One of the reasons I'm learning to fly is to get into the back country and hunt. I've always liked remote areas. I've also always liked moose hunting. I've been around it since I was about six.
I hunt moose with a Winchester Model 70 Featherlite. It's a .308, and I got it from my dad. He, in turn, got it from his brother back in 1965. It's been around a while. I don't know a lot about guns, but I know I like this Featherlite.
Like most high powered rifles, this one has a scope. It's a 4x Scope Chief, by Bushnell. It was a great scope in it's day, but scope technology has advanced quite a bit. They zoom now, gather light better, and generally just have way better optics.
During the past three hunting seasons I've seen lot's of moose. Three were at long range. One I shot, and two I let go. I think I could have gotten both of the ones I passed up. However, I think that before I could take those shots I would need a range finder and a higher power scope. With that in mind I recently purchased a new scope for the old rifle.
The new scope is also a Bushnell. However, instead of being a Scope Chief it is an Elite. Instead of being a 4 power single range scope, it's a 3x-10x, meaning it can magnify over a range from three times to ten times.
Comparing scopes isn't easy for the uninitiated. The sales staff let me look through lots of them, but couldn't really explain why triple the cost was warranted. Obviously spending more money gets you a better product, but without knowing exactly what you're getting it doesn't instill a lot of confidence.
When I heard that mounting the scope would run $100 I decided I'd do it myself. I thought it couldn't be too hard. Besides, it would be a learning experience. I don't want to be one of those guys who can't care for his own gear.
In this case, of course, I'm jut swapping a scope. I don't have to mount any bases. All I need is new rings to accommodate the shorter body.
The scope attaches to the bases by two screws. I've got Weaver bases, which are attached to the rifle itself through the rails, which are screwed right onto the receiver. The rings hook into one side of the bases and then are tightened by the screws.
To switch scopes you can sometimes use the same bases and rings. Sometimes the rings have to be changed. Sometimes the bases have to be changed. Sometimes you have to change both. This time I had to change both to make everything work.
Still, the job was quick and simple. I did it on the kitchen table. Six screws were all that was required. Two to secure the bases to the rails, and four to secure the scope and rings to the bases. All that's left to do is sight it in.
And that's all there is. If all you're doing is changing a scope on existing mounts it's that easy. Mount the scope, fire up your airplane and go hunting.
I hunt moose with a Winchester Model 70 Featherlite. It's a .308, and I got it from my dad. He, in turn, got it from his brother back in 1965. It's been around a while. I don't know a lot about guns, but I know I like this Featherlite.
Like most high powered rifles, this one has a scope. It's a 4x Scope Chief, by Bushnell. It was a great scope in it's day, but scope technology has advanced quite a bit. They zoom now, gather light better, and generally just have way better optics.
During the past three hunting seasons I've seen lot's of moose. Three were at long range. One I shot, and two I let go. I think I could have gotten both of the ones I passed up. However, I think that before I could take those shots I would need a range finder and a higher power scope. With that in mind I recently purchased a new scope for the old rifle.
The new scope is also a Bushnell. However, instead of being a Scope Chief it is an Elite. Instead of being a 4 power single range scope, it's a 3x-10x, meaning it can magnify over a range from three times to ten times.
Comparing scopes isn't easy for the uninitiated. The sales staff let me look through lots of them, but couldn't really explain why triple the cost was warranted. Obviously spending more money gets you a better product, but without knowing exactly what you're getting it doesn't instill a lot of confidence.
When I heard that mounting the scope would run $100 I decided I'd do it myself. I thought it couldn't be too hard. Besides, it would be a learning experience. I don't want to be one of those guys who can't care for his own gear.
In this case, of course, I'm jut swapping a scope. I don't have to mount any bases. All I need is new rings to accommodate the shorter body.
The scope attaches to the bases by two screws. I've got Weaver bases, which are attached to the rifle itself through the rails, which are screwed right onto the receiver. The rings hook into one side of the bases and then are tightened by the screws.
To switch scopes you can sometimes use the same bases and rings. Sometimes the rings have to be changed. Sometimes the bases have to be changed. Sometimes you have to change both. This time I had to change both to make everything work.
Still, the job was quick and simple. I did it on the kitchen table. Six screws were all that was required. Two to secure the bases to the rails, and four to secure the scope and rings to the bases. All that's left to do is sight it in.
And that's all there is. If all you're doing is changing a scope on existing mounts it's that easy. Mount the scope, fire up your airplane and go hunting.
About the Author:
If you want to learn to fly you'll need to study the PSTAR. This is very important for bush pilot training. You can find out more at www.bushpilotintraining.com.
