Hunting rifle scope

[ImBuggingOutMan 10]

I plan on buying the Ruger American rifle 30-06. Anyone got any opinions on a great scope for a decent price?

 

I plan on doing a bit of out of state hunting, and would need the scope to be powerful, clear, reliable, and most important...affordable.

 

Thanks in advance

[juzcallmesnake 1,514]

ImBuggingOutMan

 

why not a .308 in that Ruger? ballistics not that different and the whole world uses it and has as many different

bullet weights long action is over rated unless you go to a magnum / big bore caliber IMO

and personally I would not worry about firing 7.62x51 in a Ruger or Mauser all other I would not.

I would also go with a medium weight barrel here is the one I would get today if I had to plunk down my money.

magazines can be had in 3, 5, and 10 round

 

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Gunsite.htm

 

get a bullet drop type scope probably a Burris Leupold or Nikon, Ruger scope rings are the best do not use cheap ones you can buy cheap junk or quality it is only your life or a wasted hunt and a lot of money

I shoot only leupold because that is what I have used for years and I use the same model on all rifles

if I were starting today I would go with Nikon first because of price or burris top quality but a bit pricey.

Edited July 18, 2012 by juzcallmesnake

[ImBuggingOutMan 10]

Snake,

 

That rifle is pretty badazz, I don't think I can drop an extra 500 bones though the American is my choice for the combination of price and quality.

 

I'm not well educated on the many different caliber's, had settled on the 30-06 mainly because that's what I've always heard about, and that's what grandpa had..Is there a dramatic price difference with the .308? Same question for the 7.62x51. I know 7.62x54r are pretty affordable is the 7.62x51 around the same? Also is it compatible with the .308

 

I have never experimented with using different ammo before

 

Which model scope do you use?

 

Thanks!

Edited July 18, 2012 by ImBuggingOutMan

[101matt 17]

Start here...............

 

http://www.redfield.com/

 

I agree with JCMS...a .308 is what Im after also.

I listened to many opions here on the site for over 6 months..and had to quiltify my NEEDs to over ride my WANTS..

 

I had not considered a pump!I also had owned a 30-06 early on in life because that was what was used for hunting!!

 

JMO

[Texas Bill 10]

IBOM,

 

.308 Win and 7.62x51 are pretty much interchangeable when used in bolt guns (pressure differences make semiauto questionable I believe) and both are about the same price as 30-06 if not a little less. The 30-06 has a little more umph but not enough for you or I (or anyone but a sniper class shooter really) to notice. The .308 Win/7.62x51 is a preferred hunting and self-defense round while the 30-06 has been relegated to primarily hunting (I know the Garand is an exception, but even then you need to be using special 30-06 loads).

 

As for optics, Snake hit on the good ones above. Spend the money and get the quality stuff. I have Leupold and Nikon for some of my rifles and Burris and Redfield on others but the most important thing is try them out before you buy to get what suits you.

 

As for 7.62x54R, this is the Russian answer to the 30-06 round and is capable of taking down any big game in the Lower 48. Cheap surplus (corrosive) ammo is still available from the former Soviet bloc and some new production is still going on, both overseas and domestically. I don't know of any hunting rifles per se chambered for this round but the Mosin Nagant, the SVT-40, the PSL and a few other Soviet bloc military surplus rifles fire the 7.62x54R. These rounds are growing in cost like all the rest and I don't know how much longe the cheap surplus stuff will be around but the modern production is being sold in select Walmarts these days.

[juzcallmesnake 1,514]

budsgunshop on the net you can look for used bolt rifles in a specific caliber

 

or check your local shops and you should be able to find one in your price range in 308

 

do not get bitten by the love bug and get another caliber it will cost you in the end IMHO

 

the farther we get away from the 30-06 era the more it will cost and deals have been happening

 

less often.

 

the power level differential not enough to loose sleep over.

[BamaMan 10]

The most important part of hunting optics is gathering light.

 

Most game comes out at dawn and dusk. You will need a quality scope.

 

Go with a Leoupold 3-9 40mm or better, I would say 50mm.

 

If you have the cash, Swarovski 3-9 x56mm is the best. It has 30mm tubes vs. the 1 inch in Leupold and Nikon/american made scopes.

 

 

Buy a used cheap rifle with the best optics and trigger you can afford.

[ImBuggingOutMan 10]

Alright! I think I've got enough info to begin. Thank you much everyone, helpful as always!!