New Scope For .300 Win Mag

I have a Browning Abolt II Medallion In 300 Win Mag. I am wanting to put a Nikon or Leupold on it with a 50mm objective and something like a 3.5-10 or a 4.5-14 however i am torn on which route to go as far as make or model. I will be hunting whitetail in the brush and hill country so long shots ae common for me where i hunt. Does nikon scopes compare or is there no comparrison?

Magnification power is a matter of personal preference. I like 4.5-14 over 3.5-10. I do, however, have a 3.5-10 Leup VX-III that I like a lot.

It would be helpful to know your budget, in terms of how to make model recommendations.

Id like to stay in the 700-900 range. Im thinking the 14x variable. Just dont know if there are certain models better than others.

That's a healthy budget.

I don't know a lot about the different Nikon models.

On Leupold, VX-III will do anything you want it to do. Pick the features you want (reticle style, turret style) and you will be set for life. It would look great on a hunting rifle, as well.

There are a lot of other good options too. Zeiss will have something fantastic in your range. Vortex Viper PST would also be a fantastic option with any feature you can imagine.

If looks matter, I think the VX-III style scope will give you the classic hunting rifle look, which is what your Medallion is.

For what its worth, my hunting rifle scopes are VX-III 3.5-10 (40mm) and Vortex Viper PST 4-16 (50mm). I like both of them. I like the magnification better on the Vortex. The VX-III has been rocking for nearly 20 years and still perfect.

So my experience is somewhat limited. Others will have additional info, of course

Does leupold make good enough rings and mount to take the abuse from the 300 i know my bushnell cant seem to hold zero. Also, how is the scope in lowlight? I couldnt take a buck of a lifetime this weekend because I couldnt get a picture. Sux

Nikon glass always looked good to my eye...with that being said I really like Leupold stuff and have owned more Leupolds than anything else. I have 3 LRs 4.5x14 40mm with custom reticals, and they do well.

Well within your budget:

http://swfa.com/Nikon-4-16x50-Monarch-3-Riflescope-P61590.aspx

Good solid scope:

http://swfa.com/Leupold-35-10x40-VX-3-Riflescope-P50861.aspx

Solid scope at the edge of your budget:

http://swfa.com/Bushnell-25-16x50-Elite-6500-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P10928.aspx

Ed

Ed,

Id like something in a 50mm objective. I have been comparing the monarch 3 and vxIII i love the 2.5x16 in the bushnell though.

Yes. Go with weaver style if you have the choice.

Both of the scopes I mentioned above are mounted on 300 WMs. The VX-III is mounted in Leupold rings / bases. The PST is in Nightforce Rings / Base. Neither of them have any problem whatsoever with 300WM recoil.

As for low light, I can see much better through my scopes in low light than I can with the naked eye. I'm happy to recommend either option.

Bushnell at the 4200 or 6500 level is very good glass. I have one of there tac series 3x21 and it is very good quality. I just shot in 2 friends rifles for his boys and he topped them both with Nikon Buckmasters 4x12 man they looked good to me...Nikon has some very crisp glass.

Ed

With the 300 Win Mag the scope with the longest eye relief all other things being equal. I love my Minox ZA5 with it's 4 in eye relief.

I had a minox scope fail on one of our ranch rifles, I put a vortex viper on it and it is great, but has a funny tint to the glass.

In the price range you are looking at you can also include scopes like Zeiss Conquest, Meopta, and even some of the 1" Swarovski scopes.

MC 6.5-20x50 on my 300 Win Mag.

Dig it.

Easy answer

Leupold Vx3 4x14x50 or the vx3L

Or Vx6 in 2x12 or 3x18 44 or 50 mm obj

Get either with CDS. You will be very happy with either.

I would not get a Nikon unless you're buying a camera. The leopold is much nicer and will get you way past shooting light with extreme clarity and service.

They are much clearer than a pst

I own more Conquests than any other scope, with the Weaver Grand Slam running a close second. Either would fit your budget pretty closely. My lighter .300WM wears a 3x9x40 Conquest in weaver-style rings and bases. I personally see no need for larger optics on a rifle for general hunting, but bigger scopes are available in both the Conquest and Grand Slam lines.

Natchez was running some fantastic deals on Grand and Super Slams recently. Also check Cameraland and Skyler at SWxx for some Black Friday deals.

EDIT: Just saw this:
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=521450