Scopes

I've got a Leupold 2.5x-8x Vari-X III on mine, perhaps a little overkill, but I shoot pigs in low light......

Can't go wrong with that scope on just about any hunting rifle, regardless of range or purpose.

I own the same scope and have to agree. Good color, FOV, repeatable, all the good stuff. The new version is VX-III and is improved by far according to those who have looked thru them. When I mean new I am talking as of recent, not the VX-III version from a few years ago. A step up from those it is.

Thanks for the answer. I will be shooting 265gr. Hornady.

A couple of scopes I have that would work fine for that cartridge are the Leupold VXI 1-4x20 SG w/HD reticle (have one on a BLR/.358), a Nikon Monarch UCC SG 1.5-4.5x20 (one on a 336ER/.356) a Nikon Monarch African series 1-4x20 and a Leupold 30mm European 1.25-4x20. The 30mm Leupold is the nicest, IMO, but also the priciest, at abvout $400. The Nikon(s) gives the best performance/$$ at about
$280. I like a HD or #4 type reticle in these scopes too. Hope that helps some.

There are 3 really good one. The Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32, The Bushnell 3200 Elite 2-7X32, and the Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32. If you have a lot of extra cash the Leupold Rifleman 2-7X33 is ok. ebay and Amazon.com have the best prices. I wouldn't spend a lot of money.

I just got the same rifle, and I think I am going to put a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 on it. I have found a really good deal ($156 new), and have one other Burris that I am pretty happy with.

That's a big scope for a levergun.

i would go with the 4200 Elite on that heavy thumper, they are built to take real punishment. but a 3-9x40 is too big for my personal taste for a fast handling lever rifle, but again that's me

InRut said:

I own the same scope and have to agree. Good color, FOV, repeatable, all the good stuff. The new version is VX-III and is improved by far according to those who have looked thru them. When I mean new I am talking as of recent, not the VX-III version from a few years ago. A step up from those it is.

Click to expand...

the new version is a VX3 (3) not (III)

All my big bore leverguns have either a 1.5-4.5x or 2-7x. I don't see the need for anything more powerful but each to their own. I have several brands from Bushnell Banner to Nikon Prostaff. All have given me excellent service.

I misread. My new .444 is a Handi-rifle, not a lever gun. We can use them in the primitive weapons season down here.

jodum said:

All my big bore leverguns have either a 1.5-4.5x or 2-7x. I don't see the need for anything more powerful but each to their own. I have several brands from Bushnell Banner to Nikon Prostaff. All have given me excellent service.

Click to expand...

Agreed. I have 1.5X5 Leupolds on ALL of my lever guns, 44 Mag, 444, 45-70, and 30-30 and have never been under scoped and have never got any scope cuts.

Can't argue with those 1.5x5 Leupold. For even better eye relief, a Nikon 1.65x5 Omega with the Nikoplex reticle would be hard to beat. Full 5" eye relief. Make sure you get the Nikoplex reticle rather than the BDC 250 (the BDC is calibrated for muzzleloaders).

By the way. With heavier bullets, I suspect the Omega with a BDC reticle would be a decent tool for you .444. You could check the ballistic tables for heavy .444 loads and for 150 grain charge .50 muzzle loader loads to confirm. With practice I am sure you could get some outstanding results with the BDC reticle and a .444.

Bird Dog II said:

Can't argue with those 1.5x5 Leupold. For even better eye relief, a Nikon 1.65x5 Omega with the Nikoplex reticle would be hard to beat. Full 5" eye relief. Make sure you get the Nikoplex reticle rather than the BDC 250 (the BDC is calibrated for muzzleloaders).

Click to expand...

They are about the same then. Leupold list their eye relief as 5.3 inches.

I like a 3x9x40 for all my big bore rifles just for uniformity.