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Old February 12, 2018, 05:48 PM   #1
gmarr
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Scope for my .300 H&H

Recently picked up a LNIB Model 70 in .300 H&H with a 24" barrel. I'd like some input as to what optic to mount on it. Fixed or variable, and what power.

Thanks in advance
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Old February 12, 2018, 06:12 PM   #2
Capt Rick Hiott
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Tell us what you are going to use the rifle for?
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Old February 12, 2018, 06:19 PM   #3
Dufus
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No different than any other rifle. Pick one you like and go with it.

I have a VX1 3x9x40 on mine.
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Old February 12, 2018, 06:48 PM   #4
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Weaver 2-8x38 "Grand Slam" on Ruger No.1 .300H&H. Works.
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Old February 12, 2018, 06:53 PM   #5
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How much money do you want to spend?
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Old February 12, 2018, 07:20 PM   #6
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I have a 2.5-8X36 VX3 on my .300 H&H, but I might swap it for a 3-9X40 VX2. The main reason for the swap is the VX2 has more space to mount the scope, not much but a little more and I have the scope on hand. Figure out what mounting system you want to use then find a scope that will work the best with those mounts.
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Old February 12, 2018, 07:28 PM   #7
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Pick the best 3-9X40 scope that you can afford. The Burris FF-II at about $200 is where decent quality begins. Most of the time the MSRP is a pretty accurate judge of quality. A $300 scope will be better than a $200 scope. Once you get above $500 it takes a lot more money just to see a small improvement in quality. Something in the $300-$500 range seems to be the sweet spot.
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Old February 12, 2018, 07:34 PM   #8
Coloradohtr
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I have a Leupold VX-1 3-9×40mm on my .375 H&H and it works great. You can usually find VX-1's on sale for $199.99. Vortex is also a great brand that is made overseas. They have an execelnt VIP no questions asked, lifetime, transfurable warranty. You can get a Crossfire series for like $150 or a Diamondback series for $180.
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Old February 12, 2018, 09:06 PM   #9
Don Fischer
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Over the years I have come to really like the 2-7x scope's.
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Old February 12, 2018, 09:38 PM   #10
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Gmarr, am I correct to presume that your 300 H&H is a pre-64 Winchester? If so, and if it were my rifle, I would want to put a scope on it of similar vintage; probably the best Weaver K-4 or K-6 steel-tube scope I could find within reason; and similar appropriate rings and mounts. If the rifle has sights, I would consider quick-detach mounts. Other than that, I really like Leupold 3-9x40 scopes and would not have anything bigger. I would probably also look into a correct-vintage Redfield or Lyman receiver sight because, dang it, they just work so well. How about a picture or two?
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Old February 13, 2018, 12:19 AM   #11
taylorce1
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No way I'd ever put an old steel tube scope on that rifle! While the Weaver steel tubes were a great scope 30 years ago, it doesn't compare to the glass being used today. If you intend to actually hunt and shoot that rifle do yourself a favor and buy a current production scope of your choice.
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Old February 13, 2018, 01:56 AM   #12
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Taylorforce, aren't you also one of those plastic-stocked rifle shooters? Would you also have him use the stock for firewood? Would you really take the latest scope with all the bells and whistles, probably made in China, and mount it upon a pre-64 Winchester?
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Old February 13, 2018, 08:53 AM   #13
Art Eatman
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Pathfinder, that wasn't really called for. Using an old scope on an old gun is fine if all you want is to be purely vintage. But for a using gun, go with a decent quality modern scope.

The reason I like a 3-9x40 scope is that 3X is great for walking-hunting; wide field of view. 9X lets me see bullet holes in paper at 100 yards. 40mm allows low mounting and for me has been adequate for "light gathering" visibility.
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Old February 13, 2018, 01:24 PM   #14
Pathfinder45
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Well then, I apologize if my post # 12 was offensive. All my sentences were puncuated with question marks. I used no exclamation marks. But perhaps those questions were provocative of harsh feelings. I did intend to provoke some thoughtfulness about one of the better rifles of yesteryear that are no longer made as they were back then. As the rifle is not mine, the owner can do as they wish. Again, my apologies to Taylorforce and anyone else I may have offended. I may pose some further questions on this subject, but will try to be less provocative.
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Old February 13, 2018, 02:20 PM   #15
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With the recoil level of the 375, I'd get modern 3x9 optics, too.
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Old February 13, 2018, 02:45 PM   #16
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Obviously one needs a Zeilsechs for his .30 Super.
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Old February 13, 2018, 04:37 PM   #17
std7mag
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Haven't you seen Taylorce's pics of his wood stocked rifle???

She's a beauty!!

Still waiting on Gmarr's response on use and price range.
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Old February 13, 2018, 05:02 PM   #18
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I tried going vintage on an old Savage 99 using an old 2-7 power steel tube Weaver scope and it broke very quickly. Power ring got stuck between 4X and 5X, and shortly after that it failed to hold zero. To get it fixed was more than it would cost me to buy a new scope, and the place that would fix it was over a year backlogged.

I decided it was easier to put a brand new Burris FFII 2-7X35 on it and never once regretted the decision. It definitely didn't look period correct, but it worked very well by holding zero and the clarity of view was far superior to the old Weaver. To me a scope that works properly is far more important than staying vintage.

Quote:
Haven't you seen Taylorce's pics of his wood stocked rifle???

She's a beauty!!
I'm an equal opportunity rifle user, I have several rifle stocked in wood, laminated wood, and synthetics. I love wood stocked rifles, but I don't buy very many production rifles anymore. Custom work on wood stocks far exceeds the cost of metal work, so many quality synthetics are just a fraction of the cost of a custom wood stock. I just find what works in my budget and use it, it has served me well to keep to this practice.
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Old February 13, 2018, 05:26 PM   #19
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I have a win 70 left hand 300 win. with crf and mounted a 2.5x8-36mm with extenstion rings. and from a rest I don,t miss a 18" steel gong with a 178 gr bullet at 3000 fps. at 500 yards.
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Old February 13, 2018, 07:23 PM   #20
gmarr
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Thanks for the responses so far. Going to use the rifle for hogs and deer at ranges out to 250 yards. As for price, definitely no Nightforce. But I've heard good things about the Vortex Crossfire II in 3x9.
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Old February 13, 2018, 07:34 PM   #21
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I'd step up to at least a Diamondback, I love the Vipers from Vortex the best.
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Old February 16, 2018, 09:45 AM   #22
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Does the OP's rifle have irons? If so, go with quick release rings. I have a Win. 70 Alaskan that came with irons so I put on Leupold QR rings and Leupold bases. It wears a Leupold 2.5-8x36 vx3. Holds zero and have not had an issue with recoil.
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Old February 16, 2018, 01:41 PM   #23
agtman
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High quality 2x-7x at the most.

Buy a high quality mount, and put the scope in high quality low rings so you won't have to "Giraffe-neck" your face all over the stock to get a sight picture at the higher degrees of magnification.

You may have noted the words "high quality" ... x3. Apart from the optic, resist the temptation to go cheap on the mount and rings.

Buy right once, and cry not at all.
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Old February 17, 2018, 01:10 PM   #24
taylorce1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by agtman
High quality 2x-7x at the most.

Buy a high quality mount, and put the scope in high quality low rings so you won't have to "Giraffe-neck" your face all over the stock to get a sight picture at the higher degrees of magnification.

You may have noted the words "high quality" ... x3. Apart from the optic, resist the temptation to go cheap on the mount and rings.
I agree with getting quality optics, but 2-7 power range is your personal choice and may not be exactly what the OP wants.

Low rings aren't always the best option, not every person is created equal. So while you might like low rings, a medium set might better fit the OP to align his eye with the optics. Also with some rifles you can't get enough bolt clearance with low rings.

Are expensive mounts and rings really that much better? I think S&K SKulpted mounts and Kontoured rings are some of the most ascetically pleasing to look at but I'm not sure they are any better in function than a scope mounting system at a fraction of the cost. Weaver aluminum bases and those frustrating Weaver rings that cause a lot of scopes to cant, when properly installed will hold scope just as well as many other vastly more expensive options. I don't tend to go as cheap as the Weaver set up I listed, but I do have rifles that have them on because I bought them that way and have had no issues with them.
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Old February 17, 2018, 02:03 PM   #25
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^^^^^^ What he said + for your stated purpose I like 2 - 8 Variable scopes. Not so much power that you sacrifice a good sight picture.
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