Author Topic: 30-30 Optics choice (Read 1210 times)

Catahoula · « **on:** July 23, 2003, 12:16:50 PM »

I need a recomendation on a scope choice for a Contender Super 16 30-30 barrel. This barrel will be used for dear in the Indiana woods, with the occasional longer shot over a bean field or cut corn. I'm considering Bushnell Trophy 2-6, Nikon or Weaver 2.5-8, or possibly a fixed 4 power. I'm concerned that a 4x will be too much magnification for whitetail in heavy cover, and that 8x is more than I need or will use. Is the 2-6 the best choice, or should I look at the 2x models? Thanks.

Big Gun · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2003, 12:40:46 PM »

I hunted deer last year with a 14 inch 30-30 Contender using a Tasco 3x scope - on the 100 yd shots while sighting in the cross hairs covered up too much of the target. When I looked at a deer that was at 150 yds it looked like a mouse and the cross hairs covered pretty much the whole front end of the deer - I was not confident to take the shot, so I did not. The next time I take this rig deer hunting I will have one of the variable power scopes, maybe a 2-7 x. I have used the Weaver scope on my 17 Rem barrel - works great, never a problem. I have used many of the Tasco scopes on various handguns - again never a problem. I have a Bushnell 2-6 that I have not had time to mount yet. Also, have been thinking about trying out the Simmons 2-6 x - perhaps on the 30-30 mentioned above. To me 2x is just not enough scope for these long range handguns, keep them on the mid range revolvers - 357, 41, 44.

Bullseye · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2003, 01:27:05 PM »

I hunt in good ole southern Indiana in those same conditions. All my barrels that I use for deer hunting have a 2x on them. I feel that it is plenty of scope for circumstances.

Steve Pennington · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2003, 01:59:34 PM »

I like a Variable scope for hunting. I like the Bushnell Trophy 2-6x, for the money I don't think you could beat it, excellent eye relief and very clear.

KYODE · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2003, 02:21:58 PM »

i know how it is trying to save a few dollars, and it's really hard to come up with the money for a quality scope. you could save just a little extra money, wait a few extra weeks, work overtime, or whatever it takes to get a 2x7 burris. the 2x7 burris is around $250 or so. it has a 21' field of view at 100 yards on 2x. you can get by cheaper, but who wants to just get by.

seriously now, i have one on my 14" 30-30AI and it's great!
if you want to gamble, a Ncstar 2x7 can be had for $38 plus shipping at www.crankyfarmer.com, or www.dustinbrass.com.
i tried a 2x7 Ncstar on the same barrel before i mounted the burris. the vertical adjustment would not raise enough to sight in(5"-7" low at 25 yards). so i grabbed an opportunity and traded it on the 2x7 burris, along with a 4x tasco. when i mounted the burris, i figured out the mount was to blame, and not the ncstar scope. the burris had enough vertical adjustment to compensate.
at any rate, i was SUPER impressed with the clarity, eye relief, and field of view of the 2x7 ncstar, especially for that kinnda money.
:music:

Catahoula · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2003, 02:55:11 PM »

Thanks for the input. Cost isn't a serious consideration. I certainly don't want a low end scope that I don't have confidence in. I will stick to Bushnell, burris, Weaver, Nikon, or Leupold. If I end up with a Bushnell, it will probably be an elite. No Tasco. Simmons, NCstar, etc. Really just looking for input on magnification range.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2003, 03:13:46 PM »

I too have a Super 14 .30-30 AI. Mine just so happens also wears a 2x7x32mm Burris LER Handgun Scope. However when I first aquired my Super 14 .30-30 AI Barrel, I mounted a 2x6x32mm Bushnell Trophy Handgun Scope on it. While the Bushnell does indeed have generous Eye Relief, and was quite clear, the Field of View is not in the same league as the Burris. To my mind if a person wants a Variable Magnification Handgun Scope to be able to take advantage of the larger field of view at the lower magnifications, that is indeed the point.

The 2x7x32mm Burris offeres the largest field of view in a variable scope in this magnification range. I have 3 Burris LER Handgun Scopes, 2 - 3x12x32mm LER's, and the 2x7x32mm LER. However over the years I have had 2x Burris, 4x Burris, 7x Burris, 2.5x7x Burris and 3x9x Burris Handgun Scopes. All have provided me with everything I needed, with very clear optics and dependability.

Larry

KYODE · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2003, 04:19:19 PM »

i think if you compare field of view on the burris and bushnell elite, you'd go with a burris 2x7 for woods hunting. you need all the field of view you can get at closer ranges, especially moving game. if cost is not a major concern, the 3x12 burris is wonderful. i have three of them. although it does have a lesser field of view than the 2x7 model, i'd say it still equals, or betters the field of view of most others.

Robert · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2003, 04:30:18 PM »

That is the one barrel that I thought was everything it ever needed to be without a scope.

Dave1 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2003, 02:01:47 AM »

I too am watching the info posted about this scope question. I hunt in areas where I might be in heavily wooded areas with thick tree canopy overhead one day and the next day be in open country where a 150 yd or longer shot opportunity is very likely.

Is there a single type of scope (fixed or variable), brand, or model of scope that would suit both situations? Field of view and light gathering qualities is very critical to short range deer hunting.

I went thru this last summer and bought a red dot out of frustration with the tiny FOV scopes. So far the UltraDot has worked well for 100 yards or less. I was thrilled to take a nice buck with it at 90 yards from my treestand late one November afternoon.

Dave1
Winter Springs, Florida

KYODE · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2003, 03:56:43 AM »

as sdhandgunner noted, i'm pretty sure burris 2x7 has the largest field of view of any maker. the same as their straight 2x model, 21' at 100 yards. 7x should be just fine for target work and long range deer. if the smallest groups are your biggest concern, the the burris 3x12 is the ticket. IMO

Catahoula · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2003, 12:47:57 PM »

The 2X7 Burris makes sense....field of view is more important to me than bench rest groups. 7X is plenty for anything I'll do with this gun. This is a hunting barrel. I'll leave the high magnification to the small bores. :grin:

Possum · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2003, 06:13:59 PM »

Elite 3200 vs Burris 2x7

I have both of these. The Elite has generous eye relief and I have found that the minimum eye relief is too much. I mounted my scope forward on the barrel just to be able to get a solid rest with the pistol. Think about both arms extended far out and you get the picture. However, I have shot 5+ deer with it in the woods. Sight acquisition was difficult and I hunted with it at the 2x to 4x settings. This is a partly open setting where some shots would be through trees and some would be in small clearings.

The Burris is a 2x7 model that I haven't had in the woods, but have shot side by side with the 3200 at the range. The Burris is easier to shoot with target acquisition being much faster. I would say I prefer the Burris at this point because of the FOV and the added magnification.

I shot a 3" group at 300yds (EDIT oops, I mean 200yds) with a 35 Rem and the 3200. I was shooting at a 3" orange target. It suprised even me that I could place the crosshairs in the same place with this small of a target. The 3200 will work fine at the long distance since the crosshairs are small.

With that said, either scope, I believe will be durable (as much as they can be on a hard recoiling caliber), but I will buy the Burris from now on just for the FOV and the extra 1x power.

Check this link out to help you with your decision. http://www.handgunhunt.com/feature/s23/index.html

Catahoula · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2003, 03:37:30 AM »

Thanks Possum. Great link. Looks like from a FOV perspective, Burris is the leader, hands down. Makes the most sense as a field scope. The TC scopes seem to be pretty decent in that reguard as well. Anyone have any experience with those?

PJ · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2003, 09:48:07 AM »

Yep,I like the T/C scopes they are very clear and they have a better eye relief than Burris.I had a Burris 2x7 never again will I buy there crap.

They suck....customer service just is not there.The T/C scopes has never let me down and I put them through HELL and BACK.

KYODE · « **Reply #15 on:** July 26, 2003, 12:02:57 PM »

i had a 2.5x7 TC recoil proof scope, way back when. i agree with pj, it was an excellent scope. but i like the 32mm objectives better on the burris. i have about 5 burris scopes :eek: (3-3x12's,1-2x7,1- 2x) they havn't let me down, and perform flawlessly. i'll have to say the 2.5xx7x28 TC was good also. :grin:

Bullseye · « **Reply #16 on:** July 26, 2003, 03:30:31 PM »

I will take the T/C hands down. The Burris is one big heavy scope. The T/C's come to my eye better and are about $70-80 cheaper if you order one from Ed.

longwinters · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2003, 03:50:11 PM »

I would go for a straight 4x wide angle. Had one on a 30-30 for years and it was an excellent piece of glass for the caliber.

Dave1 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2003, 01:33:11 AM »

This weekend I had a chance to shoot and handle my friends Contender with 2.5-8 Leupold. As expected the Leupold scope was brite and clear. On the 100 yard range it performed flawlessly.

The only problems I noticed was at short range, say 30-50 yards, a deer would be difficult to pick up because of the small FOV. Apparently, this is a common problem with any of the handgun scopes. Also, at the highest 8 power setting, eye relief was very critical and my arms had to be stretched as far out as I could reach to get the full field of view.

Dave1
davisalf@aol.com