[AlMargheim]

Sometime soon I'm going to purchase a new .308 bolt action rifle that I will use primarily for deer hunting. The rifle will probably be a Sako A7.

I'd appreciate some advice on choosing between two different variable scopes for the rifle.

I've narrowed my choices to either a Bushnell 4200 or a Nikon Monarch, but I can't decide between a 2-8x32mm or a 2.5-10x40mm. Low-light performance is important to me, but so is usability in thick brush.

On paper, the 40mm scope has the advantage in low light (plus a little more power), but, on paper, the 2 power scope has the advantage in close quarters (in addition to having a slight weight advantage).

Given the criteria I've laid out, which would you choose? Would you go with the 2-8x32mm or the 2.5-10x40mm?

TIA
Al

[cpttango30]

light transmission has more to do with coatings than obj size. The better to coatings the better the light transmission.

either well work good for your app. Me I would go with the 2.5-10x40. just for that 40mm obj. These are both good scopes I prefer either brand over many others. I traded a leupold for a nikon not to long ago. 10x will get you out to just about any range you want to hunt deer with and the 2.5x is low enough to offer lots of FOV and plenty of light.

[AlMargheim]

Originally Posted by cpttango30

light transmission has more to do with coatings than obj size. The better to coatings the better the light transmission.

either well work good for your app. Me I would go with the 2.5-10x40. just for that 40mm obj. These are both good scopes I prefer either brand over many others. I traded a leupold for a nikon not to long ago. 10x will get you out to just about any range you want to hunt deer with and the 2.5x is low enough to offer lots of FOV and plenty of light.

You make a good point about lens coatings. Both Nikon and Bushnell claim about 95% light transmission with the Monarch and the Elite 4200. And, all other factors being equal, a 40mm objective has more light to transmit.

My current deer rifle is a .308 Kimber 84 Montana with a Leupold 1.75-6x32mm VX-III. I like the 1.75x in close quarters, but I realized I want a little more magnification for longer shots.

I ruled out a Leupold for the new rifle because they don't make a 2-8x or a 2.5-10x.

Thanks for your advice.
Al

[cpttango30]

Leupold makes a 2.5-8x36mm in the VX-3 line of scopes.

SWFA Riflescopes Leupold Hunting Riflescopes Leupold VX-3 / VX-3L Riflescopes

[AlMargheim]

Originally Posted by cpttango30

Leupold makes a 2.5-8x36mm in the VX-3 line of scopes.

Ah. I hadn't realized that Leupold's 2.5-8 VX-3 has a 36mm objective. Now I have to add it to the list of scopes under consideration.

If it was 2-8 variable instead of a 2.5-8 I'd chose it without hesitation.

I realize there's not that much difference between a 2x and 2.5x, but by the same argument there's not that much difference between a 2.5x and a 3x, and from experience I know I don't want to use a 3x in the woods.

Thanks,
Al