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Hi everyone, I'm looking for a new scope to put on a Howa 7mm-08 around the $1000 mark. I currently have a ranger 3-9x42 but it's proving difficult to get a good shot at 100yrds or more. I had someone with some experience do some shots with me and suggested that the scope may be a bit of a clanger. I'm happy to replace it with something better and was looking for some recommendations.
Happy to stick with 3-9 or maybe stretch to to 4-12
Many thanks
Ash
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I quite like using my Nikon Monarch 3-12x42 on my 7mm08. Seems pretty well matched.
Leupold VX 3 3.5-10 with a CDS turret would be my pick of new scopes. Otherwise keep your eye out for a good secondhand deal.
This would have been ideal https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....3-15x42-43013/
I have run one of these for a few years now, and they perform very well.
There’s a Bushnell 6500 2.5-16x42 on Tardme that’s worth a look at $800. A good quality 3-9x40 will also be fine for 7mm08.
Out of all mentioned this would be my pick. Or a little Z3. Nice clear and light as.Quote:
Originally Posted by stug
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If not looking for a dialing scope, the likes of bushnell elite and burris fullfield are pretty good for around 450.
aetchell
Would be a good for you to decide on the specs first, otherwise you can end up going around in circles chasing your tail and risking buying something you actually realise later is not what you needed. 3-9x can be quite limiting on a 7mm.
The type of hunting you expect to do should drive the decision. The 7mm-08 is very versatile so you have lots of options from close in woods shooting to some open country medium-range stuff. My regular open country do it all rifle is a Howa in 243 and on that I run a 4-16x44. I would not be able to accept a maximum of 9x mag on that rifle it’s just not enough
So yeah have a think about what you want to do with this rifle and go from there. 3-12x, 4-16x, those mag ranges would make very good use of the 7mm-08 ballistics.
or if you're largely a bush hobbit and value compact/ light weight, a VX3 2.5-8 x 36 is a good choice. The Z3 Swaro as someone said is also a good choice.
The former on my 7-08 Bushpig is no probs on deer up to 350yds.
That's for all the advice so far everyone.
Anyone had any experiences with Ranger scopes? They are pretty cheap but as a newbie I don't quite understand what then problems are with cheap scopes. Glass quality, shock and weather proof etc. Can the reticle slightly shift after each hit if it's not capable of absorbing the recoil shock. This is what seems to be happening with mine. I'm not the greatest shot but the placement is too wild. An experienced shooter also had the same result.
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If bush hobbiting I would get a cheapish (500) compact scope and chop to17-18 inches with a suppressor.
Put your scope bases on with blue loctite on the screws. Some put a smear of bedding compound under as well.
Get some shooting bags for bench rest shooting.
I found Nathan Fosters info on shooting helpful as well as an American NRA shooters digest book.
Shoot 200 rounds over the next few months and then tell us about your sub MOA howa:thumbsup:
@aetchell, what are you planning on using the rifle for ? different answers to your scope question for hunting and gong shooting for instance.
old rule of thumb is to spend at least what you spend on the rifle on your scope. VX3i 3.5-10 CDS + Windplex is a good lightweight option.
It's for recreational hunting, pig, goat (for the dog) and hopefully one day deer. I don't plan on shooting at long range for a long time as I need to get some experience etcQuote:
Originally Posted by ebf
It will be a mix of bush hunting, open scrub. Jack of all trades, master if none. My main concern is getting the rifle accurate.
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I recomend a vx5 2-10x42 cds for your needs, it will do all you'll ever need and last a lifetime
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I second this. Slightly over your budget but one of the best value hunting scopes out there. Quality glass, good warrantee, and awesome turret system.Quote:
Originally Posted by BRADS
Taihape sports is the place to buy.
This or a z3 swaro.
@aetchell. I suggest before you do anything at all, first remove the scope and check the bases mounting and rings. If possible, once you are certain the bases and rings are secure, retry your groups. If they still awry then borrow a scope, mount it and try again. If still awry, then take the rifle to a gunsmith and have it checked over. Could even be something as basic as loose action screws, dirt in the barrel channel etc. Pretty sure those Redfield ranger scopes will be replaced by the dealers if your the original owner and they are found to be faulty.
ok Im going to put fly in ointment..... how far are you looking to shoot those animals???? you can do all that to 2-300 yards with a fixed 4 power..people did it for years and the tops hunters might be using fixed 6 power..... now we all have vary powers and forget the simple things.Ive got an older m8 4power leupold and for sub 200 yard stuff it is great for sub 50 yard stuff it is AWESOME. my other rifles wear 3x9 and one now a 4x12( cause the price was right) all are leupolds all are reliable.
a grand is twice what Ive paid for any of them.
having doubts about scopes is a pain in the arse and will create issues where you 2nd guess yourself all the time and confidence goes downhill.
it sounds like you are still finding your feet in the hunting game???? so maybe havent done a lot of shooting at past 100 yards???? when you starting out youve got buck fever/shakes to add to the mix and a lower power scope makes this look less than a high magnification,so you dont stress so much.9x has been more than enough for deer out to 350yards so far.
set scope on 3 and go hunting,find resting animal across gully,find rest and THEN AND ONLY THEN crank scope up a bit more so you can "place shot" in smaller area of the shoulder-aim small miss small. animal jumps up at 50 yards and you will be able to find it on 3x
Ive killed over a dozen scopes on my main rifle over the years....the leupolds havent let me down yet.
spend some time shooting paper and if thats getting boring try filling up 2 or 3ltr milk bottles with water and pop them suckers...really good fun and boosts confidence no end...if you can hit one of them you can hit vitals of game at same range...dont forget to pick them up when youve finished.
+1 for what @Micky Duck said. I ran a 2-7x36 Kahles on my 7mm08 for several years. Absolutely fine out to 400 yards and super good in the close stuff. If you are thinking of spending up to the $1k mark then be patient and wait for some quality euro scopes 2-7 or 3-9 to come up 2nd hand. Often they will go for $7- 800 mark. Buy the very best quality glass you can, the low light performance is the most important factor you should be focussed on. Also invest in good quality rings, like Burris Zee rings.
Yea a quality 3-9 will do you fine, I run a 3-10 and no problems shooting deer at 600y.
The leupold brads suggested would be a great scope, you just need to look after it, I killed a couple of scopes when I first started out just from being a rough cunt
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+2 @Micky Duck
I have just got back from goat hunt and shot most of my goats @ 3-5 x zoom (distances from 100yds out to 270yds) it's amazing how little zoom you actually need for good shot placement.
I spent quite a bit of time shooting at little black circles on paper thinking I would need so much more zoom to hit an animal but in fact if your rifle is shooting straight and you are confident it shoots where you point it less zoom is better especially for fast target acquisition if your quarry decides to move
+3 don't over scope. Better good glass and low power than high power and poor quality glass.
I shot a lot of goats and bush deer with a 2.75 fixed power post & rail.
I have a Nikon Monarch 1-4x20 on my 358 win and I can easily see my bullet holes at 100 mtr.
Have a look at the Nikon range. I have 3, 2-8x36, 4-16x44 & 1-4&20. The 4-16 is on my 243 as a tops / Range rifle.
The Nikon Prostaff or Monarch range. (Not the higher end Monarchs).
Bushnell 4500
Leupold VX3 range. (Personally I think they are over priced but lots of people swear by them)
Then you have some of the entry level euro's, Minox, Meopta (spelling).
Zq
ed. Last year shot a Tahr at 260 meters and found myself winding the 4-16 down to aprox 8x to find them.
another thing to consider is reticle I had a vx3 CDS 3.5-10x40 Leupy and whilst it had great clarity and low light performance the reticle (fine duplex) just didn't work for me.
I know run the vortex equivilant of a fire dot and whilst it probably doesn't have the low light performance of the Leupy it works for me and my groups have improved substantially.
sometimes it really just depends what works for you.
and as mentioned decent rings like burris Z rings are good without breaking the bank.
here you go @aetchell. This one would be worth checking out - the firedot is brilliant in the bush and low light.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/hun...9a9ac197d06e6c
Heard some good reports about the glass in the Vixen range of scopes. Don't know how good they are in the rain etc but meant to be not to bad even in the budget models
That point re recitals is also important.
My 2-8x36 has a fine Duplex type BDC setup and is great during the day but when I used it for spotlighting possums etc it was hard to pick up the fine cross against a dark background (Black possum).
For some reason it appeared a little greyer rather than a crisp black like my other 2 nikons
My advice is: if you want quality at a good price - get a Leupold VX3. They flat out work (9 times out of 10).
If you're after something a bit fancy (e.g a Euro scope), save up a considerable amount more and buy the very best. Don't go half way.
I've had a lot of trouble with the mid-range 'entry level' European scopes. Yes, they've got great glass, and the manufacturers use it as a main selling point, but corners are cut in non-visible areas (I.e reliability of turrets, durability, water/fog proofness etc).
Nothing sucks more than seeing crystal clear misses! Mechanical reliability should be the first priority, and glass second.
Just my opinion though. :)