Author Topic: What should I consider when buying a scope for my Pro Hunter 280 Rem ? (Read 3116 times)

Lower40 · « **on:** December 21, 2008, 07:47:55 AM »

Not sure which scope I will settle in on but considering the Nikon Monarch series in silver (2.5 -10X42) for my new T/C Encore Pro Hunter stainless in 280 Remington...that said ...let me ask:

What considerations must be taken into account purchasing/mounting a scope on the T/C Pro Hunter? ie tube diameter 1" or 30mm, ring height, "objective lens diameter" clearance (ie 40mm vs 50mm).

This is my first T/C firearm, have several HR/NEF singles that I sincerely enjoy...but had minor issues with the hammer hitting the scope flaring near the rear lens..not a big deal..but after adjustment ...eye relief was affected some.

MS10point · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2008, 02:51:58 AM »

I like your choice of scopes as I to am a fan of Nikon scopes. My .280 barrel wears a Nikon Monark 3x9x40 and my .35 Whelen wears a Burris FFII 3x9x40. Both are mounted on Talley one piece mounts in Med. height. I don't need a hammer extension on either. A lot of people use the Warne Maxima bases and rings and I really can't argue with them, they are probably about the best you can get . I just liked the simplicity of the Talleys and they have done well for me. My suggestion is to go to the gun shop and look around. Either way a Med. height ring will most likely work with any 40 - 42 mm scope. I personally would stick with a 1" tube. One thing thats worth mentioning is that the ocular lens on the new Monarks is larger and will make for a little less hammer clearance but I think since you have the swing hammer you will still be fine.
I predict that any way you go you will love this rifle. My .280 is a standard 24"ss and it shoots great and is fun to carry.
Enjoy!
TP

Lower40 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2008, 06:52:04 AM »

MS10point

Thanks for the objective/informative response. Considering that I have zero experience with Nikon..can you shed any light on the Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14X40mm (silver 6456) series scopes? The Monarch may have more features than I really need for my specific hunting situation. The Buckmaster is also a couple hundred dollars less.

Ed

HandiAndy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2008, 07:11:32 AM »

Ed,
It's like anything else. You get what you pay for. I think you'll be ahead in the game if you go ahead with the MONARCH. It will be there for you a little earlier and a little later in the day than the Buckmaster and I believe the Monarch is a little clearer. I've got the 2.5-10x50 on two of my barrels with medium weaver quadlock rings on weaver bases. Seems to work well for me. I don't have the swing hammer or an extension and I manage the hammer OK.

Lower40 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2008, 05:04:45 PM »

Good point...lost a shot at a nice buck one year that I could see with my naked eye late in the day..but just couldn't locate him fast enough with my little fixed power (4X) scope. Gander Mountain has the silver Monarch 3-9X40 for $299...but I really like the idea of your 50mm lens.

No hurry...about 10 months until deer season up here....but the coyotes need some thinning.

Ed

surveyor47 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2008, 06:31:56 PM »

I like the Burris 2-7 power Fullfield Scope. The image is sharp and clear. It has a diopter adjustment for eyeglass wearers. It is rugged, which I cannot say for the Nikon. 2 Power is the highest minimum magnification Im willing to deal with, due to the close ranges at which I have so frequently encountered deer. For every 1 deer I have seen at 100 yards, I have seen 20 deer at 50 yards and more frequently at under 25 yards. Burris gives you a lot of scope for your money and it is the only scope I am currently willing to purchase. If you cant hit it with 7 power, it is unlikely that you can hit it with 10 power and you will definately loose out in a close quarters encounter.

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2008, 03:23:21 AM »

Long long ago back in the days when about all that was available were the old El Paso Weavers, Redfield and Leupold scopes plus a few really cheap Bushnells I lost what might have been the best buck I've ever seen in the woods due in my opinion to the el cheapo Weaver on my rifle.

The buck had been spooked by a shot from another hunter in a hollow the other side of a ridge from me. Dunno if he shot at the buck or it just spooked at his shot at another deer. It ran over the ridge and down into the hollow I as in and hid behind a patch of brush and saplings there. I could see it moving around back there for awhile and am reasonably sure that if I had a really good quality scope I'd have been able to have found a hole to get a bullet thru but with the blurry piece of crap I had on my rifle I just couldn't see clearly enough for the shot.

I really thought after he had time to calm down a bit he'd walk out one side or the other giving me a shot but he sure didn't. He left apparently the only way he could without me seeing him that being directly away from me keeping the brush between us until he was out of sight of me.

I'll never know for sure if a better scope would have allowed me to make a shot and put him down but I'll always believe it would have. I junked that scope when I returned home and bought the best Redfield available at the time and not long afterward switched to Leupold scopes. I now use mostly Leupold and Bushnell Elite scopes on my guns. I've not gone back to the woods with a cheap scope since that day.

My advice is to buy the best you can afford even if you must wait awhile and save up a bit more to get better quality. I've no experience with either scope you mention so can't help with that but my advice is do not settle for less than the best your finances will allow.

Keith L · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2008, 03:36:53 AM »

I agree with Bill. I don't have enough time in the woods to loose shooting because of a poor quality scope. I was in Gander Mountain one day when I saw a guy buying a $1,000 dollar rifle to take to Alaska on a once in a lifetime hunt, then want to put a cheap Chinese scope and mount on the gun. I have several $100 rifles with $500 scopes on them. I can fix the rifle. I can't improve poor performance on a scope.

Idaho_Elk_Huntr · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2008, 04:32:11 AM »

I use Leupolds and have never been sorry for it. If the Leupold does have a problem Its a 10 day turn around for a repair. Have had it happen once. Nikon well 6 weeks later I was calling and getting tranfered here and transfered there. Leupolds has the best customer service! Period!
You can pick up a new VXII 3x9x40 here for $279, be patient and you can find a good one on the net for $200-$225

rebAL · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2008, 05:00:16 AM »

Eye relief!!! It' better to draw blood on your quarry rather than your face.

hogrdr · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2008, 05:35:29 AM »

I have Leupold mounts and scopes on all my barrels and love them. If you have time to watch it may take 4 to 6 weeks you can get NIB Leupold scopes cheap on eBay. I picked up 2 NIB VXII 3X9X40 $200.00 and $215.00 delivered and one VXL 3.5X10X50 for $425.00 this is a $600.00+ scope. Just pick the scope you want search then watch them all and every now and then one falls through the cracks cheap. Or if you want to really save money watch local classifieds pickup a older Leupold not in good shape. Send it back to Leupold sometimes they fix and cleanup and sometimes they send you a new replacement as they did to my dad few years back! You can't beat Leupold warranty IMHO!

Hog

Lower40 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2008, 03:22:55 PM »

Hog...thanks I'm on the same channel with you. My intent is not/was not to buy a cheap scope, I was just requesting characteristics to be considered when fitting a T/C Pro Hunter with a scope and MS10point helped me very well in that area. I am still researching manufacturers..but do like the Nikon Monarch series as discussed and am leaning that way. The Monarch series run in the $500-$900 range depending on features...so I feel confident saying that anyone considering a Monarch shouldn't be typecast as looking for a cheap scope. That said, you are absolutely correctly by being patient buying on eBay...I have about 6 months before I really need the scope...so time is on my side. Why pay $500 when I can get the same scope for $300 with some patience. Now I'm even leaning more to a black scope for my "stainless" T/C Encore Pro Hunter.

Ed

Attached a picture of a "little" upstate NY coyote taken with one of my H&R Ultras.

...

hogrdr · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2008, 03:55:37 PM »

Lower

Nikon makes great products as I have Monarch 800 range finder and love it. I buy Leupold for two reasons warranty and eye relief almost 1" more than Nikon. If you ever get into bigger cal. like my 300 mag. trust me you need the extra inch. You can't go wrong with Nikon I just feel you get more for the same money spent with Leupold IHO. But that being said I started my Pro Hunter addiction 1 year ago. Buy what fits you and to heck with anything else. What matters is when you pull up aim you are comfortable and you hit what you aim at! Good luck

Hog

hogrdr · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2008, 05:04:51 AM »

Lower

Just a couple pictures for you to get an idea SS vs Matt Black! My black is a Leupold Matt Black custom silver splash i picked up on ebay and I love the contrast. But you will get the idea of what black looks like on your Pro Hunter. I like SS on Realtree stock and Black on black stock. The best thig is you can buy more barrels and mix and match till you have all color combos.

I will be putting SS base and rings on my VXL 3.5X10X50 true Matt Black scope but it has to wait till after CHRISTmas.

Hog

Lower40 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2008, 12:20:22 PM »

Hog:

Thanks for the pictures they both look great! I would be happy with either setup. Didn't mention it..but my TC Encore Pro Hunter (frame) is coming from the custom shop..ordered the SS frame with gold inlaid -2 Trophy Bucks- expected it to arrive before Christmas..but maybe this Friday or Monday. The black FlexTech butt and forearm didn't make it yet either along with the 280 Rem barrel! Have almost $900 tied up so far... and still without a scope! Post retirement gift to myself.

Monitoring Ebay...either a Nikon or Leupold...only when the price is good!

Really like your Leupold scope bases...look rugged compared to the two piece Weaver style. Have a part number?

thanks

Ed

surveyor47 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 24, 2008, 01:12:21 PM »

My experience with Nikon Monarch is not good. I purchased one several years ago and mounted it on a T/C Omega. On my first hunt with it, I took a fall and it got a pretty good wack, not extreme, the sort of thing you expect in the outdoors. When I checked the scope at the range the next day, it wasn't even on target at 25 yards. I sent it back to Nikon and it was supposedly repaired. I took it to the range and sighted it in with about 25 rounds fired. I decided to make a 1 click adjustment and something went haywire. The gun, which had been sighted about 1" high at 100 yards, wasn't even on target at 25 yards and could not be adjusted. Nikon replaced the scope. The new scope is on my 308 Winchester and it has not as yet been out on a hunt, but is sighted in for 100 yards.

My hunting scopes are now made by Burris. Optics are just as good as Nikon, but Burris has a Posilock feature on their Signature Select series. The springs on their Fullfield II series are extra heavy, to prevent what happened to my Nikon.

A salesman at Cabelas warned me that Nikon had a reputation for delicate scopes and he was right. I would go with either Burris or Leopold.

hogrdr · « **Reply #16 on:** December 24, 2008, 01:25:55 PM »

Matte Black Leupold Part #
Base #54218
Rings 1" Tube Med. High #49916
SS
Base #54798
Rings 1" Tube Med. High #52323
I had lows 40mm will clear but just enough to slide paper betweenscope and barrel. The Dual Dovetail base and rings are a solid mount they have held up to the brutal recoil of my 300 mag with no problems.

Hog

Lower40 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 24, 2008, 04:13:22 PM »

Thanks for all of the feedback folks!

Something I was (also) thinking about..if I use a 50mm scope with medium rings/base...will the FlexTech (monte carlo style stock rise) be sufficient for proper eye to ocular lens alignment?

thanks again

hogrdr · « **Reply #18 on:** December 24, 2008, 04:18:55 PM »

Quote from: Lower40 on December 24, 2008, 04:13:22 PM

Thanks for all of the feedback folks!

Something I was (also) thinking about..if I use a 50mm scope with medium rings/base...will the FlexTech (monte carlo style stock rise) be sufficient for proper eye to ocular lens alignment?

thanks again

YES IT IS!

JTD305 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 26, 2008, 05:04:07 AM »

Quote from: Lower40 on December 24, 2008, 12:20:22 PM

Hog:

Thanks for the pictures they both look great! I would be happy with either setup. Didn't mention it..but my TC Encore Pro Hunter (frame) is coming from the custom shop..ordered the SS frame with gold inlaid -2 Trophy Bucks- expected it to arrive before Christmas..but maybe this Friday or Monday. The black FlexTech butt and forearm didn't make it yet either along with the 280 Rem barrel! Have almost $900 tied up so far... and still without a scope! Post retirement gift to myself.

Monitoring Ebay...either a Nikon or Leupold...only when the price is good!

Really like your Leupold scope bases...look rugged compared to the two piece Weaver style. Have a part number?

thanks

Ed

Check out: http://www.manventureoutpost.com/outdoor/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2300

kudzu · « **Reply #20 on:** December 26, 2008, 01:12:44 PM »

I have the PH in 280 and have a Bush 4200 2.5x10x50 and have no complaints at all. My fav. huntin rig right now. Depending on your budget, this scope is just over 400. The 3200 3x9x50 can be bought for around 200, and is a very good scope also

Idaho_Elk_Huntr · « **Reply #21 on:** December 26, 2008, 05:21:37 PM »

All the scopes you mention will work. The big deal for me is when or if you have to use the warranty. No other customer service compares to Leupold

Huntsman1 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 31, 2008, 05:09:35 PM »

On my Encore 209x50 I have a Nikon Omega and my 24" 308 a Nikon Pro Staff. For years I used cheapy tasco & bushnell scopes only to lose good shooting time before last light and continuous re-zeroing. Now I spend a little more on optics and less at the range.
Having said that, how does the .280 compare to the .308?

Lower40 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 01, 2009, 03:08:56 AM »

Huntsman1:

I normally hunt with a 308 and with zero complaints. Found a story about the Remington 280 and it's history which impressed me. Just google Remington 280. I wanted to buy a TC Encore Pro Hunter for some time now and figure I may as well try the 280 because of the it's great reviews. (The 280 meets my specific hunting needs)

If you compare the 280 and 308..you'll learn that the 280 is a real flat shooting caliber..check out this web site and compare bullet weights and calibers yourself.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/

Huntsman1 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 01, 2009, 05:23:29 AM »

Thanks for the link Lower40

Huntsman1 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 01, 2009, 05:30:13 AM »

Well, I just checked out that link and I do believe that I am sold on the .280

So it looks like my next barrel will be a TC Pro-Hunter in 280

kudzu · « **Reply #26 on:** January 01, 2009, 12:47:53 PM »

Don't think you wil ever regret the 280. My PH 280 is may favorite at the moment. This gun shooting the 140 fed. fusion will shoot under 2'' groups at 300 yrds (if I do my part).Just finished up my 2nd season with it. It has about 12 WT under it's belt. Every deer shot with this combo has not taken a step, except for a double kill where the 2nd deer went about 30 yrds. The fusion pased thru the 1st deer and was recovered just under the hide on the off side of the 2nd. Fed. hit a homer with the fusion. Between it and the 280, a perfect pair.

Lower40 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 01, 2009, 05:07:08 PM »

dancoman

Thanks for the info..I considered going with a 140 grain bullet...but wanted to hear some "field case studies" like yours. What I like about the 140 in 280 Remington...is that you really don't need a scope with "bullet drop compensation" .. essentially just put the crosshairs where you want to hit the deer & way out there!

kudzu · « **Reply #28 on:** January 01, 2009, 06:06:45 PM »

Lower40, My 280 is sighted in at 300. Shows 2.75 high at 100, 4.5 high at 200 and -8 at 400. Normallly if it's 250 or less I shoot lower 1/3 of animal and from over 300 to 400 shoot the top third of animal.

epanzella · « **Reply #29 on:** January 03, 2009, 04:19:56 AM »

I have the Nikon Monarch 2.5 x 10 x 50 on my 30-06 Encore. I used Warne all steel QD high rings and bases with no swing hammer and no hammer issues. Love the 4 to 1 zoom ratio and the 50 mm objective results in a hugh exit pupil at 2.5 making it good in close as well as being able to reach out.
Ed Panzella