Question about Kimber 84M Scope and Recoil

[Gmountain]

Hi gentlemen- I think this could be my first post here, although I've been reading for a couple of years, at least.

I managed to win an auction at an NRA dinner last week and now I own a Kimber 84M Classic .338 Federal. It's the First Kimber I've ever had-actually, I was surprised I won it-I was just bidding for the heck of it, but I think it will be just the ticket for a cabin we are building in Vermont.  It seems like it's a nice rifle. I'm no expert on bolt actions though. It's got a neat NRA serial number and an engraved floorplate, so knowing how these kinds of commemoritive guns hold value, I'll be shooting it as soon as possible, lol.

Anyway, it's light and short, and it's really growing on me. I have absolutely no idea what kind of reasonably priced glass to put on it. I have a couple Savages-30-06 and 7-08 with Bushnell 3200's and I really like them, but I wonder idf the recoil of the .338 Federal will be too much for the 3200. I don't really want to spend over $300 on optics at this point.

Any thoughts? 

Mods, if this is in the wrong forum, sorry, and please move it. I put it here because I was interested in the recoil aspect.

[Handwerk]

I have one in .308, very nice rifle. I went with a leupy VX-II 3x9x40 in talley l.w. low mounts, a wonderful set-up I must say. Just keep your eyes open, used leupy's come up quite often.

[Zachary]

That is EXACTLY the combination that I was going to recommend.

In fact, I have a Kimber 8400 Montana in .300WSM with a Leupold VX-III (not the II, but the more expensive III) in 3.5x-10x-40mm, and also with Talley 1-piece lightweight scope mounts.

I am impressed with the new glass on the VX-III line.  However, since you said that you were looking for a more reasonably priced scoped, and since the VX-II is a very good scope and less expensive than the VX-III, I also recommend the VX-II, unless you don't mind spending the extra money.

The reason that I generally recommend Leupolds on Light(er) weight rifles is because they generally have the longest eye relief in the industry.

Good luck to 'ya.

Zachary

[ssghelmick]

My Montana wears a Leupold Ultra light 3-9x33 and I wouldn't consider anything else for this rifle IMHO.

[jimmyp50]

Leupold VXIII 2.5 x 8 or Zeiss Conquest 2.8 x 8MC.  I prefer the Zeiss as the reticule is blacker and easier to see, the scope is also more clear to my eyes, both feature fixed 4 inches of eye relief, both are about the same price.  Many prefer Leupold because of their name heritage, I have moved to Zeiss because I like the view. The Zeiss in low Talley lightweight mounts is the scope for the rifle.  IF you get a Leupold go ahead and get the ranging reticule as this is a good reason to justify buying the Leupold over the Zeiss (it is the only reason that I have found).  The other scopes are good but constant long eye relief willl save you some pain. 

[Gmountain]

I was able to get to the range and shoot it today. I have the Elite 4200 scope. No problems with eye relief.

The .338 Federal has very manageable recoil, and it was really much less than I was anticipating. Very accurate as well.  The Kimber does seem to be a nice rifle. I read on some websites about problems, but then I remember that of the thousands of guns sold, a couple here and there that may not be what the shooter wants do slip out, and a couple of people can really make a big splash posting on the web. I'm happy with it.

[Prophet]

Stay away from the Bushnell 3200 It is the worst scope I have ever owned. Spend a couple hundred extra and get a real scope. For my part I will never own another Bushnell, period. Nikon, Leup., Zeiss, or Swar. Go with these and you won't be disappointed.

[Zachary]

Which model Elite 3200 do you have?  I have an Elite 3200 1.5x-4.5x-32mm FireFly and mounted it on a, get this, .375H&H Mag!  Let me tell you, that scope has held up PERFECTLY!  Now, are the optics on the 3200 as good as the 4200?  No.  BUT, I find the optics on the 3200 are still quite good and certainly a good value for their price.  All of my other Bushnell scopes, however, are Elite 4200s.

Zachary

[Graybeard]

Stay away from the Bushnell 3200 It is the worst scope I have ever owned. Spend a couple hundred extra and get a real scope. For my part I will never own another Bushnell, period. Nikon, Leup., Zeiss, or Swar. Go with these and you won't be disappointed.

Booo hisss, you MAY have gotten a bad one. I reckon every manufacturer messes up from time to time BUT it has a life time warranty and they would have/will fix it for you. I've owned a bunch of Elite 3200s and consider them to be one of the better bargains out there. Not to say THE BEST but a darn solid scope for the money.