Help with a scope

[Bert Gamble]

Hello,

I am planning to buy my first hunting rifle and want to buy a scope at the same time. The rifle is going to be a 30-06 for going on a pig hunt, and maybe deer some day.

Could you please tell me what power of scope is good. I have no experience in this and would hate to be at the mercy of a sales person.

Thanks

[G-Man WC]

Can't go wrong with a good all a round 3x9 40mm. You don't need top of the line optics but then again I would not slap on a Tasco or Baraska scope. I'm not sure what your budget is but look into something like a Nikon or Bushnell in a mid priced scope in the 200-300 range should do it. You need to factor in what range your going to be using it for and spot and stalk or sit and snipe.
I bought a Nikon buckmaster 4x12 that I'm happy with for range plinking. It's big and heavy, but its for off the bench shooting.
-g

[CSACANNONEER]

What range do you really plan on shooting? If all your hunting will be in dense brush and you'll just be shooting 100 yards or less, any optics or irons will do. Otherwise, I would suggest a 4-12 over a 3-9. The difference between 3x and 4x isn't much but, the difference between 9x and 12x can be huge. Don't be cheap. The general rule of thumb is to spend the least you can to get a rifle that will shoot to your expecttions and then spend as much as you can afford on quality optics. Clarity, light gathering capabilities, etc are things that can quickly make or break a hunt. Is buying a $200 scope instead of a $1200 scope really worth missing out on that trophy animal or missing out on enough meat to feed your family for a month? In the end, it's your call. I'm cheap and do have some cheap scopes on different rifles but, I also have some $2K scopes and know the differences. In the end, if I use a cheap scope during a hunt, I have no one but myself to blame if I can't see in low light conditions of my scope fails.

[Bert Gamble]

The only info I have on distance is the guided pig hunt website that I went to said have a rifle that is sighted out to 200 yards, and I know I will need a scope at that distance.

I really havn't put a budget amount for it. I think I spent about $900 for the Eotech and magnifier for the AR 15. I am pretty sure that one won't work for this application though.

I suppose if $500 will get a decent one, that would be fine. I don't need to get a trophy animal, and my food is usually hunted at Safeway. This is more for the experience, and my son wants to go and hunt something.

For the pig hunt, we are supposed to use quads, so weight won't be as much of an issue as it would if I had to walk around.

So a 4X12 can see farther than a 3X9? That sounds like the better option.

[CSACANNONEER]

So a 4X12 can see farther than a 3X9? That sounds like the better option.

Not exactly. A quality piece of glass can see farther than a cheap piece. I've seen some 10X scopes that can see crystal clear at a mile and some 100X scopes that are blurry (I'm not talking about mirage) at 100 feet. On two scopes or equal quality and clarity, the larger magnification CAN help you determine your POA a little more precisely than one with lessor magnification. OTOH, the higher the magnification, the smaller your field of veiw is. Chances are, while hunting 200 yards or less, you'll be keeping your scoped dialed down to around 5X or 6X.

Why don't you go to your local range, hang out and ask a fw people about the optics on their hunting rifles. See if you can look through a few different ones in different light conditions. A little experience will go a long way in helping you choose the right scpoe for you.

[jukeboxx13]

i have a 3x9 on my my 300 win mag..my dads old gun and he has killed deer at 300 yards with it..and its and old 150 dollar scope from the late 80's..a pig should be no problem with a 3x9 at 200 yards

[razr]

3 x 9 x 50. Stay with a good brand, 500 - 700 would be a nice set up!

[Coyotegunner]

I love rifles with scopes and own several.Narrowed the 3-9 scopes to quality,price.Under $500-Zeiss Conquest,Burris Signature,Leupold VX3,Nikon Monarch,Weaver Grandslam.Under $300-,Leupold VX2,Nikon Buckmaster,Weaver V.Under $200-Burris Fullfield,Nikon Prostaff,Weaver V sometimes.Around $100-Simmons Whitetail.I left out Redfield and I know Leupold owns them.I have some older ones that are good,but have no warranty,so buy a Leupold.These are all good,with factory warranties that you should never really have to use.Watch out for demo/refurbish units/most have only a 90 day warranty(Are you reading this Nikon).Buy from a reputable company,and if you do not mount it,they will take them back.Over 30 years of scoped rifles(Had a few wrecks),have told me Burris and Leupold have great factory support.Hope this helped.

[HK Dave]

Good rule of thumb... your optics should cost more than your rifle.

Almost any bolt action will run moa.. without good glass and rings, you just made that moa gun into a dog.