First Scope Suggestions

[HonestJohn]

The 6.5cm I’m looking at does come with a 20moa rail on it.

Longer term am leaning more towards what others have suggested now and just putting in for a second deer calibre rifle in either .270 or .308, buying someone cheaper in good working order and using that as a dedicated stalking rifle.

In reality I’m unlikely to be shooting long distance that frequently, I’ve no idea how many days a month I’d even have access to Barton Road and of those days I’d only ever be able to attend weekends and then it’s weekends where i’ve got that day free etc etc so bulk of range use will be 100yds.

Was really just trying to get an idea of a decent all round scope to use initially while I learn what’s what.

You’re going to change your mind and equipment many times as you start out and begin defining what is right for you. The worst thing to do is buy equipment you lose money on, or take advice from someone trying to sell something, buy something ‘custom’ or something ‘cool’.

The m12 and t3 are good rifles, put a decent used swaro, Schmidt or Zeiss in 6x, 3-12x types on top, and you could probably live happily with it for the next 20 years. The m18 is a great rifle, but you’ll possibly be wanting to upgrade it as it’s agricultural.

Every beginner thinks they’re going to do target shooting and want a rifle that can do it as well as stalking!!! It’s written in stone. Just focus on a stalking rifle, worry about target shooting down the line, if you ever really want to go there.

I would NOT recommend a beginner start with a digital scope like the above suggested alpex. Just my view.

Give thought to the t3 superlight, why? Superlight means more recoil and muzzle flip, barrel heating up quicker, and groups opening up faster. You do NOT want a heavy barrel varmint rifle as a first stalking rifle, but on the contrary, consider a normal weight setup instead of superlight. Superlight is great for those influencers on YouTube who climb around for days in mountains in fancy kuiuiui? Gear and take one single shot at a fancy goat in a far away place. That’s not the U.K.,

Also consider resale value, m12 are old now, you’ll struggle to move it on, and there are no aftermarket parts or upgrades should that be something you want to do. The T3 is as dull as a .308, but it’s very good, accurate, upgradable in components,
Stock, etc. you can always resell it if needed as well.

I would never buy another .308, hate the things, but if I was to buy my kid his or her first rifle, it would be a good Sako or tikka in 6-7mm variant, with a decent 6x42 or 3-12x42 Schmidt, Zeiss or swaro on it.

 

[JTO]

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.

Hungarian or German for that price?

 

[sy247]

Hungarian or German for that price?

Hungarian secondhand I would have thought

 

[Pete_Cambs]

You’re going to change your mind and equipment many times as you start out and begin defining what is right for you. The worst thing to do is buy equipment you lose money on, or take advice from someone trying to sell something, buy something ‘custom’ or something ‘cool’.

The m12 and t3 are good rifles, put a decent used swaro, Schmidt or Zeiss in 6x, 3-12x types on top, and you could probably live happily with it for the next 20 years. The m18 is a great rifle, but you’ll possibly be wanting to upgrade it as it’s agricultural.

Every beginner thinks they’re going to do target shooting and want a rifle that can do it as well as stalking!!! It’s written in stone. Just focus on a stalking rifle, worry about target shooting down the line, if you ever really want to go there.

I would NOT recommend a beginner start with a digital scope like the above suggested alpex. Just my view.

Give thought to the t3 superlight, why? Superlight means more recoil and muzzle flip, barrel heating up quicker, and groups opening up faster. You do NOT want a heavy barrel varmint rifle as a first stalking rifle, but on the contrary, consider a normal weight setup instead of superlight. Superlight is great for those influencers on YouTube who climb around for days in mountains in fancy kuiuiui? Gear and take one single shot at a fancy goat in a far away place. That’s not the U.K.,

Also consider resale value, m12 are old now, you’ll struggle to move it on, and there are no aftermarket parts or upgrades should that be something you want to do. The T3 is as dull as a .308, but it’s very good, accurate, upgradable in components,
Stock, etc. you can always resell it if needed as well.

I would never buy another .308, hate the things, but if I was to buy my kid his or her first rifle, it would be a good Sako or tikka in 6-7mm variant, with a decent 6x42 or 3-12x42 Schmidt, Zeiss or swaro on it.

What put me onto the M18 was the Fenris version comes with an adjustable stock which is something I’m keen on as learnt years ago with both shotguns and air rifles that a gun that fits is key. Yes it has a varmint barrel but I figured I’d be ok with that for a while until I could afford a second deer caliber rifle?

The other options I’d originally shortlisted were a Tikka T3x in a Roghtech stock, a Sauer 100 xta or a Sako S20 but I’m a bit put off the Sako by seeing people complain of magazine feed issues.

I’m budgeting £3k-£4k initially now so guess I’ll see where I am at the time I get a grant, can’t hurt to email them to ask for them to add a .270 to the application so I have options.

I’m starting the intensive rifle training course at Cambridge Gun Club in April, have 2 stalks booked for March with a 3rd booked in April and have my DSC1 booked for May so I should have a better idea by the second half of the year of what’s what.

 

[sy247]

I would personally concentrate on a rilfe and scope for deer stalking at the moment and get a target setup later, if stalking is your priority. Otherwise I think you will be end up with a compromise and might waste money changing kit again in the future. Its not always easy to sell rifles secondhand. It's a buyers market. I shoot at Barton Road, if you want some advice I will PM you and we can chat

 

[User00057]

Hungarian or German for that price?

Hungarian. But does it really make a difference? Maybe to someone in a lab but I doubt most hunters could tell.

 

[Tyla]

I have a German Precision Optics 3-15x50i. As a budget stalking scope I can't fault it. It probably isn't quite as good as a scope twice the price but it certainly isn't half as good. No idea if you would be suitable for long range targets, I've never done that

 

[Pete_Cambs]

I would personally concentrate on a rilfe and scope for deer stalking at the moment and get a target setup later, if stalking is your priority. Otherwise I think you will be end up with a compromise and might waste money changing kit again in the future. Its not always easy to sell rifles secondhand. It's a buyers market. I shoot at Barton Road, if you want some advice I will PM you and we can chat

That would be very helpful mate, appreciated.

 

[SSN100]

https://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/threads/leupold-vx-6hd-3-18x50.302456/

This - although slightly above budget, is something to consider.

K.H

I bought a vx 5hd as my first scope. I try to shoot at around 6-8 x so as to maintain sight picture on a light .308, but I find the extra mag useful for watching and selecting deer. I also just enjoy being able to zoom in and watch deer that I may not want or be in a position to shoot.

I’m not dailing for range, but I may start as I’ve taken on some land where longer shots may be necessary.

In short, although I don’t need the 15x or the dialable turret yet, I don’t regret getting them. I’m in your area, so probably similarl ground, some woodland, but lots of open fields too.

If I didn’t allready have a VX5 I’d be very tempted by this.

 

[JTO]

Hungarian. But does it really make a difference?

No idea, but some people seem to think so. Mine is German!

 

[splash]

What reason would you not recommend a digital scope ?
Op wants a cheap scope that is adaptable for target and stalking, Aplex 4k non lrf is just over £600 new digital scopes are the future for stalking like it or not.
Glass is clearer for range use But very expensive for a good variable

You’re going to change your mind and equipment many times as you start out and begin defining what is right for you. The worst thing to do is buy equipment you lose money on, or take advice from someone trying to sell something, buy something ‘custom’ or something ‘cool’.

The m12 and t3 are good rifles, put a decent used swaro, Schmidt or Zeiss in 6x, 3-12x types on top, and you could probably live happily with it for the next 20 years. The m18 is a great rifle, but you’ll possibly be wanting to upgrade it as it’s agricultural.

Every beginner thinks they’re going to do target shooting and want a rifle that can do it as well as stalking!!! It’s written in stone. Just focus on a stalking rifle, worry about target shooting down the line, if you ever really want to go there.

I would NOT recommend a beginner start with a digital scope like the above suggested alpex. Just my view.

Give thought to the t3 superlight, why? Superlight means more recoil and muzzle flip, barrel heating up quicker, and groups opening up faster. You do NOT want a heavy barrel varmint rifle as a first stalking rifle, but on the contrary, consider a normal weight setup instead of superlight. Superlight is great for those influencers on YouTube who climb around for days in mountains in fancy kuiuiui? Gear and take one single shot at a fancy goat in a far away place. That’s not the U.K.,

Also consider resale value, m12 are old now, you’ll struggle to move it on, and there are no aftermarket parts or upgrades should that be something you want to do. The T3 is as dull as a .308, but it’s very good, accurate, upgradable in components,
Stock, etc. you can always resell it if needed as well.

I would never buy another .308, hate the things, but if I was to buy my kid his or her first rifle, it would be a good Sako or tikka in 6-7mm variant, with a decent 6x42 or 3-12x42 Schmidt, Zeiss or swaro on it.

 

[HonestJohn]

What reason would you not recommend a digital scope ?
Op wants a cheap scope that is adaptable for target and stalking, Aplex 4k non lrf is just over £600 new digital scopes are the future for stalking like it or not.
Glass is clearer for range use But very expensive for a good variable

I think people should learn the right way before taking shortcuts.

 

[Pete_Cambs]

scope decision made - think i’m going for a Leica Ampulus 6 2.5-15x56i and to get it cheap I’ve taken it with the ballistic Christmas tree style ret.

I’m used to ballistic rets from Airgun shooting so not to stressed in that.

Had a good chat with Toby at Macleod’s today who was mega helpful and this seemed like a good option at a good price and something that gives me options.

Always liked Leica glass when i’ve looked through their binos.

Having had a bit of a chat about Barton Road it’ll be a while after my grant before I’m shooting their anyway and when I do it’ll need a dedicated rifle and scope.

Thanks to all for the input, it’s helped me get my head around everything a bit more. Rifle still TBC but I’m figuring something Tikka unless I change my actual application for something else I can pick up cheaper second hand.

 

[JackDavis]

I personally use Arken EPL4 cracking scope for the money, I own the element helix and prefer the arkens

If your going down the digital route I’d go for a DNT Zulus 5-20LRF or HIK Micro Alpex 4kLRF

 

[Woodlander]

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