Rifle scopes

I have several scoped rifles but seldom shoot any of them. When I hunted deer regularly, I just made sure whichever rifle I was using had a scope that was firmly attached and zeroed in properly.

Now I have acquired a very nice Browning A-Bolt Medallion 7mm mag from the old days that has the polished wooden monte carlo stocks. I want to put a nice scope on it but am not fully informed as to which scopes are best.

It seems the prices are all over the place. I found some from $175 all the way to over $2,000.

Not being an active user of this particular rifle, I am not spending a fortune for a scope but want a decent one that is adjustable from say 4-9X or in that range. If it went to 12X, that would be fine.

Right now, it has a Leopold Vari -X II, 2.5-10 on it.

Anyone have a suggestion as to what to get or just leave the current one on there?

Are you sure it's a II? and a 2.5x10??
Leopold makes a Vari x III 2.5x8 The vari x II is a 3x9. They also make a VariX3 in 3.5x10.
Anyway, I'd leave whatever it is on the gun as it is a very good scope. If you must get rid of it, let me know what it is, I may try to buy it from you.

You didn't say what kind of range you'd be shooting the rifle at, but if it were me I'd be inclined to leave that Leupold on it. It's a great scope that has a lifetime warantee. They extend the coverage to you even if you bought it used. If I was going to be doing long range shooting with it, I might then consider upgrading, but for anything under 400 yards there is no reason to.

CAJUNLAWYER said:

Are you sure it's a II? and a 2.5x10??
Leopold makes a Vari x III 2.5x8 The vari x II is a 3x9. They also make a VariX3 in 3.5x10.
Anyway, I'd leave whatever it is on the gun as it is a very good scope. If you must get rid of it, let me know what it is, I may try to buy it from you.

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I was mistaken. Reading from the scope, it shows:

Leupold Vari-X-III 3.5 X 10

Here is a photo of the gun w/scope

I think you have an almost perfect scope on the gun right now. A Leupold is a fine quality scope.

Leave that scope right were it is. You have a great scope for shooting anywhere from 50 - 400 yards. No reason to spend more money on a rifle you already said you don't intend to shoot more than a few times during deer season. Just take the rifle out and make sure that the scope is zeroed in for the round you intend to shoot.

Class III

geoff40 said:

You didn't say what kind of range you'd be shooting the rifle at, but if it were me I'd be inclined to leave that Leupold on it. .

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It is very likely that the rifle will never be fired. I bought it at a very good price and love the appearance of it. The last rifle I fired was my Sako Forrester 270 back in 2004 and that was to shoot a fox in my back yard. Before that, it was likely in the late 1990s when I shot a deer on a hunt and I do not remember what rifle I used at the time.

I have a couple scopes here that I do not have rifles for but got them in gun buys over the years. None of them are quality scopes and I am not knowledgable in scopes so I was wondering if the scope on this gun is quality or just a cheapie.

Thanks for your input.

Nice rig, I wouldn’t change anything either. Leupold makes excellent products, their warranty is the best in the industry and they’re made in the USA. The current version of that scope (VX-III 3.5-10) sells for around $500 new and you’d have to spend considerably more than that to upgrade what you have. If you want some sticker shock, go price Swarovski, Schmidt & Bender, Zeiss, Kahles and Nightforce.

You've got great glass...leave her be.

Another vote for leaving it alone. Your set-up is perfect.

s&wchad said:

Nice rig, I wouldn’t change anything either. Leupold makes excellent products, their warranty is the best in the industry and they’re made in the USA. The current version of that scope (VX-III 3.5-10) sells for around $500 new and you’d have to spend considerably more than that to upgrade what you have. If you want some sticker shock, go price Swarovski, Schmidt & Bender, Zeiss, Kahles and Nightforce.

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Well.....I got the rifle, no marks, scratches or rust and no evidence of ever being fired with scope and hard case for $500 OTD from a dealer. Maybe I did ok on the purchase. It was part of a collection the dealer got in an estate sale.

Oldman,
You sir, got one heck of a deal! I have had my Leupold Vari-XIII 3.5-10x40mm scope on my Remington 700 .30-'06 for over twenty-five years and have NEVER had a problem with it. As others have said, "Leave the scope on the rifle." Good luck and good shooting to you.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Leupold. One of the most rugged and dependable scopes with really good clarity on the market. You are all set as is.

That is a terrific scope and has a lifetime warranty no matter if you are the original buyer or not. If you have a problem just send it back and it will be made right. Very nice combination, don't change a thing.

If any Leupold Golden Ring® product is found to have defects in materials or workmanship, we will, at our option, repair or replace it. FREE. Even if you are not the original owner. No warranty card is required. No time limit applies.

I have a very nice Tasco with the very rare 3/4" tube. I will trade you even-up if you cover the shipping.

oldman45 said:

Well.....I got the rifle, no marks, scratches or rust and no evidence of ever being fired with scope and hard case for $500 OTD from a dealer. Maybe I did ok on the purchase. It was part of a collection the dealer got in an estate sale.

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Deduct the price of the scope and you got the gun for about $150.00

Set it for 2.5X. The wider field of view may save your life or let you drop game at average ranges. I think most hunters use too much magnification.

But you have the option of higher power when warranted, like for pronghorns on the plains. Or, varmints.

That scope is pretty big for the rifle, but it's quality, and I'd just keep it, given your situation.

Your Sako .270 is a Finnbear, not a Forester. The Forester is for shorter-length rounds like the .308. To amuse yourself, sit at the bench, crank that scope up to 10X and see if your Sako will shoot the heads off of matches at 100 yards. (Okay, I'm exaggerating, but not by much! )

I like Leupold's Vari-X III in 2.5-8X, if they still make it. My son had one, and it was terrific for the money. The best quality scope that I've owned was a Swarovski fixed 6X. It was astounding! I bitterly regret having had to sell the M-70 Classic .270 that it was on to pay taxes. (I replaced it with the same model of rifle, same caliber.)

I like the Euro reticle that has three heavy crosshairs, with the top one the normal size. It allows a quick sight picture, and is helpful in dim light. For varmints, a normal crosshair is better. Unless you're calling in coyotes or cats... Then, you'll probably get some close range action.

I posted this for others to read, as not all of it applies to your current needs. But I trust that you find it interesting.

If someone can't afford Zeiss or Swarovski, I think Leupold is the outstanding choice. But everyone should look through a mounted Zeiss or Swarovski under field conditions, just to see what's possible. I think you'll be impressed!

I had to skimp and save to get Zeiss and Leica binoculars, but regret not a bit that I have them! The movies that I skipped were probably not worth the money, anyway.

It amazes me that some people will spend more on football tickets or rock concerts than they'll pay for a good binocular or 'scope! On the other hand, once I've seen the annual cheerleader calendars, that's all I care about football. Others feel differently. Maybe the sales pitch here is to remind them that they can watch the cheerleaders in person better if they have a really good binocular!

T-Star

Texas Star said:

But you have the option of higher power when warranted, like for pronghorns on the plains. T-Star

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The only plains around here would be found on the Interstates and they are paved. Way too many trees for long range shooting.

Texas Star said:

Your Sako .270 is a Finnbear, not a Forester.
T-Star

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According to the 15 yr old box, it is a Forrester, cal .270. I just buy them, not name them. I have owned the rifle for years and maybe shot it three times. But I have a lot of ammo for it. I bought it for the fine looking wood stock. The expensive monte carlo wooden stocks on a large caliber rifle will make me buy them each time. The difference between the Sako and the Browning is the price. I paid a fortune for the Sako.

Texas Star said:

On the other hand, once I've seen the annual cheerleader calendars, that's all I care about football. Others feel differently.
T-Star

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I am unaware there is anything else other than the cheerleaders in football. Are you saying I have wasted my money going to games just to photograph cheerleaders and there was something else I should have been looking at? Next thing I guess you will say is there is something at NASCAR tracks other than ladies posing for my cameras.