Scope question

steelheadslayer · 03-06-2009, 07:29 PM

I'm planning on buying a buddies .243 without scope. What would be a good scope that won't run me out of house and home for it? It's primary use would be coyotes and possibly deer. Bobs has a Nikon 3-9x40 for $159.99. Would this be good or are there better values for a little more but not too much? The gun is a Ruger if that makes any difference.

gottafish · 03-06-2009, 07:55 PM

I just put that Nikon prostaff 3-9 x40 scope on my 336 30-30. Put about 40 rounds thru it and she's holding 1" at 100 . I like it!!

Its got a lifetime warrentee as well. I mounted it with Leupold mount and rings total out the door was $211.00. Cheers Rich

SImudBogger · 03-06-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelheadslayer

I'm planning on buying a buddies .243 without scope. What would be a good scope that won't run me out of house and home for it? It's primary use would be coyotes and possibly deer. Bobs has a Nikon 3-9x40 for $159.99. Would this be good or are there better values for a little more but not too much? The gun is a Ruger if that makes any difference.

Thats a good choice. For $200 you could put a leupold rifleman on it, for $230 you could get a leupold VX-1.

steelheadslayer · 03-06-2009, 08:14 PM

He's letting the rings go with it so my expenses are just for the scope. I'll look at the Nikon pretty close tomorrow.

gottafish · 03-06-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelheadslayer

He's letting the rings go with it so my expenses are just for the scope. I'll look at the Nikon pretty close tomorrow.

VX-1 is a great scope as well, thats whats on the 7mm. I like that as well

SImudBogger · 03-06-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelheadslayer

He's letting the rings go with it so my expenses are just for the scope. I'll look at the Nikon pretty close tomorrow.

If thats the case then i would step up to a leupold

dogrunner · 03-06-2009, 08:53 PM

Wouldn't hesitate to use the Nikon At that price I think I'll get one for my Ruger no. 1 22-250

DAB · 03-06-2009, 09:23 PM

I have 2 - .243's both with Bushnell 3200 scopes on them They are real clear. Many a hundred rounds with them and no problems what so ever.
You wont go wrong with a Leupold either.

DAB

4th_Point · 03-07-2009, 02:43 PM

I will second the recommendation for the 3200, although I do like the Prostaff for the money.

The Rainguard on the 3200 and 4200 really works. Its the only scope I'll put on a hunting rifle these days. You can't fog the lenses, which is a huge advantage to me. To be more specific, the lenses can fog but you can still see through it.

Quaka Wacka · 03-07-2009, 03:46 PM

I like the Bushnell 3200's. Either that or a base model Leupold.

rrust1 · 03-07-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SImudBogger

Thats a good choice. For $200 you could put a leupold rifleman on it, for $230 you could get a leupold VX-1.

I moved away from any scope that doesn't offer a lifetime warranty. Most important here, for me, is NO FOG in the rain. I have Leupold VXI and VXII and a Burris that all function very well in W. Oregon and have lifetime warranty. Spend the extra $80-150 to avoid fogging and warranty issues.

Check other threads on this board and you will find that Leupold is fantastic and no complaints on Burris (Colorado Co. with similar warranty policy.)

biederboat · 03-07-2009, 05:19 PM

I can't vouch for Nikon scopes but I have had problems with warranty issues on their binos, not the best service at all. Never had a problem with Leupold warranty, they even checked out a scope I bought at a garage sale, a really old Mountaineer or something like that.

Biederboat

sidewinder · 03-07-2009, 09:43 PM

All of the above...I am partial to the elite's on guns that don't kick.

duckslayer · 03-07-2009, 09:59 PM

I have elites on all my rifles including my 300 wsm, I hand load some pretty lethal loads that pack a punch and it (elite 4200) comes back to zero every time, best scopes for west coast hunting IMHO!

Huntin'Around · 03-07-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelheadslayer

I'm planning on buying a buddies .243 without scope. What would be a good scope that won't run me out of house and home for it? It's primary use would be coyotes and possibly deer. Bobs has a Nikon 3-9x40 for $159.99. Would this be good or are there better values for a little more but not too much? The gun is a Ruger if that makes any difference.

I just got a gun with a Bushnell elite series 4x12 40 mm. Lifetime warranty and waterproof. Really a nice setup, it has a focus feature also on the front lens. Check em out. It came on my gun but im pretty sure it retails for around 200. If your going to is it for yotes you might check out leupold fixed 10 power.

steelheadslayer · 03-08-2009, 06:57 AM

One more question. I can get a Elite 3200 off ebay for $218. It's the 3-9x50. Does the 50 make that much more of a difference than a 40? I really like the BDC reticle of the Nikon, kinda takes the thinking part of it away for where to hold at longer distances. Does any other manufacturer have that feature?

sidewinder · 03-08-2009, 07:05 AM

A 50mm will draw more light, but I don't like mounting a stanley thurmos on guns I plan on carring very far. I do have the 50mm's on a few varmint guns. They are nice to look thru.

billc_sbio · 03-08-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelheadslayer

One more question. I can get a Elite 3200 off ebay for $218. It's the 3-9x50. Does the 50 make that much more of a difference than a 40? I really like the BDC reticle of the Nikon, kinda takes the thinking part of it away for where to hold at longer distances. Does any other manufacturer have that feature?

I'd say keep this in mind.

The 50mm Objective buys you ~10-15 min. during "low light" times at first and last light, dawn & dusk.

So IF you really need this, then 50mm is what you want.

However AFTER that first/last few minutes there won't be any real advantage to the larger Objective.

The disadvantages to the larger Ojective are:

Typically MORE $$$

Larger/heavier/more bulky/awkward

The Scope has to be mounted Higher off the rifle, which usually is not preferred.

A larger diameter Objective section of the scope is easier to dent/damage than a smaller diameter section.

Those are the trade offs.

The Exit Pupil "rule" is to take the Objective Lens size and divide it by the magnification. The "Ideal" Exit Pupil number is 7mm, which is as wide as a young/healthy eye's iris expands to.

Older eyes tend to max out at ~5.5mm so they may not benefit much by the extra light passage of 1.5mm more exit pupil diameter.

During typical daylight hours most ppl.'s eyes contract to ~5mm, so an Exit Pupil of 5mm is ALL your eye can use once it gets "light" outside.

duckhunter · 03-08-2009, 11:10 AM

Leupold, you won't find better customer service and there scopes are high quality.

4th_Point · 03-08-2009, 12:02 PM

The Elites also have the "Elite Warranty" which means you get to try the scope for 1 year and if you don't like it, Bushnell will give you your money back. They carry a lifetime warranty as well.

steelheadslayer · 03-08-2009, 05:41 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys. I've decided on the Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 with BDC reticle. I have some Cabelas points and gift certificates to use so I will order tomorrow to take advantage of the $5 shipping rate that expires tomorrow also.

scottishsetter · 03-08-2009, 05:48 PM

Good decision.

On the 50MM have you priced the Ruger rings lately? Could get a Leupold for what they're asking.