Scope for My Son

[JohnFitzgerald]

My son is 11 years old and will be deer hunting with me this year. He has a small Rossi .243 and my plan is to put shoot through mounts on his rifle. Anybody have a recommendation on a scope that is a better fit for a younster?

Thanks in advance!

[Bartfrncs]

I say call Paul for a Vortex.

[aron]

Hey John, when you're talking about shoot through mounts, are you referring to scope mounts to raise the scope and still use open sights below? If so, one thing to watch for is it probably will raise the scope too high to get a good cheek weld for a youngster. I would look for low scope mounts but a scope with lower magnification to gain a bigger field of view. There are also cheap kits to increase cheek weld if you do go higher scope mounts.

I would also feel confident in some of the vortex line of scopes.

[JohnFitzgerald]

Hey John, when you're talking about shoot through mounts, are you referring to scope mounts to raise the scope and still use open sights below? If so, one thing to watch for is it probably will raise the scope too high to get a good cheek weld for a youngster. I would look for low scope mounts but a scope with lower magnification to gain a bigger field of view. There are also cheap kits to increase cheek weld if you do go higher scope mounts.

I would also feel confident in some of the vortex line of scopes.

Ah, yes good point. Thanks for the info!

[RockChucker30]

John,

I also am not a fan of see through mounts....

What is your price range on the scope? I have not used a vortex but have heard good things, and you couldn't buy from a better guy. I've had several Nikon scopes and like them ok. The Leupy VX3 is one of my favorites as well.

A 3X9 is probably all he needs.

I use talley LW mounts on all my rifles currently. They are simple and very strong.

[bnsafe]

well im prob gonna get something thrown at me, but, i grew up with a cheap bushnell scope and it worked fine, put a cheap barska scope on my p dog gun and it works fine, bought the kids a couple centerpoint scopes for there rifles and it works fine. the only bad experience ive had is on my ar15 and it will not hold a zero. other than that ive been happy. now i know the better the scope the better you can see etc, and i dont debate that, but if hes 11 yrs old how far is he gonna shoot anyway. save some money, imo

[Swede]

I would prefer a simple, but reliable scope for a new hunter. A fixed 4x should be plenty, but if Vortex only has variables, I would go with one with low magnification. If your son has good equipment, he is more likely to be satisfied and stick with hunting. While you are at it, run a few more sacks of spuds through him so he grows up to pack out your elk.

[LckyTylr]

+1 on the vortex line from Paul. Even the low-end Vortex scopes have really clear glass and their warranty is AWESOME . . . and they stand by it.

[>>>---WW---->]

Have Paui set you up with a 3x9 Vortex. It will last him for a life time and he can put it on a bigger rifle as he grows up.

[JohnFitzgerald]

Thanks guys! It's been a long time since I've thought about hunting with a rifle.

[pointysticks]

Look for long eye relief. I'd get low magnification. 2-7 maybe. Max. He won't be shooting long distances. The low mag will let him learn to acquire the target quickly and will have the long eye relief. Heck. Maybe 1.7-5x from vortex. Long eye relief will protect him from that scope eyebrow:)

[JohnFitzgerald]

Thanks guys for the advice!
jf