Best all around scope for hunting?

[Winchester 7mm]

Is there any such thing? A scope that will not break the bank? I have a Winchester Model 70 7MM. Looking for suggestions.

Thanks!

[zoomie]

Hard to beat a leupold or nikon or bushnell 3-9x40. Should be able to find one for under $300. Personally I like the VX-II line but any of the above are nice options.

[Winchester 7mm]

Thanks for the input!

[Spur0701]

You should be able to get a used nikon on eBay (at least teh last time I priced them) for maybe $125....

[sholling]

If you don't mind a BDC reticle then the Nikon Team Primos is the best deal going. It's basically a house branded Monarch UCC for $220 @ SWFA. They share the same quality of glass and coating as the newer Monarchs. I own two and they are excellent scopes. Another favorite is the Nikon Monarch 2-8x32. Amazingly bright and clear and available with either a duplex or BDC reticle.

If you can't live with the BDC reticle then SWFA has a special run of Bushnell Elite 4200 in 3-9x40 for $299. This is one heck of a fine scope! Highly recommended.

Some swear by the Zeiss Conquest but they're out of my price range. And if the all above are out of your price range then a Weaver 3-9x38 can be had at Natchez for $140. It's not in the same league as a Bushy 4200 or a Nikon Monarch but it's a good solid 3-Star (see below for ratings) scope.

To beat any of these, and then only by a hair you're going to be looking at high-end Zeiss or Swaro for a whole lot more money.

Scope Ratings
Scope Magnification

*I linked to SWFA for convenience and price but always call and check stock before placing an order.

[Winchester 7mm]

Thanks for the info guys!

[black bear 84]

In a 7mm Mag you have to start watching for the correct eye relief. That is why I like the Leupold Vary X II 3x9, they have more eye relief than other brands.

If you can afford it, the Leupold Vary X III 10.5 x 10x is even better, I have one with Illuminated reticle and 50 mm objective that I want to take with me when I die.

Black Bear

[sholling]

After being reminded that you're shooting 7mm mag I'll amend my recommendation. Depending on the weight of the rifle eye relief could become and issue and I'd go with a Nikon Team Primos or Nikon Monarch. They have a minimum of 3.5" of eye relief. The Bushy only has 3.3 - probably plenty but I'd still like the extra 1/4".

[Doyle]

A previous poster recommended Bushnell. I think that deserves some "qualification". Bushnell makes many price ranges of scopes. Some are absolute crap. Others are sort of OK. Others are fantastic. I personally wouldn't use any Bushnell less than the Trophy series. Anything less might be suitable for a .22 but not anything with either recoil or shooting anything but short distances.

I believe their Trophy series isn't bad, but they have much better to offer if you are willing to spend a little more. Their Elite series gets really good. I've got an Elite 3200 and it is quite a decent scope. The 4200 is even better.

[black bear 84]

Winchester 7mm,

My own Winchester 7 mm Remington Magnum have three scopes, yes I know a little exaggerated, but even when the 3x by 9x is the most versatile, there are occasions when you find yourself in heavy brush and you are wishing for a lower power scope, something like a Leupold shotgun scope 1x to 4x.

This is because the low power scope will have a wider field of view at short distance. Besides a 1x scope can be shot with both eyes open, which is an excellent way to connect on fast running game.

The third scope is just a spare, just in case the primary 3x by 9x (or 31/2 by 10x) break down or become fogged.



My other rifles also have multiple scopes; it is a way of insurance against optics disaster, for stock disaster I take an extra stock of fiberglass. And for mechanical insurance screws, firing pins, extractors etc as well as the tools.
Of course if the hunt is in my state, I also carry a spare rifle. But if is by plane this extra scopes and stock can save a hunt.

Remember Murphy law, and try to insure an expensive hunt against it.









In my forty years of hunting I have used many quick detach scope systems, from Weaver pivots mounts (that left the scope at one side for access to the iron sights) to Redfield systems with a Pilkington lever.

A few years ago I converted most of my rifles to Weaver bases and used the Quick Detach Leupold Weaver system (A couple have the Leupold Quick Detach post style)

To my thinking the QD Leupold/Weaver style is the most rugged.

Leupold QD Weaver



REDFIELD WITH PILKINGTON LEVER



The Warne system is similar but split the rings vertically instead of horizontally, I don't have experience with them but I am sure they are just fine.

Now, I bet some posters will come out saying that you don't need all this paraphernalia and that they have hunted in five continents for 40 years with one rifle and one scope on Redfield rings.
Which means nothing, probably they did, and I call them lucky bastards

One last recommendation, spend the money in a good scope (or two) and a good solid QD system such as the Leupold.
Good hunting

Black Bear

[Winchester 7mm]

Black Bear,

Thanks for the very detailed response! I truly appreciate the information.

[fisherman66]

There are a bunch of 7mm flavors. Should I assume you mean the MAG?

Two of the longest eye relief scope around are the Leupold VX-II 2-7x33 and the VX-III 1.5-5x20*. The Conquest is up in the top tier for eye-relief too with the conquest line with CONSTANT EYE RELIEF @ 4".

FYI eye relief is critical on a Mag. If weight is not an issue the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 is probably the best value for high grade glass without hitting the Top Euro lines. If weight is an issue either of the Leupolds would work well.

*now watch the light bucket crowd come out of the woodwork.

[Winchester 7mm]

Yes, 7mm mag.

Thanks!

[sureshots]

I like 50mm. scopes. They seem to be A little brighter and they do cost A little more also.

[freakshow10mm]

I like a standard 4x or 6x scope.