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Old February 25, 2018, 04:47 PM   #1
macsr01
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Scope for a 7mm magnum

Looking for ideas on a scope for my 7mm Magnum. Of course it has to handle the recoil, but I’m not trying to break the bank. Leupold is my go to but I’m open to suggestions. When I put this one together, I want to get it right the first time.
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Old February 25, 2018, 04:59 PM   #2
Capt Rick Hiott
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I spend my money on Meopta. Its good stuff.

Here is the last one I bought for my 6.5 Creedmoor.....

http://www.meoptasportsoptics.com/sh...nterestTopic=2

I like where it says "Daylight Transmission 94.5%"

On a full moon night,,,this thing is GREAT!!!
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Old February 25, 2018, 04:59 PM   #3
Mobuck
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Burris, Vortex, Sightron
All produce good scopes for under $200.
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Old February 25, 2018, 05:30 PM   #4
jmr40
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Quality starts at about $200 MSRP. If you can find something on sale for less great. All scope manufacturers give you the most scope for the money in their lineup with a 3-9X40 or 2-7X32 scope. Getting more magnification will cost a lot more money, if you see something in a 3-12X or 4-16X priced the same as a 3-9X it is lower quality.

7mm Mag recoil is almost identical to 30-06, they are not hard on scopes.

Anymore I'm afraid to recommend Leupold.

The Burris FF-II 3-9X40 priced at $199 is my default recommendation as a good scope on the low end They have a reputation as one of the toughest scopes at any price and the glass is pretty good too. I used to recommend a Leupold VX-1 or VX-2, but don't think it worth the risk anymore. I'd buy a $200 Burris now before a $350 Leupold.

Meopta is good, very good. They used to make a version for Zeiss (Conquest) that initially sold for $550, I have one. Zeiss dropped that scope and Cabelas started putting their badges on it. When Cabelas dropped them 2 years ago they were priced at $250. I bought 3 and wish I'd bought a couple more.

Zeiss is now making a scope called the "Terra" that replaced the Conquest. I don't think it is quite as good, but it appears to be a good scope for the money, about $400.

With Leupolds problems, and my favorite Meopta discontinued I'm sorta at a loss as what to actually recommend anymore. Almost all scopes within the same price range will be very comparable as to glass. The differences will be in eye relief, weight, reticle style, adjustment knobs etc.

I'd go to a big store and actually handle some and see which I like. Things like weight and eye relief need to be looked up online before going into the store. It is hard to get a fair comparison on that when they are not mounted on a rifle.

If you want something pretty decent somewhere between $300-$500 is about where I like to be. The Burris, and maybe others at around $200 ain't bad at all. But moving up to the $300-$400 level does get you a better scope. Much above $500 and it takes a lot of money to see small gains in quality.
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Old February 25, 2018, 06:30 PM   #5
Kreyzhorse
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I prefer Nikon scopes. My 7mm Rem Mag has a 3X9 Monarch on it and it has performed well. Holds zero and I have zero compliants.
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Old February 25, 2018, 06:45 PM   #6
Capt Rick Hiott
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Nikons are good,,,but not in low light......
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Old February 25, 2018, 08:55 PM   #7
Oliver Sudden
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I mounted a Leupold 4 power on my 7 mag 35 years ago and have never felt the need to change it. It's worked for low light to bright snow and to ranges up to 400 yards for one shot kills. On a hunt in Wyoming I even had my rifle ran over by a pickup with no ill effect. Nicest part is I only had to spend the money once.
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Old February 26, 2018, 05:19 AM   #8
std7mag
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I put a Vartex Diamonback 4-12X40 on my Savage 111.

I'm looking forward to replacing it with a Sightron!
The Diamondback line has been over priced and way under quality.
If your thinking Vortex go with the lower priced Crossfire II or save up for a Viper series.

I got a Sightron STAC 4-20X50 on my 284 Win. Love this scope!

Last week got a Sightron SI Tac 3-9X40 with HHR reticle for a coworker.
Amazing glass way above it's price point!
Mine should be in today. :
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Old February 26, 2018, 07:46 AM   #9
Mobuck
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Shooters are using far more magnification than is really needed. I've had a 2-7x Redfield on my 7mmRM all it's life. Shot deer and coyotes out to 500 yards and never felt the scope was under powered.
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Old February 26, 2018, 01:02 PM   #10
lefteye
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Leupold VX-3i 2.5-8x36mm. I have the earlier version of this scope on a couple of rifles (.270 and .300 Win Mag) and it is a wonderful hunting scope from point blank range to well over 400 yards for deer, black bear and elk.
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Old February 26, 2018, 04:23 PM   #11
hooligan1
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I jave a Vortex Viper HS 4-16×44 on my 7mag, it gathers light on a morning hunt really well, and Ive shot targets to 300 yds with ease.
I have had zero problems with the 6 Vortex scopes I own, zero.
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Old February 26, 2018, 10:28 PM   #12
Whistlebritches
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Stick with Leupold.........you'll be glad you did.I picked up two VX2's 3-9x40 in the last year in the $200 range.You'll not spend 2 bills on any better scope than a Leupold.
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Old February 26, 2018, 11:51 PM   #13
Pathfinder45
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I would like to hear more from JMR40 about Leupold's problems, since it is a brand that I have relied upon and currently have one on a model 70. Mine is 3-9x40 and must be around 20 years old now. I don't know; I bought it second hand at a gunshow almost that long ago and it's still serving well. What's with the new one's, JMR40? Please elaborate; have you had some failures with them? I'm fairly certain you have a lot more experience at this and I would really like to know more about it. Perhaps this is why I prefer older stuff that has stood the test of time.
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Old February 27, 2018, 08:05 AM   #14
GeauxTide
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Really impressed by the Nikon PS 5 series with the BDC reticle. The SpotOn program is mahvelous.
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