Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics One Favorite Hunting Scope?

I've seen lots of threads about singling out "just one rifle" and even asked myself about using just one bullet; but I don't recall seeing anything about narrowing down to just one scope. If someone settled for just one rifle and just one bullet for all-around hunting, what scope would you guys put on it? Let's say that means the typical deer/elk hunting that most participate in.

This forum seems to be pretty pro Leupold and pro fixed power. How many of you would pick just a 4x or 6x Leupy over the many good 3-9ish variables out there today?

I have a beautiful 30-06 featherweight, the rifle I've lusted for since I was a little kid. It currently wears a nice 3-9 variable in Talley's. I know that this is a capable and versatile setup, but a little part of me can't help but think it would suite the rifle to mount up a 6x36 Leupold in dual dovetails...

My vote is a 2.5-8x36mm, 3-9x40mm, or 3.5-10x40mm variable with some sort of turret on top. I know lots of guys like 'em, but fixed power scopes just don't do it for me.

Seven Miller, this is what I did with one of my favorite rifles. I'm assuming it looks much like your 30-06 fwt, but mine isn't really "beautiful", just damn functional.... ..I'll also tell you this much, it wears the most expensive scope I've purchased to date....Just put it on today too, I think I'll be pretty happy with it (Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44 in steel talleys):



Again, this is my favorite rifle with a scope I just purchased used here on the fire. Thanks again 257 Oh and a side note: I don't do 4x and 6x scopes....Nuff said...

Leupold 2.5-8X, B&C crosshair. I've used one (not necessarily the B&C) on everything from rimfires to a .357 mag bolt action to a .338 RUM, however, I think the perfect home for one is a .257 Roberts.

Tom

You steered me towards those all those years ago <g> and it was good steerin'.

I really love them on short action rifles. With my unusual preference for head position, eye relief is at a premium, and the 2.5-8's shorten up a bit too much for my taste at full power. Anyway, the 3-9x40 Conquest really rocks my world on long action rifles.

bsa, I was a little kid in the 90's, so the rifles I lusted after had schnabel stocks and that distinctive checkering pattern. Don't burn me at the stake for saying this, but I've never taken much of a liking to the old pre-64's.

I will say that your rifle looks more proportional that mine did when I mounted up a 3-9x40 Conquest. That scope just seemed a little big for the rifle. Also, the eye box on the Conquest just doesn't suite me. I find myself adjusting my head position when addressing the rifle. And to my eyes at least, the optical difference between a Nikon Monarch, Elite 4200, or even Fullfield II and a Conquest aren't all that great. Those are my three current favorite scopes, but I've never used a Leupold.

Personally, I think the choice of scope matters more than the rifle under it. At least given that the rifle under it is accurate. Particularly if you use monometal bullets I think this is even more true, there is much less difference in performance between calibers if that's what you're shooting.

For glass, give me a Euro 1.5-6x42 and I'm happy. The brightness and the clarity you get easily give you a much better sight picture than even 10x until you get to VX-III class glass. The FFP reticles are great for shots to 400+ yards and as close as 25 feet. They're not fun to pay for, but damn they are nice to use.

Ah ha...I get ya now...Newer rifle with a schnable forend, maybe like this one? :
This one has a leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 with CDS. If I had to suggest a good leupold scope to someone, I'd suggest this one as it is truly great:




I also run the same scope on my Extreme Weather model 70....

Swaro PH 3-12x50 with TDS reticle in the FFP.

Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 with CDS sitting in Talleys. I could roll an M1 turret as well.

+1 on the rifle, the great wood and the glass.

First rate X3.

DF

Yes, bsa, like that one. Mine is also one of the 2008 LE's. The walnut was too good for me to pass up. I sure do like the look of those dual dovetails...

I usually go vx-3 3.5-10x40 on LA rifles and vx-3 2.5-8x36 on SA rifles. I also have a couple of 3-9x40 conquests on LA rifles that I really like as well.

Your post and your thread question are not the same. I will answer the thread question.

One Favorite Hunting Scope? Swarovski z5 5-25X52

It has more field of view than my Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30 on the low end. It is great in low light and is lighter than the other high magnification scopes by a bunch. Presently it is mounted on a Savage .257 Wea in Burris Signature rings.

You have a point. I just meant to get the discussion rolling and added my general thoughts that got me on the subject. Sorry.

I really like the new Leupold VX-2 3-9X40. Light and bright.

Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8x32. Best hunting scope I've ever used.

What MShuntfish said:

Swaro PH 3-12x50 with TDS reticle in the FFP or the same scope now by Schmidt & Bender.

I do have a passion for Zeiss Diavari 3-9X36, but A Z-6 is truly great, but still more money than 4 of my Diavari's...

Z6 1.7 - 10x42 with TDS or S & B Klassic 3 - 12x42 with TDS.