Best Scope for Western Rookie

[CalebClick]

Flat lander here from KY. Have ventured west a couple times the past couple years to chase elk and deer with archery equipment. Now that I’ve built some points and what not, I’m planning on getting that way with a rifle soon. That being said, I recently purchased a tikka t3x in 30/06 and am needing to outfit it with a scope. My purpose of this gun is to try and make it my do-all western rifle. That being said, I want something that is powerful enough to stretch it out a bit (say 400-500 yards). Im looking to keep it around $500 or less if possible but as with everything in life, I realize you get what you pay for! So that is a flexible $500 budget. I am a rookie to long range shooting as well, for what it’s worth. So I definitely have a lot of practice behind the glass to put in in the coming months. Just wanted to get scope suggestions. Thanks in Advance!

 

[ODB]

the 3.5x10 is about perfect in my opinion. I have them on my 270 and 338. Easy peasy.

 

[Idahobugler]

Vx3 with the cds wouldn’t be a bad option.

 

[displacedtexan]

The Trijicon Huron in 3-12 is a real nice scope for the money.

 

[dieselchessy]

Ive had good luck with the Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12x42 AHMR2 FFP scopes in that price range. They have decent glass and seem to track well. Maybe a bit heavy for a T3X.
Leupold are decent as well and lighter in that price range.

 

[chaser_2332]

Don’t get caught up in high power scopes, with that budget you’re better off with a 10-12 max power that will allow you to get more scope for the money within your price range. The higher power the better glass you need to get the most out of it.

 

[Macintosh]

For around $500 and a scope that’ll be used in the east but also occasional trips where a longer shot is possible, my $ would get spent on a 3-9 trijicon credo with a mil-dot reticle.

Trijicon Credo 3-9x40 SFP w/ Green MIL-Square, 1 in., Matte Black Riflescope 2900042

FREE SHIPPING on Trijicon Credo 3-9x40 SFP w/ Green MIL-Square, 1 in., Matte Black Riflescope 2900042

www.eurooptic.com

Zero at 100, hold halfway to the first dot for 200, on first dot for 300, second for 400. After 300, every 10 yards is a tenth between dots so its easy to estimate holds at odd yardages. Much easier than a yardage-based reticle ime, plus you have wind holds, plus the scope isnt over-magnified at the magnification you can use the reticle, plus its a scope thats still at home where you’ll do most of your hunting.
Most of all, practice.

 

[TheM1DoesMyTalking]

Zero at 100, hold halfway to the first dot for 200, on first dot for 300, second for 400. After 300, every 10 yards is a tenth between dots so its easy to estimate holds at odd yardages.

That's a good breakdown of how you use this reticle. What caliber/chambering is that with? Since it's an SFP scope, what magnification are you using it on for that to all line up?

 

[ElkArcher918]

For your Eastern needs (and occasional Western trips) I'd go with a basic Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40. Sight in 1.5-2.0" high @ 100 yds. and go hunting. I wouldn't bother with CDS and realistically limit your shots to 300-400 yds. The '06 is a pretty versatile cartridge at conventional hunting ranges. For deer I load mine with Barnes VortX TTT 150 grs, elk I'll shoot the same bullet in 168 grs..

 

[freddyG]

If you are going to go out west much, don’t get a Leupold, unless you like to chase zero. The shots are longer, and animals don’t stick around long in open country. The last thing you need is another variable to account for.

 

[SDHNTR]

For your Eastern needs (and occasional Western trips) I'd go with a basic Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40. Sight in 1.5-2.0" high @ 100 yds. and go hunting. I wouldn't bother with CDS and realistically limit your shots to 300-400 yds. The '06 is a pretty versatile cartridge at conventional hunting ranges. For deer I load mine with Barnes VortX TTT 150 grs, elk I'll shoot the same bullet in 168 grs..

There are far better ways to do this. And by your logic, you also have your bullet choice backwards.

 

[SDHNTR]

Trijicon Huron 3-12.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

There are many great options. Please feel free to give us a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss what might be best for you. Your timing is great as Our Biggest Black Friday Event Ever Has Begun

 

[nksmfamjp]

I would look for a ffp 3-9x like https://swfa.com/collections/swfa-s...d-mil-quad-reticle-30mm-tube-1-mil-clicks-ffp.

….or maybe a Vortex Strike Eagle at your price range

….or maybe a Meopta

To be honest, I have owned none of those scopes. The scopes I have in that range are more expensive, but they work. I have boot on the ground experience with the Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 3-15x and the SS 3-15x. Both have been great. Both are going to drive you to the used market to hit your budget.

 

[BurnoutBro]

What is “western” to you. Are you talking hunting on the plains, high desert, cascade mountains? I ask because everything is west from you and I would choose different scope in some of those places. For example cascade range hunting rarely shoots over 100 yards and the hills are steep. I would choose a light weight 3x9 and always hunt uphill from the truck.

 

[ElkArcher918]

There are far better ways to do this. And by your logic, you also have your bullet choice backwards.

How do you figure? Been a hard-core big game hunter in the East and the West 20 yrs+. How do I have it backwards? Care to explain your logic? There's many way to skin a cat, some more ideal than others.