Just got in the line for a Tikka T3X 6.5 Creedmoor from Whittaker's and now I'm thinking about possible scopes. I'm hoping to stay around $700 and there's so many to choose from.
This rifle will fill truck gun duties, hunting whitetails, hogs, coyotes out to 300 yards; punching paper, busting rocks and ringing steel out to 500 or so.
Probably will use Talley rings.
What would you spend your hard earned money on?

StarchedCover

SWFA 3-9 is my $.02

Yes.

Picked up a 20 inch Stainless T3x CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor a couple of months ago with the same use in mind. I went with a SWFA 6x and couldn't be happier. Most accurate factory rifle i"ve ever owned. Shoots everything from factory 143 ELD's to handloaded 123 Scenars under an inch at 100yds easy.

GK

Lots of leupold vx6 2-12 advertised right around that price range right now

I'd give the Vortex Razor HD LH a try. They look like a quality hunting scope for a decent price.

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thats a helluva suggestion too I have a 1.8-8 on a lightweight rig and I LOOOOVE it, alot of guys run the 2-10x40 and love theirs just as much!

I put a Sig Whiskey3 on my 6.5 CM. It is the 3x-9x40 duplex. The scope included a free turret made to your specs so I had one made up for the Hornady 129 gr load.
Currently $119 at Cabelas.
https://www.sigsauer.com/store/whiskey3-3-9x40-mm.html

I recently acquired a Tikka 3x Lite in 7-08. Scoped it with a Swaro Z3 2.5-10x42 with a plex reticle. Mounting is via a Recknagel rail and Recknagel rings. Trigger adjusted to crisp 2.5 lbs. Scope and mounting are very solid and I recommend them for the 3x Lite.

Scope was acquired from Cameraland at about $100 less than other sources I shopped. Free shipping and no sales tax. Not my first Z3, which is a perfect scope for a relatively lightweight rifle. Great optics. Also have been very satisfied with Recknagel products. Have used their mounts on several rifles.

I believe you could acquire a new Z3 in 3-9x36 for ~$700. Recently saw a used one in the 'Fire classifieds. Asking price was $650.

While there are Leupold VX-6's around in the $600-$700 range, I think that a 30mm scope of that size would be a bit too bulky for a T3x Lite. A compact scope such as a 1" Z3 is more in keeping with the trim lines of the 3x Lite.

I have an older Tikka T3 in 7mm-08 that I recently re-scoped and, like Shortmag, I chose an SWFA 6x42. I too am very pleased with the scope and was suprised that the few extra oz's of added weight made little difference in the balance or perceived carry weight of the rifle.

leupold #170702
VX3i 30mm 4.5-14 x 40 side focus CDS
I got mine $475 out the door.

You should be able to find a Sightron SII Big Sky 3-12 for less than $500. I had one with the HHR reticle that I would easily set beside a Leupold VX3.

Leupold FX-II 6x36 for your needs.

I've Tikka'ed SWFA 10x and M8 6x42 M1's. Like them both but would rather not use the SWFA for schlepping around so the M8 would be it.

I put a VX2. 4-12 on my Creedmoor. Good match for the ballistics, and nice scope for the price.

I've got a meopta 3.5-10x44 on one of my creedmoors.

In DNZ mounts. I tend to like the one piece mounts.

SWFA 6X will do all that you ask. SWFA, LRHS, or NF NXS if you want a variable.

I have the same scope on my Tikka T3 superlight sitting in Talley Extra lows. It is an awesome scope for sure and I really like the HHR reticle for shooting and hunting. The objective clears the barrel (just barely) ....you may find the lows to be a better fit for this scope.

Thanks for all of the replies. There were several that I may have overlooked before this thread.
I think I have it narrowed down to:
> Leupold VX5-HD 2-10x42 (looked through a VX6 and VX5-HD this past weekend and really liked the VX5-HD)
> Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 (have a couple older A - Series and AV's and they have been very good)
> Vortex Razor HD LH 2-10x40 (a great price @ Cameraland , just not familiar with the brand beyond a low end model for kids 22RF)
> Tract Toric 2-10x42 (like the T-Plex reticle, haven't looked through one yet but have looked through their 10x42 Toric binoculars which are excellent)

Did give serious thought to the Nightforce SHV 3-10x42 but after looking through one with the IHR reticle not enough to break the budget.

Still planning to use Talley low rings.

Thanks for your suggestions.

StarchedCover

Well, you know I'm going to be a little biased...

You have a great list there and choosing one is always tough. Just a few little reminders on the Toric:

-4" constant eye relief. That means no choking up as you dial up.
-Schott HT glass and fully multi coated lenses. Normally not found until you hit that 1100-1200 price, thanks to our direct business model.
-Comes with capped turrets as well as a high profile elevation turret that the shooter can switch out whenever they want.
-Zero stop feature on high profile turret
-Turret reset to zero feature
-Customized turret to your load is available


If I can help in any way, feel free to shoot me a message!



My Toric 2-10x42 w/ Tplex last year in SA on a Rem 700. A little bit of a poke on a Blesbok.

Something middle of the road, nothing over 3.5-10 and mount the objective facing forward.

Thinking a Sightron 3.5-10x44 lRIR MOA-3 or a Athlon Ares BTR 3-15x50

The first answer was the right one

I've got:
T3 SL 223 with a 4.5-14x 30mm LR
T3 SL 30-06 with 2-12x VX6 Illuminated
T3 CTR 6.5 creed 3-18x VX6

The VX 6 offers a lot for the weight and size. I love them. Considering switching the 4.5-14 for a vx6 2-12x. I recommend getting a VX6 if you can swing the cost.

If you're looking at a Vortex Razor HD I'd recommend you call SAS at Whittakers. I don't think you'll find a better price....

What Cypriss32 said.

I have three of the Leupold VX-6 2-12X42 on game rifles from 243 Ackley through 338 Win Mag.

I have tried several other 'scopes but keep coming back to the Leupold VX-6 2-12X42.

Some were more expensive - much more expensive. They offered nothing over the VX-6 optically.

I have had no mechanical issues with mine.

A hunting partner has two - and I watched him use one to make a 420 yard perfect hit with a 300 Win Mag on an Antelope buck.

On sale now at a lot of places the 2-12X42 is an incredible value.

And yes, the VX-6 3-18X50 on my 6.5 CM is just a durn near perfect match for my uses.

Best

I got a great deal on a Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 with the 4a reticle.
Thanks for all of the great input, lots of good choices.

StarchedCover

Like peas and carrots.