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Which Scope for 270 wsm Hunting Rifle

Hey all- I just picked up a new to me savage 270 wsm for hunting here out west and now in searching for some glass to put on it. There’s a chance this thing could turn into a 7 saum down the road, and I’d like to get a scope now that could double as a nice hunting scope (with magnification in the 2-3 range at the minimum) as well as being suitable for targets too. I’m also a total cheap ass and don’t want to spend more than what I spent on the rifle ($600). Anyone got any recommendations for something like this? I’m definitely not opposed to buying used as well, as long as the warranty is a good one.
 
It's hard enough to decide which is the best hunting scope, and which is the best target scope, but you one that will be great for both?

And I have very few rifles that cost more than half of what the scope that is on it cost.

IOW, tall order!
 
I put a Sightron STAC 4-20X50 on my custom Mauser in 284 Win.
I hunt mostly along gaslines in PA.
Deer can literally come out from contact to 1,500 yards.
Also used that scope for my first 600 yard F-Open match.
Not exactly light, but good, and in the $450 range.
 
It's hard enough to decide which is the best hunting scope, and which is the best target scope, but you one that will be great for both?

And I have very few rifles that cost more than half of what the scope that is on it cost.

IOW, tall order!
No joke! But the good thing is that I’m mainly looking for a hunting scope that can be a serviceable target scope. This rifle is mainly going to be a hunter, but I know I’ll dabble in target shooting as well.
 
I put a Sightron STAC 4-20X50 on my custom Mauser in 284 Win.
I hunt mostly along gaslines in PA.
Deer can literally come out from contact to 1,500 yards.
Also used that scope for my first 600 yard F-Open match.
Not exactly light, but good, and in the $450 range.
This scope is one of the ones on my short list to check out. Another one is the sightmark citadel 3-18 since it would be a little better still hunting through timber with the lower magnification.
Has anyone tried out any of the Athlon lower power scopes? Like the Ares and Helos BTRs?
 
Save up a few more dollars and get a NightForce SHV. Decent glass, repeatable adjustments, solid zero retention.
Gary
 
No joke! But the good thing is that I’m mainly looking for a hunting scope that can be a serviceable target scope. This rifle is mainly going to be a hunter, but I know I’ll dabble in target shooting as well.

Okay, that's reasonable. For mainly hunting I usually use Trijicon Accupoint, because of the battery-free, always-there glowing dot on the reticle. Get one of the models with the "heli-port" on the top in back, as they do a fantastic job of gathering light. So the 2.5-12.5 or the 4-16, I believe.

You can spin the wheel and close off the light coming in if it is distracting when target shooting.

 
Another option, would be one of the new Crimson Trace scopes just coming out.
Brushline, and Hardline.
I've been waiting on one to be in stock somewhere so i can check them out in person.
 
Save up a few more dollars and get a NightForce SHV. Decent glass, repeatable adjustments, solid zero retention.
Gary
"A few more dollars"??
Like over double the price?
Not discrediting Nightforce quality by any means, but inexpensive they are not.
 
Since it will mostly be a hunting scope, you'd need to specify max weight and minimum magnification requirements before anyone could begin to narrow your choices down.
 
"A few more dollars"??
Like over double the price?
Not discrediting Nightforce quality by any means, but inexpensive they are not.
I don't want to offend any of the proletariat out there but honestly, if the difference in cost between NF SHV and a "whatever" bothers a guy, he is probably in the wrong sport.

Most people are going to start out with what they think is a reasonably price optic and then 2 or 3 years later it is gathering dust on a shelf because it turned out they wanted a better scope, but just did not know it.
 
"A few more dollars"??
Like over double the price?
Not discrediting Nightforce quality by any means, but inexpensive they are not.
Better check your math.
Over double the price of his limit of $600 would be over the $1200 mark.
You can get a SHV for a heck of a lot less than that. I have 3 and I don’t think I spent over $900 for any of them. Do some shopping.
Gary
 
Since it will mostly be a hunting scope, you'd need to specify max weight and minimum magnification requirements before anyone could begin to narrow your choices down.

I’d like to have something in the 2-3x minimum magnification, but the absolute maximum (for the minimum magnification) that I’d want would be 4x. And as far as weight- I’m used to lugging around pretty heavy stuff so I’m really not that worried about a maximum weight. If I started worrying about that, I’d just lose an extra pound or two in the off season.
Keep the suggestions coming!
 
Doesn't want to spend more than cost of the rifle(600). For load development work at 100 and 300 yards I need at least 16x prefer 20. I use a Sightron stac 4-20 for load work. Have a couple with moa2 reticles these work well for prairie dogs as well as targets. I recently picked up one with a duplex and use it on my 22-250 hunting coyotes. I have only had one scope over 10x top end on any of my elk hunts. Normally 3-9, or 3.5-10. But I wouldn't rule out using one of the 4-20x stac hunting(duplex). If I draw a tag this year, I found a deal on a Sightron stac 2-10x32 with the HH gen 2 reticle. It will be on my main rifle, always take 2.
 
I’d like to have something in the 2-3x minimum magnification, but the absolute maximum (for the minimum magnification) that I’d want would be 4x. And as far as weight- I’m used to lugging around pretty heavy stuff so I’m really not that worried about a maximum weight. If I started worrying about that, I’d just lose an extra pound or two in the off season.
Keep the suggestions coming!
OK, now we're talking. The Sightron is a good recommendation but I was not too impressed with the optical quality of that particular model. My choice would be the Meopta MeoPro Optika6 3-18X50mm in your price range. Optics Planet has them depending on reticle starting at $600. If you can swing it, try finding a nearby store that will let you look through one. I think you'll be impressed. I also really like that they are built tough for hunting applications.
 
That’s up there on my list too. I really like the newer athlons that are in that 2-15 range, but the 3-18 groups are nice too. I’ve never talked to someone who didn’t like meoptas
 
We of the proletariat, are not offended that the oligarchs can afford to have nice things.
We too can appreciate the quality of those items.
Being told we shouldn't do something due to our financial status IS offending!

Altough i'll admit to misrepresenting the cost of the Nightforce SHV line, i was attempting to keep within the OP's stated budget.
Shooting shorter more precission oriented matches has left me wanting more in the optics than the STAC can offer. Seeing 22 caliber holes beyond 200 yards with heavy mirage was neigh on impossible for me.
So my plan of getting an action was put on hold, after several months of saving, and i purchased my most expensive optic to date. A used Sightron SIII 10-50X60 LRTD.
Huge benefit for what i was doing, but as a hunting scope that you would carry, not the best choice.
And after months of saving again, i've finally been able to get an action for a match rifle build.
 
If you can spend more the leupold vx 5hd or vx 6hd scopes would work perfect for what you want to do.
 

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