coyote scopes

[seitzinger]

I have been reading some of the recent post and seen a little about scopes but not much. I just picked up a DPMS to hunt with and trying to figure out what scope to put on it. Thought I would get some opinions on the topic before going to buy one. Thanks in advance. Also I realize everybody has their own preferences but just looking for some thinking points maybe I haven't already pondered.

[lb]

My coyote rifles usually have a variable, 2.5X8, 3X9, 3.5X10, 3X12, 4.5X14, something like that? For a AR, I think the tendency is for way too much scope. The only one I own has a fixed 6X on it.

Now, it depends on what you are doing? For strictly daylights, moderate ranges I'd get no more than a 3.5X10.

[yoteler]

seitzinger I do alot of running hounds and calling. The scopes I have on my rifles are anywhere from Nikons to Bushenell. 3x9s, 4x16s. If you really want to hunt and shoot seriously spend alittle $$ and get a decent scope, with good optics. Just a word of advice, if your spending $$ for a scope make sure you have a great rifle. Watch out so the barrel on your DPMS does not burn out, cause any scope will not make a difference then. I am just going on my past experience with DPMS

[seitzinger]

I got the panther bull twenty. It has the 20" bull stainless barrel. Not sure if you are referring to this barrel or not? I have been looking at Leupold Mark AR scopes. Looks like a super nice scope and can get a super deal on it where it is not any more than a VX-1.

[yoteler]

Yah I was taking about the barrel. I have a Leupold VX-3 CDS on my Winchester Model 70 coyote lite rifle, 22-250 cal. It is a tack driver at 350 yards

[lb]

You didn't mention the caliber? If it's a standard 223, I doubt you have to worry much about the barrel for ten years, or so? If you were using it on ground squirrels, or something other than coyotes, maybe sooner, but keep the rapid fire to a minimum and I wouldn't worry much. El Bee

[RiverRat]

Any one use a shepard scope ??

[lb]

I learned a long time ago that you can't evaluate a scope by looking at it or looking through it. Reputation is important and so is the theory that there are no bargains in optics. With that in mind, the least expensive scope I would consider is Leupold. If you can't handle that, used Leupolds are an option and fixed power is another option. The Zeiss Conquest scopes are pretty good. You really have to pay as much or more for the scope as for the rifle, these days. LB

[trappincoyotes39]

I have a bushnell elite 3200 with the doa on a savage .243 predator 10 max that shoots darn well and for that price range the elites are a good scope for the money. Could I see spending a grand or close to it for a dedicated long range rig? Sure but many in the midwest are going to do the highest majority of their shooting at 300 yrds or less, then to me it becomes a stature thing IMO. There are some good scopes for around that 350.00 ish range that will treat many coyote hunters well, and then there are some not worth the price as well.

I would put hand loading up there as far as consitant accuracy goes and finding a load that fit's that gun the best.Good glass is a big plus but there are many ranges in glass, and yes I would say the Ziess conquest for the price on the 3-9 is a very good bargin for under 400.00.

[lb]

For me, the big question on optics is design and quality and low light ability, since I am a night hunter. What looks good in broad daylight might not be so good during that critical ten minutes before sunrise and another ten minutes after sunset. Light transmission is important and this requires the best glass and the best design. I would also like the scope to be built like the proverbial brick $hithouse, rugged as possible and this is where many of the japanese scopes fail. They just do not make them completely waterproof and able to take a pounding.

If another company has a better service policy than Leupold, I'd sure like to see it? So, if all your hunting is fair weather hunting, you can get away with an economy scope. And, by the way, the Elite is a very good scope for the money. A completely different class than any other Bushnell. The Elite binoculars are genuinely first class, and they do not give them away.

[trappincoyotes39]

I agree no night hunting here for sure. That is another thing I hear all the time from people looking to buy a scope they all want a 50 MM objective, what many don't relise is, it is all about glass quaility and light transmission not so much that extra 10mm of lens to begin with.

[lb]

Lens "coatings" is the big deal, after design. If you really want top quality look into European scopes and 56mm lenses. That's the best there is for hunting at night. Of course, they get a little spendy, but you can't argue with the quality. But, that wasn't the question, was it? The man wants a scope for his AR for shooting coyotes in the daytime. Not too hard to come up with something suitable for way under a couple grand.

[lb]

Over on the sniper sites, the only scopes that get attention is Schmidt&Bender, Nightforce, and U.S. Optics, occasionally Leupold Mark 4's. Those are scopes they rely on when their life depends on it.

[stickbowhntr]

There are some great scopes out there. my issues IS I can not afford them at present. If I can keep under $400 I would be happy but yes the ones mentions above...they great glass.

[lb]

400 will buy an older model Leupold, VariX II, or a brand spanking new Jap scope. With the Leupold, you get great customer service. Even if they use Jap glass. With the Jap scope, you get what?

[trappincoyotes39]

Try this stick bowunter I would put this up against Vari X 1 and same mag as the Vari X II is really close.

A great scope for this price range and I like the thin lines over circles offered by nikon.Lifetime warranty as well. I have yet to worry about using any warranty from these elite scopes they take abuse and hold zero very well for the cost tough to beat IMO of course.


If you can spare the 399.00 you can get a Ziess 3x9 conquest I would give a slight nod to them but your going away froma DOA retical if you want something like that in the Ziess paln on an extra 100.00 or so.

www.bushnell.com/products/scopes/riflescopes/elite/E3940B/

[lb]

I was just looking at that link. When I bought this 22-243Middlested, it had a B&L4000 Elite 6X24 on it. I just kinda threw it in the corner until a few minutes ago. The seller didn't bother taking it off of the rifle, since I wasn't interested in it, at all. This is the exact same scope they are now calling the Bushnell Elite3200 and they list it for $795.00. I guess I did okay, for a throwaway, if I can find a use for it? It looks like it would make a dandy scope for a squirrel rifle. I will treat it with a little more respect, henceforth.

Anyway, the Elite line whether called Bausch & Lomb or Bushnell are pretty good scopes. LB