We've killed a few greenies, but nothing like what we normally do. We have managed to kill two blue wing teal, which has never happened to me during regular duck season.
What are everyone's thoughts on the world of scopes? I generally want to avoid gimmicks and definitely will want something that will hold zero once sighted in.
Most scopes these days hold a zero. It’s most hunters that forget if you sight your scope in at 80 degrees in the summer, that it’s off near 5 inches when you squeeze off at 30 degrees in the morning. I don’t like Nikon’s BCD thing. But if you don’t mind it, I’ve had one for 16 years that has never failed me.
I got a cheap Barska for free from a buddy just to test out my .270 and that thing did not hold zero @100y over 3 sessions all within a month. I'd expect a Vortex or a Nikon to hold so I'm not really worried about it. I'm looking at a Nikon 4-12x40 that's on sale for $130 down from $220. Seems like a no-frills scope but doesn't have the "buckmaster" light filter that I've heard people rave about. Didn't know how much of a gimmick that is.
When you adjust your elevation or windage, give the side of the scope a bit of a knock. If el is up and windage is right, bump it on the left side across from windage. Your adjustments might be lagging, and bouncing around in your car is bringing it back in line. Coatings in optics are not gimmicks. They increase light transmission to your eye, which will make the scope clearer, the cross hair finer at all light levels. Not all coatings are created equal, and that is where most money is spent on a scope.
You should make sure that isn't a problem with the mounts or rings, or even with the bedding in the rifle. That is more likely than a faulty scope, IMO. The difference in quality scopes these days (aside from ballistic adjustments, which is a different story,) is mainly in clarity and light gathering capabilities, not ability to hold. If you get something from a major name--Leupold, Nikon, Burris, or one of the 'spensive Euro brands--it will hold zero. Hell, I expect the cheap ass Tasco would, too, just don't expect to be able to see anything at dusk.
Yup. I’ve had a cheap as dirt BSA on a 308 for 10 years that holds fine. But I’m squinting at 3 in the afternoon and praying at 5.
I've got some stupidly over priced Leopold on my 30-06 (because I'm a small child at heart) that is amazing at dusk and dawn. I've got a Redfield on my muzzleloader that is almost as good in low light for a lot cheaper. I know now that Leopold makes them both. Both hold zeros and I've shot a lot of deer with both.
The groups were tight @100y though. I would think if it were the mount or rifle itself, it would have been erratic. It was consistent.. just consistently drifting.
Rifle is a Savage Axis II .270, btw. Not a 700 but good enough for a ~1.5" group at 100 which is all I really want/need.
Put that Nikon on it and see. Worst case, it’s a $170 placebo that’ll last you as long as you keep your grubby fingers off the lenses.
I'm sure scopes that won't zero exist, I've just never actually had one, and that certainly isn't the first place I'd look. I would think if it didn't hold, the groups would spread, as it wouldn't "slip" consistently. I'd check the mounts, but I'm a hunter, not a gunsmith, which is probably what you need.
I have a 50 mm Nikon on my 30-06, I can see things through the scope at low light I can't see with the naked eye. The BDR distracts me a touch, but not so bad I'm taking it off.
This, 100%. I have a muzzleloader that the mounting screws backed out one. Missed my buck of a lifetime. I took it back home and couldn't hit a 2 ft by 2ft board consistently, I shot that damn muzzleloader 50 times, cool barrel, warm barrel, 100 grains, 150 grains, finally took it back to where I bought t and had it mounted for free. Guy tells me, no way it's off that bad, rifle must be bad. He finds the mounting screws loose. Tightens them bag up and starts mounting the scope back. I say, you think we should put some lock right on those screws? He say, boy, I haven't had one screw back out on me since I've been doing this. I said until today? He got pissed and told me not to be a smart ass. Another guy in the shop told me he puts a little clear finger nail polish on all of his. So that's what I did.
So, I talked to my buddy who got this scope from his cousin. Apparently it was on a .338 win-mag and he thinks an internal component got hosed. According to a recoil energy chart, .338 is about 2x a .270 so there is that. Never shot one, looks like an absolute beast. Thoughts on 40 vs 50?