New scope for new rifle

I am waiting for my new Browning X-Bolt in 7mm-08 to arrive sometime in June, and need to put a new scope on it.

Do you normally have plenty of time to get centered on your target or do you often have to take "snap" shots? 

I do not care for "snap shots", or shooting off the hip as it were. I try as much as possible to be settled before taking the shot. I have been very fortunate to have a good record of one shot, one kill hits for the past 10 years now and would like to try to keep it that way.

what magnification do you usually use ?

This is a little over your price, but would be my 1st choice: 

http://www.swfa.com/pc-3347-307-leupold-25-8x36-vx-iii-riflescope.aspx

frankb wrote: I am waiting for my new Browning X-Bolt in 7mm-08 to arrive sometime in June, and need to put a new scope on it. I hunt whitetails here in the piedmont of NC. My shots range from short 20 yard, to at the most 150 yards depending on which shack I am hunting from (I have three at present in different areas of my land). I do a lot ho hunting in fairly heavy tree cover. Mostly, the shots are within the 100 yard range. My budget will be somewhere between $350 and $400 for the new scope. I currently use Swift 2-7X40 on my Browning BAR Safari .308. It's a nice scope. I also have used the Nikon 3-9X40 Buckmaster, also a nice scope. I somehow feel that I might do a little better with some solid advise of those that have been there, done that! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Frankb.

.......................................Since your budget is between $350 and $400, you will get some recos for the Zeiss Conquest because it has perhaps the best glass in that price range. The 2.5-8x32 Conquest falls within your budget...........Regardless of your budget, your 1st concern along with good optics, is to choose the proper variable for the hunting conditions. Your shots, as you say, will be between 20 yards and 150 yards, so choose the right variable accordingly. Although it will work, the Zeiss at 2.5x8, IMO, is too much magnification for your condition. It is more of a longer range plains scope!..............I would consider a 2x7 variable to be the absolute maximum. Even better? A 1.25 or 1.5 x4 or 5 would be ideal for all hunting less than 200 yards. However, a 4x or 5x can still be used for the 300 to 400 yard shots and cannot be underestimated!!..............The lower powered variables will increase your FOV and give faster target acquisition, especially for the shorter, within 50 yard shots.................................Burris Sig. Safari in the lower powered variable is a great choice!............Sightron Big Sky in the straight tubed lower powered variable is another great choice!.................Burris FF2 in the 2x7 for less $............Nikon Monarch 2x7. However, my 1st choice would not be the 2x7`s................There is also the Leupold lower powered variables. But you spend more with the Leupys in return for what you get. The bottom line? Keep your magnification down, while increasing your FOV and maintaining time to target acquisition at a minmium!...............   

Sorry, I am having trouble logging in to reply to my own post here.

I have seriously considered a fixed 4X scope for these ranges as well. I had the Nikon 4X40 on one rifle and it was very nice. I could not help by worry that maybe I would have needed more power from time to time, but that really nver came to play except for when I wanted to shoot on my 1200 yard range. I like to be right on top of the target with the scope.

Squeezer..... I was wondering about the scopes you mentioned before you posted.... and I'm thinking they may not work well for low-light with the small objective lenses.  Do you think this is a legitimate concern?

only if he hunts a lot in low light

Tip69,

well that eliminates all the small scopes with 20mm objectives

I have been trying to read up on this forum and have only gotten to about 8 or 9 pages so far. I do notice many talk about the zeiss conquest scope. I know the name, but that is about all I know of this scope. I guess I have more experience with the Buckmaster 3-9X40 and the Swift 2-7X40, and the Nikon 4X.

dude, im telling you to buy a zeiss there are plenty of people who like them they re very hard to beat under $500

If you can stretch your budget to $479.95 you could get the Kahles.  Although I don't have that particular scope, I have a CL 3-10X50....I'm sure you will like it!  From what I read around here, you'll like that 4a reticle too!

frankb:

i wont argue with that, i would take the zeiss over the 4200 though

pyro:

yeah the kahles is way nice, wish i had a couple myself

I agree with choosing the right size variable or using a fixed power. I believe the Burris SS 1x6x40, Sightron Big Sky 6x42 or 1.5x6x42 sll, Leupold FXlll 6x42 would be great new scopes. I personally use a Monarch 6x42 on my personal 7-08 and have never been under powered. Fixed scopes offers a brighter image in dusk and dawn hunting. I am also a Carolina Boy, so I know how you may be hunting. I would personally look on the Sample list at the Kahles Helia 6x42 for 499.00, it's a great scope an worth the money. 

straight 6x at 20yds???

Stop the order!  Buy a Ruger, and use the extra money for a quality piece of glass.  I own both brands of guns and there is nothing a Browing can do that a Ruger can't other than jack shells a little smoother.  After 300 shots, there will be no difference in the 2 actions.  I actually prefer my Ruger's over my A-Bolts for everyday hunting conditions.  GL.

                       UH OH!  The troops are gittin' rowdy!

i dont! older rugers have terrible triggers and the abolts have a buttoned barrel, they will out shoot the rugers in any caliber, i have a ruger m77 in a .280 and had another one in a 7-08 while they worked they werent great, the brownings were great. i prefer the detachable clip to a hinged floor plate, brownings have better wood too, so i will disagree with you there, i have two rugers and two brownings, i would take the browning.