Hunting Scope Recommendations

[Househusband69]

Apologies if this should go into the Hunting forum, please let me know if it should and I will move. I am going hog hunting in November for the first time ever and was wondering if there were any rifle scopes you could recommend that is durable and won't break the bank. Or would I even need a scope for this? Looking for something $500 or less but willing to go up to $1000 if it is really worth the extra money and it can be used for other purposes (other game, distance shooting). The extent of my scope knowledge is the Leupold Mark 4 from the military as well as the Remington 700 my friend sold me which has one of these on there; he said everything is dialed and not to touch it LOL.

I know this is not ideal, but I was thinking of just using my M1A Loaded 22" for this upcoming trip; I have a Sadlak mount for it I would ideally like to use to mount this scope (please let me know if I need a different one for this function). I'd love to buy a new rifle (who doesn't) just for this but I just wanted to try hunting before I drop money on another setup. My 700 is 26" and already has a B&C stock that makes it quite heavy to lug around.

My main purpose at this time is to try it out and just have some fun with the boys. Any recommendations or advice is greatly appreciated since there are so many options out there. Thank you all!

[Kevin11mee]

The Mark 4 should be a nice scope. What are the specs? The M1A will also work fine for a pig. What is it chambered in?

[MJB]

What's your binocular set up?

Gotta find them first!

I like Ziess for clarity and light transmission. I can see out to 100-75yds with no moon light. 3x9x40 or 44

What ever you do talk to camerlandny.com they know it all and they have demo sales.

[Househusband69]

@kevin11ee: M1A is .308/7.62x51. I can't remember the Mark 4 specs but I believe it is 10x40mm, I'll have to check once I get back home to San Diego this Saturday. Thank you for the help!

@MJB: You are absolutely right! Excellent point, we do have to have to find them first LOL. Total rookie move but we are having one of those guides who you pay take us out so I am not exactly sure what he'll be using. It's probably better that way seeing as none of us have ever been hunting. I will definitely talk to camerlandy.com! Thank you so much for your help and insight as well!

[Trapper]

Why not ask your guide how much hiking to expect and what the average distance would be for a shot opportunity? My guess is that hiking will be minimal and shots would be well under 200yds. If that’s the case, either rifle would be fine for a first hunt.

[theLBC]

i tend to suggest calling doug at cameralandny.com, give him your budget and what you want to do...let him offer suggestions and go from there.

[newbutold]

Hog hunting varies.....when the hogs chase a dog back to its daddy, a scope isn't necessary.

[Kevin11mee]

A .308 with the Mark 4 will do just fine on a guided pig hunt. You can upgrade things later if you think you'd like to hunt more.

[DrewTheBrave]

i tend to suggest calling doug at cameralandny.com, give him your budget and what you want to do...let him offer suggestions and go from there.

Hard to go wrong here. Doug knows his stuff, and offers deals that may not be advertised on the CamerLand website.

If your Rem 700 is "dialed in" it might be better to take that on your first hunt, since your buddy seems to have a lot of confidence in it. Whatever you take, PRACTICE with it as much as possible beforehand!

[middleofnowhere]

If you were in the military, I suggest you sign up for Leupold’s .mil/leo discount. It is significant and will allow you to buy two quality optics per year at a heavily discounted price.

https://www.leupold.com/learn/core-communities/vip-programs-info

For an M1A, I’m not familiar enough with that type of rifle to recommend a scope for it. For Remington 700 with the Mark 4, it’s probably an excellent set-up, but heavy as you mentioned.

I would recommend you get familiar with the 700 and carrying it around. A lot of guys carry heavy long range rifles in to the field, it’s just something you have to do. Heavier weight often translates to a very accurate rifle with some of these set-ups.

As you become more familiar, maybe save some money and increase your budget for more of a modern lightweight hunting rifle.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

What's your binocular set up?

Gotta find them first!

I like Ziess for clarity and light transmission. I can see out to 100-75yds with no moon light. 3x9x40 or 44

What ever you do talk to camerlandny.com they know it all and they have demo sales.

What are you actually seeing if there's no moonlight (assuming that means it's actually dark out).

[Trapper]

https://www.leupold.com/learn/core-communities/vip-programs-info

+1 on the Mil/LE discount. Nightforce and Vortex also offer discounts.

[Skip_Dog]

Tagged. I just bought a $1k Leupold 5. I should have looked into their Mil discount program. I have to send it in for warranty, maybe I should asked about it when I send it in.

[Househusband69]

Wow! Excellent advice all! I will definitely take heed, thank you all so much!

[JamesCC]