Let’s talk 308 hunting rifles.

cowzrul · Aug 16, 2022

HoLeChit said:
Where you get it at?

Gallery of Guns

HoLeChit · Aug 21, 2022

Update:

So I have decided on a rifle, getting the Bergara B14 Wilderness SP rifle. Should fit my needs perfectly. Right at 7lbs, 18” barrel, Remington 700 parts compatibility for potential future mods, it’s already cerakoted, everything I read says they’re very accurate. Now to pick out a scope. I’m no optics snob, and I don’t have a ton of cash to throw around, but I want something decent.

I would like something with a magnification range of 2-10 or 3-14ish, somewhere in that neighborhood. I’m not a fan of BDC reticules for this application, and I don’t really dial in elevation or windage while hunting. I typically just keep my dope card handy, adjust my point of aim, and make the shot. All of my optics are MOA, I don’t know that I want to switch to MIL. I’m looking to keep my cost in the $500 range. Suggestions?

Here’s a few I’m considering, would love to hear some opinions.

TS-12X - US Optics

The USO TS-12X is a compact, lightweight and versatile first focal plane riflescope that offers reliable performance in extreme hunting conditions. The TS-12X features a 42mm Objective, 30mm Tube, Rapid Focus Diopter, and Tactical Locking Elevation and Windage Turrets. With the ability to...

www.usoptics.com

I’ve heard lots of good about US Optics, and interested in this guy. The adjustable parallax is nice, but the fact that it’s MIL is concerning.

VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL Duplex

The VX®-3HD 3.5-10x40mm delivers legendary performance and extreme clarity in an incredibly tough, lightweight package. Its versatile magnification can get the job done in almost any scenario.

www.leupold.com

VX-3HD 4.5-14x40 CDS-ZL Duplex

The VX®-3HD 4.5-14x40mm delivers legendary performance and elite optical clarity in an incredibly tough, lightweight package. Its extremely popular magnification range is perfect for timber and western mountain hunting.

www.leupold.com

I like leupold, these seem to fit the bill nicely.

HR1240-C-2700003 | Trijicon®

Trijicon® products are known for offering legendary reliability, absolute accuracy and industry-leading technology to shooting enthusiasts, law enforcement agencies and the U.S. military and its allies.

www.trijicon.com

I’ve heard good things about trijicon scopes, if they’re half as good as their RCOs it should fit the bill nicely.

Any other suggestions? Thoughts on these?

diggler1833 · Aug 21, 2022

HoLeChit said:
Update:

So I have decided on a rifle, getting the Bergara B14 Wilderness SP rifle. Should fit my needs perfectly. Right at 7lbs, 18” barrel, Remington 700 parts compatibility for potential future mods, it’s already cerakoted, everything I read says they’re very accurate. Now to pick out a scope. I’m no optics snob, and I don’t have a ton of cash to throw around, but I want something decent.

I would like something with a magnification range of 2-10 or 3-14ish, somewhere in that neighborhood. I’m not a fan of BDC reticules for this application, and I don’t really dial in elevation or windage while hunting. I typically just keep my dope card handy, adjust my point of aim, and make the shot. All of my optics are MOA, I don’t know that I want to switch to MIL. I’m looking to keep my cost in the $500 range. Suggestions?

Here’s a few I’m considering, would love to hear some opinions.

TS-12X - US Optics

The USO TS-12X is a compact, lightweight and versatile first focal plane riflescope that offers reliable performance in extreme hunting conditions. The TS-12X features a 42mm Objective, 30mm Tube, Rapid Focus Diopter, and Tactical Locking Elevation and Windage Turrets. With the ability to...

www.usoptics.com

I’ve heard lots of good about US Optics, and interested in this guy. The adjustable parallax is nice, but the fact that it’s MIL is concerning.

VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL Duplex

The VX®-3HD 3.5-10x40mm delivers legendary performance and extreme clarity in an incredibly tough, lightweight package. Its versatile magnification can get the job done in almost any scenario.

www.leupold.com

VX-3HD 4.5-14x40 CDS-ZL Duplex

The VX®-3HD 4.5-14x40mm delivers legendary performance and elite optical clarity in an incredibly tough, lightweight package. Its extremely popular magnification range is perfect for timber and western mountain hunting.

www.leupold.com

I like leupold, these seem to fit the bill nicely.

HR1240-C-2700003 | Trijicon®

Trijicon® products are known for offering legendary reliability, absolute accuracy and industry-leading technology to shooting enthusiasts, law enforcement agencies and the U.S. military and its allies.

www.trijicon.com

I’ve heard good things about trijicon scopes, if they’re half as good as their RCOs it should fit the bill nicely.

Any other suggestions? Thoughts on these?

I had a US Optics ST-10 some 15 years ago and loved it. That being said: Their TS line is made in China, and the fact that USO beats around the bush on this in their FAQ is pretty irritating. I don't care where it was designed...I want to know the care in its manufacturing. Also, USO has had bouts of quality issues even in their higher lines (B series)...maybe it's all fixed by now? I don't want to poo-poo them for no reason, but knowing their history for a long time I'm a bit skeptical.

I have two of the now discontinued Trijicon Accupower scopes (1-4, and 4-16). They got pretty cheap when Trijicon was moving to the Credo line. I don't adjust mine, and the turrets aren't built for it anyway...but the glass quality (subjective) is excellent for the price. I've had zero issues with either of mine, but I'm not expecting $1,500 performance out of $500 optics either. Both gather more light than my naked eye, and neither has had a zero shift. I would buy again for what I paid in a heartbeat.

The last Leupold I bought was a rather inexpensive VX-II. It was okay, considering I spent about $350 on it, and it went on a $350 rifle. I have, and have had 4 different Mk 4s. Back in the day they were the gold standard...but that was 20+ years ago when there wasn't a lot of competition. As long as you don't dial a lot, I would be willing to bet that the VX-3HD would be alright. Leupold had a horrible reputation for tracking (adjustments actually being spot on) for years. They might have fixed it in the Mark 5 and Mark 6 lines though as I rarely see a gripe about those online.

I don't really have any suggestions for alternatives because I haven't had a need like yours in several years. I know that there have been a lot of good options become available in the $500 range as competition there is fierce. If I had to pick from your short list, I'd probably go Trijicon.

retrieverman · Aug 21, 2022

I would suggest a Zeiss HD5 3-15. I’ve seen used them but like new for under $600.

PanhandleGlocker · Aug 21, 2022

after being schooled on scopes by a fellow member id invest more in glass… if it was me. Not saying buy a nightforce but I’d definitely get something more than $500.

I thought rule of thumb was to always spend double on glass over the cost of your rifle.

HoLeChit · Aug 21, 2022

PanhandleGlocker said:
after being schooled on scopes by a fellow member id invest more in glass… if it was me. Not saying buy a nightforce but I’d definitely get something more than $500.

I thought rule of thumb was to always spend double on glass over the cost of your rifle.

I’ve heard the same many times, but I don’t see the point (in my current financial situation) for two reasons:

1: for a sub 600 yard hunting rifle worth $900ish I don’t see the point in spending $2k on a traditional scope.

2: I can tell a big difference between bargain scopes and ones at the $500-700 price point, and can tell a slight difference between those and the $1k, but really can’t tell a difference between $1k and $2k+ glass, definitely not $1k plus worth of difference. Esp when on a budget.

If I had the cash floating around, I would just buy a Nightforce/MK6/8 leupold/high end Swarovski/Schmidt and bender setup and have a sweet forever scope. I would love to do that, but at the moment it isn’t financially feasible.
There are exceptions, for example, I think that the trijicon RCOs are a fantastic investment regardless of the platform, but they’re kind of a unique item in a class of their own.

JEVapa · Aug 21, 2022

diggler1833 said:
Their TS line is made in China, and the fact that USO beats around the bush on this in their FAQ is pretty irritating. I don't care where it was designed...I want to know the care in its manufacturing. Also, USO has had bouts of quality issues even in their higher lines (B series)...maybe it's all fixed by now? I don't want to poo-poo them for no reason, but knowing their history for a long time I'm a bit skeptical.

They'll tell you directly what's made in the US and what's chicom but I think you gotta throw out some bonafides. The Foundation series is made in NC, and everything else is made in china and then to NC for QC and cleaning. Zero Japanese product as far as built scopes. IDK where their glass is from for the Foundation but I assume it's LOW because of the price and they want the same quality as they had originally, but they might be using chicom glass still.

I've dealt with USO since the original owner when they were in Brea, CA. A good buddy was the BD/Sales guy for them. They made good scopes with good glass and when they weren't broken, they were great. Their opto-mechanical designs weren't good: the erectors always broke and the side focus assemblies would get gritty and non-functional. You also had to go light on the ring torque because you easily jack up the side focus. However, they used to have a spotting scope that was just plain kickass. I wish I still had one.

For the money they're asking and track record, IDK if I'd mess with them. I'd have to get one of their Foundation scopes and run it through the ringer.

For the OP, you can't go wrong with a Leupold or Trijicon, but you might want to consider an NFO NXS or SHV series. Zero chicom anything.

1shott · Aug 22, 2022

PanhandleGlocker said:
You know what… I’m gonna go opposite of what everyone else and my recent comment said…

HENRY LONG RANGER IN .308

There’s your next hunting rifle.

I handled one this weekend a nice 243 that is one of the custom jobs, wildlife edition, very nice but at $1600 was a hard pass.

1shott · Aug 22, 2022

I am currently kicking around a rifle.

Keep going back and forth between bolt action lever and single shots.

Calibers are all over from 357 mag and 44 mag in a lever gun, to anywhere from a 223, 243, 6.5 grendle, 308.

Brands are anywhere from a Henry thru Ruger, tikka ec.

Bolt action would need to be a left handed bolt which cuts down on options fast.

No idea where I am heading with all these options....

diggler1833 · Aug 22, 2022

JEVapa said:
They'll tell you directly what's made in the US and what's chicom but I think you gotta throw out some bonafides. The Foundation series is made in NC, and everything else is made in china and then to NC for QC and cleaning. Zero Japanese product as far as built scopes. IDK where their glass is from for the Foundation but I assume it's LOW because of the price and they want the same quality as they had originally, but they might be using chicom glass still.

I've dealt with USO since the original owner when they were in Brea, CA. A good buddy was the BD/Sales guy for them. They made good scopes with good glass and when they weren't broken, they were great. Their opto-mechanical designs weren't good: the erectors always broke and the side focus assemblies would get gritty and non-functional. You also had to go light on the ring torque because you easily jack up the side focus. However, they used to have a spotting scope that was just plain kickass. I wish I still had one.

For the money they're asking and track record, IDK if I'd mess with them. I'd have to get one of their Foundation scopes and run it through the ringer.

For the OP, you can't go wrong with a Leupold or Trijicon, but you might want to consider an NFO NXS or SHV series. Zero chicom anything.

My USO was ordered directly from them back when they were in CA. You used to get a 10% mil discount. Then it was what, Kalispell MT for a few years?

I tried finding their source of production for the TS series from their site, and all I could find was this: "All U.S. Optics scopes are designed, engineered, and developed by our talented engineers located in Connelly Springs, North Carolina. Our Foundation Series line of optics are domestically manufactured and assembled in North Carolina. Our TS-Series and Electronic Sights are manufactured overseas and imported to our facility for quality assurance. Each and every product, domestic and imported, go through rigorous testing prior to shipping."

I had to go third party to find out that the TS was made in Chy-nah. I didn't bother trying to find their source for glass...but LOW in Japan can turn out some pretty good stuff.

I avoided recommending scopes outside of the $500 limit of the OP, but a NF is certainly a nice optic, even the SHV line. I've been really fortunate to buy a few closeouts off of Doug at Cameraland the last few years...in 2021 it was a NIB Bushnell DMR II for $900, and this year it was a Burris XTR III for $1,099...I think they still have a few of the 3-18 XTR IIIs for right at the $1K mark...fantastic optic for $1,500, let alone $1K. I don't think a 2lb scope would feel right at home though on a lighter hunting rifle.

I'm with you on the Leupold and Trijicon...but on the sub-$500 stuff I'd personally lean Trijicon.