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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 60
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 60 |
After much calculating, second-job taking, and late nights poring over rifle specs, I ordered a new production Kimber Montana in boring .308 (so my hunting partner and I would have the same ammo). I now need to outfit the rifle with a scope and a sling.
I hunt in wide open NE Oregon and up in the timber, with shots from 75-450 yards on big game and coyotes. For these reasons, I have a lightweight Leupold 6x to put on the rifle for a mountain/backpack hunt, but I want a scope for the other 80% of the time, a variable scope.
I'm not a "scope guy" and have always bought Gold Rings because, well, I live in Oregon and Leupold was always "the brand."
What to do for glass? I have $850 left over in my F/Gun Budget, but I'm prepared for the "save $X more and get Y" comments, so I haven't quit my second job yet. 2.5x-8? 3.5x-10? 4.5x-14? Are the VX3i's good to go? I have a VXIII on my .243 and it has served me well for a pile of coyotes, a mule deer, and an antelope. I'm open to the idea of a heavier scope as the rifle is pretty light. Leupold VX-5? Night Force? Vortex? Zeiss? Tract? Help! My head is spinning!
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,742
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,742 |
Mine wears a VX3i 2.5-8 duplex in talley lightweight lows. Perfect fit for that rifle IMO. Last year shot a lasered 342yd buck and had no problems seeing or hitting it.
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,550
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,550 |
You're gonna get a [bleep] of replies/opinions on what's best.....check out as many options as possible and roll with what feels right to you
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,849 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,849 Likes: 3 |
A straight six Leupold has worked just fine for me a lot closer in than 75 yards.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,419
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,419 |
Mine wears a VXIII 2.5-8 duplex in talley lows.
I would prefer a heavy duplex, but not enough to pay to send it to the custom shop.
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 60
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 60 |
Mine wears a VX3i 2.5-8 duplex in talley lightweight lows. Perfect fit for that rifle IMO. Last year shot a lasered 342yd buck and had no problems seeing or hitting it. Thanks! My buddy has the same scope in a VX3 and I'll have to peep through it next time we get together. You're gonna get a sheitload of replies/opinions on what's best.....check out as many options as possible and roll with what feels right to you I should've added that I live out in BF, Egypt and getting to the ol' Sportsman's Warehouse, Cabela's, or other box store plush with optics options is not an easy task. I usually have to mail order blindly, like the Kimber. Not a gunshop within two hours drive had a new model Kimber on the rack, but they were all more than happy to order me one for $1,400 and up.
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,550
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,550 |
Well, what's your desired weight limit for the scope? I'd start there and then decide on how much magnification you need
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,759
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,759 |
Dont overthink it, Support local made in USA and get a Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x36 it will be an excellent hunting scope and will look fantastic on your rifle to boot.....Enjoy!....Hb
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,359
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,359 |
A Kimber Montana 308 and Leupold 2.5-8X36 go together like peas and carrots. I use Talley Lightweights and an Uncle Mike’s Mountain Sling. Just under 6 1/2 lbs. with three 150 grain cartridges and pretty close to perfection in my eyes....
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 60
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 60 |
A Kimber Montana 308 and Leupold 2.5-8X36 go together like peas and carrots. I use Talley Lightweights and an Uncle Mike’s Mountain Sling. Just under 6 1/2 lbs. with three 150 grain cartridges and pretty close to perfection in my eyes.... I'm sold. All the other scopes I was looking at cost quite a bit more in reloading components and gas money for scouting trips. Thanks for all the replies.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 270
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 270 |
Any lightweight, durable scope in the 2-10x range would serve you well. Based on my experience with both of my Montanas (.308, and 280AI), I would suggest a scope with generous eye relief because the light Montanas will jump some and get you if you don't have a very firm grip. I happen to have a silver 3.5-10x40 VX-3 with B&C reticle I've been considering selling. PM if interested.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of SMART???
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,479
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,479 |
As mentioned several times above, the 2.5-8x36 Loopy is a great scope. Also the 6x36 is another small sized scope. I have 3-4 of each I think.
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 5,531
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 5,531 |
I'm a Leupold guy but I'm slowing converting to Nightforce, I'd take a look at the SHV 3-10x42 in IHR on sale at Optics Planet and you might find a 5% off code.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,701
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,701 |
I put a boring Bushnell 4200 Elite in 3-9x40 on mine and couldn't be happier.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,759
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,759 |
I put a boring Bushnell 4200 Elite in 3-9x40 on mine and couldn't be happier. These are also excellent scopes, but for a short action Montana I lean toward the VX3i......Hb
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,701
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,701 |
I used the 4200 because mine is a stainless Hunter and wanted the RainGuard protection, you know, just in case.
There's a ton of good scopes to be used. I had the 4200 on hand so I used it. The balance is just right so that it settles nicely for offhand shooting. That was an unexpected bonus.
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,237
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,237 |
I had a 3-9x36 Swarovski with a #4a on mine, great little scope
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,213
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,213 |
The Vari-X IIc 2-7x33 on my Kimber Montana .308 works very well, and the current VX II version is even better, but I guess if you absolutely have to spend more $ the Leupold 2.5-8X36 is a good choice.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,518
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,518 |
As has been said several times, if you don’t want a fixed six, then the VX III or VX 3 2.5-8x36 is perfection on a short action Montana.
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Doug
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,281
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,281 |
My MT’s have always worn Leupold VX2 2-7x33 LRD’s, FXII 6x36 LRD’s, or VX3 2.5-8x36 B&C/CDS’s...
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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