After months of researching and looking for sales on a Tikka T3x CTR in .308, I finally clicked buy on a T3 Laminted Stainless in .243

Over Christmas I was honest with myself and realized that with work, the kids, home remodeling, etc. I just don’t have the time to take up the type of shooting that I wish to take up. The .243 was a more realistic option for the type of shooting that I’ll likely do so that’s what we ended up going with.

Now, I am at the fun point of choosing a scope and rings for this rifle. Since there are a multitude of different combinations out there, acknowledging that I have zero real world experience with scopes over $100, and assuming that I don’t mind waiting for a few months to find a good deal, what scope and ring combo would you go with if the three main uses for this rifle are deer hunting, coyote hunting, and sitting in a safe? As for price, I can rationalize the buy once, cry once line but I also subscribe to the “You’re not a Delta Force sniper nor a world traveling hunter so spend accordingly” philosophy.

I put DNZ Gamerepaer mounts on all my Tikkas.

I think a Leupold VX-2 4-12x40 mm would work pretty well for your stated use. Or 3-9 X40MM if less magnification will work. The 2-4x40 is on sale at Wal-Mart online store for $268 which is a great deal. I'd go with a one piece mount for a really solid lock up that you won't need to worry about getting out of alignment, or just go with standard rings and save a little weight.

Leopold vx2 is a great scope. If it was me though, since it’s such a nice gun, I would bump it up a bit and get the vx3i. I really like the Boone and Crockett reticle in my vx3i, I think that would make a great setup for you.

As for rings, those DNZ ones are probably hard to beat for o e piece setups, you could look into Talley lightweights as well, those are very nice rings.

My 243 wears the VX-2 that NavyGuy mentioned. Works great for me. I use the 2 piece Leoupold rings that came with the (used) rifle. Sight in with a 200 yard zero and you will be good to go.

I have learned that magnification and clear glass is very key. I have an excellent condition 4.5X14 Leupold Mark 4 that I am going to sell if you are interested. It will be a smoking deal.

As much Vortex as you can afford.

In my experience, Vortex doesnt really start to impress until you reach their 1st or 2nd tier scopes....everything else I have looked through under that has been meh or outright garbage on some of the lower end models.

A Meopta Meopro 3-9 would be cool on that Tikka.

I am very happy with my Nikon scopes.
Whenever I get around to doing up another bolt gun the new Nikon Black will be on it.

I agree with the recommendations on the DNZ mounts.
Easy to install and rock solid.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
I am very happy with my Nikon scopes.
Whenever I get around to doing up another bolt gun the new Nikon Black will be on it.

Another vote for Nikon. Love the Monarch5 on my Tikka.
Brother in law has a Buckmasters on his Rem700.

Both crystal clear glass.

Both mounted on Burris Zee Signature rings.

I'm debating on a low power scope or irons for my Marlin 336. If a scope, it'll be another Nikon.

I didn't have the cash for another Vortex PST or similar, but did get a deal on a Nikon ProStaff 5 in 3.5-14 mil dot. Mounted on a 20" AR, it has been a nice setup for this varmint rig.

You just cant beat a Nikon Monarch scope. I have Nikon on all my hunting rifles. A very underrated scope is Sightron. Very bright, very clear.

You have got a lot of good suggestions in this thread.

I believe the DNZ GameReaper, which I really like is discontinued.

I think magnification is overrated. I also do not like Vortex rifle scopes.

A VX-2 in the 2-7 variety would also be a great choice.

That is a great rifle. I love the .243 win.

Congrats.

Leupold VX2 in DNZ Gamereaper mounts.

Also a fan of the DNZ 1pc mounts. But they have their limits. When out hunting coyote I like the security of having open sights as backup, in case an animal charges as what happened recently to a coworker. None of my bolt-action rifles have that capability so I use ARs for the task, as did the coworker. From what he told us, 'just-in-time' doesn't even begin to describe the experience. Not a endorphin kinda high I care to experience.

As for hunting at distance, I personally prefer 2.5-10x and 4-12x (or something in that range) these days. A little more magnification isn't a bad thing given where my eyes are at this station in life. Fine for deer as well, and targets. Brands vary; I like Leupold VX-2 and up but have had good like with lower priced Redfield Revolutions. Steiner makes a couple of units in that range that I'm liking; I need new glass on one of my 270s and I'm seriously considering one of theirs this time around. I also like Sightron which I have on my other 270, a Tikka T3. Burris glass has improved considerably now that Steiner and them are tied at the hip; Beretta has made great strides with both of them.

I'm not a fan of Vortex glass; sure they have great warranty coverage but with their riflescopes anything lower than the higher end Vipers ain't worth a damn. Their coatings and flaring glare in low horizon light sucks, the edge aberrations happen too often and are annoying, most of their hold-over reticles are hard for me to read. Other than that, they're great (sarcasm, in case you didn't see it). Nikon glass is good, really good actually, but I don't like their constrained sight picture. A fuller field of view like what's common with Leupold and others is much more freeing to my eye.

I just thought I''d give you a heads up, I found the Meopta Meopro 3-9x40 at sport optics for 349.00 these are the same thing as the Zeiss Conquests scopes were, Zeiss re badged them with their own label, very nice scopes.

I ended up ordering one. 349.00 and free shipping is a heck of a deal.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone and a double thanks to heathtx for his offer on the Mark 4. I ended up going with the Gamereaper Low Mount holding a VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm. I’m still waiting on the UPS driver to bring my presents but hopefully they are all as good as I hope they will be.

Should be a good setup. I have a vx3i 2.5-8x36, its incredible light and bright towards the end of legal light. I really like it. The boon and crocket reticle is also awesome.

If anybody else is looking for scopes, I still encourage you to check out the sale at sport optics for the Meopta Meopro 3-9x40s. These are the exact same thing as the Zeiss Conquest and for 350.00 with free shipping, its pretty much the best bargain I've seen in several months.