Larger scope for 30-06

[BigMac]

I have a Vortex Viper 4-16x50 scope that is currently mounted on my .243 and an old bushnell 4x40 on my 30-06.
Would the Vortex be too big to use on the 30-06? It will mainly be used for bushveld hunting.


Additionally, the eye relieve on the bushnell is really terrible, which is a big reason for me wanting to swap it out.
I don't really use the .243 for much (range mostly) and don't mind having to use the regular sights on it.

[Tetelestai]

I don't think a 4-16x50 is ideal for mainly a bushveld rifle. For one, I'd keep the front lens smaller to ensure the scope can be mounted lower.

[Ds J]

Quite a few acquaintances/friends etc who regularly hunt shorter bushveld distances have stopped adjusting their scopes and just left them on something between 4x to 7x magnification. it simply means that your very good and effective 4-16x would bean overkill for a non-existing problem. The 4-16 is probably quite heavy as well. I would not do it.

[Pirate]

If you don't have tons of money to spend, have a look at the Nikon ProStaff, in something like 3-9x40. Really good eye relief, good optics, generally great price. I own two (an older one in 3-9x40 and a newer one in 4-12x40). There's also a 2-7x32 that always attracts me, I just gotta find a use for it.... :-D

[Capt. Oblivious]

I use 6-24x50 on mine.If i hunt in thick bush i turn it to 6 and when i want to shoot far I turn it to 24, the scope spends 95% off it's time on 20x.Just remember big scopes are heavy but honestly I cant even imagine what it must be like being stuck on 4 on a rifle scope, even my 375 has a 6.5-20 Zeiss on it.

Have a look at the meopta range

[Knoffel]

4-16x50 is fine. Nothing wrong with it, but I wouldn't change it if I already had it. To buy though, I'd get maybe a 3-9x40 or similar.

I prefer a ~4-16x40(or 40-something) simply because as mentioned, it's closer to the barrel.

You're unlikely to do a lot of zoom-changes anyways, because you'd need to recalculate the reticle distances for a second-focal-plane scope.

[ruaanfs]

My 2cents. I have a .270 which I use for all my hunting trips. I will soon be replacing my 3-12x50 with a 5-20x56. In the bushveld it will remain on 7 and in the Karoo anything from 12 and up. Biggest reason for swopping scopes is because of those long shots in the Karoo and on the range. I have trouble seeing the target with those long shots hence the stronger scope.

The biggest drawback is the weight which is not ideal for those long walks in the bushveld but for me that is not such a huge concern. So in the end its your choice just consider the drawbacks and decide if you can live with it. If you are more comfy shooting with the bigger scope then that is more than enough reason to go for it

[G-force]

If price is not an issue then you can have a wide magnification in a very compact sized scope by looking at these two options.
The March 2,5-25x42 weighs 610gr and the March 1-10x24 weighs 520gr.
http://marchscopes.com/hunting-25-25-x-42-scopes.html
http://marchscopes.com/hunting-1-10-x-24-scopes.html

[BigMac]

If price is not an issue then you can have a wide magnification in a very compact sized scope by looking at these two options.
The March 2,5-25x42 weighs 610gr and the March 1-10x24 weighs 520gr.
http://marchscopes.com/hunting-25-25-x-42-scopes.html
http://marchscopes.com/hunting-1-10-x-24-scopes.html

That 2,5-25 would be optimal wouldn't it that price though.

Weight is something that I also have to look at unfortunately, since I already have a silencer on, so I guess that means the big scope might be overdoing it.

If you don't have tons of money to spend, have a look at the Nikon ProStaff, in something like 3-9x40. Really good eye relief, good optics, generally great price. I own two (an older one in 3-9x40 and a newer one in 4-12x40). There's also a 2-7x32 that always attracts me, I just gotta find a use for it.... :-D

Will give it a look, thanks.


Thanks for all the advise everyone, appreciate the help.

[urabus]

it might be a little bigger or heavier.....sure.
can you use it on 30-06 for bushveld hunting? absolutely!!!
plus more versatile for range use/more precise zero...etc

the Viper 4-16x50
vs. a typical 3-9x40...etc it's about 300g heavier and sit about 5mm higher above bore.
vs. my 1-6x24 (which I intend to use for bushveld hunting eventually ) it's only 100g heavier.

I'm currently using a 2.5-15x50 on .375 H&H for general hunting.
the 6x zoom is awesome, and the extra weight is offsetted by the ultra performance/lightweight Salomon boots I got for the season....haha