Hi all fitrst time on this forum,my name is Stan and live in South Australia just wondering if you guys can help me decide wich , size scope to mount on my new 308 reminghton, we just found a new place to go and shoot some wild goats and pig.Will be buying the scope from the States as guns and stuff are verry expensive here to buy thanks STAN

I just bought a Leupold scope, a VX-III 4.5x14 power from Cabelas.com for five hundred dollars. It is an excellent scope. I would definitly go with Leupold if you want a quality scope, and they have many models to choose from. You can go to the Leupold website or Cabelas to view their models. Hope this helps.

Gidday Stan, how are you mate?

Welcome to the worst kept secret on the net mate. Pull up a piece of dirt, sit awhile, preferrably with a cold Coopers beer and feel free to jump into any of the discussions, your input is welcome. You will find quite a number of aussies are members on HuntingNut.....myself being one of them (I am in Brisbane).

I have to agree with skipshot, the Leopold is a great scope, probably the best dollar for dollar value, they are however a "little" expensive here in aussie. Shop around, I'm sure that you can find a price to suit your budget. Also, check the exchange rates and postage costs...it may well be more cost effective to buy here in Australia.

If you are going to buy in the US make sure you check with Customs first as to the requirements on importing anything to do with a firearm.....yes mate, IMPORTING, cause that is what they consider it to be.

Good luck with your search and then with your hunts.

Cheers, Vince

How ya going Stan.

Welcome mate.

I use 3 - 9 x 50 on my 308, and like you, I mostly go for goats and pigs
too, but then again in NSW them pigs are tiny compared to the ones in SA :).

In regards to imports, Scopes somehow exempt from both imports rules and TAX, nor would you have to pay GST for it if it is less than $AU 1000.00

But, In my experience, it is better to buy from your local dealer because they are there to help you if you have any problem at all. Plus, to send the scope back to the state for service or warranty made it waaay more expensive in the long run.

Gelan

Howdy stan welcome to the HuntingNut. I have a 3-9 x 40 leupold on my 308 and it does everything I need it too.
Joe

Thanks to all for the help and will llook at 3x9x40 regardsStan

What distances are you shooting? The last .308 that I had wore a 6x42 leupold fixed power and I thought it was a superb combination.

Hi Stan

The 3-9X40 is versatile when buying the Leupold in any model. If economy is important, the Rifleman series will serve you well. Other considerations, however, may be equally important.

Rather than concern oneself with magnification, resolution of image is by far the more critical concern. This is why an increasing percentage of buyers are going with high quality fixed power scopes. In that regard, the Leupold FXII 4X or 6X have no peers. They use Multicoat on the lenses and have mechanical adjustments for windage and elevation.

Too, fixed scopes are lighter, less prone to problems and have increased light transmission over their variable power counterparts. They are also less expensive than the VXII or VXIII series Leupold variables.

Have yo looked nito Nikko Sterling - NightEater scopes? I live in the states and am told they are imported from Australia. And they are primarily used there for long range head-shots for hunters collecting pelts, don't know if that's true of not, but they look like good optics. Very cheap, around the same price as Simmons or Bushnell. Have some really great magnifications to choose from. CHeck 'em out, might be able to get them from you're local gunshop. www.nikkostirling.com/
If you're ordering from the states online sheck out www.SWFA.com. They've always got the best prices around and are always running promotional offers for lots of scopes. Good customer service too, I just bought a Weaver scope from 'em and am very pleased.

I like the Bushnell Elite scopes-have three of them- one is a 4200 the others 3200's. The Rainguard feature is even better than they claim.

If you look into them, call Natchez Shooters Supply (www.natchezss.com) because the prices you get over the phone will be about $30 to $60 lower than their published price on the internet.


Sounds like a great place you found to hunt, have fun.

I don't know what kinds of scopes you can get in Australia, but Leupold is a marvelous glass. As far as scope power, at 100 yards, a fixed 4X scope will give you the same sight picture as open sights do at 25. I have a 3-9 Burris on my rifle, and guess where the power ring gets set most of the time? Yup--4, 5, or 6 X!

Many fellows feel they are underscoped with 3-9X40 scopes. Not so! It will do everything from mouse to moose very well. But for the type of hunting you describe, a good 4X will be all you ever need.

As far as brands; Burris, Weaver, Swift, Simmons Aetec, and Bushnell scopes all have good reputations. Nikon also makes good scopes.

If you want the Leupold, go for it!

I have a gunsmith friend who found an old Leupold at a gunshow for $25. It rattled. He sent it to Leupold, and they fixed it. He is still using it.

Good luck with your search, and welcome.

Hey Stan..I have a couple of Leupold's, The 3X9X40 VX 1, and the VX-III 4.5x14X50mm , You don't have to worry about sending it back for warranty to the states, I've never heard of anyone having problems with Leupold. They might not be the best, but are right up there at the top. Good Luck in your choice.

Hi Stan-Ive been reading here about all of the statements about leupold scopes and all I can say is that they are true.I live about 45 miles from where they are made and have been to the factory a couple of times.I own 8 at last count-1 vxIII and 7 vxII's,and some are over 30 yrs old(vxII-3x9)and still are clear as new and still shoot perfectly.I once took one back to the factory for a rebuild,they took it and found nothing wrong,I reinstalled it and found that the problem had been a scopemount that had worked loose(been jackhammered by a mini14 action)I retightened it and it works fine to this day!The scope never was the problem!Do yourself a favor-spend a few more dollars and get the vxII 3x9-it'll probably outlast you....

Just got these back from the Custom Shop.

Turrets installed.

The M8 6X (top) is easily my favorite blend of optical componentry.

Leupold or bust................

I have Leupold, Nikon and Weaver. all have served me well.