Need a Scope Before October—What Would You Choose?

[B_Reynolds_AK]

This rifle's primary purpose is hunting eastern whitetail in the mountains (max ~200 yards).

that joker is like carrying a ladder through a hallway lol. Its incredibly unbalanced and unwieldy.

Cut & thread that barrel down to 12”

 

[UncleNommies]

Cut & thread that barrel down to 12”

Would that be possible on this Ruger American fluted barrel? I've never had a barrel cut or threaded.

 

[Choupique]

No reason you couldn't. Chop it, turn down past the flutes, and then thread it. I believe people here do it all the time.

 

[KenLee]

Tasco has to be at the very top of the list, followed closely by Bushnell and Simmons. Don’t rule out Barska, BSA, or Centerpoint though.

Is it April 1st?
I will say I've had a few really reliable Japanese Tasco and Busnells over the last 46 yrs.

 

[KenLee]

I'd go with the Leica amplus 6 with 4a reticle and small illuminated center dot. 2.5-15x50.
On sale at Eurooptic.com and much better glass than anything in its now $1200 price range. Also call Doug at Cameraland to see if they have any demos.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Would that be possible on this Ruger American fluted barrel? I've never had a barrel cut or threaded. View attachment 1090605

Oh yeah, a competent gunsmith could do that no problem. Might have to thread 1/2x28, but that’s no issue to use an adapter for your suppressor. Zero practical reason to carry around a long barrel for close range work.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Id say $1800 and less, but if I can get a quality scope and spend less, that's more monies for a suppressor!

Maven r1.2 in mil

 

[Turkeytider]

Looking for some help deciding on an optic for my 7mm Backcountry I just put together.

This rifle's primary purpose is hunting eastern whitetail in the mountains (max ~200 yards). I also want the capability to take it out West and confidently stretch things out for extended range shots if the situation calls for it. Ive looked through the Quick Reference .pdf for Drop Test Results and almost settled on the Maven RS1.2 2.5x15x44, but see it's gone up in price and appears to be recommended less on here due to that increase. I don't think I like the reticle on the SWFA 3-9, but I've never looked through one. If I didnt need this mounted on my rifle and sighted in before Oct. 18, I would hold out for the S2H ZeroTech.

My priorities are:
• I need the scope in hand before October.
• Reliable, repeatable tracking, holds zero.
• High-quality glass.
• The lighter, the better.
• Durability (it'll see rough mountain use)

In all honesty, I am illiterate when it comes to optics. I have no preference or choice, I just want it to be robust and survive the abuse I put my equipment through. The "most expensive" scope I own is an Arken EPL-4. I bought it for a .308 because it was on sale, but I actually like it. I would definitely like a quality scope on this rifle, my budget is flexible if the scope truly earns it.

If you had one scope to buy, what would it be? or buy a less expensive scope and get in line with the S2H?

I like my Arken scopes too, but they’re awfully heavy. Since my guns are range rifles that’s actually good, but I wouldn’t want them on rifles that I would be hauling on long treks.

 

[Dave Thomas]

What about taking the scope off your 308 and using it until the s2h scope comes in?

 

[UncleNommies]

I'd go with the Leica amplus 6 with 4a reticle and small illuminated center dot. 2.5-15x50.
On sale at Eurooptic.com and much better glass than anything in its now $1200 price range. Also call Doug at Cameraland to see if they have any demos.

Thank you for the recommendation!

 

[Chris in TN]

200 yard eastern whitetails?

I'm putting a $465 Trijicon Ascent or Huron 3-9 or 3-12 on that .308 of yours and trading the 7mmBC for something - anything - that makes more sense. lol.

 

[UncleNommies]

Oh yeah, a competent gunsmith could do that no problem. Might have to thread 1/2x28, but that’s no issue to use an adapter for your suppressor. Zero practical reason to carry around a long barrel for close range work.

I may have to go this route! Thank you for the info!

 

[UncleNommies]

Maven r1.2 in mil

This scope is definitely high on my list right now!

 

[UncleNommies]

I like my Arken scopes too, but they’re awfully heavy. Since my guns are range rifles that’s actually good, but I wouldn’t want them on rifles that I would be hauling on long treks.

That's where im at. I've have zero complaints with my EPL-4 other than the weight!

 

[UncleNommies]

What about taking the scope off your 308 and using it until the s2h scope comes in?

This thought is in the back of my mind as well! Even considered just buying another Arken for the time being!

 

[UncleNommies]

200 yard eastern whitetails?

I'm putting a $465 Trijicon Ascent or Huron 3-9 or 3-12 on that .308 of yours and trading the 7mmBC for something - anything - that makes more sense. lol.

200 yard average is a sample of the terrain I hunt 75% of the time. I also hunt 300+ acre corn fields and 150+ acre clear cuts occasionally where I'm able to stretch it further. The .308 does the job just fine, I can't deny that!

The 7 BC does makes sense to me. I have a compact rifle even with a suppressor, it's lightweight for my style of hunting, and it will still launches heavy for caliber bullets at higher velocities than my .308 out of a 16.5" Proof PXT barrel.