I have a NEF muzzleloader and want to put a scope on it for deer season. I've been thinking about a traditions 3-9x40 scope. I usually hunt open areas in southwest MN, and typically have shots from 75 to 125 yards. i still want to be able to shoot close up though maybe 25 yards. do any of you have thoughts about this? will this rifle/scope combo work well? are traditions scopes of good quality? any other suggestions? i have a budget of about 150 for scope and rings so not too extavagant.

I'd go with the KONUS line. Thats what came on my CVA Optima and its doin damn good. 3-9x40 with one piece solid base with bottom section of rings made out of the same piece for right around $80 I believe.

Read page 88 in the Minnesota hunting and trapping regulations. No scopes on muzzleloaders, peep or open sights only. I'm around Marshall,Mn, how about yourself?

let me clarify i use my muzzleloader during shotgun slug season where it is leagal to hunt with a scoped muzzleloader.

I have a Traditions 1.5-6x40mm scope on a .54 caliber T/C New Englander rifle. And while the scope was $49.99 it is not all that bad a scope. It even have the cross-hairs that can be illuminated with a battery. While I have never used that feature hunting, it sure makes the hairs show up at dusk. That scope has had a lot of powder put under it, and so far it has never failed me.

The 3-9x40 is a good scope. 3x for up close shooting, and of course the 9x for open field shooting. Just check the eye relief on the scope. I also use a lot of Tradition quick release rings and have had excellent luck with them. Good luck deer season. If I had a choice of shotgun or muzzleloader, I would be taking the same route as you.

I use a Bushnell Elite 3x9x40 scope and it is very good performer. It is a little prricey compared to some scopes its rainguard feature really sold me. I have hunted in all kinds of weather and it has never failed me. The Elite comes with a lifetime warranty.

JZ,
I too have a NEF "sidekick" muzzleloader. I put a Swift 2-7 x 40 scope on it. The Swift has super clear multi-coated optics, excellent light gathering characteristics, and has an over-the-counter lifetime warranty. I put the extra high Weaver mounts on to give the hammer clearance. I also put some of those flip up caps on the scope. Good Luck to you and be safe.

I have a red dot scope on my muzzleloader and love it. With the brightness settings I can add the brightness that I need and with no magnification I don't need to worry about close range shots and out to 150+ yards I can see the dot on the deer and know that is where my bullet will hit. I bought my Bushnell Trophy dot on ebay for $45. That is just my 2 cents. Good luck, shoot straight and stay safe.

If I wanted a inexpensive scope, I would go for a Burris 3-9x40 Full Field II for around $200.00. Good luck.

I got a 4 power fixed on my deer ML and a 3X9 on my Elk ML....both are Leupolds.

NIKON PROSTAFF 3-9x40...nothing else needed.

It covers all ranges most hunters need and they are readily available at Wal-Mart for about $130 - $140. They have a lifetime warranty and are durable. I know because I always had Burris or Leupold but I tried a Nikon a few years ago to save a few bucks and now have them on some of my rimfire rifles, centerfire rifles and even have Nikon scopes on my centerfire high power pistols.
And I have crisp clear scopes that always work for half the price of the Burris or Leupold. I also have Burris and Leupold scopes...but if I go to buy a new scope I always look exclusively at Nikon.

From my experience I would stay away from the red dots since the dot tends to cover far too much of a normal sized deer at 100 yards to be accurate. You can hit it...but you will need to practice more and get real good at guessing where that bullet will hit behind that big red blur that obscures most of the deer's body.

If any of you have doubts thatNikon is as good as the others do this test as I did.

I took 3 scopes in my left hand (Leupold VX-II/Burris Fullfield/NIkon Prostaff) all were 3-9x40 scopes and all 3 were set at their highest magnification.
I then took a small pocket LED flashlight in my right hand and shined it into the Objective lens (the end you don't look into) and looked to see how much light came out of the Ocular lens (the end you look into)
The Nikon had as much or more light transmuted through the scope as the higher priced scopes...and yes, it was visually noticeable.