Best Scope for .308 Hill Stalking?

[RP82]

I'm in the market for a high-quality scope for a new .308, with Highland stags and hinds in mind. Typical shooting distances will be between 80 and 250 yards (max), no heroics. I'm after a solid point-and-shoot solution and not looking to fiddle with on-the-spot adjustments for windage or anything else in the field.

I'd really appreciate any recommendations on make, magnification, reticle choice and objective diameter size that would suit this kind of use.

Right now, I'm looking closely at the Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 Klassik and the Zeiss V6 3-18x50. Both seem to sit at the upper end of what I need, offering plenty of magnification for Red Deer in most settings at that range.

Also, if anyone has a used scope that fits the bill, feel free to send it my way—I'm actively on the lookout.

Thanks in advance!

 

[User00056]

I'd be tempted just to stick to the tried and tested 8 x 56

 

[RP82]

I'd be tempted just to stick to the tried and tested 8 x 56

I've got a Swarovski with a variable magnification on another rifle which I've used for years and have grown to like it, so keen to replicate that, just not on another Swarovski as I don't like the look of the new scopes. All a bit too techy for my liking.

 

[Dalua]

I use a 6x42 for the stalking the OP describes.

 

[Bowland blades]

I'm in the market for a high-quality scope for a new .308, with Highland stags and hinds in mind. Typical shooting distances will be between 80 and 250 yards (max), no heroics. I'm after a solid point-and-shoot solution and not looking to fiddle with on-the-spot adjustments for windage or anything else in the field.

I'd really appreciate any recommendations on make, magnification, reticle choice and objective diameter size that would suit this kind of use.

Right now, I'm looking closely at the Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 Klassik and the Zeiss V6 3-18x50. Both seem to sit at the upper end of what I need, offering plenty of magnification for Red Deer in most settings at that range.

Also, if anyone has a used scope that fits the bill, feel free to send it my way—I'm actively on the lookout.

Thanks in advance!

You pretty much have the right scopes lined for what you want to , only things i could say is" i have similar " Though I hardly ever wind it up past 8x at the ranges you suggest. 6x42 would certainly do that job also at the range window - yet its better to carry if walk stalking a long way.
Stags are a big target area 18x is too much mag , 3-12 x is as big as i go and i am pretty sure i haven't ever needed more magnification .
I sometimes dial in wind and trajectory but thats only when i have to shoot a head say on a couched up beast , i can also look at the direction the wind is going over the topography

 

[Border]

There was a vendor advertising the S&B 3-12x50 at great prices a while ago. New and possibly also with illuminated reticle as well.

 

[enfieldspares]

3-9 is all you need. Carry binoculars or a an old school style stalking telescope for "spying". At the front end x42 is good enough and x36 works fine too.

 

[JonC]

I was debating a new scope a couple of years ago and got into conversation with Sam Thompson about his 'go-to' choice. He said S&B 8x56. (I actually stayed with my Zeiss Duralyt - continues to be a good dependable scope).

 

[Haggis Hunter]

I used a fixed power 10x42 Schmidt for shooting reds on the hill. Nice and simple and ok out to ranges you suggest, but not too high a mag even fairly close in.
hh

 

[swagger700]

I use a 6-24x50 but rarely shot past 12 power but it's handy if you need the extra mag . S&b 8x56 excellent value for money usually shand one's kicking about in the classifieds

 

[JamesH]

I have a 3-12x50 Zeiss Duralyt and a 3-18x50 v6. I’d be happy with either. The v6 with ballistics turrets is probably overkill if you aren’t into dialling but does open up longer shots.

 

[glasshalffull]

If you can get one then the Swarovski 8x50 is a great light weight option to carry on a hill set up for point and shoot. Only weighs 420gms whereas the S&B is 605gms I've owned both and still have the former on my 202 hill rifle for over 20yrs.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I've a Swarovski Z6i 5-30 x 50 on my 308 Win.

Regards

JCS

 

[Sellars]

6x42 does me. I have S&B and meopta and have never felt the need to change.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

I use a Schmidt Bender Klassik 3-12X50 on my .308 - Carry on 8X as it works okay for all situations, but can zoom in if necessary.

No disadvantage to an fixed power in the simplicity of no adjustable parallax but can zoom more when necessary.
I find the extra zoom useful when threading bullets through small gaps in branches.

If you're going to push further than about 250M, I would suggest getting a good quality dial-able scope (Schmidt bender I would recommend) and learning how to use it.

 

[VSS]

I would say go for an 8×50
What you save by not bothering with variable magnification you should spend on quality.

 

[User00056]

I've got a Swarovski with a variable magnification on another rifle which I've used for years and have grown to like it, so keen to replicate that

I'm a bit of a dinosaur, I must admit. Wood and blued steel, and fixed-mag 8 x 56 or 6 x 42 on all my rifles. Progress is bad in my book

 

[VSS]

I'm a bit of a dinosaur, I must admit. Wood and blued steel, and fixed-mag 8 x 56 or 6 x 42 on all my rifles. Progress is bad in my book

Ooh, I don't know, 56 is stretching things a bit....

 

[UpNorthMI]

Did my first 20 years of hill stalking with Swarovski 1.5 - 6 X 42 as my standard scope on any rifle I used. I never felt that I needed any more magnification for use out to 300 yards. I've moved more to the Swarovski Z6I or Z8I scopes that typically might be in the configuration of 1.7 - 10 x 42, I don't feel the need for a bigger objective lens and like to carry my rifle on a low power zoom setting, I've just about walked into deer so many times and had the instant 5 yard shot opportunity.

 

[enfieldspares]

I cannot understand this "cupholder" mentality that has now come to dominate optics. A "cupholder" mentality is that when one USA started putting one single cupholder in the centre console of their car a rival maker put two in theirs. Another company then put four (two front, two back) and next one manufacturer was selling a car with six cupholders, then eight and so on and so on.

A greater "timesed by" factor isn't always better or needed for practical purposes. Zeiss much more recently (see below) did eventually make a 2-7x32 the Zeiss Terra. But now discontinued. They weren't yet being made when I bought my 3-9x36 Diavari C. My own opinion is that for the UK where they may also be woodland stalking or in forestry that x2 is more use that x9.

The best binoculars used, IMHO, to be 7x and Leica made their BA in 7x42. Now I do not know of any quality maker who doesn't start at 8x. In telescopic sights for most usual" UK stalking I'd reckon that the best all around variable would be a 2-7. I only have a Zeizz Diavari-C on my rifle 3-9x36 as Zeiss didn't make a 1" tube 2-7x36. My first deer was shot through a Pecar 4x fixed power 'scope.