Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 3, 2015 6:33:32 GMT
So... I have a bolt action Savage .308 rifle... and I'm in need of a good scope. I'm new to distance shooting... I mostly shoot at 100 yards or less with iron sights or red dots... I have a p223 3 power scope on an AR, that is the extent of my experience with magnified optics. So I want to get a decent scope, but I can't break the bank on it... so I need the best bang for my buck. However... I don't want something that is going to work at 100-300 yards but that I need to replace when I start shooting out to 500, 800 yards. Give me your thoughts peeps.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 5, 2015 17:38:58 GMT
...crickets. :-(
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ShooterMike
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Post by ShooterMike on Mar 5, 2015 23:58:19 GMT
So... ...I want to get a decent scope, but I can't break the bank on it... so I need the best bang for my buck. However... I don't want something that is going to work at 100-300 yards but that I need to replace when I start shooting out to 500, 800 yards. Give me your thoughts peeps. My two cents. For whatever it's worth...
I'm assuming by "can't break the bank" you mean "can't cost more than the rifle." Depending on what you mean by "work", those are likely mutually exclusive requirements. Something relatively inexpensive will work out to 400 yards or so. But inexpensive models won't be reliable at repeating your dope when randomly dialing from closer to the longer distances and back. It really depends on how much you're going to use it. If it's a few times a year, going to somewhere that you can shoot beyond 300 yards, then offerings from Burris and others in that price range will likely work. But if you are thinking of taking a long range rifle class you'll likely find that less expensive scopes will leave you unable to successfully complete the drills, let alone be reliable for any kind of frequent long range use.
Also a big consideration for me, the more expensive scopes with super clear glass and illuminated reticles allow you to see and hit things in low light that you can't even see with inexpensive scopes.
I'm a big fan of Nightforce, US Optics, Leupold MKs, and the Razor HDs from Vortex. Schmidt & Bender are great as are Swarovskis. But those are priced in the upper stratosphere of normal tactical long range scopes.
Anyway, that's my opinion. I pretty much reserve my long range work for a custom rifle topped with Nightforce ultralight rings and a Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x56mm mil dot model. It's been extremely durable and totally repeatable for years. That scope cost me about $1,050 when I bought it, back in the day. But it's stupid expensive now.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 6, 2015 5:18:57 GMT
So... ...I want to get a decent scope, but I can't break the bank on it... so I need the best bang for my buck. However... I don't want something that is going to work at 100-300 yards but that I need to replace when I start shooting out to 500, 800 yards. Give me your thoughts peeps. My two cents. For whatever it's worth...
I'm assuming by "can't break the bank" you mean "can't cost more than the rifle." Depending on what you mean by "work", those are likely mutually exclusive requirements. Something relatively inexpensive will work out to 400 yards or so. But inexpensive models won't be reliable at repeating your dope when randomly dialing from closer to the longer distances and back. It really depends on how much you're going to use it. If it's a few times a year, going to somewhere that you can shoot beyond 300 yards, then offerings from Burris and others in that price range will likely work. But if you are thinking of taking a long range rifle class you'll likely find that less expensive scopes will leave you unable to successfully complete the drills, let alone be reliable for any kind of frequent long range use.
Also a big consideration for me, the more expensive scopes with super clear glass and illuminated reticles allow you to see and hit things in low light that you can't even see with inexpensive scopes.
I'm a big fan of Nightforce, US Optics, Leupold MKs, and the Razor HDs from Vortex. Schmidt & Bender are great as are Swarovskis. But those are priced in the upper stratosphere of normal tactical long range scopes.
Anyway, that's my opinion. I pretty much reserve my long range work for a custom rifle topped with Nightforce ultralight rings and a Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x56mm mil dot model. It's been extremely durable and totally repeatable for years. That scope cost me about $1,050 when I bought it, back in the day. But it's stupid expensive now.
Oh no brother... I may be new to distance shooting, but I understand and expect to spend more on the glass then I did on the rifle. By not break the bank I mean I wanna try to keep it under 1k if I can, which will be about twice as much as I paid for the rifle. So, any specific scopes in that range you would endorse/suggest?
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Post by Sanctus on Mar 6, 2015 5:55:00 GMT
What is your target? Small (varmints) or Medium (deer)? For small targets then a 16-20x power scope is a good choice. For larger targets, a 9-10x power scope is better. The scope should have between 50 and 65 MOA of internal adjustment. See the manufacturer's specs. I prefer the mil-dot reticle, although some "christmas tree" recticles are beginning to appear on the market. Make sure you can get the precise MOA data on for the reticle from the manufacturer.
Nota bene: Most people choose optics that have too much magnification. This accentuates the defects in the environment.
Long range shooting is more than glass, but also proper bases and rings. For long range shooting a base with built-in 20 MOA elevation is desirable. (You want enough elevation adjustment to dial in a 300 or 600 yard zero, if need be.) Choose the lowest rings possible for a better cheek weld. (Weaver/Picatiny rail with WQR rings are my preference.) Make sure the scope's objective does not touch the barrel. You may have to play with different "low" rings. But I have found that rings are not generally low enough.
I own the following scope brands: Leupold (VariX II, III, one Mark IV), Bauch&Lomb/Bushnell (Elite), and Ior Valdada, I prefer 40mm Objectives. 1" or 30mm tubes.
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Post by madmandom on Mar 6, 2015 5:56:23 GMT
I don't mind some of the Carl Ziess optics I think the conquest range is not bad I have one on my 308 and is fairly consistent. Not that I use it much though, maybe three or four times a year. Reasonable price wise as well.
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Post by madmandom on Mar 6, 2015 6:02:29 GMT
Sportco omark m44 she's an old girl too. scope 6.5-20x50
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Paul
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Post by Paul on Mar 6, 2015 10:44:00 GMT
Im using a Meopta MeoPro 4-12 / 50 on my Browning 223 mostly around 200/250m, the light is amazing. I'm very impressed with MeOpta and am a big rap for them, they have a good range of models well worth your time looking into. www.meoptasportsoptics.com/us/
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Post by bigpete on Mar 6, 2015 10:58:30 GMT
I was always a fan of the leupold range of scopes, but I'll admit now I've got a Bausch and Lomb 3-9x400 on my 308, and Nikko stirling target master 6-24x56 ft reticleon my 223. Both are very clear but the nNikko would better for long range stuff I'd imagine. And of course nightforce would have to be one of the best brands lol they're made in SA :-)
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Mar 6, 2015 12:28:04 GMT
So... I have a bolt action Savage .308 rifle... and I'm in need of a good scope. I'm new to distance shooting... I mostly shoot at 100 yards or less with iron sights or red dots... I have a p223 3 power scope on an AR, that is the extent of my experience with magnified optics. So I want to get a decent scope, but I can't break the bank on it... so I need the best bang for my buck. However... I don't want something that is going to work at 100-300 yards but that I need to replace when I start shooting out to 500, 800 yards. Give me your thoughts peeps. For a long time I used fixed power scopes believing they were more stable than variables, Then I began to use the Tasco World class 2-7X40 on my Browning rimfire, soon I had a 3-9X42 on my smaller centrefires and a 4-12X42 on my long-range .25-06 - put them on properly and never had an issue. Not as cheap as the Chinese but great value, don't know if Tasco has kept up the quality, but they were good. I still have an even older 3-9X40 Weaver Steelite II - great scope in it's day.
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Post by bernardwinston on Apr 28, 2015 20:56:02 GMT
Could it be possible that a particular shooter shall not be able to use scope in times of shooting in a far distance? ______________________ blackjack knives for sale
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Post by morningstar7 on Nov 9, 2015 16:12:07 GMT
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Nov 10, 2015 4:09:41 GMT
Looks like a solid choice.
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