What are my options in this category? I like crosshairs or a duplex reticle, I do not care for an illuminated reticle. A duplex is the best IMO. All I know of is Leupold but there are others I am sure. I know that leupy’s have a bad rep for not tracking well… i am not big on making scope adjustments on the fly. But on the suggestion of a trusted member of the THF i am posting a query before making a decision.

I would like to keep the price around $400, maybe less or *maybe* a little bit more. It going on a Ruger American Gen II .308, and this’ll be the gun I use for most of my rifle hunting.

I should probably add, I like a lot of eye relief. I don’t need a scout scope but I like at least 3” of eye relief, 3.5-4” is more like it. I like to lay my rifle on the bag or lay it on my hand, and let it do what it do. I don’t bear down on my rifles, especially not from the bench. This helps me shoot tighter groups.

Maybe a Swarovski Z3 might be nice. Not American and a little more spendy than a low end Leupold but it’s a free world scope as far as I know and meets the rest of these criteria. Anybody use one or at least looked through one?

I like Swarovski stuff, grand daddy’s gun has a Swarovski from 1974 and it’s still on. Love that rifle.

Got gradaddy’s 30-06 Remington 700 in the safe with an old fixed 6x steel-tube Swaro, Ruger American .308 would look good next to it with a variable Swarovski on top…

Just get the Leupold VX3 4.5-14, and I highly suggest the Firedot version. I have several of them for hunting and have never had a problem with them.

The more goodies you get on your scope for a set price, the more the scope maker has to compromise on other parts (glass, tracking etc). I would be thinking about a plane jane 3x9 with a 1" tube, fairly big objective lens and don't worry about tracking as long as the cross hairs stay where you put them. Leupold would be my first stop but there are plenty of others. And when you buy it, buy it where there is an easy return possible and a lifetime warranty on the scope.

That VX3HD 2-8 looks real good



That’s what I am thinking. There is a very nice option from Maven (Japanese), 12.9 oz 3x9 for about $500. Or a Swaro for about $600-$700. Or Leupold. This is where I am at.

I took s good look at them SWFA SS ultralights. Almost there, but I will cut my eye on a 2.5” eye relief. I hold my rifles dead soft and let it do what it do.

With those ideal qualifications, Leupold is just about your only option. You can check various sites as Trijicons go on sale at times. I have a 3-9 credo that I like.

I recommend the SWFA 3-9 HD. I know it’s Mil reticle and it has turrets but it is way more capable than a duplex. I’d rather have the capability and not need it than not have it and have a longer shot where I’m guessing about hold over. The rifle you have is a modern bolt action rifle, not a classic wood stocked rifle. I understand putting an Elmer Fudd scope on a classic but a more modern optic would look good.

The other option I would recommend is the Trijicon Credo 3-9 Mil Square. Has capped turrets but a really nice illuminated Mil reticle. Looks a little more classic as it’s a 1” tube.


Both the above are made in Japan which I think makes the best optics.

The Maven is a good option if you are determined to go Elmer Fudd.

Is this for the future 358? If so I would look at the FX-3 fixed 6x42. It’ll do a fine job with good glass while staying lite, and giving you 4” of eye relief. I owned several and wouldn’t hesitate to hunt with it at the maximum range of the rifle you intend to build. Most people with 3-9 variables leave them fixed anyway.

I'm with you on fixed power scopes. They are not popular anymore but I hunted for many years with an old Leupold 4X scope here in PA and never felt a handicap under 200 yards. Though I never hunted the plains or really open areas I never took a shot with a variable scope set over 4X. A friend of mine took many a deer with a Leupold 6X on his pump 270.

Just went over to Leupold's website and they show the FX-3 discontinued. It is probably an outstanding value and great scope. A used one would be worth a look at.

The .358 Winchester will get a FXII 2.5x20 or maybe something variable to 1X magnification, and almost certainly a Leupold. If not that, maybe a VX3HD 2x8. That 2x8 was my first choice for the .358 Winchester anyway but I hemmed and hawed and I like a plain vanilla 3x9 of good quality. And light.

But yes, initially I posted the query for the .358.

My .308 i guess it could use a little more magnification. I was gonna go with a 3x9 on the 358 Winchester but since I snagged this .308 it kind of changes things.

Hell I might get that 4.5x14 as suggested by 603 country for the .308 and man I just don’t know. But it sure does help to reach out and get some good suggestions. Might put a higher magnification EFR on that .308.

Never would have went with a .358 without input from THF and specifically WP helped steer me in that direction early on. I don’t require a ton of magnification and I have 20/15 vision. I can get by on a little. But I want the perfect balance for my rifles.

I do like a 6x42. Grand daddy’s 30-06 has a fixed 6x Swarovski, old school with the steel tube. Put that on there in 1974 and it is still on. Damn fine scope and sturdy as heck.

The only problem with a 1974 anything is the glass, pretty much any modern 3x9 in the $150-$200 price range has better glass than a 1974 swaro. Hate to admit but it is the truth. But a modern swaro, enhances everything

How did I miss that fudd joke I love me a nice fudd gun brother, you got me figured out. But you are right. My Gen II is a modern gun with modern aesthetics, and i feel like she deserves a more powerful variable with the features that can show her true potential. But my .358 project, she will probably get a classic style of scope. A low powered variable with smaller objective, or a fixed scope, that will work in low rings. My .358 Winchester will be a 250-300 yards and in gun. But my .308, realistically is going to be my primary range toy and be there to take the pressure off grandaddy’s .30-06. I have to preserve grandaddy’s gun so she will still be in good shape when my oldest boy gets her.

I have Fudd scope on my classic rifles.

My Kimber Classic Select in 257R wears a Meopta Meopro fixed 6x.

My Ruger Mannlicher stocked 77 has a Weaver Classic 2-7x.

I wish I would get me a old school weaver classic 2x7 like that. That would be the perfect match to a first generation Ruger American, especially the type of build I am doing. Nothing high end, nothing low quality either. But I have my heart set on a new scope.

For this .358 Winchester I am probably gonna shop around for a used leupold 6x. Appreciate ya’ll.

Z3

KISS

The Mil scope can do what the Duplex scope can do.

The Duplex scope cannot do what the Mil scope can do.

For this gun, that might be perfect



Yessir. For my .308, I will eventually get a mil-mil scope. This .358 is gonna get sighted in at 200 yards with one pet load and probably never come out except to hunt to an absolute max range of 300. And that would be pushing it, more like 250. Anticipating a longer shot than that, the .358 stays home and the .308 comes out.

I got one of these on a rifle package I bought from a member. The glass is just stupid. I’m not crazy about the BRH/BRZ Reticle it has so I’ve got it sold to another member. But he might oughta pick it up before I look through it too many times.

For your 358 Win, I would consider an LPVO. I have a SWFA 1-4 on my 9.3x62. I just leave it on 4x.

I have a 1-8 on my Ruger 77 Scout in 308. It’s usually on 4x but I can crank it to 6x or 8x for a longer shot.

Looky here

https://www.leupold.com/mark-3hd-3-9x40-30mm-p5-mildot

Very cool.

Next, they need to make a 3-15X and at least add .5 Mil hashes.

How about a 3x12 half mil reticle, 0.1 mil turrets, 16.2 ounces. Or 6x18 @ 20.5 ounces

https://www.leupold.com/shop/riflescopes?ls_ln_series=2321&reticle=98

Or a 3x9 or 4x12 same reticle except with illuminated firedot. The weight of these scopes with illuminated fire dot is basically the same. 15.6 or 16.2 ounces. Also a 13 ounce 1.5-4x20.

https://www.leupold.com/mark-3hd-1-5-4x20-p5-illum-firedot-tmr

All the scopes in these links have half mil reticles and 0.1 mil turrets. As far as I know all but one is about a pound or less in weight.

Even if they don’t track well enough to dial elevation every single day for a avid competitor, I really don’t care. I read posts about scopes failing all the time. It’s hard on scopes.

I think the right answer for me at least is one of these light weight mil-mil leupold scopes. I still want a Burris XTR Pro, and will eventually have one. But it will sit on the shelf and come out to shoot a match ir maybe for some extended range varmints or pigs.

Pretty sure leupold isn't made in America

Pick a Japanese made scope

https://www.leupold.com/counterfeit-warning#:~:text=Leupold%20riflescopes%20are%20all%20designed,offices%20anywhere%20in%20the%20world.