Should I replace my scope?

[Catahoula]

I plan on taking my recently purchased Remington 700 8mm magnum to Africa next year. The rifle came with a pre Monarch Nikon 4x scope. The rifle is a late 80s vintage and I'm assuming the scope is the same. It is clean, clear, doesn't fog and has held zero perfectly through my initial load development. I'm not looking for advice on fixed vs. variable, more power, etc. I've found that for deer sized game and larger, if I can't hit it with a 4x scope, I probably shouldn't be shooting at it. My concern is reliability. Am I risking failure with every shot? Should I replace it with something more modern?

 

[Desert Dog]

Its all up to you. I myself like variable power scopes. I usually stalk with it set on 2.5 or 3 power, them move up magnification as needed for the shot. Taking a 300 yard shot with a scope turned up to 12x is a huge advantage, as is taking a 50 yard shot at 2.5x.

Plus, the glass and durability on modern scopes is a huge step above what was available in the 80s. I think that the Leupold VX-6 line is hard to beat for quality/performance/value. Zeiss also has some great performance/value options.

On the question of reliability; everything from a cheap Nikon to an expensive Swaro can fail. You can take a fall or the rifle could be dropped at any moment. In addition to taking 2 rifles with me to any destination, I also bring a back-up scope. Scopes are the weak-point on any bolt-action rifle. When I cracked the lens on my 300H&H scope in Idaho, It was nice to have that spare already sighted for the rifle sitting in the truck; 3 shots to confirm zero, and I was back in the hunt in less than an hour.

You are spending a small fortune on your African hunting Safari, why not buy a little extra insurance with a back-up scope.

 

[sierraone]

I would advise you to go for a new scope simply because yours is so old. The new scope glass when compared to the 80s is so much better. With the cost of even a basic 5 day hunt in Africa, adding $300 or so for a new scope should be a relatively minor cost. Your choices are unbelievable. And everyone has their favorites, so I'll leave it to others to specify scope brands and models.

 

[Divernhunter]

Get a new Leupold scope. I prefer a 3X9X40, non-AO with a Duplex reticle or a 3.5X10X40 with the same other stuff. If you must use a straight 4X then still get a Leupold. I will only use Leupold scopes on my hunting rifles/pistols. I learned this long a go working in a gun shop and from personal experience.

Leupold or nothing

 

[BRICKBURN]

.............. It is clean, clear, doesn't fog and has held zero perfectly through my initial load development. ...............

Sounds like it works to me.

 

[Mekaniks]

I plan on taking my recently purchased Remington 700 8mm magnum to Africa next year. The rifle came with a pre Monarch Nikon 4x scope. The rifle is a late 80s vintage and I'm assuming the scope is the same. It is clean, clear, doesn't fog and has held zero perfectly through my initial load development. I'm not looking for advice on fixed vs. variable, more power, etc. I've found that for deer sized game and larger, if I can't hit it with a 4x scope, I probably shouldn't be shooting at it. My concern is reliability. Am I risking failure with every shot? Should I replace it with something more modern?

I have a 15 yr old VX-II on my rifle that I am taking next year and had this very discussion with a buddy not long ago. He thinks I should upgrade it also. I think it's really much adoo about nothing....So My opinion... "Don't fix what's not broken". There is always something newer, better, shinier, stronger, whatever. If it works and you like it then don't mess it. And you can put the money into trophy fees
And if you have trouble with it that can't be fixed in Africa, then you just end up using your PH rifle. Have fun!

 

[Red Leg]

I have no issue with a fixed 4. However, an 80's 4 power fixed monarch is a $50 scope on the used scope market (if that). That rifle is as only good as the scope through which you are aiming. That is a large investment to risk what is essentially a $50 shooting rig.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I have no issue with a fixed 4. However, an 80's 4 power fixed monarch is a $50 scope on the used scope market (if that). ...........

Thought the OP said PRE Monarch.
No idea what that is in relation to a Monarch?

 

[ZG47]

Sounds like it works to me.

Keep it and grab another 4x as a backup but purchase a set of ringmounts for the second scope and sight it in on the rife after you have completed your ammo testing, i.e. K.IS.S.

Have a good trip.

 

[enysse]

I would get 3.5x10 40mm Leupold at minimum. The 8mm Rem Magnum is a sheep rifle, a mountain gun and it should have optics to match it's power.

 

[sierraone]

I have no issue with a fixed 4. However, an 80's 4 power fixed monarch is a $50 scope on the used scope market (if that). That rifle is as only good as the scope through which you are aiming. That is a large investment to risk what is essentially a $50 shooting rig.

I had a 1984 4x Weaver on a M70 06 until a couple of years ago and replaced it with a 3x9 Vortex. There is a huge difference even at low power. Still have the Weaver though, it is made of steel and worth far more than the $35.00 I paid for it. It's my local deer rifle for the past 40 plus years. Never considered taking it to Africa.

 

[Catahoula]

I have no issue with a fixed 4. However, an 80's 4 power fixed monarch is a $50 scope on the used scope market (if that). That rifle is as only good as the scope through which you are aiming. That is a large investment to risk what is essentially a $50 shooting rig.

That was where my thoughts were initially. I'm not sure I trust a 30 year old low- mid range scope on a serious hunt. However, I've read a lot of good things about these old Nikons and it got me thinking.

Thought the OP said PRE Monarch.
No idea what that is in relation to a Monarch?

I'm not sure either. This scope was made prior to Nikon adopting their current naming conventions. I've seen them referred to as Pre Monarch often.

I would get 3.5x10 40mm Leupold at minimum. The 8mm Rem Magnum is a sheep rifle, a mountain gun and it should have optics to match it's power.

Only if it's going to be used that way! This rifle is a little (or a lot) on the heavy side for mountain use. If I go with a variable it will probably be something with 2X on the low end. That makes it a little more useful in the timber for bear and elk. Perhaps a 2-7x or so. Wouldn't be opposed to a 2-10x or a 3-9x if I decide to swap it out.



Thanks for all of the input. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do, but there is plenty of time to decide.

 

[enysse]

A little weight is not a bad thing when it's windy in the mountains

 

[Rob404]

If it ain't Broke you know the rest, I'm always on the prowl for the older all steel scopes the workmanship and quality are top notch. I have Balvar 8s, Redfields and Leuplods on some of my rifles and completely trust them. New glass tends to be a little brighter, so if you want to pick-up something newer go for it something in a Variable 3x9 4x12.as far as Make there ain't enough room for opinions. I'd opt for quick release mounts on both scopes so the switchover is Fast

 

[tarbe]

Well, you asked.....

I would not trust an expensive hunt to an old scope that I know nothing of the history on...especially a middle-of-the-pack scope.

I'd be buying something new, and higher end. Not a $2k scope...but my back-up scope this spring was a VX-III that I had owned since new....something like that.

Just my $0.02.


Tim

 

[Catahoula]

Well, you asked.....

I would not trust an expensive hunt to an old scope that I know nothing of the history on...especially a middle-of-the-pack scope.

I'd be buying something new, and higher end. Not a $2k scope...but my back-up scope this spring was a VX-III that I had owned since new....something like that.

Just my $0.02.


Tim

Probably good advice Tim. The VX-3 rebate going on now makes those an attractive choice. The 2.5-8x can be had for $300 after rebate. The old Nikons are going for a hundred or more on ebay. I could sell it and that would put me under $200 for a new Leupold.

 

[ActionBob]

If I was u I would spend tonight or tomorrow shopping on line and buy one before the end of "cyber Monday"... Some great deals on scopes right now, yesterday was a great day to find a deal on scopes.

If you like Nikon, they have a slew of offerings and many are on sale. Leupold is also my go to prefered scope, at least if I'm looking to spend less than Ziess and Swarovski . For that $1000 range and 2x low end, hard to beat a VX6 2-12x42... Hard to think of any shortcoming that would have on your 8mm! Spend the little extra to get an illuminated reticle, esspecially for Africa where you may have critters in the shadows and may not have limitations on shooting hours. For half the money, a VXR in 2-7 is a great option and a neat little compact package yet still in a 30mm tube. Very hard to beat for the Money! And if you like Vortex, how about a 2.5-10 Viper?

 

[tarbe]

hard to beat a VX6 2-12x42... Hard to think of any shortcoming that would have on your 8mm! Spend the little extra to get an illuminated reticle

Exactly what I had on my 300 H&H in May. Worked on everything from a running flat-out Zebra at 50 yards in the thick stuff, to 300 yard Zebra and Kudu.

That VX-6 2-12x was the bomb! I could not imagine a better scope for full-spectrum hunting...especially at the price.

 

[wesheltonj]

Heres my two cents. Todays glass is better then yesterdays and tomorrows will be better then todays. That said, would I change out the scope from my dads 1959 Husqvarna Mannlicher? No, the scope fits the time period of the gun.

 

[ZG47]

A little weight is not a bad thing when it's windy in the mountains

A 3-9 is, with all due respect, a better sail than the average 4x when it's windy in the mountains!

Also, the higher the zoom ratio, the more critical the eye relief and the greater the variation in eye relief distance between lowest and highest magnification! That is why I only looked though the Swarovski Z6 1-6 on one occasion. NB Kahles have just brought out a new 3x ratio range of hunting telescopes, the Helia 3 series, for precisely that reason, although they are far too polite to say so!