Rifle and Scope

[sgtbpm]

Hi all, new guy here.  Question, I just bought a Weatherby in 300 Wby Mag, always wanted a Weatherby :-), but anyhow, New gun new toy. I also own a Win Mod 70 in .270 for years and always have had a Tasco Scope world class on it.  Not a great scope I know, but it has taken a licken and kept on ticken so to speak.  I bought a new Tasco world class for my weatherby, and when took it in to get mounted and bore sighted the guy asked me why and with a smerk I was putting a Tasco scope on a Weatherby specially in that caliber.  Anybody have any comments good or bad about this combo?
Also any comments on the Weatherby 300 Mag? hopefully a trip or two to alaska and Wyoming, Elk and Moose, which I thought would be better then my .270, but mostly kansas game

[oliverstacy]

I have never liked a cheep scope.  I guess the saying is true...you get what you pay for.  I have alway laughed at someone that puts a cheep scope on a very nice gun.  Granted I'm not laughing at you directly, everyone's financial situation is different.  I now have two kids and money is much tighter.  Gun's and scopes aren't on the priority list if you know what I mean.  If you saved that money to buy a great rifle why go cheap on the scope.  Granted you don't need a $1000 Zeiss or something like that.  Nice scopes though.  

I finally broke down and got a Leupold for my 300 Savage Remington 700 Classic.  Always wanted one of those scopes with the Gold Ring up front.  I bought a VX-II  3-9x40 and absolutely love it.  What I noticed is how clear it is and the way it performs in low light.  Simply amazing.  Never had enough money in the past to spend on Leupold.  That doesn't mean I don't like my two Burris fullfield II's.  Both are very nice.  I do notice after this fall how much better (my opinion) the leupold VX-II is compared to by first Fullfield II.  The second is a Fullfield II 4.5-14x (very nice scope).  

My opinion is if your going to spend that much on a rifle save some money and scope it accordingly.  I currently have a Remington waiting for enough money to get a good scope.  After this fall I see that it's a good decision.

Josh

[sgtbpm]

Yeah, I was just looking at some Leupold's was thinking about the vx-1 3-9x40, or the rifleman. both for 200 dollars.

[NYH1]

I would get a Leupold VX-II scope. I have one myself. Either a 3-9x40mm or a 4-12x40mm. The Leupold VX-II line of scopes is one of the best values you can get. The new VX-II scopes are essentially the same scope as the Vari X III scopes from a few years ago. Your gonna pay VX-II money for a Vari-X III scope! The VX-II scopes have the multicoat 4 lens system. The VX-I and Rifleman scopes don't have the 1/4 click adjustments they have friction bans instead, their not even in the same league as the VX-II scopes. If you can't afford one now (been there many times!), save your money until you can afford one, its probably gonna cost around $400 or so! You have a nice rifle, now put a nice piece of glass on it!
 





This is from Leupold's web sight!
 
New! Enhanced VX-II Product Line
VIEW PRESS RELEASE PDF (1/21/04)

NEW! LEUPOLD VX-II 4-12X50MM
PRESS RELEASE PDF (6/1/04)

The VX-II is one of our most popular lines of riflescopes, and the reasons become clear to anyone who picks one up. Full of useful features like 1/4-minute “click” windage and elevation adjustments for precision, and added new ones such as the Multicoat 4® lens system for exceptional brightness and clarity, lockable, fast-focus eyepiece, tactile power indicator and the option of our new Wide Duplex® reticle, the VX-II is built to meet the demands of today’s serious hunters and shooters.

• New! Tactile power indicator makes it easy to tell your scope’s magnification with just a touch, without ever taking your eye from the eyepiece.

• Multicoat 4® lens system for unparalleled light transmission in all light conditions (formerly available only on Vari-X III riflescopes).

• Absolute waterproof and fog proof integrity — Leupold pioneered the waterproofing technology that’s now the industry standard.

• New! Lockable, fast-focus eyepiece securely locks your eyepiece once you’ve set your reticle focus.

• 1/4-minute “click” adjustments for windage and elevation.

• Incredible accuracy, shot after shot, at all magnifications, for the life of the scope.

• Ruggedness that has made Leupold a legend.

• Eye relief that’s generous and non-critical.

• Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee.

VX-II is available in the following models:
NEW! VX-II 1-4x20mm
NEW! VX-II 2-7x33mm
NEW! VX-II 3-9x40mm
NEW! VX-II 3-9x50mm
NEW! VX-II 4-12x40mm Adj. Obj.
NEW! VX-II 4-12x50mm
NEW! VX-II 6-18x40mm Adj. Obj.

[NYH1]

Here are some prices from Cabelas!




Power Finish Reticle Obj.
Dia.
(mm.) Eye
Relief
(in.) Length
(in.) Weight
(oz.) FOV @
100 Yds.
(ft.) Qty Price
1-4 Matte Duplex 20 4.3-3.8 9.2 9 75-28.5  $259.99
   
 
2-7 Matte Duplex 33 4.9-3.8 10.9 10.5 42.5-17.8  $279.99
   
 
3-9 Gloss Duplex 40 4.7-3.7 12.3 12 32.3-14  $279.99
   
 
3-9 Matte Duplex 40 4.7-3.7 12.3 12 32.3-14  $299.99
   
 
3-9 Silver Duplex 40 4.7-3.7 12.3 12 32.3-14  $299.99
   
 
3-9 Gloss Duplex 50 4.7-3.7 12 13.7 32.3-14  $329.99
   
 
3-9 Matte Duplex 50 4.7-3.7 12 13.7 32.3-14  $349.99
   
 
4-12AO Matte Fine Duplex 40 4.7-3.7 12.3 14 22.8-11  $399.99
   
 
4-12AO Silver Fine Duplex 40 4.7-3.7 12.3 14 22.8-11  $399.99
   
 
4-12 Gloss Duplex 50 4.1-3.7 12.2 14.2 22.8-11  $429.99
   
 
4-12 Matte Duplex 50 4.1-3.7 12.2 14.2 22.8-11  $449.99
   
 
6-18AO Matte Fine Duplex 40 4.7-3.7 13.4 14 14.5-6.6  $429.99
   
 
6-18AOT Matte Fine Duplex 40 4.7-3.7 13.5 15.8 14.5-6.6  $449.99

[roper]

I started back about 40yrs with a plain jane 3x9 leupold and it's a hard scope for one to beat.   What I would  do is look at the vari-x1 and 2 and see which you like best.  May want to look at the rifleman scopes also from leupold.  Well good luck.

[smoky]

If you can wait until after hunting season, check out Ebay then.  I have bought new and used leupold's there for a great deal.  You should definately be able to get into a new VX-II for $300.

Smoky

[Grubbs]

Hate to disagree with all you Leupold fans out there, but I wouldn't dare say any Leupold is a good value these days.  Having owned over 30 rifles in the past, If I were in the market for a scope I would do the following:

Burris FFII instead of Rifleman or VXI
Nikon Monarch instead of  VXII
Burris Signature, Pentax Lightseeker, Elite 4200, or Zeiss Conquest instead of the VXIII.  

I feel you get equal or better performance out of the ones listed above for less money than the comparable Leupold.  I know, you will say that Leupold has best warranty out there.  I've used all of the scopes listed above plus many more and have never had to use anyone's warranty.  Leupold does a heck of a marketing job, but there are far better values out there for your hard earned money in my opinion.  Swarovski A-line 3-10x42 is best scope I have personally ever seen or used.

[Graybeard]

Not to tell you which specific brand to choose but for sure I can't imagine spending the money you have on a Whby. rifle and the money you will on the out of state hunts and trusting it all to a Tasco. Sorry, just does not compute. The only brands on my rifles that will go on such hunts are Bushnell and Leupold. Got rid of all my Burris scopes but for sure all of them are mounted in Burris Rings and almost all in Burris Signature rings. Love their rings, don't care for their scopes.

[lilabner]

You got a sure enough long range rifle with the punch to kill large animals way out there! If I were you, I'd put a few hundred rounds through that baby to get fully accustomed to how it handles and shoots before I took it anywhere expensive. A lot of game is wounded and lost because the shooters weren't fully acquainted with their rifles and it seems it usually happens with magnums they bought for the big hunt.  Your Tasco may be OK but I'll bet it won't work in low light situations like a more expensive scope. Drop it in boiling water for a few minutes, then pull it out and check for fogging. If it is OK, dry it off and put it in the freezer for an hour or so and check it again for fogging. If it's still OK, shoot a bunch of full power loads through it and see if it will hold zero.  If you are going into wilderness country, consider taking a spare scope and rings, sighted in for your rifle. Good insurance. Without the spare, you'll probably have to borrow the guide's .270.

[pastorp]

What model weatherby did you buy? Regards, Byron

[longwinters]

I have to concur with the others.  You have a pretty expensive rifle and are looking to put it in some rough situations.  Ck the Optic Zone or SWFA for prices on at least a mid-priced scope.  Read the forum on "optics" and see what guys are shooting.  

Long

[Graybeard]

Drop it in boiling water for a few minutes, then pull it out and check for fogging. If it is OK, dry it off and put it in the freezer for an hour or so and check it again for fogging.

That would NOT be a smart move. NEVER EVER put an optical instrument in boiling water. They are not designed to deal with that temperature level. The proper test is to freeze it and then drop it in warm NOT BOILING water. If you see bubbles coming out of it you know you're got a leaker. Same if it fogs inside scope after this test.

[sgtbpm]

Thank guys for all the info. How about Nikons, I saw one out at dicks for around 150 dollars that I could probably afford after CHRISTmas, also a Bushnell for alittle over $100.  And to answer one of the questions, the rifle is a synthetic Vanguard for $400 at Cabela's.  I have shot it already, put a box through it, not as bad recoil as i have been told, less then my friends 338 Win Mag in my opinion.   Just hard to find ammo for it, so am going to learn to reload and got some equipment on the way.

[Lawdog]

sgtbpm,

Excellent rifle and cartridge.  POS scope.  There is a reason why Tasco went bankrupt.  Too many complaints, product returns and not backing up their products.  As was stated, go to Ebay and see what kind of brand new scopes you can get at a lower cost than you paid for that Tasco.  Lawdog
 

[Dave in WV]

Back in the day Tasco World Class scopes were decent. I had a 2x7 and it was a good scope. A Leupold VX2, Burris FF II, or Nikon Monarch would serve you well for many years and you only have to buy them once.

[Paul Barnard]

I'll take a different stance on this one.  If the Tasco is working, stick with it until you save enough money for a better quality scope.  I have a Leupold VX1, and it's not any better than my Bushnell Trophy I paid half as much for.  Most of my scopes are in the 100 -150 dollar range.  In that range, I think the Weaver classic 3x9 is the best.  Mine is much nicer than my VX1.

I bought a Simmons 2.5x20 shotgun scope for 20 bucks 5 years ago.  I put it on my 45-70 guide gun because I liked the extra long eye relief.  I anticipated getting rid of it as soon as I could afford a nicer scope.  After 5 seasons and over 500 rounds of stout handload recoil, the scope still does what I want it to.  I regularly shoot less than 1 inch 3 shot groups at 100 yards.  

A few words of caution about cheap scopes.  In poor light you will sacrifice some shooting opportunities.  Not only because better scopes process light better, but also because cheaper scopes can have bad glare problems on the back lens (especially if the sun has set behind you).  They don't always shoot to the same point of aim on their highest and lowest power settings.  They can be a pain in the butt to zero because the 1/4" clicks don't always do what they are supposed to.  Most will hold zero reasonably well, but not always.  

Again, if you have yours zeroed and are happy with it, don't feel compelled to rush out and spend more money.  Each year I see more deer killed in my neck of the woods with low end scopes than with high end scopes.

With all that said, a quality scope is surely a thing of beauty.  I wish I had the money for top quality glass.

Paul

[pastorp]

I believe the leupold VX11 in either 2-7 or 3-9x40 would be a fine addition to you new vanguard. At  about $279 with several companies offering free shipping it would be a fine quality scope with an excellent warranty that will with reasonable care last you a lifetime. I recommend the leupold double dovetail rings and bases. I have a weatherby ultra-lite in 257WM with this scope and rings & bases on it and have been very satisfied. Regards, Byron

[anthony passero]

I know this is different then what others are saying, but I love fixed 6 power scopes for 300 mags out west.The leopold 6 x 42  or a burris signiture in  6x will give you all the power that you need and are more reliable. Great light gathering ability and plenty of field of view for timber shooting.  Years of guiding out west convince me fixed powers are the way to go for a trophy hunt. I know people will argue this but its true. Burris by the way used to stand behind there product as well as anyone. Had a dude scope break(he dropped it), they overnighted one out to him at the ranch!! You can't beat that for service. I do not know how they are now that some conglomerate bought them out.
 
     As for loads if you hand load a Sierra 200 grain boatail or a 200 grain Nosler partition and a stiff load of H4831 or Re22 with a federal magnum primer  is what makes your rifle hum!! Drops everything from 100 lb. Antelope to 1000+ pound Moose. Hell of a rifle. Great hunting !! They kick though.

[pastorp]

I agree with Anthony on the straight 6x for western hunting. I have never needed more power for shooting. I lived on the edge of the Gila national forest for 16 years and used either a 4 or 6x for most of my hunting. When you add Alaska into the agenda I believe a variable is better. I prefer a 2x7. There are times you will want more field of view than a 6x will give you, especially with the big bears. On the tundra you will need 6 or 7x for the longer shots. A leupold 2x7 VX11 is about ideal in size, weight, and power range. They offer sharp optics and gather enough light even for our normal rainy, overcast conditions in southeast alaska. There are cheeper scopes and many that are more expensive, but when you take everything into consideration I don't believe you will find anything that works better for what you have said you want to do with this rifle. Concerning the 300WM caliber It will work for any big game in the USA at any reasonable range. On the brown bears you must absoulty be sure of your first shot. If you know where to shoot them to break them down, and can place your shot exactly where you want it then the 300WM will work. Of course if you can't shoot nothing works, and you need a back up with a heavy rifle. If you are a non-resident hunter the law requires you to have a guide anyway. For all other Alaska game your rifle is an excellent choice. Sorry for the length of this post I did not intend to write a book. Hope my opinions are helpful. Byron