40mm or 50mm?

[223]

whats your max budget ????

 

[Fursty Ferret]

To be honest its a modest buget of £250. Dont want second hand....too much of a gamble imo
Im not new to rifles but its my first stalking rifle so im going to start with a budget scope and see how i get on. (Fair cop if you all say "i told you so" in 6 months)
I have virtually decided on a 50mm+ but now cant decide on fixed or variable. I know i will get a better fixed than variable for the same money, but just worry i will miss the variable option (having allways used variables)
My other concern is whether the budget scopes hold their zero with the rigours of centerfire useage
Nikon....bushnell.....redfield.....hawke.....hhhmmmmmm!!!???

 

[Monkey Spanker]

You could do a lot worse than a Meopta 7 x 50. Perfect for what you need.
They are about £400 new so you'll get a second hand one for about your budget. Here's one to watch:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meopta-7-...5&prg=1006&rk=1&sd=261237740911&#ht_64wt_1399
MS

 

[Fursty Ferret]

Cheers

 

[Code4]

According to a book I have, "Choosing, Using and Repairing Binoculars" By J W Seyfried, he lists a table of pupil size for the mark 1 eyeball by age.
20 = 7mm
30 = 6.5mm
40 = 6mm
45 = 5.5mm
50 = 5mm
60 = 4.5mm
70 = 4mm
75 = 3.5mm
80 = 3mm

So as you age you are not going to get the benefit of the magic 7mm so 40mm objectives with the lighter weight start to become more practical for the older mature discerning more sophisticated stalker. (I include myself in this bracket) Oh I forgot to add knackered and clapped out.

Finally someone else knows what I have been preaching on various forums for years. A 50mm or larger objective is only useful when used at the right magnification setting and in the right light conditions.
I'm 53yo with slowly worsening eye sight. On dusk an 8x56 is good but I can't make use of the 7mm available. I can only use A MAX of 5mm.

You really are better to put your money into a scope with a quality lens. Fixed magnification 2nd hand scopes can be serviced and repaired in weeks. I sent a 3.5-10x50 Kahles to Austria for repair (it was my fault) from Australia and had it back as good as new in 2.5 weeks free of charge. I believe they also do older scopes eg Pecar though there maybe a charge.

​Unless you are stalking every week it's not a hassle.

 

[RickoShay]

You can pick up a S&B 6x42 2nd hand for that money. Buy from here or off the 'Bay of E', they appear frequently. I bought a German one off here last year for less - it's superb, and gives the 1.7-10x42 Swaro a run for it's money.

 

[joe soapy]

An expensive scope is a wonderful thing to own. But, I would suspect that for the majority of shooters, the money spent on range time and ammo would give a better return. I have a decent scope and a cheapo no name one,
Use the cheap one several days a week, and usually a miss is because my bad shooting, not because of the lack of quality glass

 

[RickoShay]

An expensive scope is a wonderful thing to own. But, I would suspect that for the majority of shooters, the money spent on range time and ammo would give a better return. I have a decent scope and a cheapo no name one,
Use the cheap one several days a week, and usually a miss is because my bad shooting, not because of the lack of quality glass

Sure, which is why some might suggest buying 2nd hand quality is pretty sensible. Would rather see that deer at twilight because of good glass and can take the shot than not get the opportunity of turning that range and ammo time into a cull because I cannot see the target; with or without quality glass we all miss, noted.

Think £250 is a decent budget if you are open to 2nd hand optics. I've bought ALL my latest glass 2nd hand and the difference between even Leupold (previous scope) and S&B is quite distinct; one is better, clearer and gives clarity for longer than the other as the light fades/approaches.
​Don't need range time so much, getting out at all is a blessing so don't want to miss my chances!