Scope recommendation for prairie dog hunting?

[qwerty11]

Hey guys, I am putting together a gun for a prairie dog hunt and need a scope. For a budget, I am wanting to stay at or below the $500 mark. Cheaper is better, and I can also go more expensive if it is necessary. Bottom line, I want to spend what I need to spend to get the performance I need, but no more.

I am thinking I want at least 16x magnification, and maybe out to 26x, but I am open to suggestions. I am also curious as to what your thoughts are if I need zero reset turrets and what type of reticle.

 

[6MMsteve]

8x32x56 S3 sightron great all around scope....just make sure you get one with the 1/8 dot and 1/8 min adj...there is one on here with 1/4 dot and 1/4 adj for 600 but the 1/4 dot is only good for 308 cal shooting and it will cover your target at longer range...I tink...if you find one for btween 5 and 600 on here buy it..if it has 1/8 dot they are very good scopes

 

[pdog2062]

Be sure to get a variable power because during the heat of the day you will want to turn the power down because of the heatwaves, I usually don’t go above 18 power for that reason

 

[jpx2rk]

The Mueller scopes are pretty good for the $$, the recticle xhairs are a bit thick for my preference on the 2 I have, but serve the purpose pretty well. I have a Athlon Talos 6x25 and the xhairs are thinner, which I prefer. Haven't done a comparsion on the glass between the two brands yet.

 

[centershot]

I bought two Vortex 6.5x20 with the hash marks for hold off. My version is the 44 mm and it was replaced with the 50 mm. I payed $325 for them and thought it was a good deal.

 

[coldboreshot]

Vortex Diamondback Tactical in the variable power of your choice. The EBR-2C reticle is great for follow up shots. Under $500.

 

[powderbrake]

Zero reset turrets are not needed. When you zero your scope note the number of lines showing below the elevation turret. Tape a note on the side of the stock.
0 at 0 and 3 lines (for example)
Do the same for windage.

Reticle depends on how you like to shoot. Dot if you measure wind and use ballistics program. Something with hash marks if you estimate and walk in your shots

 

[rkittine]

For my wood chuck rifle (no prairie dogs here unfortunately) I picked up a 6x24 Vortex with a duplex reticle and a 30mm tube and it is fine for what I wanted it for. I have it mounted on a .22-250 that shoots just fine to 500 yards. I too like the variable for both mirage control and field of view.

Bob

 

[mikehotel]

One of my favorites is the NF NXS 5-5-22x50 with the MOAR-T reticle. However I got to look through a NF ATACR 7-35 FF1... and... oh... my... goodness, I should have never looked through that scope. I guess I'm having a garage sale.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Sightron s-tac 4-20 moa2 reticle. Should find one well under 500,probably under 400.

 

[remy3424]

IF you can find a Nikon Buckmaster (discontinued a couple years ago) 6-18x40, they were around $300 new, used around $200. Re-settable target turrets were standard, the duplex reticle works well, the target dot is OK. I have at least a half dozen of these and no problems, they seem to be a great value. I will still buy any I can find under $200, and I don't need any more. Might not have the warranty Leupold has, but they are a fraction of the price. There might be better scopes closer to your max budget, but these are decent.

 

[fyrewall]

I like Leupold & Weaver. I have a Leu 6.5-20X40, and a Leu 6.5-20X50, 30mm and a Leu 6-18X40 VX2. All of them are good performers. The Leu 6-18X40 quit working & would not hold zero about a week after I bought it but Leupold fixed it in about 1 month (no scope for 1 month).

I also have 4 Weaver Grand Slams. 3 - 6-20X40's - old style with rubber parallax & magnification adjust. The oldest was bought in 2001 and has never had any problems. The others work as expected. I sent one of the Weavers back for inspection & Weaver checked it out and returned it in one month. The tube walls in the Weavers are apparently thicker than the Leupold and that makes for some adjustment challenges.

Out of a max score of 100 my ratings would be - optics/glass Leupold 96, Weaver 94, Mechanical Weaver 96, Leupold 90. The VX2 is a little fuzzy around the edges but that is no big deal. Don't like the rubber parts on the Weavers, I used appliance touchup paint to mark stuff - looks funny but works.

Sun shades for all. My T24 sunshades fit the Grand Slams. Bear Basin has some olde Grand Slams for about $425.

 

[CT10ring]

I'd recommend the older Leupold 8.5-25 X 50mm, w the varmint reticle. good glass, useful reticle, side focus. They come up for sale used here, EBAY etc. some are in like new condition and discounted since they are used.