First Stalking Set-up - Which Scope?

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JMikeyH

JMikeyH

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Evening all,

I'm putting together my first stalking set up. I have found a suitable rifle, I have what I hope will be a suitable moderator (to be determined this weekend) and now the final piece of the puzzle I need is a scope. Apart from the usual "don't skimp on the glass", are there any pointers that I should know when selecting an optic? I was wondering about the advantages of having a fixed scope compared to a variable. The thought of getting a 6x fixed scope over something like a 2.5-10 is a little unnerving to me as I feel having the zoom in case you need it is always better than wanting it and not having the option.

I'd like to hear your opinions regarding glass before I go out and commit a rookie mistake which I would later regret

Cheers :)
 
how about the Schmidt n bender 8x56 that's a good fixed stalking scope!at a reasonable price! or if you wanting a variable look at Meopta r1r 3x12 x56 perfect stalking scope without the major price tag and its got very good glass.
 
I don't want to spend over £500 on the glass, I would commit to more if I wasn't just starting out and only having a handful of shoots a year but I can't justify it
 
In the end money is going to be a big factor in this, if you have infinite cash then buy whatever takes your fancy.

However, many people have used a 6X42 or 8X56 for years with no problems and many people with variable scopes never move them from a setting somewhere around 6 or 8 times mag.

If you buy a good, second hand, big name 6X42 or 8X56 then it will be perfect for your stalking for a lifetime but if you fancy something else then you will sell the scope for about what you paid for it and so, in effect, the total cost of ownership will be zero.

My advice is to spend your cash on going stalking, assuming you are cash limited in some way, and to spend as little as possible on gadgets. You might consider a variable scope "nice to have" but you don't need it, as the very many people who shoot with a fixed scope will testify, but the one surefire way to increase the number of deer you shoot is, instead of spending on gadgets, to spend on going stalking.
 
JMikeyH said:
Evening all,

I'm putting together my first stalking set up. I have found a suitable rifle, I have what I hope will be a suitable moderator (to be determined this weekend) and now the final piece of the puzzle I need is a scope. Apart from the usual "don't skimp on the glass", are there any pointers that I should know when selecting an optic? I was wondering about the advantages of having a fixed scope compared to a variable. The thought of getting a 6x fixed scope over something like a 2.5-10 is a little unnerving to me as I feel having the zoom in case you need it is always better than wanting it and not having the option.

I'd like to hear your opinions regarding glass before I go out and commit a rookie mistake which I would later regret

Cheers :)
Click to expand...

I'd go for this:

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Sold: - 8x56 Schmidt Bender

I have a almost brand new 8x56 Hungarian LM A7 30mm I have used it once and have decided I prefer a variable scope , No marks on it at all , Any questions please ask £325 + postage (I haven’t checked that out but shouldn’t be more than £10 )
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
 
Has got to be the S&B 8x56 Classik - you won’t regret buying one of these and it comes with a free range finder. At 100 yards a Roe doe will fit chest-to-backside between the two thicker horizontal crosshair bars (a7 ret) :thumb: also factor in £80-£100 on quality mounts and you’ll get both for under your £500 budget.
 
JMikeyH said:
Just been looking at the S+B scopes on Optic warehouse, is this the one you two chaps were speaking of?

Search results for: 'product schmidt bender klassik 8x56 hungarian'

www.opticswarehouse.co.uk www.opticswarehouse.co.uk
Click to expand...

Yes, those are an excellent scope with top notch glass. The slight downsides are they are a little large and a little heavy, for most people this isn't a problem but if you want something to complain about it is worth a mention. I've used one to shoot deer from 20 yards to 250+ yards and it is all I've ever needed. If you want smaller or lighter then the 6X42 is worth considering.

One thing I would suggest is looking at buying second hand as then you get really good value - I paid about £250 for my 8X56 S&B maybe 12 years ago and if I went to sell it I'd probably get £250 for it plus I've had 12 years used out of it so good second hand glass is effectively free to use if you look after it. Tom and Lavin Guns was selling new S&B 8X56 Hungarians for £400 a while back, I don't know if he still has them at that price but worth checking as he'd probably post to you. Also some of the S&Bs were made in Germany and some in Hungary but don't pay more for a German one as they were assembled from the same components but just took advantage of cheaper labour in Hungary. Rumour was the Hungarians were actually more likely to be perfect out of the box as they were quality checked in Hungary, and then again in Germany. No idea if that was true but don't let the Germany/Hungary thing confuse you or become an issue.
 
There are a number of things to consider.
Woodland, open fields?
Closest shot, furthest shot?
Deer only, foxing at night?
Last light? How important?

Basically, good glass is key, in my opinion, and bearing in mind your budget, I would go secondhand. Now, I have had plenty of secondhand glass and never had a problem. But, it is secondhand, so there is a small risk.
Now, many makers, make a range of scopes, the affordable version and the all singing all dancing with better low light capabilities. Now understand, the diminishing law of returns, ie £400 buys a scope and you will miss the last 10 minutes of light, a £2,000 scope gives you the last 10 minutes. But I would recommend the better glass.

So fixed or variable?
Fixed is, as said, fixed, no faffing about. Point and squeeze.
Variable give you more flexibility for woodlands. You can leave it set 6 and if you need it then you can always up it.
Horses for courses, but I can assure you that which ever one you buy, you will wonder if you made the right decision. Lol.
The one thing I do find useful, fixed or not, is an illuminated reticle, just the dot in the middle lighting up I find useful. Whether last light or woodland.

So good makes secondhand? Leupold, Minox, Meopta. Sightron.
Possibly S&B.
 
JMikeyH said:
I don't want to spend over £500 on the glass, I would commit to more if I wasn't just starting out and only having a handful of shoots a year but I can't justify it
Click to expand...
avertise for a 2.5x15x56 delta titanium bud it will do all that you want good in low light iluminated dot dials in good if you want to do that and good with night vision ad on if you go down that route s/b cant do that and you will get one for your price i sold one on hear posted 450
 
wraith said:
avertise for a 2.5x15x56 delta titanium bud it will do all that you want good in low light iluminated dot dials in good if you want to do that and good with night vision ad on if you go down that route s/b cant do that and you will get one for your price i sold one on hear posted 450
Click to expand...
The variable magnification might be useful - though I find 6x42 fine for the stalking I do.
However, I don't think you'd miss the illuminated ret on the S&B, as the crosshair is think enough to see in most light; and I'm certain I've never missed the ability to twiddle with the scope's adjustment in the field. In fact, I prefer to adjust on the range only, and then make sure the turrets are tightly covered - that way I have nothing further to think about/potentially bugger up in the field.

As ever, there's a range of opinions on this...
:)
 
DamaDama.243 said:
I'd go for this:

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Sold: - 8x56 Schmidt Bender

I have a almost brand new 8x56 Hungarian LM A7 30mm I have used it once and have decided I prefer a variable scope , No marks on it at all , Any questions please ask £325 + postage (I haven’t checked that out but shouldn’t be more than £10 )
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
Click to expand...

For that price you can ‘t go wrong, looks like a nice scope


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If I were you I'd definitely buy this 3-12x50 Schmidt here with A7 reticle, in very good nick and for only £425, an absolute bargain:

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Sold: - Schmidt & Bender 3-12 x 50 German Klassik.

This has been my favourite scope for a good few years, but now using rear add-on NV, as such I need a side focus scope, reluctantly it will have to go. A few marks on tube but optically very very good. No box but has S+B clear bikini covers. £425 posted or would consider px / swap / for side focus
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

I wouldn't go fixed, as I think ultimately you'll find it limiting at both ends. Sometimes it'll be fine but other times it'll be either too much or not enough mag.

For the money, IMO it would be very difficult to get a better all-round hunting scope than the 3-12x S+B above, and if after a while you decide it's not for you, you'll more than likely make all your money back anyway. Can't go wrong!

(I don't have anything to do with the seller, by the way!)
 
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