First Scope Suggestions

[Pete_Cambs]

While waiting for my FAC I'm trying to build a budget for rifle / scope / mod etc.

Rifle will likely be an M12 Impact, M18 Ferris or T3x Superlight in adjustable stock.

Looking for a solid first scope that will also be useful for range shooting, ideally variable mag I think as a fixed 6 or 8 will struggle with longer range targets I'm guessing? The budget is circa £1000 but ideally a bit under as any savings can go into other things, happy to go second hand.

Any suggestions would be appreciated as only previous scope experience is for air rifles.

 

[Muntybuck5803]

S&B 3-12x50 PMii. Single turn turrets. You might get one for £1000, likely a touch more.
You’ll be hard pushed to find as good a scope for stalking and range double duty.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Look at steiner and vortex aswell. Both used by the military and well regarded. Also a bit cheaper than other models on the second hand market

 

[Pete_Cambs]

Look at steiner and vortex aswell. Both used by the military and well regarded. Also a bit cheaper than other models on the second hand market

any suggestion on models from each? Familiar with Vortex so Viper range or are we looking up into the Razor?

 

[topscots1]

The vortex PST would get the job done, don’t want first focal plane or second. The zeiss v4 would do the job. If you can cope with a high end of 15 in magnification the discounted Leica Amplus scopes with the Christmas tree reticle are bargain.

 

[User00057]

What are you planing on shooting and at what ranges ? Not trying to tell you what to buy but i
Shoot 90% of my deer at under 150 yds. Tne S&B Klassik 8/56 is perfect for this and can be found for under £300.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Vortex wise just have a look through some, see what you like as everyone's eyes are different. The razor is the new military issue scope on the ks1, they have a good reputation for holding zero and good glass.

I've looked through steiner and Minox and thought they were both quality and above their price point

Certainly this place, ebay and gun trader are worth looking at for second hand scopes.

 

[Pete_Cambs]

What are you planing on shooting and at what ranges ? Not trying to tell you what to buy but i
Shoot 90% of my deer at under 150 yds. Tne S&B Klassik 8/56 is perfect for this and can be found for under £300.

I won't be able to afford 2 rifles off the bat so want something that I can use at Barton road which goes out to 1200 as Cambridge Gun Club which I'll be doing has access to their on given dates. Unsure if its gongs or marked targets they're to be honest at this stage. In an ideal world I'd have 2 separate rifles so a target gun and a stalking gun but I'll need something to d double duty until I can afford a second rifle down the line.

 

[Beej]

Have a look at an Element Optics Helix, they offer a few options, all excellent value for money, under £500 or else a second hand Zeiss Conquest V4 with a ballistic Turret. Cant go wrong with that glass and good for both stalking and long range targets.

 

[willowbank]

While waiting for my FAC I'm trying to build a budget for rifle / scope / mod etc.

Rifle will likely be an M12 Impact, M18 Ferris or T3x Superlight in adjustable stock.

Looking for a solid first scope that will also be useful for range shooting, ideally variable mag I think as a fixed 6 or 8 will struggle with longer range targets I'm guessing? The budget is circa £1000 but ideally a bit under as any savings can go into other things, happy to go second hand.

Any suggestions would be appreciated as only previous scope experience is for air rifles.

I’ll tell anyone the same who’s joining me IF they haven’t already bought some whistles n bells shite, usually online.

Be looking for a good used, S&B, Zeiss or Swaro, superb glass. Try to buy the mounts with the scope and ask if there’s an original box... it’s worth money when you come to sell.

56mm objective, 30mm tube with an illuminated reticule winding down to 2.5 or 3.. these scopes will give you 15mins (which can mean the difference of driving home empty handed) due to excellent light gathering if you can wind it right down.

I run 2x S&B and a Zeiss which I find has the edge.

Hope this might be useful, WB.

 

[User00057]

Would have been better if you put you will be target shooting out too 1200 in the original post as this will probably be some serious magnification you will want.

 

[308FNSPR]

What are you planing on shooting and at what ranges ? Not trying to tell you what to buy but i
Shoot 90% of my deer at under 150 yds. Tne S&B Klassik 8/56 is perfect for this and can be found for under £300.

I agree the Schmidt and Bender Klassik 8x56 is probably one of the best scopes out there. I shoot on a range out to 600 with mine and it works perfectly. I bought one before Christmas on EBay for £165 with an inch tube, I prefer the 30mm tube for better light. I have a few of them. I zero at 100 15 clicks gets me to 300 and 25 more to 600

 

[Pete_Cambs]

Would have been better if you put you will be target shooting out too 1200 in the original post as this will probably be some serious magnification you will want.

Im not saying I will be shooting to that distance though, thats just what’s available to me at the external range the club have access to as far as I know and as mentioned it needs to do double duty as a stalking gun so won’t need to specialise in either.

I’m literally at the start of the journey here and just wanted to get some ideas as I like to be organised with things.

 

[User00057]

Are you planning on Stalking / foxing ? If so do you have anywhere in mind as in open hill, woodland ? These things can make a difference to what scope is recommended. I shoot mainly Fallow and Muntjac so very fairly take a shot out to 200yds and the S&B Klassik 8/56 is perfect for my needs in woodland on my 6.5 Creedmoor. I have a Leupold 4.5-14/50 on the 30-06 for more open farmland and Scottish Roe. The extra magnification I find useful in Nov to just confirm sex before taking a Doe not young Buck that time of year.
As others have said you won’t go wrong with S&B and Swarovski.
Just looked and there are some good quality scopes for sale in the classified section at the moment. If I had £1000 spare I would buy a couple of them just as can’t resist. I’m getting a bit of a collection

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

The other problem you face is a target orientated scope will weigh a ton so it will be a balance between practicality and weight.

I have the original IOR crusader which is 4.4-44x56 with a 40mm tube.

You can see stripes on bees landing on flowers ar 100m with it but it weighs about 1.4kg!

Maybe a case of sacrificing magnification for weight or having two scopes that you can just drop on with qd mounts.

Upper end of hawke with ED glass are good for the money, though at high mags the image becomes a little distorted and washed out I've found

 

[User00057]

I have a Hawke Endurance 4-16/50 and it’s a great scope but the S&B just gives me the extra few minutes and that’s the time that counts for me. I will be selling it shortly as it’s collecting dust now.

 

[SikaSeeker]

any suggestion on models from each? Familiar with Vortex so Viper range or are we looking up into the Razor?

I’ve a Steiner ranger 4 on a rifle and it’s very good at low light levels. Have a look through one

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

I’ve a Steiner ranger 4 on a rifle and it’s very good at low light levels. Have a look through one

I do like steiner, German glass and can take a beating.

Their bins are lovely aswell

 

[7Miller]

Tract?

 

[Pete_Cambs]

I’ll explain my bigger plan as that probably helps.

I’ve put in for a 6.5CM initially, this will be a do it all gun initially as it’ll be stated for both target and live quarry. My thinking is I can live with it being heavy as given I don’t have my own land I imagine I’ll be doing more solo high seat shooting if I don’t want to go out with a guide every time. I’m East Anglia so not going to have to worry about lugging it up anything even remotely resembling a hill.

The plan after a year once funds recover is to put in for a secondary deer caliber, likely a .270 or .308 and put that rifle together as an out an out stalker so would probably go for a fixed S&B on that as I do like a simple fixed power scope.

End result would be the 6.5CM as a more range focused gun but can be used for highseat or shorter stalks on foot.

That’s the plan anyway….