Scope for my 204 Varmint Rifle

[Mark M.]

Putting together a 204 varmint rifle and would like a scope that will dial right in, was thinking about a Sightron Slll 8-32x56, to much Scope? what do you guys think.

 

[TAJ45]

Considering that most PD shooters say the seldom top 20X in the summer and if you are doingskwirl, therefore usually under 250 yrs, I would think the 8-32 would be great. No need to tie up 11 large in a 12-42NF.

 

[LarryDScott]

+1 on the 8-32 Sightron. LDS

 

[TAJ45]

I have a couple SIII's and like them.

 

[varget204]

Got 3 Sightron III's,2 --8 -32 x56 ,Love them,Can see clear to 1000 yards,it would make Great Varmint scope,Allowed me to shoot sub 1/2 moa at 1000 yards w/ 204 ruger

 

[Tommie]

20X is plenty for PD shooting with a .204 but additional magnification is nice when working up a load.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I'm a lifelong Leupold user, but I'd consider the Sightron a full equal in all regards....very good glass and warranty.

All my rat rifles wear Leupold VX3 6.5-20X LR glass, and as has been mentioned, I seldom use 20X, especially in the warm weather, as mirage will all but negate the higher power magnifications practicality.

The higher magnification will come in handy for working up loads though. Better to have it on tap than need it and not have it, right? I'd say go for it.

 

[jepp2]

was thinking about a Sightron Slll 8-32x56

That is a great scope. Question 2. is what reticle? Many to choose from, personal preference comes in now.

 

[mikeinct]

Considering that most PD shooters say the seldom top 20X in the summer and if you are doingskwirl, therefore usually under 250 yrs, I would think the 8-32 would be great. No need to tie up 11 large in a 12-42NF.

We know you are not Italian. : ) Grin.. In our parlance That would be "C" notes. 11 Large, is $11,000. Either the NF or Sightron 8 x 32 is a fine choice. mike in ct

 

[Bangs OH]

Min. 20X magnification; my geezer eyes are liking at least 24 now. You’ll probably want First Focal Plane glass. The new Bushnell lines (Nitro, etc.) look like a lot of bang for the buck in higher powers; haven’t looked at/through one yet.
Don’t count on any “sub 1/2 moa 1000 yard groups”, though.

 

[B23]

I had a Burris Veracity 4-20x50 on my CZ 527 204, it was a decent-ish scope for the money but it didn't track like my NF scopes do, not much does, and like many lesser expensive scopes, in the upper ranges of the magnification the optics got kinda grainy.

If you want a scope with good optics, second to none tracking and repeatability, look for a good used NF NXS 5.5-22x50 with a NP-R1, MOAR, or MOAR-T reticle.

 

[Mark M.]

Thanks guys

 

[SmokinJoe]

Mark, my all-time favorite is the Leupold 6.5-20x40 EFR target scope which I seldom use above 12x when shooting PD's, next would be Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x44 or 50, can't remember and then the Leupold 6.5-20x50 LR or the 8.5-25x50 LR. These are all good scopes from my experiences shooting both paper and PD's. The other scopes mentioned above are probably great, too, but I have no experience with them. Still think the old Leupold EFR is the best bang for the buck.

 

[MikeT49]

I have a Sightron SIII 8-32 X 56 on my 20 Practical. Can't comment on shooting critters with it, only paper so far. Sweet glass. If you decide to get one and opt for a mil based reticle with mil click adjustments, get the .05/click vs 1/10/click. You can tweak the 1/10 mil/click precisely but it involves slightly rotating zee ring inserts to get there. That, I have to admit, is a PITA. 1/10 mil = ~.360 moa.

 

[Evan]

I'm really appreciating the vortex golden eagle on my 20VT. It's exceptional for target work and 20 cal holes are pretty small. Need all the help you can get!

 

[Texas10]

Watch the for sale classifieds for a gently used Sightron III. They come up frequently and can be had for a lot less coin than new.

But for a whole lot less coin, and perhaps the best bargain in performance for the money, this is a VERY good scope, although a bit limited in turret range. For your 204 it'd probably be fine for PD.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/swift-8-32x50mm-premier-waterproof-matte-rifle-scope-678m.html

It's Adjustable Objective with very clear glass, good solid turret function, solid backing.

 

[TAJ45]

I understand conventional parlance....
Yer right. I guess my beer budget was showing as 1100$ is plenty large for this retiree. ;-)

 

[fyrewall]

I have some Leupold variables to go up to 18 & 20 X - these work well. I also have some old Weaver Grand Slam 6-20X40's that cost much less and produce equal results - my oldest one has been used continually for 18 years, sometimes for shooting deers. A good test is spotting .20 bullet holes @ 300 and all these scopes will do that. The Weavers (4 little big $ ones ($400)) look sort of dubby with the rubber parts but work well enough to shoot rodents, some at over 400 plus. I usually set them at max powers. Sometimes I could use 24X. I was disappointed with the Vortex Viper 6.5-20X50, I thought it dimmed out near 20X. I have also used my Weaver T24 with the tiny little dot but this can be frustrating to use with its limited field of view at short ranges, but with some practice it is very effective - good optics, glass, coatings & adjustments. I think I will buy another Weaver 6-20X40 GS next week.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Really like my Sightron stac 4-20x50 with the moa2 reticle. Has worked perfectly dialing on a 223 and a 204, and is pretty sweet for 100 yard load work with the .25 moa(20x) floating dot. I like the floating dot for prairie dogs, nice open view of impacts with the small bores. I have been able to shoot it on pd above 16x most of the time,mornings and afternoons on 20 in July and August.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I had a 20X Leupold scope on mine for quite a while. Made group testing easy.. But out in the field it was a PITA sometimes getting on a dog.. These days I use a 4-12... 20X is gone