Which Scope for Contender

This may have been covered before, but what brand scope do most of you prefer? I have a contender in 7-30 waters and it has a Redfield 2.5 x 7 on it. It is difficult to see through when it's turned all the way up. I will be shooting out to 200 and I am looking for something that is clear when turned up to maximum power. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thad

Bushnell 2-6x30 works well on my 30-30 AI. Smoked a speed goat at 286 yards with it!

Head position gets pretty critical above 4 power on my Weaver 2.5x8 and a 2.5x7 T.C. scopes. Field of view shrinks also .The more you practice the easier it gets ,but it can still be aggrevating as all getout.At long range I find the target on lower power then dial power up while keeping the gun on target.

this year i bought a bushnell elite 2x6 and a burris 2x7 ballistic plex and i prefer the bushnell it's lighter and clearer than the burris with out the cloudy edges it is worth the extra money over the bushnell trophy but if you are using it to hunt whitetails i like the leupold 4x tough and clear and 4x has been enough for me to connect on deer to 200 yards

Thad,

I prefer the Leupold 2.5x8 and the Bushnell Elite 2x6 for most of my single shots. I do have a couple of the Burris 3x12 scopes, but they have some tricky eye relief at the higher magnification as well...

I have a 2x Leupold on a 30 Herrett, and i love it. It is clear but i lose sight of the crosshairs real easy. But I have seen some real clear scopes that focus and have a great view at the stores. I would go into a large store and see what is new. The new scopes have a lot better view, etc than ones made just a few years ago.

^^^ time 100!! All I use (mostly) are Burris 3-12x32 scopes on my single shots. For general hunting they are on 5X but can dial up if needed. I love them!!

Thanks for all the info. I will have to check all of them out. The prices seem to vary a good bit like the rifle scopes but as all ways, you get what you pay for.

Thad

They all have issues when turned up. It can be next to impossible to get on a target with some at maximum magnification unless shooting off of a bench. Even the best glass can't compensate for the loss of light transmission due to the distance from the eye. Eye alignment can be critical on most. I have gone to a 3-9x rifle scope, and Ken Light UAS base, on my Waters and am going to do the same on more of mine. A good brake can settle down the heavier kickers. I'm done with pistol scopes over 4x, will be rifle scopes on the longer rangers from now on.

thad 45 b

I am going to have to go with SChunter, the Leupold scopes are hard to beat, a real good match for the contenders.

Easy. Guns good past 300 yds. get Burris 3-12X BPlexes. Good less than 300 yds. get old Burris 3-9X or T/C 3-9X. Revolvers get 2-6X Bushnell Elites.
Only exception is my .416 Taylor Encore that eats scopes for appetizers, main courses, and dessert UNTIL I put an old Simmons 2-7X on it. It don't mess with that.

I've used the TC 2X7's and haven't had any issues with them. not sure who is manufacturer.

Yesterday I had a chance to shoot a couple of TC's with a Bushnell Elite and also with a Burris. Both were very clear but the Bushnell seemed to work better for me especially with higher magnification. After talking to the gentleman about the scopes he told me he had a Bushnell that was New in the Box that he would sell me for $225 and told me that if it didn't work out he would buy it back. I bought the scope and I am going to put it on and try it today. Thanks to everyone for your help.

Thad

Well, what do you think of the Bushnell thad45b? I replaced a Burris on my Stryker with a Bushnell and could't be happier with it, it works much better for me.

Just finished sighting in my TC with the Bushnell and I love it. It is very easy for me to get a good sight picture with it even on 6x. The scope is very clear and the gun printed a 1 inch group at 100 yards with factory ammo. All I need now is a whitetail of hog to present itself this weekend so I can take my first animal with a handgun. I am looking forward to that. Again, thanks for all the help guys.

Thad

Glad you like it, good luck this weekend.

Does anybody have any experience with Weaver scopes? I understand that they have a new owner, and as an older name, I was wondering how they perform.

Matt,

I picked up a new 1.5-5 Weaver a few months ago. I do not have very many full house 454's through it yet, but enough to know that it does not have any immediate issues with recoil.

The fit and finish is just fine. The adjustment ring is snug, and the glass is decent. I have not yet tried a side by side with my Leupolds in low light to see how they compare, but in daylight they are similar to my eye. So the best I can say right now is that I like it a lot. They only obvious change to that would be a failure, and I am just not there yet to say definatively.

Craig

I have seen the 2.5-8 listed at the $225 range, which I like. I've been thinking my 7-08 needs one.
Thanks for your input.

Ok, I just ordered up a Weaver 2.5-8 from Midway. Should be here by next friday. I'm calling it a xmas gift to me. I'll report back when I have it mounted, sighted and tested.

Matt,

I kinda figured if mine takes a dump on my 454, I'll get to try out their warranty work, and throw the scope on a rimfire. The price on them is good enough to just have as a spare to move around between guns.

Merry Christmas on yours ;^)

Craig

good info here.

I had to hunt high and low for it, but I successfully found a Burris 1.5 X 4. For my 7-30 Waters barrel, this is was just what the doctor ordered.

Geat info

I am replying a month later, sorry. I have owned numerous Weavers, in the past, they had a great warranty. Now that some big company owns them, they suck. No older scopes are covered. I tried to get some that fogged repaired to no avail. That is the American way, reorganize and sell out and not cover any old warranty stuff. I would stick with scopes that others have mentioned.

I like my Simmons 2-6x32 Pro Hunter. Got it on a 15" Encore in 7mm-08. Works great.

I really just wanted to post because of the name though! Not too many Thad's in this world.