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best scope for 300 weatherby magnum

pranqstr
Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone has any advice on a scope for a 300 weatherby vanguard rifle. I might take it out west hunting in a year or so, and I was thinking a 4-12 scope, but 6-18, 3-9 or fixed power would probably work. I'm not a big fan of the plain recticle or duplex recticle.
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6 comments

Date Votes
  • tsr1965
    pranqstr,

    For most big game hunting purposes, the 6-18 power is too much. However, I find that 9 and 12 power on the top end. sometimes is not enough for some of the longer range shots that my equipment and myself are capable of. For that reason, a lot of my rifles wear the 4.5-14x power scopes, and most of them are the mil-dot reticle, which I have learned to use rather well.

    That brings us to your prefference in reticle's. The BDC(Nikon), Ballistic Plex(Burris), HHR(Sightron), are all extrapolations of the duplex type reticle. Then there is the mil-dot that most everyone has now days, and there is also a post and crosshair type reticle called the German #4, that is extremely quick in target acquisistion.

    I guess you need to give us a budget, so we can better serve you up some makes, and model's. If you could tell us what you prefer for a reticle, as there are literally hundreds of different ones out there.

    Best

    EDIT 1

    I don't really have anything bad against the Leupold name other than the price for what you get these day's. Leupold used to be a name brand to be reconed with, but they have sat on their behinds for the last 20 years or so, as far as techinological advances are concerned...untill as of late. In today's market the Nikon Buckmaster, Burris Fullfield II, and Sightron SII are all comparable to the older Leuplod VX-III, and are a much more reasonable price.

    Glass especially holds true to the saying you get what you pay for. Not everyone's eye, or shooting needs will be able to use the advantages of the $1000.00+ glass. But I have indeed seen better groups out of the same gun from switching from a Leupold Mk4 LRT 6.5-20x, to a NightForce NXS 5.5-22x. I actually seen the group almost shrink in half.

    Best
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  • stevecrea
    I would agree with tsr, but I would need more information to give you a definitive answer. Such as, what are you going to hunt, and where?

    I also like the 4.5-14 range of power in a scope for big game use, and have this is many Leupolds, and with the Varmint Hunter reticle, but the Boone & Crocket reticle offered by Leupold is well designed for big game hunting.

    I have many 30 mm Leupold scopes, and they are excellent. However, for most big game hunting situations, the one inch tubes are more than adequate, and are less expensive and lighter in weight.

    The 300 Weatherby cartridge is an excellent long range performer, so good glass to leverage its capabilities is wise.

    I used a Leupold VariX III 3.5-10X40 AO for over 30 years on my 7mm Weatherby, and that was adequate to make a 525 yard one shot kill on a bull just a couple years ago, so the 4.5-14 power range should be more than adequate for both elk and deer and similar size game at long ranges.
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  • pranqstr
    I know very little about scopes.

    Growing up in Mid Michigan, we had a lot of woods, so shots were less than 30yrds to 75yards. I'm not good at estimating distance beyond about 100yrd. So I'd like a scope to assist me, I assume mil dot woulds be the best for this? I haven't shot the rifle, so i don't know if it (or I) will be accurate enough for more than 300yards

    My father keeps talking about hunting elk in Wyoming, so I might use the rifle for that, considering moose in - and maybe deer in Michigan (probabaly handloaded to 30-06 level).

    I am going to Iraq for a year, then will hunt. I'd like a $200 (or so) scope for now to practice (paper targets) shooting the rifle. And after I return, buy an upgrade. Probably around $700 or less, but if the difference in quality is substatial for a $800 or higher scope, i'd consider it.
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  • FEENIX
    4.5-14 range is an excellent choice for any big game out west ... just make sure which ever scope brand/model you end up having have at least 3.5" (my min) of eye relief or you'll find out in a bad way.

    One of my .300 WM is topped with Leupold's 4.5-14x40 B&C and my .338WM is topped with Burris FFII (the US made model) 4.5-14x42 BP. Both are sighted to 600 yards.

    Good luck!

    Ed
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  • stevecrea
    pranqstr:

    The Weatherby Vanguard is more than capable of fine hunting accuracy, and you would be wise to spend the $$$ for good glass when you can. Further, the 300 Weatherby Magnum is a very well-heeled cartridge for what you have in mind regarding longer range elk and other big game hunting, especially in open and/or broken country, where shots can be long.

    In the meantime, you may wish to consider a good used scope in the $200 range. I have several Leupolds that are over 30 years old, and they have never let me down. You can sometimes find used VariX IIs and VariX IIIs in pawnshops, gunshops, online, and at gunshows for $100 to $300, and they are in new or almost new condition. And, do not be put off by exterior scratches on the finish, as long as the internals appear to be working.

    If you sight your Weatherby in for 300 yards, which I would recommend, then for most practical hunting situations, you do not need to worry about drop much until about 375 or 400 yards, on elk-sized or larger game.

    All the best to you in Iraq, and thank you for your service!

    Let us know how it goes. We will be thinking about you, and keeping you in our prayers.
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  • sandwarrior
    pranqstr,

    Agreed with the others that it better to have good glass on your scope than a half price compromise. Get what you can afford.

    As you say you are headed off to Iraq for a year. Save your money and get a really really good one through the PX.

    What I consider to be the best hunting scope is Swarovski. You can find good used ones here for $800-$900 or you can go new for up to $2000. I personally used to think it nuts to buy a scope for that much. Now that I've gotten to hunt with a few I've purchased a couple really high dollar scopes. Another couple of Brand names to look for that are afforadable. Meopta, and Zeiss Conquest. Meopta's run higher but are excellent in both glass clarity and mechanical function/repeatability. The ZQ's are/were built by Meopta and they too have excellent glass and are very repeatable. Vortex is another line you might look at.

    Regarding power levels in your scope. I think that going up to 18x or 20x isn't bad when you get out West. It's not that uncommon that you will get a 300-400 yd. shot. Having that extra power is nice. The big driver behind that though is practicing at those ranges. There is a lot of drop and drift difference from 100-300 yd. and 300-500 yds. Still having a low enough power that it's easy to find your game in the scope is a must. keep the power turned down then you can find what it is you are looking for. One thing you don't want to do is buy a high power cheap scope. That's a lesson in frustration. Also, if you ever plan to use this scope regularly back in Michigan then you would not want a high bottom power. You may need to sacrifice upper end power to get the 3x-4x at the bottom end. I personally, consider 3-9x40/50 a bare minimum for hunting longer ranges out west. I find it's really nicer with a 20X top end high quality scope.
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