TexianHussar
FNG
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2026
- Messages
- 2
I've recently acquired a RJ Renner "Old African " Ruger M77 in 35 Whelen. I have a collection of "Functional Art" African rifles (Dakota 76s and Model 10s mostly) wearing Swarovskis, and I've got a Leopold VX-5HD on my Tikka 30-06, but I don't really have any other experience with optics.
I got a good deal on this 35 Whelen and the idea for the rifle is a classic American "workmanlike rifle," despite the RJ Renner name for the upgrade package. My ideal would be something like a Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42, but obviously that's not terribly "workmanlike" or budget conscious. Essentially, I'm looking for a great scope in the $1k-1.5k range to mount on a rifle in the $2-2.5k range. Putting a $2-4k scope on a $2k rifle doesn't feel right for this project.
The use case for the rifle is primarily focused on North American big game (bears, moose, bison, elk, etc) at short to medium range (not shooting past 400 yards or so). Planning to shoot 200gr TTSXs and 225gr TBBCs. I appreciate a scope with large magnification range because my eyes aren't exactly great, but want to have something useful for close work in timber.
I've been seeing Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-12x42 and Meopta Meostar R2 1.7-10x42 in the $900 range. I have heard amazing things about both, but also some not-so-amazing things recently about Meoptas (not sure if it applies to the Meostar line).
Anyone have strong opinions on these two scopes? Any other options I should consider to get Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42-like performance/magnification range on a bit more of a budget?
Thanks for your time!
I got a good deal on this 35 Whelen and the idea for the rifle is a classic American "workmanlike rifle," despite the RJ Renner name for the upgrade package. My ideal would be something like a Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42, but obviously that's not terribly "workmanlike" or budget conscious. Essentially, I'm looking for a great scope in the $1k-1.5k range to mount on a rifle in the $2-2.5k range. Putting a $2-4k scope on a $2k rifle doesn't feel right for this project.
The use case for the rifle is primarily focused on North American big game (bears, moose, bison, elk, etc) at short to medium range (not shooting past 400 yards or so). Planning to shoot 200gr TTSXs and 225gr TBBCs. I appreciate a scope with large magnification range because my eyes aren't exactly great, but want to have something useful for close work in timber.
I've been seeing Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-12x42 and Meopta Meostar R2 1.7-10x42 in the $900 range. I have heard amazing things about both, but also some not-so-amazing things recently about Meoptas (not sure if it applies to the Meostar line).
Anyone have strong opinions on these two scopes? Any other options I should consider to get Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42-like performance/magnification range on a bit more of a budget?
Thanks for your time!
