Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Gun Question

jakeb...I have a 30-06 T3 Lite and the .223 with a varmint barrel. For the money, IMHO Tikkas are great buys. There's a lot of plastic to them (the T3 Lite) and I have no experience with the Tikka Hunter(wood), but they are very accurate out of the box and have an adjustable trigger(to about 2 lbs)...du

Hey guys thanks for the help on the subject. while I have your attention on this topic Ill ask about scopes. I went to bass pro and looked through almost everything they had. I have narrowed my choice down to zeiss conquest 6.5-20X50 and Bushnell Elite 6500 in 4.5-30X50. I thought the zeiss was brighter and crisp. Maybe a little more clear too. The Bushnell was clear all the way up to 30x but not a bright.

Anyone use these or know how tough and rugged they are? Also how well they hold zero?

Thanks for help

Both are pretty rugged, and good quality. The Bushnell looked dimmer at higher magnification bucause that's the nature of the beast. Check them both at the same magnification, although the Bushnell might be marginally brighter due to the 30mm tube.

Check out the Leupold VX-3 or VX-3l as well. If you want to click for elevation make sure that there is sufficient elevation movement. The Leupold VX-3 has 94 MOA, Nightforce has 100 MOA. The Nightforce scopes have a zero stop option, which allows you to return to your zero without you having to count the clicks back down. But, the Nightforce is probably more than what you want to spend.

I have always wanted a nightforce but have never got to look through one. If I looked through one and liked it that much I would consider it. I looked through a Leupold vx3 and was rather dissapointed. I like it the least of all scopes I looked at all day. The zero stop would be a great touch.

I think I need to go back, but who really needs an excuse to go to bass pro.

Just noticed your cake, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKEB

jakeb:

Happy Birthday as well! I don't know how far you are away from these guys: Gene Sears Supply , but they carry Nightforce. If you call them, Bill Baily is the guy that really helped me out. He's who I bought mine from (5.5-22x50 NSX w/zero stop NP-R1 reticle)

I've shot rifles side-by-side that had the following scopes on them: Leupold Mark 4, Leupold VX-III, Swarovski, Nightforce, & Bushnell Elite. I'd rank them (best to worst) NF, Mark 4, Swaro, VX-III, Elite.

Happy B'Day Jake. What will you be shooting at, what distance do you expect, etc.?

Randlett has some pretty flat country so you may need the long range optics. I certainly don't.

Thanks for the Bday wishes guys. I will be useing in mostly for p'dogs and a coyote/pig every now and then. I could shoot the p'dogs from as far or close as I want, usually coyotes are 100-500 yds away. But I also want to give long range paper punching a try say 500+ yards.

Sorry, I should have reread your opening question. IMO, 500+ yards, without reloading, puts you in a whole new category of gun/cartridge selection. Sooner or later you're going to want to use the rifle on game out to that range and the .22 center fires and 6mm just don't cut the mustard at that distance.

If you are looking at $$$$$ scopes, you might as well eliminate the one "off the shelf" gun idea.

If it were me, and it's not, I would go with a 30 caliber (308 or 30-06) and RCBS.

Jakeb:

While high powered scopes are nice, (and I prefer higher powered magnification rather than lower), you can shoot decent groups with 10x at a distance. Remember the further the target is, the more of the target will be covered if the crosshairs are fat, or if they are in the first focal plane.

Personally, I prefer them to be in the 2nd focal plane.

Explanation

Thanks guys, I have already put some thought into both your suggestions. I bought a book on reloading and learning about it. Also there are alot of recticle and placement setups out there, but i think i have one in mind.

If you can cook, you can reload.

Both work better if you can follow a recipe.