Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Scope recommendation please

Looking for a scope recommendation.
My son bought a Remington 700 in 30-06.
He wants a VORTEX scope. so please, only recommendations on the Vortex scopes.
He is using it for hunting whitetail in the east.
He will be going to college in Wyoming and plans to use it to hunt elk, mule deer, pronghorn or whitetail or whatever he can get a tag/draw for.

Looking for what variable power scope Vortex offers that would fit his needs. I do not hunt out west that is why I am asking for suggestions.

This is my Christmas present to him so I'm not looking for the most expensive scope they offer, just a good all round scope that will do the job for what is described above.

Thanks

Get a 3x9 power. You can’t go wrong.

I agree with Hanco. I have two 30-06s which I took to Colorado in November on an elk hunt. One has a Burris 3-9x scope, the other has a Zeiss 3-9x scope. Both scopes have stadia lines for aiming at longer distances than 100 yards. In practice, I was able to hit targets successfully out to 450 yards with either rifle using the stadia lines for holdover. These scopes are not overly large or heavy yet allow accurate shooting at game out to sane hunting ranges. They would be fine for hunting here in the wooded east as well.

I like my 3.5 x 10 Leupold CDS scopes, dial cut to load-bullet.

Pretty hard to go wrong with a 3 - 9. If Vortex offers a scope a scope of 4x or greater multiplier... a 2 -10 (or similar) would cover pretty well any environment and game he is likely to encounter. memtb

I would get the BDC reticle and if possible get the top of the line Vortex with the thought it could be a lifetime scope. After paying tuition's you don't want to think about buying another scope too soon.

Just did a price check and some of the razor and other HD models and they are really getting up there in cost. The Diamondback and others are still reasonable though. My point was to not get the entry level Vortex if the budget will allow, but even these are serviceable.

If you have him get something like the Diamondback tactical 6-24x50 FFP and a sunshade long enough that almost reaches the 700's factory open sights you could probably shorten up his learning curve of what he DOESN'T need early so he's able to capitalize upon the rest of his remaining falls in WY.

6 (?) Big game .....not prarrie dogs! memtb

He's dead set on Vortex?

What’s the budget for the vortex? Some great deals out there if you look a bit.

He is strongly leaning towards the Vortex. He really likes what he read about the scope. To just say scope recommendation, there would be a different brand recommended by each poster so I am just exploring what variable power and options to look at with the Vortex.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and recommendations. I want to go one or two up from entry level. The power and reticle suggestions are great. I will do my homework and figure out what my budget is vs. his needs are based on your recommendations

Robster

I would contact Doug at cameraland and see what he has that fits your sons needs and your budget. Doug will get you fixed up!
3-9 or 4-12 is what I would recommend power wise.

Look again, it'll teach him what he DOESN'T need. Don't we see on here an awful lot that folks who've grown up hunting where shots are fairly short suddenly believe they need something just short of the next Hubble to hunt in open country? The itch will have been scratched early so he can learn faster. A high-school kid trying to make a request/decision based off of what he's reading screams big-power, tall turrets, and funky reticles to me. Might as well nip that in the bud early.

This.

Since he’s set on Vortex.

Either that or a straight 6. if available.. Keeping shots inside 500 requires no more. Vortex ain't the only maker...

I do like my Leupold and Tasco 3.5 to 10's for open country tho....

If he is going to hike it, weight and bulk is a factor.

After 50 years at this, any further scopes will likely be 6X fixed, if I can find good ones. It is what I put on my CO son's "beginners" rifle. KISS

diamondback hp 4-12

More game has probably been taken with a 3x9 than any other scope.

Why is your son "dead set" on a Vortex? Another thing, you never said your budget for said scope? I know you said, "only Vortex" but for the money, and imo the Meopta Meopro is the way to go. With that said, I understand budgets as and if you can swing 399 Doug at Camera Land has a Meopta Meopro 3-9x42 that will last your son a lifetime and imo is a better quality scope than any Diamondback or Crossfire.

Also, if you will watch the "classifieds" you can find some really good deals on some high quality scopes...

If he wants a Vortex may need to look else where.

Earlier in the year Doug posted why Cameraland no longer carried Vortex, as I remember it wasn't due to problems just that their prices were too high for the product.

I think they are retailed so low that there is a very thin profit margin for the retailer at least until you get to the Razor and HD's. These are running with the big dogs on price, but not sure on quality as I have only played with the lessor models.

I have a Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50 on my 270 and I love it, but wish I’d gone with the 3.5-10x40 because of the weight

Tell him to get over it. Get a Leupold FX-3 6x42.

Since you are combining east/west, a variable is good. My wife and I both have 2.5 to 8 on our rifles and hunt whitetails in NH and have been west for Antelope/Mule Deer twice. Longest shot was 300 yards, with teh scope at 8, it was fine.

So ask yourself, what is the range he will go to. Go past 300 yards, you might want more magnification.

I was thumping prairie dogs at 200 with mine, this past October we also took 6 animals between us (2 Mulies, 2 buck antelope, 2 doe antelope), shots where from 100 to 260 8x worked fine and we just dial back to 2.5 when hunting in NH where 100 yards is a LONG shot.

Vortex has a wide range of quality and price. If it’s a Vortex he wants, get him the best 2-8x or 3-9x that is in your price range. After all, it is a gift at his request. Don’t buy a kid a Dodge when he really wants a Ford! There is lots of better glass out there so let him figure that out on his own. I’m sure his buddies have a Vortex or he read that it’s the best somewhere else. Make it a great Christmas gift! Happy Trails

If you can get him off that idea, then talk to Doug at cameralandny about 3-9x42 and/or 6x42 Meopta deals.

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

I have a vortex diamondback 4-12 and it is a good scope for what i do/light kicking rifle. I also have Nikon and Leupold and there is less eye relief on the vortex than the other 2. If he is shooter a heavy kicking gun that may play into his decision and he'll want to check out the eye relief.

THISX10

Right!

Diamondback 3-9x40 if you must choose Vortex, personally, I'd go vs freedom.

This all the way.