I hope this is the right area for this. I just recently bought a used Remington 7400 30.06 Autoloader from my brother. Its my first rifle, grew up on shotgun. With that being said, I don't know a lot about scopes. Looking for some recommendations. This going to be my deer stand rifle, I will use my 870 when walking through the woods. Let me know if there's any more information about how I will be using this rifle that will help you give recommendations.

Hunting: WhiteTail Deer, maybe Coyote in the future (I know 30.06 is big for Coyote)
Area: West Central Minnesota along the river. In either thick woods or open country
Range: Would probably sight for 100yd
Power: Adjustable...3x9 maybe?
Cost: On a budget - around $200 give or take a few

Thanks Guys!

I usually go with 3-9 but rarely ever turn them up past 3-4x. Personally recommend the lowest power under which you can adequately see your target and one that offers the best low light vision your budget will allow, even if that means a fixed 4x. Adding a few extra minutes of shooting time to the beginning and end of the day can be most helpful.

While the higher magnifications are tempting and useful in some circumstances, they also magnify any movement you make and unless you are shooting from a really solid bench may not be that helpful.

They are nice for looking at your target at the range though, esp. if you don't have a spotting scope.

I usually try to avoid the lowest tier of most manufacturers (i.e. the stull they sell of the rack at Walmart, etc. Per my experience they just do not hold up well under hard use and recoil as well as the next lever or higher models. You can still find good deals. My scopes mostly fall within the $100-$200 range and have served well for many years.

I've had good luck with Bushnell and Leupold over the years.

I don't know a lot about this stuff but I do know enough to stay away from Wal-Mart! But I get what you're saying about the cost:quality ratio. And I see what you're saying about the mag power, I've noticed that firing a few rounds from friends rifles. I have a Bushnell on my 870 at the moment (going to rifle sights soon) but that is a solid, dependable scope. But I am also open to looking at others like the Luepold you mentioned.

Thanks! Keep it coming!

I didn't mean to point out Walmart specifically. I bought a Tasco years ago off the rack from Cabelas. I spend a lot of time on the range chasing the bullseye until I realized that the inner lens had been shaken loose by the recoil so I was never getting the same picture from shot to shot. It sucks to spend a lot of time and money on ammo only to end up worse off than when you started.

I've had other Tasco scopes on air guns and .22's and never had a problem, maybe I just got a dud, I don't know but it was at that point where I started looking more at the quality of what I was buying in terms of optics.

Right, everyone carries a cheap line.

Here's what I'm looking at right now.

http://www.scheels.com/shop/ProductDisp ... reId=10151

Thoughts?

I have a Bushnell Trophy scope on my Muzzleloader and it has held up well.

Update: I did end up going with that Bushnell Trophy XLT 3x9 40mm. I just got it sighted in yesterday and really like it so far. I hope that it holds up and keeps me on target for the years to come. Thanks for your help!

patricklee85 wrote:Update: I did end up going with that Bushnell Trophy XLT 3x9 40mm. I just got it sighted in yesterday and really like it so far. I hope that it holds up and keeps me on target for the years to come. Thanks for your help!

Nice. I hope it serves you well.

Got a Bushnell Trophy as well on my Rem 700. Holding up well so far. Fired at 75 yards and then zoomed to 6X and held zero. Paid $150 but that is about as low as I would go. Going to grab a Redfield Revolution on my Model Four this year. Seems pretty good for $179. As long as they hold zero and don;t fail me.

Get the best glass you can afford, it will pay you back in the long run. I am very impressed with the Sightron SIII 8-32x56 on my rifle.

I have a bushnell on my 10/22 and it is fine.I have a tasco on another .22 that has also lasted well.My muzzle loader is topped with a Pentax 3-9x50 and that has been very good to me. On my deer rifle,Rem 700 in .308 i use a Nikon 3-9x40,and that has been in use for over 15 years and holds zero wonderfully.