Help deciding on new rifle optic for CO Elk

[co_archer]

Hi All,

I am in the market for a new rifle for hunting Colorado Elk next month. This will be my first hunting rifle as outside of waterfowling, I have traditionally been an archery guy.

As it will be my first hunting rifle, I'm not looking to break the bank. I believe that I have decided on a Tikka T3x Lite in .300 win mag. Now the decision of what to top it with.

I think I've narrowed it down to three similar, albeit slightly different scopes. The Nikon Monarch M5 3-12x42, the Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44, and the Maven RS.2 2-10x38. I have shot Nikon cameras (love 'em) I have a Vortex rangefinder (love it) and I have Maven Binos (love 'em)

I have yet to have any hands-on time with any of these scopes. But for you out there that know more than me, what are your opinions on the aforementioned optics, based off my choice of rifle, and knowing that I'll be hunting CO public land elk?

Thanks for reading!

 

[gr8fuldoug]

You should also consider the Steiner GS3 2-10x42. German optics assembled in Colorado. Great scope

 

[co_archer]

You should also consider the Steiner GS3 2-10x42. German optics assembled in Colorado. Great scope

Thanks! I'll take a look

 

[ChrisAU]

In that price range take a look at the SWFA 3-15x42...just got an MOA FFP one yesterday for my elk rifle and was very impressed with its performance at low light yesterday evening, its built like a tank but not too heavy, and it's tracking/return to zero reputation precedes it.

 

[co_archer]

In that price range take a look at the SWFA 3-15x42...just got an MOA FFP one yesterday for my elk rifle and was very impressed with its performance at low light yesterday evening, its built like a tank but not too heavy, and it's tracking/return to zero reputation precedes it.

Thanks will do!

 

[idahohikker]

In that price range take a look at the SWFA 3-15x42...just got an MOA FFP one yesterday for my elk rifle and was very impressed with its performance at low light yesterday evening, its built like a tank but not too heavy, and it's tracking/return to zero reputation precedes it.

I’d go with an SWFA as well.

 

[Tufrthnails]

If you go with the viper be sure to verify you like the eyerelief. I have the viper 3.5-10 and the eye relief is right on the edge of being to close on top of my .270. And that win mag would have a bit more thump.

 

[W1bowo]

You should also consider the Steiner GS3 2-10x42. German optics assembled in Colorado. Great scope

+1

 

[Forest]

I'd vote for the nikon or maven out of those 3. Honestly find a deal and get it mounted asap. You've got a lot of shooting to do in a short time before season!

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

 

[co_archer]

I'd vote for the nikon or maven out of those 3. Honestly find a deal and get it mounted asap. You've got a lot of shooting to do in a short time before season!

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

Good advice. What I like the most about the Maven is that it's the lightest out of all of them...by a substantial margin. So the whole setup will be light. My only concern maybe being too light for .300.

 

[hipshotgunslinger]

I bought 3 of the Nikon Monarch 5 3-15's when they were being clearanced out and I love, love, love them. I have a couple of the 2.5-10 & 4-16 Vortex HS's and while they are pretty good, they just don't have the wow factor of the Nikon to my eyes. Another scope that is an awesome buy right now on Amazon is the Vortex Razor HD LH 2-10x. I have the 3-15 Razor HD LH on a Tikka T3 Lite 300 win mag and it is a great combo. Those scopes are like 12-13 ounces I believe and the recoil is no problem with the light gun/scope combo, unless you shoot it a dozen times or more. The glass is way better than the Viper HS series and made in Japan. One other fantastic scope is the Meopta Meopro line. I have a handful of them and they make me smile every time I look through them. Beats my 5 yr old Zeiss conquest handily.