Need a Scope Before October—What Would You Choose?

[cuerro viejo]

I've read a few instances where to get a good sight picture the Maven has to be mounted far forward in the rings. Have you observed this?

No not at all.

 

[UncleNommies]

No not at all.

Good deal, thank you!

 

[ColPenguin]

I've read a few instances where to get a good sight picture the Maven has to be mounted far forward in the rings. Have you observed this?

The RS1.2 has a very forgiving eye relief. Very similar to the eye relief on both SWFA 3-9 or 3-15. They can be mounted forward to be comfortable to get behind either prone or offhand. Nobody wants it so close that it risks knocking them in the eye socket under recoil.

I could be way out of line, correct me if I am wrong. I think some people may run into mounting problems with certain rings and mounting systems. It depends on where the turret housing falls dimensionally on a particular scope. For example, if one is using dovetail rings that depend on recoil lug position that might really limit position where one mounts the ring. That fixed ring position might not work well with the dimensions of a particular scope. Certain rings, scope and mounting system when combined may not fit well for best function.

I always use a picatinny rail. I have not personally run into this problem of mounting a scope so far forward that it impinges the ring on the outside of a turret housing. A picatinny rail is a part that can come loose, or fail, if not mounted or bonded securely to the action. It is a more flexible mounting system, however.

If you're mounting system doesn't work with a scope. Change your mounting system, not the scope. Rings and rails are cheaper than scopes.

 

[WRO]

I just quickly looked it up on Eurooptics and that's awesome, 2.5-20 zoom with a 50mm objective lens.

The eyebox is trash compared to the maven and they’re a bitch to mount unless you have a pic rail.


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[sndmn11]

Aimpoint PRO and get the shoot 2 hunt, or whatever other scope you like later on.

 

[UncleNommies]

The RS1.2 has a very forgiving eye relief. Very similar to the eye relief on both SWFA 3-9 or 3-15. They can be mounted forward to be comfortable to get behind either prone or offhand. Nobody wants it so close that it risks knocking them in the eye socket under recoil.

I could be way out of line, correct me if I am wrong. I think some people may run into mounting problems with certain rings and mounting systems. It depends on where the turret housing falls dimensionally on a particular scope. For example, if one is using dovetail rings that depend on recoil lug position that might really limit position where one mounts the ring. That fixed ring position might not work well with the dimensions of a particular scope. Certain rings, scope and mounting system when combined may not fit well for best function.

I always use a picatinny rail. I have not personally run into this problem of mounting a scope so far forward that it impinges the ring on the outside of a turret housing. A picatinny rail is a part that can come loose, or fail, if not mounted or bonded securely to the action. It is a more flexible mounting system, however.

If you're mounting system doesn't work with a scope. Change your mounting system, not the scope. Rings and rails are cheaper than scopes.

I had originally planned on using the Unknown Munitions Tikka rings which do utilize recoil lugs. That was my concern if the scope needed positioned further forward! I think im narrowed down between the Maven Rs1.2 and the SWFA 3-9. I just need to make my mind up at this point!

 

[UncleNommies]

They eyebox is trash compared to the maven and they’re a bitch to mount unless you have a pic rail.


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I do appreciate that info! I am not going to be using a pic rail, rather UM tikka rings.

 

[UncleNommies]

Aimpoint PRO and get the shoot 2 hunt, or whatever other scope you like later on.

I dont think I would benefit from a red dot scope at distance for the time being, I could be wrong, never had one! There is a strong chance I will be getting in on the S2H scope regardless!

 

[Matt5266]

SWFA 3-9. Maven is not needed for your use case imo. The SWFA won't hold you back either from shooting further than 200 yarda either.

 

[ecollier123]

Vortex viper hd in 3x15 has done me well the last few years.

 

[sndmn11]

I dont think I would benefit from a red dot scope at distance for the time being, I could be wrong, never had one! There is a strong chance I will be getting in on the S2H scope regardless!

200yd avg...
"Could be wrong", yep.
Cut your 308 barrel down to 16" and you will have a perfect setup for what you describe.

 

[UncleNommies]

200yd avg...
"Could be wrong", yep.
Cut your 308 barrel down to 16" and you will have a perfect setup for what you describe.

"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."
I think you missed this part in post #1. I know a 16" .308 would be excellent for my Eastern hunting, but I'm intentionally building a rifle that can also handle Western hunts without feeling under equipped at longer distances.

 

[UncleNommies]

I have a NXS 5.5-22x56 with Geissele super precision I’d let go

I do appreciate the offer, but that is a little more scope than I need! Good luck with the sale!

 

[sndmn11]

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)....

. 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.

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

"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."
I think you missed this part in post #1. I know a 16" .308 would be excellent for my Eastern hunting, but I'm intentionally building a rifle that can also handle Western hunts without feeling under equipped at longer distances.

I didn't miss anything in your post. You already have a scope you like and offered the solution of getting something less expensive while waiting for your perfect scope.

Put the arken on the Backcountry since you like it.

Buy the scope you think is perfect when you are able.

Put an excellent optic on your sub200 eastern rifle that is in expensive and suited the purpose.

All problems solved.

 

[Giacchik]

I do appreciate the offer, but that is a little more scope than I need! Good luck with the sale!

No problem good luck!

 

[Okie_Poke]

You've been give a lot of advice, so I'm just going to chime in here with my own experiences with two of the scopes that have been mentioned: SWFA 3-9 and Trijicon Credo 2.5-15. I have both and like both, but they are very different and both have things that I can nitpick.

As others have said, the SWFA 3-9 is functional. It lives on an 18" 6.5 Creedmoor. I have a Ranger Band on the zoom dial (because it's stiff and the band helps provide purchase to turn it) and a zero stop shim kit purchased from a member on here who makes them. The reticle is ffp but easy to use. The glass is fine. I've not had a problem with it, but I'll admit that I haven't really used it in the worst of lighting conditions. And I don't have any complaints about the eye box or getting a good image through the scope or anything like that. My complaint with the scope is that it's just so damn ugly, and those turrets are obnoxious. While I haven't had brass bounce off the turret while hunting yet, I did have that happen while running a timed drill practicing where it bounced back in the chamber. That was caused by me canting the rifle while working the bolt and I can avoid it, but it was still super annoying. And sheesh those turrets are ugly. Still, the scope is very functional. If you want a dialable ffp scope useful for hunting, it fits the bill.

The Trijicon Credo 2.5-15 is a very different scope. More zoom, sfp instead of ffp, and it looks and feels nice. It lives on my 18" 6.5 Grendel AR. The turret feels a bit mushy, but I haven't had any trouble with tracking. My nits with this scope are two: (1) It's a little bit harder to look through than some other scopes. I don't know if eye box or eye relief is the correct term (or something else), but it's more sensitive to your head being in the right position than something like a Leupold VX5HD, for example. Get your scope setup well and it's not a big problem, but it is less forgiving than some others. (2) The reticle is pretty fine. I like it for target shooting, which is what I use that Grendel for most of the time. But the reticle is noticeably thinner than other sfp, hunting-centric reticles. Not too thin, but noticeable to me. I will likely replace this scope with an ffp scope at some point, but I'm not in a hurry because I like the Credo and it fits my Grendel pretty well.

In choosing between the two, I'd ask one question: do I want ffp or sfp?

I don't have any experience with the Maven. I was going to get one, but the S2H scope was announced and I didn't need a scope right away, so I stood in line to see what that's all about.