Recommended scope for a Ruger m77

[rational_behavior]

Beginner hunter here. I have a new Ruger m77 chambered in .308 Win. This rifle does not come with iron sights, so one has to buy a scope to use it. I intend to use it to hunt in the west, mainly pigs and deer, so I guess that would mean relatively open country at middling distances?

I'm not sure where to begin as far shopping for a scope. I'd hope to pay less than 300 bucks. Is that reasonable for a rifle of this quality and capability? My understanding is that I want relatively moderate magnification for the combination of this platform and my purposes.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Brush Guard]

Under $300.00 and for hunting?

I might go with a fixed power like from SWFA.

https://www.swfa.com/optics/riflescopes.html#magnification_by_group=Fixed&promotions=Lowest%20Price%20Ever

[MongooseV8]

Something light. I would urge you to spend more and get a decent Leupold.

[Preston-CLB]

I'll second a Leupold. For the distances you are plan on shooting I'd suggest 3-9 or 4.5-14.

I have a Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40 and Leupold steel rings on my Savage .223 bolt rifle. Works great!

Be sure to add in the cost for the mount and good quality rings. Leupold has a "Ring Guide" on their website that will help you choose the correct rings for your rifle and scope.
-P

[Preston-CLB]

I'll second a Leupold. For the distances you are plan on shooting I'd suggest 3-9 or 4.5-14.

I have a Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40 and Leupold steel rings on my Savage .223 bolt rifle. Works great!

Be sure to add in the cost for the mount and good quality rings. Leupold has a "Ring Guide" on their website that will help you choose the correct rings for your rifle and scope.
-P

[theduracellbigd]

I am also a Leupold guy for my hunting rifles. Vortex diamondback and Leupold Freedom are two decent scopes in your price range with a lifetime warranty. Both scopes are lightweight and streamline without big turrets which is good for hunting. 3x9x40 is the best variable range for your rifle and hunting applications. I personally have the Leupold VX3i on my deer rifle, however I have looked through the diamondback and freedom and they are of decent quality.

[rational_behavior]

This is the kind of feedback I was hoping for, thanks. I will say that the M77 came with scope rings so I suppose that's taken care of.

[MongooseV8]

Factory rings may or may not work depending on the specific scope you choose. I personally try to get as low as possible for a good cheek fit.

[theduracellbigd]

Factory rings may or may not work depending on the specific scope you choose. I personally try to get as low as possible for a good cheek fit.

Generally speaking , as low as possible is good advice, especially with a rifle with stock design for a gun made with iron sights. I have noticed on newer rifles made with no iron sights, the stock is designed for a scope, so cheek weld is not an issue with medium/standard height ring height. I would guess that the Ruger factory rings will be designed for a good cheek weld, and a 40/42 mm objective scope will fit like a glove.

[Preston-CLB]

Be sure to check the scope tube size of the Ruger rings. It would be a bummer if the scope you buy does not fit into the rings properly.
-P

[Divernhunter]

Factory rings and a 1" tube scope. I would spend a bit more and get a Leupold VX3i in 3.5X10X40 with a duplex reticle and sight it in 2.75" high at 100 yards. Then just hold on the animal and you will have meat in the freezer. I have about 10 of these scopes and have them on about 8 Ruger M77 rifles.

[FeuerFrei]

Beginner hunter here. I have a new Ruger m77 chambered in .308 Win. This rifle does not come with iron sights, so one has to buy a scope to use it. I intend to use it to hunt in the west, mainly pigs and deer, so I guess that would mean relatively open country at middling distances?

I'm not sure where to begin as far shopping for a scope. I'd hope to pay less than 300 bucks. Is that reasonable for a rifle of this quality and capability? My understanding is that I want relatively moderate magnification for the combination of this platform and my purposes.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

If you're not familiar with terms and features this will help you.

https://scopesfield.com/choose-the-best-rifle-scope/

Once you know how/what to look for in a scope you can cull out the stuff you don't need and get the most efficient scope for your uses. Then it comes down to price.

[Trapper]

A Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x40 would be perfect for a 308 hunting rifle. With that caliber and lead free bullets I’d recommend keeping shots under 350 yards to ensure reliable expansion and a 10x scope will easily make it to 350yds.

[Kevin11mee]

I'll give you a bit of hope and tell you that my dad killed a whole garage full of big game in the west with cheap Simmons scopes, so a cheap scope CAN do it but you have to become a good enough rifleman to make that happen. He also used a flat-shooting .270 pushing 130 grainers around 3100-3200 fps. At that price, forget about dialing a scope. You need to learn your load and how to compensate within your reticle for both drop and wind. A .308 will certainly be challenging for this task as it pushes low BC bullets pretty slow. You want magnification around the 3-12x range. I'd look for a Leupold as others have said.

[rational_behavior]

If 300 Bidenbux in the year 2022 is unrealistically low for my platform, what should I budget for? Keeping in mind my parameters: newbie, moderate distances, .308, western states. Of course it goes without saying that caveat emptor, YMMV etc.