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Need advice on rifle scope selection

Hokkmike
Let me start out by saying how much I do enjoy being a part of the gunbroker community. Shooting is, and I hope always will be, an important part of my life.

I have acquired my DREAM deer rifle. (some will dispute the choice - but that is OK. It is a good topic to argue) a SAKO Finnlight in 6.5 X 55. Now I want to top it with the optimal scope.

Here is what I am looking for in the scope:

Lightest possible weight with the best field of view. I am sure that it needs to be a variable power scope. I would like to use it for both deer and grounghogs. Silver color. I am open to suggestions on reticles.

My middle aged eyes sometime require reading glasses and sometimes don't, even when looking through the scope. It is a problem I will have to deal with in increasing frequency. If any of you fellow "older" hunters have tricks or suggestions please tell me about them.

I have a Vari-X III on my current rifle. I like it a lot but am wondering if there is something lighter out there.

My price cap is $500.

Thanks for any recommendations you can offer.



Sako Fan
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • Snellstrom
    Hokkmike it sounds like you picked up an excellent dream deer rifle. I for one agree with your choice, ( I don't own one but have often thought about it ). With your Sako Finnlite being a lightweight rifle and I assume somewhat compact you really shouldn't put a big "klunky" oversize scope on it. On some of my lightweight rifles I put a Leupold Compact 3x9 on them, one other has a Leupold 2x7 on it, both perform flawlessly for me and I can highly recommend them. I don't have any experiences with Burris' line of compact scopes but their full sized scopes are great so I assume the compacts would be just as good.
    Good luck and enjoy the new rifle, I'd like to hear a field test on it this fall.[;)]
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  • JustC
    ditto snellstrom on the Burris. Look at their signature series scopes. As long as you don't go up to the 4-16x and above models, they are agreeably shorter and lighter. Great low-light glass as well. Check the bal. plex reticle as well, that should give you a great hunting set-up.

    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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  • He Dog
    Love the caliber, no experience with the rifle, but I will let you let me try it any time! Here is a third vote for the Burris Signature series. You will not believe the light you get, nice long eye relief and European styling to boot. I would take a look at www.bearbasin.com and www.natchezss.com for good price comparisons with other places. Both are very reliable in my experience. Congrats!
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  • Hokkmike
    Snellstrom, JustC, and He Dog....thanks. I am investigating your recommendations and sources.

    Sako Fan
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  • sandwarrior
    Hokkmike,

    On a chance, if I were capped at $500 for a scope I would look at Burris or Leupold too. Something different here though, look at their Black Diamond series in the 3X9. They are 30mm instead of 1" on the tube. It helps a little coming in behind the tube and getting focused. A little more parallax/relief if you will. Along with more light gathering ability.
    Zeiss conquest in the 3.5-10x44 may be another option too. Very good glass there. $.02 for the offering

    p.s. forgot to add that the caliber is excellent and the light Sako rifles I've seen are beautiful pieces of work.

    We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>
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  • alaskanman
    the leupold 2x7x33 or compact 3x9x33 are very good scopes, small and light with very good optics.

    www.alaskancampfire.com
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  • scott
    i am an optic nut...my preference in a compact would be burris over leupold...i think the performance and eyerelief is better even though the burris compacts are alittle heavy for there size...as far as weight goes, you would be hard pressed to surpass swarovski for a combination of weight/ performance , but you will have to shop around for a used model . if you can stand a touch more weight and want the best performance out there for the dollar, you might start looking for a fujinon scope...best kept secret out there in my opion.middle age eyes like thicker crosshairs , but longrange groundhogs would also prefer you use thicker crosshairs ! would suggest a standard duplex for your combination needs...
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  • Bittersweat
    Leopold is still the best bang for the buck in MHO.
    I prefer 3x9x40 for deer, elk, 200yd targets, and everything else.
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  • shooter93
    It doesn't seem to popular but all my sporting, hunting rifles wear Leupold 1.5 to 5. Huge field of view in the lower range and enough power to shoot well over 300 yds. It works as well as open sights for fast shots too.
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