New Hunting Scope

[wuukiemctardo]

Hey folks!
I have a new .25 Mrod on the way. I'm looking for a scope for this guy to use for hunting. I am not exactly positive on what or where to start looking. What should I look for?

[Meann-Machine]

In what price range Mattew?

[Gertrude]

also,
What kind of animals will you be hunting
And
what will be your average normal range, and also your MAXIMUM anticipated range you will be hunting at ?

Will this be a "Field Carry", hiking, stalking type of hunting ?
or will this be a sitting, benched, or in a blind type of hunting ?

Will you be also using this gun for general plinking / target shooting ?
Will you be doing any night time pesting / shooting ?

Will you be using a rest, bipod, shooting sticks or mostly free-hand shooting?

[wuukiemctardo]

Im flexible on price but I don't intend on spending more than 300.
 The intent is raccoons (lit area) in low light and nutters/starlings during daytime.
Range anywhere from 20yards out to 60?
Most of my work I would like to use a bi pod but will of course have to improvise from time to time.

Wow. I'm glad I asked. Im not experienced enough to have taken these into perspective.

[Missed-Em]

For those targets and ranges not much magnification is needed.  Check out the Hawke 4X and 2X7 power scopes, not a lot of $ for a decent scope.  Keep in mind that you're not shooting gnats at 100 yards and the more the power and added bells and whistles the more weight and more $'s.
Steve

[bgmcgee]

I've got one of these on my Diana 34 and am really impressed with the way it performs.
http://www.trenieroutdoors.com/37381.html

[ancient1one]

I always recommend Hawke scopes because of price and the no nonsense lifetime warranty. Scopes are made of glass and other parts that can break so customer service/warranty is important. Many GTA members have had to use the lifetime warranty and 99.9 percent come away pleased. All you pay is the shipping to Hawke if the scope breaks everything else is covered.

The two places that I have found sell Hawke at the cheapest prices are Buds Discount Gun Shop and Wyvern Creations. Its best to call Wyvern for a price and create an account at Buds so you can put in a best offer.
Links: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/99_1519/Hawke/

http://www.wyverncreations.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&zenid=d9aaa8b2f9d50c4ed37c796a2abcea9b&keyword=hawke

Another way to get a Hawke at a great price is sign up for Dvor.com they just had Hawke Sidewinders for $315 shipped.

As far as which Hawke the Sidewinders are awesome if you can buy one in the $300 - $325 price range. With the above info you can. The only negative is they weigh  26 to 32oz depending on model.

[Meann-Machine]

Matthew,
   I tend to think many people underestimate the value of a quality scope.  At 10-25 yards most often I have my scopes set at 7 power.  Further out I may crank the power up to 12-16, depending on rifle, scope, and distance.  At the GTA shoot last weekend my buddy was able to hit a 2" hanging tube at about 75 yards with one of my rifles and this scope.  It is a good value for the money.  I have two on two different gas rams.

UTG 30mm SWAT 3-12X44 Compact IE Scope with AO Mil-dot, 36 Colors EZ-TAP


https://www.pyramydair.com/product/leapers-utg-3-12x44-ao-rifle-scope-ez-tap-ill-mil-dot-reticle-1-4-moa?a=4319

 You can pick one up off Amazon or from Pyramid Air.  There are better scopes, and I wouldn't argue against a Hawke or an Optisan.  I am unfamiliar with the Optisan but I own a Hawke, which to date I haven't been satisfied with.  I did send it back, was told it worked fine and received it back from Hawke.  I have yet to remount it.

[Sandspike]

The Mrods are heavy w/o scope. Add a heavy scope and you will feel like you are carrying a WW2 BAR around! Also at the ranges you mention, you need parallax compensation. Most rifle scopes are set parallax at 100 yards. So here is what I put on my .25 Mrod. Simmons 44Mag 6-24x. It weighs a modest 13 ounces so it does not make that Mrod feel so much like a log. Optics are clear and side focus can help you with range estimating. Look here and elsewhere for deals http://www.opticsplanet.com/simmons-44mag-6-24x44-side-parallax-adjustment-mildot-riflescope-447703.html
I got mine for about 125 but that was over a year ago.
Any questions pm me.
PS I have two of the UTG scopes mentioned above and like them too. But I have them mounted on bullpups.

[wuukiemctardo]

Hawke sounds like the way to go then.  I have a hawke hd on my franken crossman 2240/2260/? I have had very good luck with that scope. What would the big plus be on a sidewinder?

[maraudinglizard]

I'm using a CenterPoint Illuminated 4-16x40mm Scope on my marauder.  The illuminated mildots come in handy for low light conditions. They are about $70 at Wal-Mart.  I have 4 of these on my air rifles, never had any problems with them. Good luck and have fun shooting the marauder.

[neldd]

Simmons .44 Mag Mil-Dot Reticle Side Parallax Adjustment Riflescope with Sun Shade and Target Turrets, 6-21x 44mm
Signature 0.44 Mag Riflescope Features:
•One-piece, one-inch tube construction for reduced weight, better handling, and durability
•Multi-coated, high-quality optics for clearer, brighter images
•QTA (Quick Target Acquisition) eyepiece with Fast Focus
•Comfortable 3.75-inch eye relief
•TrueZero windage and elevation adjustment system for a locked-in zero
•Precise 1/4 and 1/8 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments
•Target turrets
•Side parallax adjustment
•Adjustable objective
•Waterproof, fogproof, and recoil-proof construction
•Sunshade included

441056 Specifications:
•Objective lens diameter: 44 millimeters
•Magnification: 6-21x
•Reticle: Mil-Dot
•Field of View: 16 to 4.6 feet at 100 yards / 5.3 to 1.3 meters at 100 meters
•Click Value: 0.125 inches at 100 yards / 4 meters at 100 meters
•Adjustment: 45 inches at 100 yards / 1.3 meters at 100 meters
•Eye relief: 3.75 inches / 95 millimeters
•Exit Pupil: 7.3 to 2.1 millimeters
•Weight: 11.8 ounces / 335 grams
•Finish: Matte

Lite weight m_rod already heavy enough have this on my syn_rod 25 and p_rod as carbine 143.00 from Amazon

[wuukiemctardo]

It looks like i'll be spending more than anticipated on scopes...... But I will have one for every rifle! 

[plinker331]

The Mrods are heavy w/o scope. Add a heavy scope and you will feel like you are carrying a WW2 BAR around! Also at the ranges you mention, you need parallax compensation. Most rifle scopes are set parallax at 100 yards. So here is what I put on my .25 Mrod. Simmons 44Mag 6-24x. It weighs a modest 13 ounces so it does not make that Mrod feel so much like a log. Optics are clear and side focus can help you with range estimating. Look here and elsewhere for deals http://www.opticsplanet.com/simmons-44mag-6-24x44-side-parallax-adjustment-mildot-riflescope-447703.html
I got mine for about 125 but that was over a year ago.
Any questions pm me.
PS I have two of the UTG scopes mentioned above and like them too. But I have them mounted on bullpups.

I had this scope on my model 25 Savage in .204 Ruger.  Overall it is a nice scope but I ultimately replaced it with a Mueller Tactical 8.5-25x44AO.  The Mueller remains crystal clear beyond 100 yards.  Overall I think a 3-12 or 4-16 power scope will be good for you.

One thing you should consider is your age and how quickly your eyes get tired.  I am getting close to the half Century and although my prescription has changed very little in 15 years my eyes tire in 30-45 minutes of target shooting.  Also the more my eye sees as far as the reticle goes the more busy it seems or distracting.  Yes its great to have all range finder marks, MIL-dot etc.  Sometimes with a fine duplex or 30-30 reticle you can learn hold over easily.  A finer MIL-dot is nice.

I think the Simmons 44 mag would be decent on the rifle.  In my opinion, the one I owned, was destined to end up on one of the Savage heavy barrel rim fires.  It was more than clear enough to snipe bugs on high power at 50 yards.  The biggest problem I had with it is after every shot on the .204 I had to reset the fast focus because the recoil bumped it.  the .204R has VERY little recoil especially in that rifle when scoped which is over 9 pounds.

I have heard a lot of good about the Hawke scopes which when one of the NP Trail XL's break the Barska's I have on them I will spend more money and buy a Hawke.

The Barska scopes I just mentioned would be a nice choice too. 3-12x44AO with a standard fine duplex reticle.  As always Barska is much more clear than anyone scope in its price range or just above.  The ONLY thing I don't like about the scope is I wish it had fast focus eye piece.  For $70 its a winner.

My ultimate choice for the Marauder for me would be a Barska 4-16x50 IR, AO, Excavator.  It has fine cross hairs and a target dot.  I have the 8-32x version and everything I put that scope on shoots better.  What is nice in lower light you can dial up the illumination and it is only of the target dot.

Hoping this doesn't add to your confusion.

[gloob]

I don't know much about scopes, and buying a UTG Bugbuster really opened my eyes on features I will more aware of in the future:

AO down to about 5 feet.
Comes with flip up scope caps, woohoo! Now I will definitely be buying some flip caps for my other scopes, soon as I figure out how to get the right size.

Best of all, ring locking turrets with resettable zero marker. Maybe I should put that in bold caps. RING LOCKING TURRETS WITH RESETTABLE ZERO MARKER!!!! No screwing turret caps on/off. This feature made me instantly hate all my other scopes.

What is nice in lower light you can dial up the illumination and it is only of the target dot.

I suppose illuminating just an etched dot will better in that you can't get a shadow of the crosshairs... but then you can't square your rifle or use your mildots if you can't see the hairs. I guess there's always a compromise, but with this UTG scope you can turn the illum so low the crosshairs just look sorta reddish, as if they're not even lit. I find the illumination to work great in near dark.

[uglymike]

Good advice/suggestions with lots of options out there. Good rule of thumb is spend as much on the optics as you can reasonably afford, then just a tad more  Good glass is an investment like the rifle, not an expendable like springs/seals IMHO.

[Meann-Machine]

Good advice/suggestions with lots of options out there. Good rule of thumb is spend as much on the optics as you can reasonably afford, then just a tad more  Good glass is an investment like the rifle, not an expendable like springs/seals IMHO.

You got it Mike!

[robertr]

 Decide what type of reticle you want, it might narrow down your choices.

[Airgun.Sniper]

I always recommend Hawke scopes because of price and the no nonsense lifetime warranty. Scopes are made of glass and other parts that can break so customer service/warranty is important. Many GTA members have had to use the lifetime warranty and 99.9 percent come away pleased. All you pay is the shipping to Hawke if the scope breaks everything else is covered.

The two places that I have found sell Hawke at the cheapest prices are Buds Discount Gun Shop and Wyvern Creations. Its best to call Wyvern for a price and create an account at Buds so you can put in a best offer.
Links: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/99_1519/Hawke/

http://www.wyverncreations.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&zenid=d9aaa8b2f9d50c4ed37c796a2abcea9b&keyword=hawke

Another way to get a Hawke at a great price is sign up for Dvor.com they just had Hawke Sidewinders for $315 shipped.

As far as which Hawke the Sidewinders are awesome if you can buy one in the $300 - $325 price range. With the above info you can. The only negative is they weigh  26 to 32oz depending on model.

 Please dont post up budsgunshop link but rather send pm's. If hawke finds out he is selling for the cheap they wont send him any more to sell.

 $300 isnt a bad price range for a scope.

 For a mrod .25 and low lit areas...Id suggest something with a 30m tube and maybe even atleast a 50 objective lens. When I owned my mrod I had a vortex scope on mine. (search and try to find good deals).  I also used a 4-12x50 1" tube hawke. And it did very well. Ive never owned but have previously used and came across Aeon scopes. They have great glass but at the high of your price range. Lots of suggestions here. I wouldnt skip out on glass tho. 

[wimpanzee]

I just purchased a vortex diamondback 4-12x40 to put on my synrod, upgrading from the heavy tank of a scope - UTG 3-12x44. Shaves off over half a pound from my rig.

I haven't got to shoot it yet, probably will later today, but my initial impression is that it is definitely an upgrade from the UTG. Very clear, finer crosshairs, and a clear picture all the way up to the max magnification. The UTGwas not a bad scope, but it was more than I wanted to lug through the woods. The eye relief isn't too picky, it is easy to get a clear sight picture.

I had a BSA 6-24 Contender that I sent back, that thing was impossible to get a clear sight picture over about 14x. And the turrets were a real pain. The cheapest scopes are usually cheapest for a reason, there is a tradeoff somewhere. I'll give it to the UTG ones tho - their tradeoff is weight, they are still solid performing scopes for the money.