opinion on scope for prarie dogs

[KLR]

need your opinions on scope for my 527 cz 204? power? brand? Thanks

[RowdyYates]

What price range?

[KLR]

$200-$400 and is a 4x12 enough power? Thanks guys

[toasty]

$200-$400 and is a 4x12 enough power? Thanks guys

I shot a 4-12x for a long time on my 204 and it will do the job, but I was always left for wanting more power. Last year I switched it out for 6-.5-20x and like it a lot better. I don't think you need a full 20x, I would suggest a 4-16x would be a better option.

[Rick in Oregon]

Most of my rat rifles wear 6.5-20X's, but in truth, in the rat patch with mirage being a factor, most of the time I shoot on 10X - 14X, and use 20X for target/load development, maybe use 20X to dial up a distant dog in the morning...... IF the mirage will allow.

A 4-12X will be marginal, a 6-18X better, but remember, the higher magnification you want costs more in order to get quality glass, and you don't want to be looking through 20X or even 15X through a cheap $200 Chinese scope at the end of the day, trust me on that. Save and get the best glass you can afford.

[RowdyYates]

$200-$400 and is a 4x12 enough power? Thanks guys

Oh, that's an easy one: Weaver 6-20x40 Grand Slam. Natchez usually has some closeouts and I see a ballistic dot reticle one is $300. Some 6-18x Nikon Buckmasters are out there now at good prices if you'd prefer side-focus. Both have a bit of "tunnel vision", but good glass and mechanicals for the money; plus mostly non-Chinese parts.

[futuretrades]

A 4-12X will be marginal, a 6-18X better, but remember, the higher magnification you want costs more in order to get quality glass, and you don't want to be looking through 20X or even 15X through a cheap $200 Chinese scope at the end of the day, trust me on that. Save and get the best glass you can afford.

When I first started shooting "skippy", some 30 or 40 years ago , my 10/22 had a Simmons 4-12x on it. I was getting a headache every time we went shooting. Never even considered that the time I was spending behind my scope, was the culprit. When I got my 204R, I decided to put a Leupold, VXII 6-18x40 AO on it. I was no longer bothered with the headaches when I spent so much time behind the scope. I know from experience of what RIO speaks. I have to agree with him wholeheartedly. Now all my rifles, except 1 10/22 wear Leupolds.

[Jim White]

KLR,

Save and get the best glass you can afford.

- Truer words were never spoken and to add a phrase: "buy once and cry once" because if you have to buy less and then sell/trade it cost more in the long haul, although it is more flexable.

- You won't go wrong with a Leupold scope. There are others out there that are optically superior IMO but not near as flexable in options.

- When comparing scopes especially on the larger magnifications, look closely and if possible, compare them side-by-side. Only then will you see the differences. Light transfer [and all of that stuff] ain't worth a thing if the view is all distorted and/or washed out by light reflection.

HTH,

[rhino81]

I agree with everyone else on this post. I spent $600 on a vortex 4-16 and after seeing how accurate the 204 is I immediately started wondering if I should have waited and spent a little bit more. Its still in my head but need to shoot it a little more to get a better opinion on the vortex.

[Bodei]

Zeiss Conquest is at least as good as the Leupold. Get the Z-plex Varmint.

[Jim White]

Zeiss Conquest is at least as good as the Leupold. Get the Z-plex Varmint.

I have one of those with that reticle and I like it a lot.