# Rifle scope recommendation desired. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 5, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214 "2003-12-05T19:13:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/1 "2003-12-05T19:13:57Z")
I need a scope to put on a new Ruger #1 in a 7 mm Mag (Rem). The terrain I’ll use it in will likely be diverse, everything from 150 yard shots in mountain timber to 350 or 400 yard shots in the open plains. Sometimes I’ll have a rest, sometimes not and some shots might need to be made while the animal is on the move. What I’ve always used in the past was a Leupold 3 x 9, but always at or under about 250 yards. While it’s been extremely accurate, all one shot kills, I’d really like to dial in a bit closer on the longer distance shots. I’ve tried several out at the gun store but the setting there is nothing like what I’ll encounter in the field. Does anyone have any real life experience with the more powerful scopes at distance? I’m curious about the 3.5 by 10, 4.5 x 14 x 40 or 50, etc. Also, while I like Leupold, suggestions on other brands would be appreciated as well. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/2 "2003-12-05T19:36:58Z")
Nothing to add, but that’s a sweet rifle. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/3 "2003-12-05T19:50:04Z")
I have a Leupold Vari X II 6X18 on a 7mm STW Remington 700 Sendero. I can see through it real well out to 500 yards. Pretty decent scope that won’t put you in the poor house. I use a bipod…this thing is way to heavy to shoot from the shoulder. I can sit on the ground and rest it on my knee, but I prefer prone with the bipod. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/4 "2003-12-05T20:02:51Z")
Will the 6 x 18 allow you to keep a bead on game that’s on the move? Do you ever find the field of view too restrictive? ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/5 "2003-12-05T20:41:06Z")
I was worried about the FOV, but it’s not too tight. At these ranges it’s all I can do to keep on target holding still…the slightest twitch will make a lot of difference. But it’s variable, so you could turn it down and still see plenty for shorter, on the run shots. This thing is about 11 lbs with scope and bipod, so all my shots are taken from a stationary position. I wished you lived closer, I’d let you try it out in a heartbeat. ---
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/6 "2003-12-05T22:49:33Z")
I don’t have anything to add except I bought a Leupold scope for my .22 and I am very happy with it, you seem to get what you pay for in the optics game. unclviny (Thompson Center .22 Classic with a Leupold 4 x 28 “Rimfire Special”) ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/7 "2003-12-05T23:22:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by unclviny \* > **you seem to get what you pay for in the optics game.** Very, very true. So may shooters get conned into purchasing BSA, Leapers _et al._ because they’re so cheap. And boy, are they _junk_. As they say, “When you buy quality, you only cry once.” ---
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/8 "2003-12-06T04:45:52Z")
I am a big fan of BSA motorcycles, but the optics are cheap looking Chinese junk, they try to use the legend of the bikes to hawk the crap they sell now, I actually saw a BSA scope at the range and the rectile spun around every time the gun was fired!. unclviny ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/9 "2003-12-06T15:29:52Z")
I hope you mean the _reticle_ spun. Otherwise, next time tell him to try holding the stock against his shoulder instead of his groin. Actually, the 6 x 18 was pretty intriguing to me except for the fact the salesman (Carter Country) tried to dissuade me from it, saying the movement on the target would be too great whenever I moved. However, since a well sighted gun and accurate placement of shot is paramount, if this potic would still allow me to back it out for closer shots or for target acquisition, it still seems like it might be the way to go. This guy’s preference was Zeiss, ironically the most expensive scopes in the store. Anyone swear by them? And thanks for **all** the comments so far. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@The\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Face)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/10 "2003-12-06T18:50:12Z")
oddly enough, I also have a ruger #1 i picked up last year, 300win mag., SS with laminated stock. I bought a nikon4.5 x14x40(buckmasters series) that I’m pretty dang happy with. crisp clear image,FOV even when cranked up is good , I really like the adjustable objective lens, my only issue is the eye relief but I think I just need to spend more time playing with the scope position in the mounts, when I pull it up I somtimes have to move around a bit to get a full picture. I really like tthis gun/scope combo,but its a bit heavy for humping around or jump shooting with, thats what I keep my trusty old Mod. 70 for, or if its real thick brush during a deer drive, the S&W Mod. 29 in 44 Mag.😃 all this from lovely Cheeseland…Wisconsin. ---
**Author:** ![herman\_and\_bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@herman\_and\_bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/herman_and_bill)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/11 "2003-12-06T19:55:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by unclviny \* > \*\*I am a big fan of BSA motorcycles, but the optics are cheap looking Chinese junk, they try to use the legend of the bikes to hawk the crap they sell now, I actually saw a BSA scope at the range and the rectile spun around every time the gun was fired!. > > unclviny \*\* Actually the legacy was in firearms, as in Birmingham Small Arms. But you knew that didn’t ya? ---
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/12 "2003-12-06T21:24:52Z")
Yes, I knew that (I have been looking for a Beez rifle as I am both a gun and bike enthusiast) but most folks just know the bikes so that’s what I referred to (does anyone have a BSA rifle for sale? (please no Enfeilds). unclviny ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/13 "2003-12-07T01:05:50Z")
I was going to recommend a Redfield Widefield, but it looks like they only go up to 3x9. That’s too bad because they really are nice and have a “30% wider field of view than conventional scopes”. I had one on a Remington Model 7 .243 and it was a dream to shoot. ---
**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/14 "2003-12-07T02:45:20Z")
**lieu** , have you looked at Shepherd’s Scopes? They may be just what you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/15 "2003-12-07T02:52:38Z")
I don’t have a lot to add, except that the Vari-X II is a nice series of scopes… My personal largest scope is a Weaver 3-9x50 (I only shoot whitetail out to about 150 yards). It stays locked once it’s set, and the optics are very clear…If I recall, I paid around $250 for this scope, which was around $100 less than the comparable Leupold. When I looked through both scopes at comparable magnifications, I was very hard pressed to claim the Leupold was clearer - but I may also have a “ringer” in the Weaver scope. I’ve not heard anything bad about them, but I’ve not seen them come up in any reviews, either. For the record, my scope is paired with the following rifle: Steyr Forrester in .30-06. Twisted, hammer-forged barrel on satin walnut stock. Apparently a not-too-common machine, and VERY accurate. With Federal Premium ammo, with 150-gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets, it will make keyholed, covered-by-a-nickel groups at 100 yards. Not bad for a $500 gun, which FAR outclassed the action on a Ruger Mk-II .243 I handled the other day (which was priced around $550). The Ruger’s action _rattled_ when it was open, with all kinds of slop. My Steyr Safebolt action is like greased glass from one end to the other… Yes, I like my gun. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_in\_NM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8baadc/32.png) [@Carl\_in\_NM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_in_NM)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rifle-scope-recommendation-desired/217214/16 "2003-12-07T05:37:50Z")
If you want to dial in the scope for longer shots I’d steer clear of lower priced scopes, as the point of impact tends to shift when you change the magnification setting from that which you used while sighting in the rifle. Personally, I’d stick with Leupold or better because, as another poster already stated, you get what you pay for in the optics area, just my .02.