I'm buying the rifle listed in the title for a friend and he wants a good scope to put on it. I have very little knowledge of optics as I haven't used them since High School. Hoping for Leupold, Nikon etc. but any others would be appreciated. Thanks.

6.5-20x50 Leupold VX-3 w/ a 30mm tube and target turrets. I have two of those. Pick whichever reticle you fancy. I have the varmint reticle on both of mine. Will run you $800-900.

Really depends on the max distance he plans on shooting. To be fair, there are plenty of other "good" optics makers out there that some consider a better value than Leupold.

He hunts in south Texas so i'd imagine average shot would be 200 yards.

Then that would be more than enough scope for him. He could easily get away with a 4-12x or a 4.5-14x as well. I always like to have extra magnification available to me though, even if I don't need it at the time. As the old expression goes, "it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it." Just my personal preference though. There's guys on here that run 3-9x scopes and take monster shots with them. Everybody has an opinion, and a lot of it boils down to personal preference.

Leupold or Zeiss with something in the 4-12x to 4.5-14x range. Reticles are just personal preference.

I'm about to pickup a vortex scope from eyeguy based on how much they come recommended here on the OB. You can get a good 12 or 16X for less than $600 on them. Give them a look.

Picked up some Vortex binos based on what I had read here. Excellent product for the money. Definitely give them a look.

Have Leupold scopes on two of my rifles and can't go wrong with them either.

If you want to stay with Leupold, get him a VX3 in 4.5-14x50. Retail on those is $699.

Vortex has the Viper HS in 4-16x50 is $540. And a very good scope. Don't worry about upgrading to the HS-T or HS LR unless he wants exposed target type turrets.

Prices are retail, not what I charge. haha

I just put a Vortex Diamondback 4-12 on my .243 for hunting in South Texas. Two weeks ago I shot a coyote at 230 yards in the neck, a turkey at a little over 100 yards just south of the head, and a doe. It's clear, draws in significant light, and accurate as hell. Best part is it was under $200.