What is your Ideal Varmint Hunting Optic?

[Eric Mayer]

My favorite, inexpensive varmint optic is the Burris Fullfield E1 6.5x20. But, as I get older, I'm going back to Leupold, Trijicon, Meopta, Athlon and even a Nightforce. I find the clarity to be much easier on my eyes and prevent fatgue during long days of varmint hunting.

Thought?

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Makes sense to me. Gets expensive though

 

[Ingwe]

I'm a fan of the Burris optics as well, excellent at their price point. Another favorite, especially for night shooting where an illuminated reticle is handy are SIG Whiskey scopes. Moderately priced and good performers!

 

[Dupe34]

I use everything from cheaper Burris to Athlon optics but recently bought a few Arken optics scopes which are fantastic for the price point.

 

[DamDave]

I dont like all the new scope reticles, to busy for hunting small critters, I dont mind a few elevation hold over markers but the Christmas tree and others are to much for me, getting hard to find reticles I like

 

[Old Hickory]

I use everything from cheaper Burris to Athlon optics but recently bought a few Arken optics scopes which are fantastic for the price point.

Good scopes! I have Burris, Vortex Crossfire 2, and Athlon scopes.

 

[EMC_Custom]

I've had good luck with Riton optics lately. I particularly appreciate the 1/4 moa dot in the middle of their RUT reticule.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

I use everything from cheaper Burris to Athlon optics but recently bought a few Arken optics scopes which are fantastic for the price point.

Agreed. Been using them on my 22s for NRL22 competitions. Work great for that.

 

[BrianM]

My favorite, inexpensive varmint optic is the Burris Fullfield E1 6.5x20. But, as I get older, I'm going back to Leupold, Trijicon, Meopta, Athlon and even a Nightforce. I find the clarity to be much easier on my eyes and prevent fatgue during long days of varmint hunting.

Thought?

I have a couple of the Nightforce SHV scopes and i like them . They aren't cheap but they are the least expensive models that Nightforce has. Very clear optics and they seem to track well .

 

[M_Strohmeyer]

My dad has given me some inexpensive optics that have done just fine. Definitely not high precision optics, but for free I can't complain. OhHunt, Monstrum, and Discoveryopt. All of them have shot great for me. Dad's favorite so far has been CVA. Very clear, and no eye fatigue.

 

[Bob the nailer]

Mostly shoot with a FCHD zeroed point blank for a 3" kill zone. Lately a Burris Veracity PH with wind reticule, the electronics in this scope make dialing in a no brainer.

 

[806 Guns]

I have been running Arken Epl4 4-16x44 as my varmint scopes. Some days my eyes dont like that small floating dot.

 

[Bullseye69]

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

 

[KevinG]

I've been a self-professed Leupold snob for over 50 years. Oh yeah......I've tried a few others.....to no avail.

For my smaller 17 caliber rifles......I like the Leupold 3-9XAO Compact, as on this H&R/Sako L461 in 17MachIV.

For larger calling rifles, I use the Leupold 4.5-14XAO......as on my Sako AI 17PPC.

PD rifles are.........other Leupolds.

Kevin

 

[WoodChuck]

I've been a self-professed Leupold snob for over 50 years. Oh yeah......I've tried a few others.....to no avail.

For my smaller 17 caliber rifles......I like the Leupold 3-9XAO Compact, as on this H&R/Sako L461 in 17MachIV.

For larger calling rifles, I use the Leupold 4.5-14XAO......as on my Sako AI 17PPC.

PD rifles are.........other Leupolds.

Kevin

How do you like the 17 PPC

 

[KevinG]

How do you like the 17 PPC

Unfortunately......with its 6.0"twist barrel......the Berger 37VLD deforms/disintegrates unpredictably at anything over about 3200fps.
Therefore......I have to use the LRB 32VLD solid. Once those are used up.......I may try a 7.0 to 7.2" twist barrel.

Kevin

 

[MarinePMI]

I've migrated to FFP scopes as I have gotten older (and spent more time in the PRS/NRL competitions). Be that as it may, I tend to put them on my varmint guns just to remain consistent with my comp guns (mil based FFP with a Christmas tree style reticle). Just makes making wind calls/corrections on the fly so much easier.

Currently using a lot of the Leupold Mk4HD scopes. Probably the best bang for the buck. While I do have a ZCO 5-25, they're just too expensive to mount on every rifle. The Mk4HD's are a nice compromise, while still having pretty decent clarity and color. Lifetime warranty helps too.

 

[MarinePMI]

Unfortunately......with its 6.0"twist barrel......the Berger 37VLD deforms/disintegrates unpredictably at anything over about 3800fps.
Therefore......I have to use the LRB 32VLD solid. Once those are used up.......I may try a 7.0 to 7.2" twist barrel.

Kevin

Have you considered maybe a gain twist barrel? It will limit the bullet deformation as it hits the throat, while allowing the faster twist needed for stabilization.

Been running one on a 22 Valkyrie, and honestly, it shoots every bullet weight well. For whatever reason, the GT barrels seem very load tolerant.

Not sure if Bartlein/Frank Green makes 17 barrels, but it might be worth asking(?).

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Since 1968 when I returned to The World, Leupold has been my choice. Tried others, always came back to the Big L. At last count, my safe contains just over 30 Leupold products, scopes, bino's and spotters. Besides, they most likely have the absolute best warranty, period. I've had nothing but positive experience with them and their products.

Varmint scopes, big game scopes, rimfire scopes...got 'em all, see no reason to change anything now. I don't compete, just a lifetime of game and varmints. We can pay less or pay more, but Leupold always seems to fit my needs perfectly.

 

[Bob the nailer]

Since 1968 when I returned to The World, Leupold has been my choice. Tried others, always came back to the Big L. At last count, my safe contains just over 30 Leupold products, scopes, bino's and spotters. Besides, they most likely have the absolute best warranty, period. I've had nothing but positive experience with them and their products.

Varmint scopes, big game scopes, rimfire scopes...got 'em all, see no reason to change anything now. I don't compete, just a lifetime of game and varmints. We can pay less or pay more, but Leupold always seems to fit my needs perfectly.

Nice collection. All Coopers?