Varmint Scopes...?

[RenoGuy]

Looking for suggestions from experienced prairie doggers and other varmint hunters.

Planning a p-dog hunt for next year with my son, nephew and brother-in-law probably in Wyoming.

I have a nice Remington Model 700 22-250, but the current Bushnell scope has a broken reticle. So, I'm looking for a suitable replacement scope. Since I haven't bought any scopes in years (and I'm mostly a handgun guy anyway) I could use some suggestions.

Hoping to get something useful and sturdy for under $250.

Any and all suggestions appreciated.

 

[Buckey08]

Been dogging many times and the most fun to be had was walking around a dog town with shooting sticks, a .221 Fireball rifle or .22 Hornet. That said all you need will be a good 3X9 or 3.5X10 scope, Too much scope will make for a long day and sitting at a shooting bench very long will make watching paint dry look like a real good time. What you read in magazines might not be what you find when you get there, so don't go overboard with all the latest crazy scopes, keep it simple and have a great time.

 

[mwtdvm]

I am a big fan of Burris..

For the price point I think you get a great deal. And the same lifetime warranty as Leupold. I am concerned that some of their less than top of the line scopes have now been "outsourced".

On to the scope... The shooting out there is "different"! I found the wind blew constantly but inconsistently! That is a problem with 22 55gr bullets. You can be doing everything right but Murphy intervenes. You will learn to live with it. You can have too much magnification. Light gathering ability is not an issue. You will be shooting in bright sunlight or cloudy conditions. No need for a big objective.

How much power? I think 20X is about max. This thing called Mirage shows up and you are looking at a rippling image that makes life interesting. I had a B&L 2400 that went up to 24 IIRC but 16 -18 was about max with the mirage. You can use the extra mag when you get out there and thing are still and the sun is not baking the ground.

My ultimate varmint rig is a Kimber Longmaster in 22-250 with a Nightforce 5.5X20 50 with an NPR2 reticle. It has been in my safe for a decade waiting for the trip out west. That is on the list to do as soon as I retire in 2014.

I think that rig is overkill but WTHeck. I have spent a lot of money on guns , women and booze, the rest I wasted.

Take a lot more ammunition than you think you will need!!

 

[CH47gunner]

I use two -
Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x40SF on a CZ452 Varmint, in 17HMR and a Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x40AO on a CZ527 Varmint, in .223. Both have the target dot reticle. I prefer the Bushnell but, the Nikon is side focus - very convenient.

Bruce

 

[RenoGuy]

On to the scope... The shooting out there is "different"! I found the wind blew constantly but inconsistently! That is a problem with 22 55gr bullets. You can be doing everything right but Murphy intervenes. You will learn to live with it. You can have too much magnification.

How much power? I think 20X is about max. This thing called Mirage shows up and you are looking at a rippling image that makes life interesting.

Take a lot more ammunition than you think you will need!!

Thanks for the recommendation.

I know about the mirage effect and anticipate keeping the scope magnification under 16X.

I've also heard that, depending on location, lots and lots of ammo is in order (but then, when is it not? )

 

[RenoGuy]

I use two -
Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x40SF on a CZ452 Varmint, in 17HMR and a Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x40AO on a CZ527 Varmint, in .223. Both have the target dot reticle. I prefer the Bushnell but, the Nikon is side focus - very convenient.

Bruce

Thanks Bruce.

I'll check then both.

 

[Davwingman]

I have been doggin' many times & used mostly Leupold variables with great results. However you said simple, rugged & around $250. I suggest a Leupold straight 12X with fine duplex recticle. Lot of slightly used ones around & they have the lifetime warranty also.

 

[H Richard]

I've been to So Dakota for Dogs most every year for the last 6 yrs. On my Remington 700VS 22-250 I have a Nikon Monarch 6.5 to 20 with Fine crosshair and target Dot. On my Savage .243 I have a Leupold 6-18 with Fine crosshair and target Dot. On my Sako .222 (walking around gun) I have a old Redfield 4-12.

It all depends on what kind of shooting you like to do. If most of your shooting will be off a Bench, at 300 to 600 yards, get a good scope of at least 18 to 20 X. If you plan to keep moving and shot from sticks, etc. a 3X9 or 4X12 will probably do you fine.

I have had a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18 Side Focus, and it is a great scope in your aprox price range, just under $300. The SF feature is very handy handy when changing your shots from 100 to 400 yards form one position, but I don't like the BDC reticule, it isn't fine enough for long range shots at small targets.

Hopefully you have built a portable bench-rest and devised a light weight but solid rifle rest. For rear bag I recommend making them from old shot bags and use worn out tumbler media, a lot lighter than sand. One of the most important items is a "good" pair of binoculars, as you will spend quite a lot of time looking through them spotting dogs.

Be sure to take plenty of ammo, I often shoot from 250-300 rounds per day, but be sure to put your rifle down before it gets too hot and use a second gun while the first cools off, and clean the barrel at least every 50 rounds or so. My 22-250 is at the gunsmith's presently, having the barrel replaced. After about 5000 rounds over the years it has lost it's accuracy.

Do your research before you go, and line up a place to shoot, and unfortunately expect to pay around $50 per person per day to shoot on any private land and possibly more on Indian reservations.

Good luck

 

[arjay]

I just use a 3x9. Once the day gets warm and the barrel heats up....

 

[RenoGuy]

Anybody have any experience or comments for Simmons scopes?

They were bought by Meade some time back and appear to have been impacted positively by the takeover.

I especially like the focus adjustment knob on the side vs having to turn the eyepiece. And the pricing isn't bad either.

 

[bushmaster1313]

PM me in a month
I might be selling this fixed 10X Leupold A.O.
$250 delivered would be about right if I sell

Rifle not included.

I am not looking for offers, RenoGuy can send me a PM in a month.

Looking for suggestions from experienced prairie doggers and other varmint hunters.

Planning a p-dog hunt for next year with my son, nephew and brother-in-law probably in Wyoming.

I have a nice Remington Model 700 22-250, but the current Bushnell scope has a broken reticle. So, I'm looking for a suitable replacement scope. Since I haven't bought any scopes in years (and I'm mostly a handgun guy anyway) I could use some suggestions.

Hoping to get something useful and sturdy for under $250.

Any and all suggestions appreciated.

 

[H Richard]

I am not familiar with the Current Simmons scopes, but in past times they had a very poor reputation. Not holding up, losing focus, won't hold zero etc. My experience was from over 10 yrs ago, so they may have improved. But, the fact that they are mainly sold in discount stores should tell you something.