarovski, Kahles, Zeiss, USO etc. I have a Leupold 3x9x33mm ultra light weight on my Tikka in 7mm, and a 1.5-4x light weight Leupold on my 6lb 243. The best thing to do is test out some different scopes in person, outside, at varying distances if possible. Everyone has different eyes, but I would try to stay under 20oz total (incl rings/base) for your rifle. A big honker will make it balance funny when hunting.

Here are the scopes mentioned. They were a one time run and discontinued now but you can look at the specs for reference.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019741398?pid=307058

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009584080?pid=730168

[Calif Hunter]

I have gone to variable scopes with the highest magnification of 12X to 14X as I have gotten older for big game. I go much higher for varmint rifles for prairie dogs waaaay out there. I do not care for huge objective lenses that require a high scope mount that prevents me from quickly acquiring a good, repeatable and consistent cheek position on the stock.

[theduracellbigd]

Total noob at rifles, but I am looking for a scope to put on Tikka T3X in 6.5 creedmoor with 24" barrel. Shooting will be primarily target with some boar/pig hunts but more emphasis punching paper out to maybe 300 yard.

Looking at both the Nightforce SHV 4-14x56 and the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15X56. Also, is the 56 objective overkill and would a 44 or 50 be better matched? Lastly, what height scope mounts. Some boards says Talley medium and others say high.

Thanks for any feedback.

4x14 would be a fine magnification range. however i will encourage that you get a smaller objective for a slimmer profile rifle thus easier to carry, store in case, lighter and the such. I would strongly encourage a 3x9x40/3.5x10x40
Especially since you will be hunting wild pig which can have some very close shots 3x would be best/4x okay. I can easily hit targets at 300 yards with 6x on my 3x9. if you are shooting field positions without a rest in hunting scenarios you do not want more than6x due to shake. While at the range the 9x is more than enough to your desired 300 yards, shoot 400 as well.

[Fjold]

Paper and hunting are different needs. Target shooting you want a smaller field of view and more magnification. For hunting you want a larger field of view since you'll need to find the target at varying ranges and sometimes you have to shoot quickly and/or at a moving target.

For big-medium game out to 300 yards, I use a 2.5-8X Leupold. Out to 500 yards I'll use 3-9X but that 3.5-10X may be perfect for that.

[theduracellbigd]

I forgot to say that my understanding is that with aging eyes a bigger objective will not help because the limiting factor is how much light your iris muscle allows in. The iris does not open up as much as a young eye, so even if you provide more light to it it can't let it in. The larger objective only lets you see at a higher magnification at extremely low light conditions. A 40mm lens will be fine for you. And yes that gun if it does not have iron sight then get medium talleys or leupold medium. If it has iron sights and stock ergos merit lower mounting then get low rings , if your gun has iron sight and a low ring height would be desired then a 2.5-8X Leupold like Fjold recommended would be better due to the 38mm objective.

[kayaker]

I have a Leupold Vari-x II 3-9 x 40mm on my 30-06. A few years back I was hunting with freind who had a very nice ( expensive) swarovski 50 mm scope on his rifle. At dusk we were comparing scope brightness. His scope was noticably brighter in the fading light, the difference gave him the ability to make a shot more than 5 but far less than 10 minutes to make a shot before it was too dark. It's a tough call, is the extra size, weight and expense worth it?