As the title says, I'm looking for recommendations on a new hunting scope.
The rifle in question is a Browning A-Bolt chambered in 308. It's sole use will be for hunting. Mostly IN whitetail, but I will be taking it with me to South Africa in the spring. I have other rifles that are well equipped for shooting long range, so it's not a consideration.
I had a Vortex HSLR 4-16 mounted on it for this past deer season, and felt it was a bit much. I don't expect to take shoots on game past 300 yards, so I don't think the exposed turrets or adjustable parallax are needed. I think I'm wanting a good, simple, and reliable hunting scope in the 3-9ish power range.
Scopes I'm considering.
Leupold VX-R 3-9x40 w/ Ballistic FireDot (possible Duplex)
Leupold VX3i 3.5-10 (non CDS)
Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44
I'm not sold on either a 1" or 30mm tube. I know one inch tubes are lighter. Whereas 30mm tubes have more travel adjustment, although I'm not planning on dialing elevation once the rifle is zeroed.
The FireDots would be nice for low light deer hunting, but is the most costly.
The VX3i is probably the best deal right now, glass is supposed to better than the VX-R and has good low light gathering, but no BDC.
Viper has a BDC, but I'm worried that it's thin and wont show up well in low light.
Any other recommendations for comparable models?
The rifle in question is a Browning A-Bolt chambered in 308. It's sole use will be for hunting. Mostly IN whitetail, but I will be taking it with me to South Africa in the spring. I have other rifles that are well equipped for shooting long range, so it's not a consideration.
I had a Vortex HSLR 4-16 mounted on it for this past deer season, and felt it was a bit much. I don't expect to take shoots on game past 300 yards, so I don't think the exposed turrets or adjustable parallax are needed. I think I'm wanting a good, simple, and reliable hunting scope in the 3-9ish power range.
Scopes I'm considering.
Leupold VX-R 3-9x40 w/ Ballistic FireDot (possible Duplex)
Leupold VX3i 3.5-10 (non CDS)
Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44
I'm not sold on either a 1" or 30mm tube. I know one inch tubes are lighter. Whereas 30mm tubes have more travel adjustment, although I'm not planning on dialing elevation once the rifle is zeroed.
The FireDots would be nice for low light deer hunting, but is the most costly.
The VX3i is probably the best deal right now, glass is supposed to better than the VX-R and has good low light gathering, but no BDC.
Viper has a BDC, but I'm worried that it's thin and wont show up well in low light.
Any other recommendations for comparable models?