AusVarmint

Heya's.. Afetr a few opinions on a scope for my Tikka Laminated SS 30-06.. Its currently wearing a Nighteater 4-16x44 but im not sure of the quality of it on a bigger calibre so am thinking of moving it to my 250 and getting some new optics for the 06..

Mosty of the work will be close range (dear and pigs) but id still like something that will allow me to make the longer shots.. And its gotta look "sexy" on the laminated stainless barrel (with stainless mounts)..

Any Reccomendations welcome! Thanks!

My 30-06 wears a Leupold VXII 3-9x40, pretty much spot on for a hunting rifle IMHO. If money was no object, you could possibly step up to some better quality glass in same mag range.

Depends on your price range mate. I had a VX1 3-9x40 on my 30/06 and never had a problem with it.

30/06 and 3-9x go together very well.

Price will dictate quality.

For under $1k you can get a new Kahles in from the USA. Seriously - you can't get better value than that.

For around $500 you can pick up very good quality 3-9x scopes from alternate suppliers that deal in brands like Hakko, Nikon, Meopta or Sightron.

Anyone used the Nighteater? are they much chop?

Rumpus wrote:Anyone used the Nighteater? are they much chop?

I had a 1.5-6 one on a 375H&H for a while. It worked OK and survived the recoil quite well. I ended up taking it back after 6 months as the optical abberation in the image finally annoyed me. The scope was clear in the centre 50%, but out to the edge from there became blurry. This problem existed from the start, but I ignored it.

I wouldn't buy another one.

I prefer to buy better quality 2nd hand scopes over medium quality new ones.

Im in love with Trijicon scopes, they provide realy good eye relife clear glass and the reticles have to be seen to be belived, they are fast to get into action and brilliant in low light.

Not cheap though.

If you are after a good scope on the cheap i have a Sightron SI 3-9x40 that is 6 rounds old. Has box, cleaning cloth and all the gear. only selling as im going to Trijicon's on my deer rifles.
Looking for $200 plus post on that scope

Horsely Park were advertising some pretty sharp prices on AHN for Bushnell Elite 3200's and 4200's in 3-9 that would definately be worth some consideration.

Decided to lift the price bracket a bit to $700..

Looking at a 4.5-14 and a 3-9 vx3 Leupold...
How do the vx2's compare to the vx3's?

Would like a silver scope as i have stainless barrel and mounts, but Im not paying the extra dollars they want for a differant finish when the internals are the same..

What else is in this price range that would be a good option?

Mate follow James270` advice. I have a Bushnell 4200 3-9x40 That has been on my 308 for nearly 4 years and is still at the original zero.$365 from Horseley Park is damn cheap.Plus IMHO it is every bit as good or better than a VX-111

Rumpus wrote:Decided to lift the price bracket a bit to $700..

Looking at a 4.5-14 and a 3-9 vx3 Leupold...
How do the vx2's compare to the vx3's?

Would like a silver scope as i have stainless barrel and mounts, but Im not paying the extra dollars they want for a differant finish when the internals are the same..

What else is in this price range that would be a good option?

Mate for the specification Leupold scopes are overpriced.

Look hard at the 4200 deal from HPGS, then look hard at it again. As MISSED has pointed out (and I agree with him) the 4200 series scope is everything you need.

adamjp wrote:....I prefer to buy better quality 2nd hand scopes over medium quality new ones.

Exactly what I was about to suggest. I recently fitted a 1.5-6X Schmidt & Bender to my 338WM. I got the scope for a square $1000-

Find yourself a good secondhand S&B, Pecar or Kahles.

Regards

Sean

At $700AU you should be able to get a bushnell 6500 2.5-16x44 landed from the US.
I got one on its way now. Gives you the best of low powered zoom with the best of high power zoom (as far as hunting scope go, not high when compared to target)
Down side 30mm rings are needed so could add upto $150 more to the scope price to mount it.

Sean Ambrose wrote:

adamjp wrote:....I prefer to buy better quality 2nd hand scopes over medium quality new ones.

Exactly what I was about to suggest. I recently fitted a 1.5-6X Schmidt & Bender to my 338WM. I got the scope for a square $1000-

Nice pickup.....and far better than any Leupold - let alone one you can find for $1000.

What does $1k buy you from the Oregon Golden Ring club these days?

Well here we go again, I picked up a Bushnell 3200 5-15 of a mate, Its brand new, was put on a rifle and barley used.. Will give it to me for a good price if i want it..

How would it compare to the Nikko Platinum Nighteater??

If the nighteater will hold up ok on the 30-06 then the 3200 can go on my 22-250, or should i swap em round, or get keep looking for something better?

Too many decisions...