I don't know a d@mn thing about scopes...

[_Scooter_]

Buying my first rifle. Have only owned handguns and shotguns in the past (and currently), but never owned or fired a rifle. Getting into hunting and will be buying a Tikka T3x Stainless (yes, I know...boring!) in .30-06. Now I need to pick a scope.

Was considering this Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40 (30mm) https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-3i-4-5-14x40mm

The shop I was at earlier recommended the Leupold VX Freedom 6-18x40 (30mm): https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/vx-freedom-6-18x40-cds-30mm

Here's the two compared side by side. Honestly I don't know enough about scopes to even be able to discern the pros and cons of each. I attempted to get an answer from the cranky salesperson at an LGS on the differences between the two and was just told to get the VX Freedom. I asked if it would make sense to go with VX-3i and get less magnification for a higher end model since they're basically the same price wise and couldn't get a straight answer from the guy aside from, "it depends what you want to do with it." Despite explaining my intentions with the rifle (start off hunting deer and hopefully wild hogs, eventually moving up to larger game and would like to get up into the mountains, but don't have any grand visions of this happening overnight and assume most of my opportunities at first will be at pretty close distances), I still couldn't get a solid recommendation of one over the other.

These are both within my budget and can even spend a little more if it meant a better scope, but keeping all that in mind, whatever I end up getting and putting on top of the T3x, both the scope and the rifle will be way more accurate and capable than myself.

Here's a comparison of both scopes side by side:

 

[Jagger0502]

Where will you be doing most of your hunting?

The power on those scopes seem very high if you are hunting wooded areas or out East. Even in the western states it’s tough to zero down for a close shot with a 6x scope. The 4.5 would be better than the 6 in most scenarios. But if I had to recommend a scope size it would be a 3x or 4x at the most which will set you up for any normal shot both East and west hunting, woods or open field hunting.

 

[OldGrayJB]

Between those 2, I'd choose the first one for the lower magnification. It's a skill to raise a rifle and find your target in the scope. High magnification shrinks your field of view. Turn one of them up to highest power in the store and, and look through it. You'll see what we're talking about.

 

[bsnedeker]

Agree with the above. One of the mistakes I made when buying my first scope was thinking I needed maximum magnification. What I've found over years of shooting is that I'm almost never at max mag. even when taking long shots. I'm good out to 500 yards on 10-12x. When I hunted in Minnesota (thick timber) my longest shot ever was 80 yards and I did that on 4x.

 

[_Scooter_]

So probably something closer in a 3-16x or even 3-9x range would make more sense?

 

[Browninglover1]

4.5-14x is an awesome magnification range for hunting. I shot a prairie dog at 1400 yards using approximately 14x so it'll do the job just fine on big game.

 

[_Scooter_]

4.5-14x is an awesome magnification range for hunting. I shot a prairie dog at 1400 yards using approximately 14x so it'll do the job just fine on big game.

But will the trade off be a super narrow field of view up close? Being a novice, I'm kind of understanding what previous posters are saying (at least I think I'm understanding) that it can be "too much of a good thing" so to speak. No way I'll ever be shooting out to 1400 yards with a .30-06, coupled with the fact that I'm new to rifles, so 1,400 feet ain't happening, and guessing most of my shots (at the range and while out hunting if I'm lucky enough to get a shot at a deer) will be at pretty close range (couple hundred yards if I'm being optimistic, right?)

Since the first number is the least amount of magnification the scope will allow and coupled with the fact that I'm new and this isn't a long range rifle it seems like ti would make sense to start with a 3 or 4x-?

 

[_Scooter_]

Maybe this is a more practical choice: VX-3i 3.5-10x40 https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-3i-3-5-10x40mm

 

[Tikka300wsm]

What’s the max range you’re going to shoot at? Are you going to dial or just holdover?

 

[_Scooter_]

What’s the max range you’re going to shoot at? Are you going to dial or just holdover?

In English, please. don't know what dial or holdover is.

 

[Kenn]

I have a 4.5-14 and it's great, but I only use it where I expect longer shots. A very simple 3-9 scope would serve you much better. I can comfortably shoot 400 yards with 9x. I think that people often get too high of power for hunting, but if you are target shooting it's a different story.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

3x9 or 3x10 will be plenty of scope for years to come. Out to 500 yards you’ll do fine. At least I have never needed more... I can’t comment on the specific scopes you’re asking about, but others on here will know more. I like your thinking of higher quality scope, lower magnification.

 

[_Scooter_]

3x9 or 3x10 will be plenty of scope for years to come. Out to 500 yards you’ll do fine. At least I have never needed more... I can’t comment on the specific scopes you’re asking about, but others on here will know more. I like your thinking of higher quality scope, lower magnification.

Thanks for this.

 

[_Scooter_]

Since it seems like I'd be better off with a lower power scope, the next question is do I just get something like a Vortex 3x9 or is it worth shelling out for something more expensive in that magnification range? Again, I don't mind spending more and I'm budgeted for more, but if it's not going to make a huge difference at this point, it would be nice to out that money toward other gear.

 

[Ndbowhunter]

i’d go with an swfa 6x

 

[Browninglover1]

But will the trade off be a super narrow field of view up close? Being a novice, I'm kind of understanding what previous posters are saying (at least I think I'm understanding) that it can be "too much of a good thing" so to speak. No way I'll ever be shooting out to 1400 yards with a .30-06, coupled with the fact that I'm new to rifles, so 1,400 feet ain't happening, and guessing most of my shots (at the range and while out hunting if I'm lucky enough to get a shot at a deer) will be at pretty close range (couple hundred yards if I'm being optimistic, right?)

Since the first number is the least amount of magnification the scope will allow and coupled with the fact that I'm new and this isn't a long range rifle it seems like ti would make sense to start with a 3 or 4x-?

4.5x is plenty usable on the low end. I think the 2-5 power on the low end and 14-18x on the upper end makes a super versatile hunting scope.

 

[OldGrayJB]

You'll be happy with that Vortex, or the Leupold 3x9 or 3.5x10. If you're not shooting long range you don't need a 30mm tube. 1 inch tube will be fine. I prefer a 50mm objective lense. They're heavier and more expensive than the 40mm but I think it's worth it.

 

[SDHNTR]

If you don’t know what dialing or holdover is, you won’t be doing it, so moot point. Buy the best you can afford. I’m not a fan of Vortex until you get into the Razor series. Best warranty, though you’ll likely need it with the cheap lines. The Leupold VX3I 3.5-10x40 is a fantastic all around scope for the guy who wants to sight in his rifle and go hunt, without getting fancy. That’s what we all did not long ago and it seems like many of us have forgotten. I killed my first elk at 328 yds with a Leupold 3-9x. It’s still on that rifle and still works well!

Another scope in that class that I actually think is the best of the bunch is the Meopta Meopro. Definitely worth a look.

you also don’t need a 30 mil tube if you won’t be dialing turrets, so stick with a 1” tube and save the weight.

 

[brettdunn7]

If you don’t know what dialing or holdover is, you won’t be doing it, so moot point.

Dont think that’s necessarily true. Seems he is trying to learn so may be something he learns about and starts trying out. Everyone has a starting point. I’ve never done these two things and never really got into learning much about a scope other than buying one I like throwing it on the rifle, sighting it in, and then going hunting. However my next rifle I’m getting this year in researching scopes and learning these techniques and others for long distance shooting. Will be going out with a friend who is a sniper for his SWAT team and shooting quiet a bit.

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[Usi05]

I went with the Leupold for my western rifle. I went with Vx-3i 4.5-14 cds 30mm

What my decision boiled down to was

1) fact that every Leupold I have had is money but I’ve never owned one bigger than a 2-7 bc I grew up hunting UP

2) cds system allows for custom dial which makes it easy since it will always be my western rifle and the range of elevation is +-2000 ft.

3) has a zero stop. I tried a bigger vortex scope and it was heavy and didn’t have a zero stop.


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