What Scope Should I Get For My New Tikka Deluxe?

[Zachary]

You know guys, I have about 3 NIB rifles that have been waiting for scopes for a long time now.  Problem is, I just keep on getting great deals on rifles and just can't pass 'em up.

Well, wouldn't you know it....I just bought 2 more new guns this past week.  One is a Remington BDL SS in .300 Ultra Mag for $494.  Yea, I really don't need a 300 ultra mag, but it's something that I can add to my collection.

The second new gun, which is the topic of this post, is a Tikka Deluxe in 7mm Rem Mag.  I already own a rifle in 7mag - it's a Browning Stainless Stalker.  In fact, ALL of my rifles are stainless synthetic.  As such, I always wanted a "real pretty rifle" but I really wanted the Deluxe in a 7mm-08 or .308 (although I already own rifles in those calibers too. :grin: )

Anyway, so why else did I buy the Tikka Deluxe?  It was on sale for only $419!!! :eek:   That's way below wholesale and I owe all of the credit to one of our members - SHR.  Thanks SHR!

Anyway, in terms of what I want in a scope, especially for this rifle, the two biggest criteria, in addition to great optics and strong internal parts, is 1) glossy finish to match the gun, and 2) long eye relief since this is a 7mag.

As such, I was thinking about the following scopes, but I am leaning HEAVILY on the Nikon Monarch 3.5x-10x-50mm.  It has 3.8-3.9 inches of eye relief, comes in gloss finish and has excellent optics.  I own several of these scopes and love them to death, but I am open to other ideas.  I like the Elites, but the 4200s that only come in glass in this magnification range in the 2.5x10x-40mm - this is my second choice.

If any of you have other suggestions, choose "other" on the poll.  Either way, tell my why you chose what you did.

Zachary

[chk]

Zach, I like Nikon scopes. I looked through the 3x9 I bought my son and it's great. Why not a 3x9? Maybe a bit trimmer and lighter. I'd still go with the Nikon over the Bushnell. It's got a bit longer eye relief.  :wink: Dave

[longwinters]

I would choose a scope where the eye relief does not shrink as the magnification increases.  As you know the 7mm does not knock you off of the shooting bench, but it is not a 243.  I think that puts you into the 4200 or Conquest range.

[Zachary]

I was thinking about trying out the Conquest, but they don't make it in a gloss finish.  I might try and get one for one of my other new stainless synthetic rifles, but not the Tikka Deluxe.

BTW, does the Conquest really have constant eye relief like the Elites?  I think that I read somewhere that the Conquest 3x-9x has 4" of eye relief, which is very good, but that the other models have less eye relief.  That notwithstanding, I don't think that I saw variable numbers on the Conquest.

Zachary

[longwinters]

I have only looked thru 2 Conquests.  My 3.5 x 10 x 44 and my buddies 3 x 9 x 40.  Both had excellent eye relief, although I do not remember if mine is 3.5 or 4", and I did not have to move my head forward when increasing magnification.  To my knowledge both have constant eye relief.  Still as I look at the 4200 Elite . . . for the $$$

[SHW]

Get a Leupold VX-II or VX-III.  I wish I would have put that on my deluxe.  I bought the Burris b/c it was on sale.  The burris looks great, but there is something about that gold ring on the Leupold.  I am putting a matte leupold on my new stainless stalker.  It's hard to go wrong with Leupold. :-)