What is Your favorite Groundhog or Varmint rifle scope??

[HillbillyLongRifle]

What are you guys running for Glass on your Groundhog guns?(Varmint guns)
I have used different stuff over the years but mainly use Leupold 12x FX, and Varix III 6.5-20x40 and 8.5-25x40 with Target Turrents and my favorite Fine Duplex reticles! I been wanting to try a new scope but dont see any that would suit my needs. Todays scope are to busy and too Tactical for my old school ways i guess. I would love to find a new scope for a new build i will have finished soon.

 

[Rube Shooter]

+1 for the old leupolds, I have the 8.5-25x40 fine duplex on my switch barrel setup. Sure wished I had the target turrets though.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

This is my 20 TAC and Leupold varix III 8.5-25x40

 

[7315br]

HillbillysniperSWVA, since you asked...my first question would be what average distance do you shoot Groundhogs? Out west here for GS's, my favorite scope has been the Swarovski Z5 series 5-25x52 or the 3.5-18x44...both with the BRX (not the BRH) varmint reticle. For my eyes it is the best optics. I go out to 5-600 yds quite often on the "Sage Rats". I just got back two days ago from my annual long range PD shoot in Wyoming. We don't shoot anything below 700 yds. My best with the 20/250 was 1135 yds (3rd) shot. My best 1st shot kill was 948 yds (a lot of 7-1200 yd shots) with the 22/243 Imp. Both verified by my shooting buddy on a spotting scope. Both rifles have Nightforce NXS 8-32's with the MOART reticle (.062" reticle thickness). I tried several other long range scopes, but the Nightforce have worked out best. My friend shoots a NF 5.5-22x56 on his 22-243 Imp and really likes it. If you are shooting shorter ranges the Swaro 3.5-18 (BRX) is a great scope in my opinion. Good luck on your decision. 7315br

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I shoot Groundhogs out to 700 yards in most of my spots.

 

[7315br]

The Swarovski Z5 5-25x52 BRX reticle would work nicely if you are okay with a Christmas tree reticle. The clarity of the scope is pretty amazing. I've shot PD's to right at 700 yds with that scope on my 20BR. If you are strictly a dial up guy, the NF 5.5-22x 56 or (50) would work very well. Again, best of luck in your decision. 7315br

 

[6MMsteve]

just a good 36x with side focus would do me just right

 

[AckleymanII]

Most of the chucks I shot were 450 and under, which does not take a high dollar scope to accomplish this. I do like to see a chuck take off like a cannon ball shot out of a cannon!

I don't know how many thousands we killed with the Bushnell 4x12 with the Bullet Drop compensator(target knobs) on them, and an upgrade to the first models of the 6.5-20 Leupold targets was a miraculous upgrade.

6mm Rem, short freebore, 12T, 26" #7 shilen contour, 38.5g of H4895, 85g Sierra bthp, make a chuck sprout wings!

Older Burris signature and Pentax light seeker scopes from 6-24 and 8-32 are some of my favorites, fine duplex with target knobs.

 

[hogpatrol]

Beating and banging around in the truck, my 17FB has an NXS 5.5-20 but have Trijicon, Sightron and Leupold on others. For a long while, I used a 2.5-10 Trijicon with the post reticle and shot chucks out to 400. Getting older, I like a little more magnification.

 

[Prairiedogger]

Leupold Varmint Hunter reticle. Once you know the distance, and where your rifle shoots. It's easy.

 

[K22]

All of my shots are under 300 yards mostly due to terrain limitations on the farms where I hunt and due to the limitations imposed by using shooting cross sticks at least for me so my info is probably not much value to you since you said you shoot out to 700 yards.

My favorite all time scope is the old Leupold VX3, 4.5 x 14 with a simple standard duplex reticle with the adjustable objective. I have taken hundreds of hog with this scope and never found it lacking.

Unlike others, I do not like the fine duplex reticle because in the late evenings which often is prime time especially in very hot weather, I find I lose this reticle in dim light. I have a very serviceable 6 x 18 VX2 Leopold which I returned to Leupold many years ago and had them replace the fine reticle with a standard duplex. I found this reticle to be better for me.

In the late 60's and 70's I took a bunch of ghogs with a Redfield 3 x 9 on a 243 Model 70 Winchester. Most successful shot however were in the 200 yard and under range.

 

[jghoghunter]

I like the Boush&lomb 6-24, Leupold 6.5/20. I also used NF 12-42. Strait 12x, 10x some Unertls some Leupolds. For carry guns I guess I like the B&L and the Leupold 6-20. Long range, sit in one spot NF 12-42

 

[357Mag]

Hillbillysniper -

Howdy !

When I used my .22-35 Remington wildcat on groundhogs, the scope upgrade sequence was B & L 2.5 X 8, then Leupold 12x, on to a fixed 16 Leupold that I used for eons, then a Leupold 6.5 X 20, a 32X B & L; and
currently........

A 2X-boosted T-36, w/ 1/8” dot. When I shot the variables, I always had them set on max magnification. So for me, fixed power high magnification scopes work. The challenge is ...... unless you can afford the premium high priced scopes; the typical highest magnification variables scope power ranges are 6-24 or 8-32.

Yeh, my intent is to go w/ a top tier Nightforce or Leupold for my next scope upgrade, but for me .....$$$ are THE major challenge.

My near- term solution was to put a 2X optical booster on a T-36. I used one from Gene Davis, who offered them for target Leupold and T-series Weavers. From what I’ve read, in optics math; my max magnification is around 52X. Now I realize, these boosters don’t work for everybody. It does work for me.

The scope ( for me ) was affordable, and the booster also was something I was able to afford @ my income level. The dot is unobtrusive, and the reticle does not have BDC features.

Yeh, it’s a 1” tube, but I have sufficient elevation adjustment w/ the T-36 to accomodate a 1,000yd shot; if the need arises. The scope has 2 turret knobs, so focus adjust is not a 3rd knob on the side of the scope.

My impending retirement makes timing of my premium scope buy an item of great interest. It’ll most likely be a 30mm tube, cause’ that’s just how the big stuff is made. Don’t believe it’d be necessary for me to go w; a 34mm offering, for a variety of reasons.

Long story short..... if I’ve missed a groundhog or made a poor hit.... it wasn’t because of my scope.

With regards,
357Mag

 

[1raggedhole]

Leupold vx-3 6.5-20 or 8.5-25 with varmint hunter reticle is my favorite by far. It is the gold ring standard by which all others should be judged.

 

[pertnear]

No PD's in my neck of the woods but I varmint hunt coyotes & hogs. I like a varmint scope on my deer rifles also since I do more studying horns for culls than trying to shoot trophies. My two favorite scopes are the Leupold 6.5x20 & the Pentax Lightseeker 6x24, both with simple duplex's. I prefer the Pentax & I have tried to buy another, but they are as scarce as hen's teeth. I hate 30mm tubes & giant objectives, but I recently bought a Sightron 4x20x50mm on clearance at half retail. Optics look excellent but the scope seems like a giant to me. We'll see, maybe I'll cotton-up to it!

 

[sw282]

L E U P O L D

 

[NZ_Fclass]

No hogs in this part of the world, but plenty else to shoot. Rabbits,hares and the like. My 17 Hornet wears a Leupold Vari-X 3 4.5-14/56. Still a great scope. The 222 Tikka mod 595 has a Tasco 6-18 TR with the correct dial for 55g pills. Fabulous out to 400 for bunnies.

 

[pintopete]

My next .222 Rem walking Sporter rifle is going to get a Sightron S-TAC 3-16x with a duplex reticle. I’m thinking that combo will be just right for the rifle & terrain.

 

[stacy]

My next .222 Rem walking Sporter rifle is going to get a Sightron S-TAC 3-16x with a duplex reticle. I’m thinking that combo will be just right for the rifle & terrain.

YOU WILL LIKE IT I HAVE SEVERAL AND FROM DEER TO VARMINTS THEY ARE HARD TO BEAT FOR THE MONEY 4 4X20X50 AND 1 3X16X42 I USE THE DUPLEX MODELS THEY SERVE ME WELL

 

[snert]

I am a Leupold 6-18 guy, or a 6.5-20. I also like fixed 10X, weaver T scopes.

However, I recently shot a discontinued Premier..they are named something else now. YOWZA. If I had 4K sitting around....