FNG from Greater Denver

[dcmsideshow]

Hi All. Checking in from just outside of Denver (Arvada).

I'm a noob to the forum and a noob to shooting in general. Last time I shot was about a decade ago, and before that, it was just shooting a .22 at boy scout camp.

So I'm wide open to advice.

I would like to hunt elk. Have my eye on a Tikka T3X Lite Stainless, in a lefty version since I'm a southpaw.

I'm totally overwhelmed by how much a good scope costs! If anyone has a recommendation for a good scope that isn't crazy expensive, I'm all ears.

 

[Lou (Louis)]

Welcome to the Rok!

 

[Jenrya219]

Welcome!

 

[eddielasvegas]

As the self-appointed chairman of the welcoming committee, it is my privilege to extend a laurel, and hearty handshake (virtual, of course) to our new CO member.


Eddie

 

[nw nm hunter]

Hi All. Checking in from just outside of Denver (Arvada).

I'm a noob to the forum and a noob to shooting in general. Last time I shot was about a decade ago, and before that, it was just shooting a .22 at boy scout camp.

So I'm wide open to advice.

I would like to hunt elk. Have my eye on a Tikka T3X Lite Stainless, in a lefty version since I'm a southpaw.

I'm totally overwhelmed by how much a good scope costs! If anyone has a recommendation for a good scope that isn't crazy expensive, I'm all ears.

You will get the itch and enough will never be enough lol. Arken EPL4 is a good starting scope for the money if you want turrets etc to learn on. I also like the vortex venom for the price. My favorite midrange through is the athlon midas tac gen2

 

[dcmsideshow]

Right on, thanks for the recommendations!

 

[Hnthrdr]

Howdy fellow west sider, I was raised in A-town live in golden now. Just read some threads, soak it all in. There are a lot of decent options under 500 bucks for a solid hunting scope. Don’t think that spending money equals success, it doesn’t. You can get outfitted for relatively cheap and kill stuff with inexpensive solid gear that just works. Fitness and determination are far more valuable than just fancy gear

 

[dcmsideshow]

Howdy fellow west sider, I was raised in A-town live in golden now. Just read some threads, soak it all in. There are a lot of decent options under 500 bucks for a solid hunting scope. Don’t think that spending money equals success, it doesn’t. You can get outfitted for relatively cheap and kill stuff with inexpensive solid gear that just works. Fitness and determination are far more valuable than just fancy gear

Nice. Thanks for the tips.

Out of curiosity, where do you go to practice shooting? Are there any 100+ yard ranges close by or do I need to get ready for a long drive?

 

[Hnthrdr]

Nice. Thanks for the tips.

Out of curiosity, where do you go to practice shooting? Are there any 100+ yard ranges close by or do I need to get ready for a long drive?

Nothing close that’s 100+ I usually shoot rocks in the NF usually an 1.5 hour drive does the job so not too far

 

[SkeeterMcgiblet]

I was in a similar spot 2 years ago and stumbled into a t3x in 308 (cheap ammo to practice was the idea) and a trijicon huron 3x12. Awesome cost effective combo if second focal plane / bdc reticle works for you. I've since moved to a Maven RS1.2 "dialing" scope so I could start stretching out and competing in long range matches. Depends totally on how much you want to nerd out but I do think this road does lead to a fancier scope like that, holding over gets old fast

 

[SkeeterMcgiblet]

For ranges I think your best bet for an official range is way east at CO Rifle Club but I think they are private

 

[dcmsideshow]

I was in a similar spot 2 years ago and stumbled into a t3x in 308 (cheap ammo to practice was the idea) and a trijicon huron 3x12. Awesome cost effective combo if second focal plane / bdc reticle works for you. I've since moved to a Maven RS1.2 "dialing" scope so I could start stretching out and competing in long range matches. Depends totally on how much you want to nerd out but I do think this road does lead to a fancier scope like that, holding over gets old fast

Yeah, I was just over at a buddy's house and his scope is a $1,200 deal. It looks incredible and is way better than what I'm looking at, but my budget is...well, tight. So I think I wanna start less expensive now and hope I stumble on a bag of money later.

 

[SkeeterMcgiblet]

Yeah, I was just over at a buddy's house and his scope is a $1,200 deal. It looks incredible and is way better than what I'm looking at, but my budget is...well, tight. So I think I wanna start less expensive now and hope I stumble on a bag of money later.

That’s totally fine too, I’d highly recommend a trijicon Huron / Ascent, you could probably snag one for $400 on here for a bdc set up

 

[dcmsideshow]

For ranges I think your best bet for an official range is way east at CO Rifle Club but I think they are private

Yeesh, that's a haul.

Have you gone to the range that's up near Mt. Blue Sky? I've heard about it but know nothing about it.

 

[dcmsideshow]

That’s totally fine too, I’d highly recommend a trijicon Huron / Ascent, you could probably snag one for $400 on here for a bdc set up

Good to know, thanks. I'll keep an eye on the forums.

Since you had the setup I'm looking at (for the most part), what other must-haves should I look at? Like, smart-money things to ensure a good experience?

 

[SkeeterMcgiblet]

Good to know, thanks. I'll keep an eye on the forums.

Since you had the setup I'm looking at (for the most part), what other must-haves should I look at? Like, smart-money things to ensure a good experience?

Having a set-up you can trust is priceless, well actually you can put a price on all the ammo you’d waste chasing your tail with a crappy set-up but you should be able to avoid it. Next would be a strong focus on fundamentals so you can trust your shots enough to learn from them.

- Reliable rifle / action: something that doesn’t jam, is accurate enough (most are nowadays it sounds like, 1.5 moa or less 10rd group) and can be trusted in the field. Rokslide will guide you to a Tikka and I will too, although I’ve also heard good things of the Ruger Americans

- Caliber: Assuming hunting is the goal, 6.5 creed or 308, cheap enough to get a ton of practice in and terminally affective without kicking the crap out of you (you don’t want / need a magnum, prc)

- Scope mounts: if you go tikka just bite the bullet and get the Unknown Munitions tikka rings, extremely solid and trustworthy. The last thing you want while at the range / comp / hunting is the thought in the back of your head if that little bump caused a zero shift

- Scope: look at the scope evals, buy something that passes them. This is the place to put the most money. Trijicon Huron / Ascent is probably the cheapest and best that I know of for a SFP / BDC. This will get you out to 3-400 yds. Past that I’d highly recommend the Maven RS1.2 if possible and you’re up to learning to dial and learn mils

Edited to add SWFA, I don’t have any experience with them but those who drink the rok-koolaid say they’re great. Probably your best bet for a scope

- Ammo: find a reliable practice ammo close to that 1.5 or less moa so you can trust your shots and can make corrections. I learned the hard way with cheap bulk ammo that made me feel like I had Parkinson’s

- Training: YouTube will only get you so far and $500-1000 here can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Suck less so you can believe the bullet and learn from each shot instead of wondering what happened

- Suppressor: optional but will make shooting so much more enjoyable for yourself and others

 

[dusky]

Welcome from Longmont! If you are fine with a used Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40mm, I'd sell you mine. I just upgraded to the VX5 for the custom dial. Otherwise the VX3 was fine and I killed lots with it. Erie's Green Mill Sportsman's Club has a low cost rifle sight in that's open to hunters every year before the season. But for general practice I either go up to the mountains or make the trek up north to Great Guns and practice there. I'd suggest starting low cost and local and as you get more serious and more money, expand and upgrade. Nothing beats knowing the land you're going to hunt inside and out so get out and have fun exploring.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Yeesh, that's a haul.

Have you gone to the range that's up near Mt. Blue Sky? I've heard about it but know nothing about it.

It’s 100 yards, buddy of mine lives in Idaho springs, it’s fine but nothing to write home about

 

[Wizzum]

Hi All. Checking in from just outside of Denver (Arvada).

I'm a noob to the forum and a noob to shooting in general. Last time I shot was about a decade ago, and before that, it was just shooting a .22 at boy scout camp.

So I'm wide open to advice.

I would like to hunt elk. Have my eye on a Tikka T3X Lite Stainless, in a lefty version since I'm a southpaw.

I'm totally overwhelmed by how much a good scope costs! If anyone has a recommendation for a good scope that isn't crazy expensive, I'm all ears.

SWFA if you aren't made of money. Be done with it, revisit later when you have more money. Tikka, SWFA, and practice will take you far. Good luck, also around the great denver area

 

[atmat]

Welcome from another Denver area guy.

Tikka + SWFA 6x and be done with it.