Finding my first scope

[LarryLightFoot]

Haha I'm yet to change the mag once whilst stalking myself. I will keep an eye out for good packages but I'm just thinking ill get more for my money with a second hand scope. I havent noticed many packaged online (not that I've really looked), is this something a lot of places offer or is it a case of building up a package at a shop and begging for a bit of discount?

Braces Of Bristol are offering package deals on the Mauser M12 Impact including Zeiss Scope and Stalon X108 mod, I was considering this option but sourced a scope on here and found an RFD doing the mod way cheaper and another closer to me doing the same rifle for the same price .

 

[big ears]

If you know exactly what you want this site might help get a good deal

Kitfinder.co.uk

 

[Frithy]

Braces Of Bristol are offering package deals on the Mauser M12 Impact including Zeiss Scope and Stalon X108 mod, I was considering this option but sourced a scope on here and found an RFD doing the mod way cheaper and another closer to me doing the same rifle for the same price .

The Mauser M12 is something im really considering. The only complaint I've seen about the rifle is the safety mechanism, is it really that loud?

 

[LarryLightFoot]

The Mauser M12 is something im really considering. The only complaint I've seen about the rifle is the safety mechanism, is it really that loud?

I think if activated or deactivated in a controlled manner with deactivating being the main one when lining up on your quarry then this can be dealt with, any safety can be noisy if a ham fisted approach is engaged .

 

[hybridfiat]

Their 7x50 is a cracking scope if you can find one.

I just got one from Holts.
I'm looking forward to comparing it with my Zeiss and S&Bs.

 

[Cottis]

The Mauser M12 is something im really considering. The only complaint I've seen about the rifle is the safety mechanism, is it really that loud?

One of my rifles is an M12. The safety is actually very good and can be disengaged very quietly if you enjoy any sort of dexterity. The only thing I would say is that in keeping it quiet, there is a chance if you are wearing gloves that you can get the very edge of your glove caught in the catch as you kinda need to hold the catch between finger and thumb to move it in a controlled way and that means putting the glove surface very close to where it could catch and take a little bite out of your gloves. Again, easily avoided once you know it is there. With or without gloves, it is fine once you know.

Certainly if you just flick the safety off casually, everything alive within a 1 mile radius will run the other way.

 

[norcan]

I would advice to find out what is the lowest possible mount/rings your rifle can fit... then choose the scope with an objective that fits that.
Normally, lowest possible rings/mounts accept 42mm.. So I would choose a magnification range that has x42objective.

Getting a scope with x56mm objective, depending on you body/neck will require a raised comb
Which often is extra cost or shooting without without a propper checkweld (at least for me... I prefer low mounted scopes.)

Scope magnificaton model range is:
6x42
1,5-6x42
3-9x42
3,5-10x42
3-12x42

Then I would choose a scope manufacturer that still exists, and produces in a Western country.
Schmidt & Bender(S&B), Zeiss, Swarovski, Kahles, Meopta, Leupold,.. and a few others I can't recall now, but these are considered better then most.
Why.. I like to support Western producers, until newcomers can reliable show they will support their products over the long run..



I prefer fixed magnification scopes.. and there are plenty of good, cheap, reliable in the UK. Used and some new.
I have 4x Kahles, 3x Leupold, 2x Schmidt and Bender, all fixed magnification, suited to their intended use.

 

[alled12]

Hi all,

I think I'm just about in the market now for my first scope. (Asked for an update on my grant today after FEO visit last week and i've been told it will be looked at and processed soon but unable to give any timescales )

I've been persuading myself to look for a second hand scope to try and get myself a better value for money purchase than what i would get paying brand new prices. At the moment I do paid stalks in Northumberland and its generally woodland areas. I am a member of a target club but this is not the discipline i would prioritise my scope towards, i'll keep the paper for practice. I was thinking about a low adjustable mag, in the 3 - 9 (perhaps 12) range and trying to stick to the relatively more renowned brands.

Are there any scopes out there that people could recommend and i'll have a look into for myself. I thought the calibre was a hard choice until i started down this avenue haha.

I would suggest invest in your optics, as i was once told a good scope will make a bad rifle shoot, a poor scope will stop a good rifle from shooting. Whatever you intend to spend on your rifle spend at least that on your scope.
Better still invest in something be it swarovski (personal choice), schmidt & bender, zeiss, khales, meopta or leica. Then hang on to it as you do what everyone else does change calibres and makers to see if they can find the holy grail , trust me its going to happen.
second hand is fine from most of these companies, swarovski and its group (kahles) have a bullet proof warranty, servicing and repair service. It usually honoured through all owners of a scope. Piece of mind and means a scope will last a lifetime.
i have 4 swarovskis, a khales and leupold mk4.
A good universal place to start is 3-12 or 4-12 good for pretty much anything you want to do.