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Posted: 9/24/2015 9:50:29 PM EDT
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I'm needing to pick up a scope for a new Bushmaster 308 ORC. What I am interested in using it for is a woods hunting rifle. A 1x or 2x on the low end doesn't bother me, but 3x or 4x is fine too. I am not a fan of the tactical reticles like I see on the new 1x6 type scopes. For hunting, I would prefer a "regular" hunting type reticle. These new tactical reticles just seem too busy for a hunting scope.
I have been reading a lot about the Nikon P308/M308 series of scopes and like them. The BDC reticle seems to be nice. I also have a 20" Armalite AR10 and a 24" Savage FP10 heavy barrel. Both these rifles have older Simmons AETEC 3.8x12x44 scopes on them. If this was yours, would you buy a new scope to the 16" rifle or move one of the AETEC's from either the AR10 or Savage bolt gun and get a nicer scope for the one you removed the scope from? I really think I'm overthinking this whole thing and have about drove myself crazy looking at scopes. I've not purchased a scope in several years and there are lots of new scopes and designs out there. I've mostly looked at the Nikon line but am open to other suggestions. I'm wanting to get something in the next week or 2 since hunting season is just over a month away. My preferred budget is ~300-350, although the M308 is $500 but comes with a mount that I will otherwise have to purchase. Is it worth the extra $250 over the P308? What else could I look for for any of the rifles. Moving scopes doesn't bother me at all. The 16" ORC will be a hunting/plinking rifle with ranges up to ~300 yards while hunting. The AR10 and Savage are just for long range fun. I can get out to ~700 yards on my property. Hope this wasn't too confusing. Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions. |
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I understand your concerns about tactical reticles, but BDC reticles are even worse, because they are only right for one particular load and barrel length. I know Nikon has it's "Spot On" ranging program, but any good ballistic software with the more generic and less cluttered mildot reticle is better and adaptable to any ammo, bullet shape, barrel length and muzzle velocity.
If you don't need illumination, consider the very high lens quality of the Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10x40mm scope. It is a MidwayUSA exclusive and priced at only $299. I have one and it compares optically and construction quality to scopes about twice as expensive. If you need illumination, as stated above, consider the Leupold Mark AR series scopes. If you just want a good hunting scope, capped turrets and will be shooting within 300 yards (your specified woods hunting rifle), you do not need any hold over reticle. Leupold's VX-2 and VX-3 line are extremely durable, rugged, no-nonsense hunting scopes that have very good glass and will not let you down. For hunting, I like something like the three post German 4A type reticle or a simple hunting style duplex.. The outside posts are very thick which works great for hunting in low light, but the center crosshairs are fine enough for more precision use. $400 will get you the excellent 2.5-8x36mm Leupold VX-3 with duplex reticle. This is a tried and true pure hunting scope. If you must have a BDC reticle the same scope is available with the "Boone and Crocket" reticle for about $30 more. Scope and mount/rings will easily stay within $500. It you don't need as much magnification there is the VX-3 1.75x6x32mm for the same price. You will see a lot of these scopes in hunting camps and fields and for good reason. Also lugging around a heavy gun is never fun when hunting. Leupold scopes tend to be considerably lighter than just about any one else. These scopes weigh only 11 ounces! I personally find Nikon's BDC reticle to be very cluttered, unnecessarily blocking much of the usable field of view where needed most. The circles are big, and you really can't see much inside of them and that is your aiming point for holdovers. |
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Thanks for the comments. I'll look at some of the others suggested. The SWFA sure looks nice but it's at least a couple hundred bucks above my budget at this time.
Like I said before, this will be a hunting and plinking rifle so I really think I was overthinking about the BDC's, etc. I just need to look at a good hunting scope that once I get it sighted in at about 2" high at 100 yards it will be ready to go. I've chrono'd the load I generally hunt with which is a 165 gr Hornady SST over 43.0 gr H4895 and it runs about 2520 out of the 16" ORC. The same load runs 2690 from the AR10 20" and 2760 from the 24" FP10. Thanks again. |
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