What is your Ideal Varmint Hunting Optic?

[Rick in Oregon]

Nice collection. All Coopers?

You are correct sir, all Coopers.

One not pictured but gets much use around the nasty lava rock here when out for rockchucks is my Cooper M38 Phoenix in 221FB. I call it my "Furball", and it shoots just like all the others......very well.





I've lost count of how many rockchucks taken with this little gem. Off the bench in the rat patch, same story......a truckload of sage rats.

 

[Bob the nailer]

You are correct sir, all Coopers.

One not pictured but gets much use around the nasty lava rock here when out for rockchucks is my Cooper M38 Phoenix in 221FB. I call it my "Furball", and it shoots just like all the others......very well.





I've lost count of how many rockchucks taken with this little gem. Off the bench in the rat patch, same story......a truckload of sage rats.

I seem to remember you from The Varmint Hunter Magazine forum is that correct?

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I seem to remember you from The Varmint Hunter Magazine forum is that correct?

Guilty as charged, Bob.

My last article in their magazine was No. 90 titled "The Paradigm Has Shifted: The .20 Vartarg".

Mine in the wild:



I miss that magazine, glad I have every copy stashed. Good to pull a few out and re-read when sort on reading material during the winter doldrums. That along with Small Caliber News....another one I dearly miss.

 

[Bob the nailer]

Yes that was a great magazine. I also have an extensive collection with the exception of a few very early issues. I'll pull #90 tonight! Those Coopers are GOOD looking rifles.

 

[kiwishooter]

Guilty as charged, Bob.

My last article in their magazine was No. 90 titled "The Paradigm Has Shifted: The .20 Vartarg".

Mine in the wild:



I miss that magazine, glad I have every copy stashed. Good to pull a few out and re-read when sort on reading material during the winter doldrums. That along with Small Caliber News....another one I dearly miss.

Love the Cooper, just one thing wrong the bolt handle isn't on the correct side

I have all the Small Caliber News magazines, great reading, but none of the Varmint Hunter Magazines

Kiwi

 

[WoodChuck]

Love the Cooper, just one thing wrong the bolt handle isn't on the correct side

I have all the Small Caliber News magazines, great reading, but none of the Varmint Hunter Magazines

I have most of the Small Caliber News and most of Varmint Hunter Magazine it was a terrific publication .

 

[Hornet]

I love the Leupold 6.5-20x40 with the Varmint Hunter reticle for my prairie dog rifles. I have the 4.5-14x40 with fine reticle for most of my walking varmint rifles.

 

[Ricky Wheat]

I've been pretty happy with the Pride Fowler and Vortex scopes I've gotten. I really like the FFP scopes the best.

I agree I have the PF 3-9×32 ffp the early years they made for the 17hmr. My old eyes need more I'm selling mine

 

[foxhunter223]

Not saying it is the most ideal varmint scope out there, but I do use a Kahles 8x56 on my Sako L461 Varmint. I love the way I can use it to shoot even smaller targets like rabbits after sunset when to dark even with the naked eye to see them but look through the scope and clear as day.
Pete

 

[GoWyo!]

Leupold fan. I should say older leupold fan-Vari-x3’s or III’s. Their current state of affairs is confusing. No custom shop, scopes seem cheaper in construction? Im definitely cheaper…

I like the 4.5x14x40 AO fine duplex best. I’ve acquired several 2.5x8’s for my larger ‘varmint’ rifles. A few 6.5x20’s. I also have 25-30 of their optics in the safe, but the word is out on finding cheap, used loopeys. One meopta, a couple burris. I need to find @ 6 more scopes. Im tempted by the Arken 4x16 model. If the 6x42 on my new .25-06 is lacking, I may go that route. I have some 30 mm Warne rings ..The 6x42 could go on a 6PPC. Sorry, rambling.

 

[Old Hickory]

My most recent buy is within my budget, a Vortex Crossfire 2 on my Ruger Gen 2 Rancher 5.56.

 

[foxhunter223]

Leupold fan. I should say older leupold fan-Vari-x3’s or III’s. Their current state of affairs is confusing. No custom shop, scopes seem cheaper in construction? Im definitely cheaper…

I like the 4.5x14x40 AO fine duplex best. I’ve acquired several 2.5x8’s for my larger ‘varmint’ rifles. A few 6.5x20’s. I also have 25-30 of their optics in the safe, but the word is out on finding cheap, used loopeys. One meopta, a couple burris. I need to find @ 6 more scopes. Im tempted by the Arken 4x16 model. If the 6x42 on my new .25-06 is lacking, I may go that route. I have some 30 mm Warne rings ..The 6x42 could go on a 6PPC. Sorry, rambling.

Like you I have a few Leupolds and I like them a lot, a Vari-x 3 4.5-14x40 and a couple 3-9x50's. I picked up a Meopta last year, a 6X scope and quite like it too. No idea what it will go on yet. I am also quite partial to the Leupold QD mount system.
Pete