Can I get some Sigforum wisdom on a scope decision?

I have a browning X-Bolt in stainless it is 30.06 and I hope to use it as my deer rifle.

I am a little lost as to what I need to put on it, 3x9 or 4x12? I hunt in Texas normally but could go other places at some point.

What brands are good? I’m not experienced with scopes and other than red dots I have no experience with scopes so any advice would be great.

Leupold, enough said. Power is your choice as you are the one that knows the distances you may shoot at.

redfield, leopold, burris depending on your budget.

I think you are fine with either 3x9 or 4x12. you could also go fixed power.

I’d go 3-9 or a bit higher.

I just ordered this Zeiss, somewhat a holiday weekend sale.

https://www.classicfirearms.co...-12-44-zbr1-reticle/

I have and have used Vortex, Nikon, Swavorski, Leupold, Trijicon and by far my favorite scope is the Steiner H4xi for hunting. Great reticle for hunting, brings in a massive amount of light, good contrast and illuminated.

https://www.steiner-optics.com...escopes/h4xi-3-12x56

Very happy with my Nikon on my Tikka T3x.
Monarch 5 4-20x50

My boss put a Prostaff 4-16x40, IIRC, on his Tikka T3 243

Brother-in-law has a Buckmasters 4-16x40 or close to that on a Rem700 308

Was a huge improvement over the cheap Simmons 3-9x40 on my Marlin 336.

what kinda ranges are you typically shooting? 9X is plenty for pretty much anything, but I could see wanting a bit more magnification if you're going to routinely be shooting 300+ yards down the sendero. here in georgia, I don't ever put it on anything more than about 6X.

leupold is my standard. I love the VX2, which they have discontinued so you can probably find them for good deals. but if I needed a new scope today, I'd buy this: https://www.drgunsupply.com/pr...680-030317010126-688

If you’re planning to hunt in the valley, you’ll get a lot of low light shots. A 50mm scope with good glass will let you stay in the stand a bit longer in the evening. I run a Zeiss Conquest 4-16x50mm. We hunt south of San Antonio near Pleasanton. I hunt one stand with shots from 75 to 475 yds. Good glass is a big advantage.

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I have been happy with the Leupold VX-Freedom series 4-12X40 (which replaced both the VX-1 and VX-2 series of scopes)...I have the 4-12X40 on an AR...it's clear, easy to adjust, lifetime warranty and will not break the bank if you are on a budget...

https://www.amazon.com/Leupold...d%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-9

Personally if I were to venture into the woods for deer I would choose a 2-7... At lower power (2X) you have a wide field of view plus the option of cranking up to 7 power if needed...for hunting field of view is important...this scope has been flawless for me over 10 years...it's made in the USA by Leupold and carries the lifetime warranty...I really like the ranging reticle and the glass is clear...this is a great hunting scope at a good price point...

https://www.amazon.com/Redfiel...1JEJGYD9TZ9TQXANB5B0

One thing to not skimp on is scope rings...I have never been disappointed with the Leupold rings (not rifleman)...I am a big fan of their quick detachable rings.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078..._encoding=UTF8&psc=1

If you do not need the QD option...these are a little less expensive...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078..._encoding=UTF8&psc=1

quote:

Originally posted by Abn556:
If you’re planning to hunt in the valley, you’ll get a lot of low light shots. A 50mm scope with good glass will let you stay in the stand a bit longer in the evening. I run a Zeiss Conquest 4-16x50mm. We hunt south of San Antonio near Pleasanton. I hunt one stand with shots from 75 to 475 yds. Good glass is a big advantage.

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Good point, ours is at the far N end of Lake Falcon & low light is true.

I like the leupold vx3i, meopta meopro and the nightforce shv.

A 3-9X is a great all around deer scope. The only thing I like more magnification for it small varmints or target shooting. I'm a Leupold fan and currently have a VX3i 3.5-10X on my deer rifle.

My first deer rifle scope was Lyman Alaskan. Yes I'm old. Leupold 3-9 are what I use now. Also have used Redfield. But no scopes I have today for hunting are real new. Only the Leupold AR special scopes for Service Rifle are new. I even still have my Redfield 3200 scope and Lyman Super Targetspot

I have a Vortex 2-10 PST Gen II with a FFP reticle on my deer gun and I couldn't be happier. Low light performance is outstanding. I have not found a need for a larger objective.

I'm a big believer in FFP scopes. I can't think of what more I'd want in a deer scope.

The pic was just taken a week ago today on it's first outing after she got a new paint job...crafting time with the kids!

Academy has some Nikon's on sale, if you can log on and order. 4-12x40 BDC 100 bucks, unless you're looking to spend good money on a Leupold, etc.

I used to go with minimum of 4.5X14s but toyed with a a 4.5X18 this season.
Seldom go lower than 6X and use the 18X for evaluating the antlers . Not enough power on my binos for my old eyes. Have a 4X24 Vortex on the way for next year.

Shot 2 8pt bucks last week.

I am 76+.

The Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 w/green MIL-DOT reticle (TR20-2G) is the best all around hunting scope I have found. Excellent glass quality and the fine green center dot really pulls your eye to the POA for quick shots. You never have to worry about dead batteries. The fiber optic illumination is bright during daylight, and the tritium illumination is perfect for low light hunting as some battery illuminated scopes are too bright for shots at the very last light of dusk.

The MIL-DOT reticle gives you references for hold-overs at distance, I dropped an Antelope with one a few years ago at 350 yards. It only weighs 13oz and is very tough, I used to run one on my SCAR 17S and it never skipped a beat. Several of my hunting buddies also have them and we all rave about how good it is for hunting.

https://www.eurooptic.com/trij...-with-green-dot.aspx

I have several Trijicon optics and every single one has been excellent. The Accupoint line is made in Light Optical Works (LOW) Japan, the same facility that makes many Nightforce optics. Trijicon is much higher quality than the made in Philippines (or China) optics from some other manufacturers at similar price points.

i will take a quality 2-7x33 scope over a lesser quality higher mag. scope all day every day. Max I would put on a .06 would be a 4.5-14x

quote:

Originally posted by esdunbar:
I have a Vortex 2-10 PST Gen II with a FFP reticle on my deer gun and I couldn't be happier. Low light performance is outstanding. I have not found a need for a larger objective.

I'm a big believer in FFP scopes. I can't think of what more I'd want in a deer scope.

The pic was just taken a week ago today on it's first outing after she got a new paint job...crafting time with the kids!

Need to paint that scope yo!

Nice stick!

What is your budget?

I would go with something in the 2 to 3x on the low range and a max of 9 or 10x on the high range. 9x at 500yds is similar to 56yds with no magnification. And 500 yds or even 200yds is an unethical shot for most hunters. A 2 or 3x on the low end will give you a wider FOV which is faster on target especially at closer distances.

Buy the best glass in your budget. The difference of good glass vs poorer glass will really be noticeable in more challenging lighting conditions.

Lastly buy good rings!! Don't skimp on rings. Talley's are good rings reasonably priced.