Rifle Scopes 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

mattwaage1

mattwaage1

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Oct 21, 2012
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Rock Springs, WY
#1
Hello everyone!

Ordered myself an AR-50 the day after the election
shocked.gif


Now I am having a tough time deciding on optics, more of the problems is I dont know what I want or what to look for.
Lets start by saying the Obvious, It needs to be able to handle 50 recoil and muzzleblast/brake without issue.
I would like the highest power magnification available. This means I would prefer a 30-40 power variable on the top end. I want enough travel in the elevation knob to go from 500 yards to ??? 2kyards? (we have a giant powerline cut across the top of a mountain darn near, can shoot miles...) but to be practical lets say 500-1500 yards. Getting that much travel is hard,
Things I were looking at, Nightforce 8-32 and 12-42? March scopes? Or any others? I just like to be able to see the target closer.
But I dont know if those have enough elevation travel to go out as far as I want.
Advice?

Also on a retice... I dont know if a SFP or FFP would suit my needs better. what are your thoughts? I would like a reticle with easy rangefinding abilities. I am not MOA or MIL fluent but whatever way I go I will learn it. I may want a FFP so I dont have to mess around with finding the exact power to range targets with a SFP. But I still want a nice crisp reticle at full power magnification. This is only a single shot rifle and precision is paramount to any sort of "Tactical" features. I will be using this to punch paper and unknown distances most likely in conjuction with a rangefinder and ballistic program but I still would like easy rangefinding in the reticle and other marks to gauge size, distance, wind, etc But It would be nice if I wanted to play tactical to be able to engage unkown distance targets fairly reliably without the laser rangefinder and software. A FFP would be the best after thinking and typing all that haha.

My scope budget is "Buy once cry once" but for practical purposes I would like to stay below $2500 though if its a must have can spring for more.

As far as the chassis I am thinking of getting an XLR chassis with their bipod for it so that it can have a folding stock to make it a little more easily portable and storable, It will have a tough time fitting in my safe without disassembly. Anyone have any experience with these? I am wondering how the XLR chassis does mounting the action solid for accuracy. the buttstock does not have a monopod option though and the ar-style handguard makes scope mounting slightly higher.
That and it looks cooler than the standard armalite chassis.

http://www.xlrindust...lution-BMG.html

Any thoughts or experience with this in a 50bmg?

Any other advice is always appreciated

Thanks
-Matt
 
#2
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

For what you want to do, the Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56mm scope will do everything and then some. It will give you the elevation travel (100 MOA vs 65 MOA on 8-32x and 45 MOA on 12-42x) to meet your distance requirement. Also, realistically you're not going to be shooting too much above 20-25x due to environmental conditions unless you shoot first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. With this in mind plus the elevation, the 5.5-22x is the more practical choice. Finally, the Nightforce will certainly withstand anything you put it on and then some.

-Sean
 
#3
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

Truthfully were I in your shoes, I would go with the Nightforce 8-32 NXS now that they offer it with the High-Speed Zero-Stop turret with the .1 mil adjustments and an MLR reticle. Then I would mount it in a Spuhr 30 MOA mount. That should give you the range you need adjustment wise and even though it's SFP you will be able to see your target at 2K a little better.
 
#4
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

I have a burris 6-24 on my 308 now and at 600 yards with that I find myself wishing I could crank it up more.

Is there any FFP scopes compareable to the NXS 8-32 available?
 
#9
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

I would suggest a Nightforce NXS! I have one on my Serbu BFG and a number of .50 shooters that I know of use them with great success. Get good rings!!!!
 
#10
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sales@MileHigh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For what you want to do, the Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56mm scope will do everything and then some. It will give you the elevation travel (100 MOA vs 65 MOA on 8-32x and 45 MOA on 12-42x) to meet your distance requirement. Also, realistically you're not going to be shooting too much above 20-25x due to environmental conditions unless you shoot first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. With this in mind plus the elevation, the 5.5-22x is the more practical choice. Finally, the Nightforce will certainly withstand anything you put it on and then some.

-Sean </div></div>

What he said!
 
#11
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

I have 2 NXS 5.5-22x56 w/ milrad turrets on a my State Arms Borerider stick and on my McMillan Tac50.

You aren't going to need anymore elevation and frankly 22-25x is plenty. If you plan on shooting WELL beyond 1K you can't expect your rifle optic to replace a very high quality spotting scope.FFP has its advantages but not if your budget doesn't support it. You also should be aware that you NEED some eye relief too. The NXS is priced very nicely and you won't hurt it.

Recoil on the AR50 is very pleasant-the blast is brutal though.Good luck.
 
#12
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

The NXS 5.5-22x56 is the best option for a scope in your price range. Or hold out for a used Premier 5-25x56, you'll see used one's pop up on the Hide from time to time as low as $2500.
 
#13
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stefan73</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would suggest a Nightforce NXS! I have one on my Serbu BFG and a number of .50 shooters that I know of use them with great success. Get good rings!!!! </div></div>

Just picked up a Serbu BFG-50A semi auto!!!! I'll be topping with a NF NXS 5.5-22x56 mil/mil HS with zerostop!
 
#14
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Matt Waage</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello everyone!

Ordered myself an AR-50 the day after the election
shocked.gif


Now I am having a tough time deciding on optics, more of the problems is I dont know what I want or what to look for.
Lets start by saying the Obvious, It needs to be able to handle 50 recoil and muzzleblast/brake without issue.
I would like the highest power magnification available. This means I would prefer a 30-40 power variable on the top end. I want enough travel in the elevation knob to go from 500 yards to ??? 2kyards? (we have a giant powerline cut across the top of a mountain darn near, can shoot miles...) but to be practical lets say 500-1500 yards. Getting that much travel is hard,
Things I were looking at, Nightforce 8-32 and 12-42? March scopes? Or any others? I just like to be able to see the target closer.
But I dont know if those have enough elevation travel to go out as far as I want.
Advice?

Also on a retice... I dont know if a SFP or FFP would suit my needs better. what are your thoughts? I would like a reticle with easy rangefinding abilities. I am not MOA or MIL fluent but whatever way I go I will learn it. I may want a FFP so I dont have to mess around with finding the exact power to range targets with a SFP. But I still want a nice crisp reticle at full power magnification. This is only a single shot rifle and precision is paramount to any sort of "Tactical" features. I will be using this to punch paper and unknown distances most likely in conjuction with a rangefinder and ballistic program but I still would like easy rangefinding in the reticle and other marks to gauge size, distance, wind, etc But It would be nice if I wanted to play tactical to be able to engage unkown distance targets fairly reliably without the laser rangefinder and software. A FFP would be the best after thinking and typing all that haha.

My scope budget is "Buy once cry once" but for practical purposes I would like to stay below $2500 though if its a must have can spring for more.

As far as the chassis I am thinking of getting an XLR chassis with their bipod for it so that it can have a folding stock to make it a little more easily portable and storable, It will have a tough time fitting in my safe without disassembly. Anyone have any experience with these? I am wondering how the XLR chassis does mounting the action solid for accuracy. the buttstock does not have a monopod option though and the ar-style handguard makes scope mounting slightly higher.
That and it looks cooler than the standard armalite chassis.

http://www.xlrindust...lution-BMG.html

Any thoughts or experience with this in a 50bmg?

Any other advice is always appreciated

Thanks
-Matt </div></div>

i would get either an 8-32 or a 5.5-22x56 nightforce, or a vortex razor if you really want ffp. personally, for really long range when your going to have your magnification cranked up, sfp tends to appear a little thinner, which is nice, i prefer that when shooting really long range. i've also heard good things about that chassis system, i'm planning to do a build with one in the future, but havn't gotten to play with them much.
 
#15
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

Well pretty much have to get a nightforce from this input. I will probably go with the 8-32 unless I find a FFP scope under 3grand that offers higher magnification than 25x.

Now any favorite reticles people have and why?
 
#17
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hewlett260</div><div class="ubbcode-body">TruThen I would mount it in a Spuhr 30 MOA mount. </div></div>

Just to get what you meant right...

The ar-50 comes with a 15 minute rail so with a spuhr 30MOA mount that would be 45 MOA total.

Or did you mean just 30 MOA total? So I should look at getting a spuhr 20 MOA mount or so?
 
#20
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

From a newbie for what it's worth,
I'm putting a NightForce 5.5 x22 x56 on my sons Savage BA 338 lapua, I've heard and read a lot of good things about this scope, If it turns out to be as good as everyone says I'm going to put one on his Barrett 50 .
 
#21
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spuhr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Our 30 mm mounts comes as 0 and 20moa.
We dont Have any 30 Moa 30mm mounts. (Yet)

Håkan </div></div>

Ok thanks I looked at the website and thats what I thought.

Someone help me with the math here. a 15 MOA base, plus a spuhr 20 MOA mount and using a NXS 8-32 that has 65 MOA of elevation adjustment, how do you add it all together?

Lets say I am looking at this ballistic table for reference how would you add in the total adjustment of that setup together?

http://cpcartridge.com/50BMGB.htm

what would be the maximum distance adjustable in the scope?

Never done anything like this before lol THanks in advance!
 
#22
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Matt Waage</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spuhr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Our 30 mm mounts comes as 0 and 20moa.
We dont Have any 30 Moa 30mm mounts. (Yet)

Håkan </div></div>

Ok thanks I looked at the website and thats what I thought.

Someone help me with the math here. a 15 MOA base, plus a spuhr 20 MOA mount and using a NXS 8-32 that has 65 MOA of elevation adjustment, how do you add it all together?

Lets say I am looking at this ballistic table for reference how would you add in the total adjustment of that setup together?

http://cpcartridge.com/50BMGB.htm

what would be the maximum distance adjustable in the scope?

Never done anything like this before lol THanks in advance!</div></div>

It all depends on where your ammo will zero, but in a perfect world:

Take your elevation and cut it in half for a 0 MOA cant in bases, mounts, etc as you're theoretically zeroing a parallel scope and rifle. That would be your rough estimate for elevation travel with 0 MOA cant (32.5 in the NXS 8-32x).

For any bases or mounts, add your cant to that number (32.5+15+20 = 62.5) to get your approximate travel. However, in you're case you'll be right at the edge of zeroing at 100 yards without running out of adjustment, but still maximizing your travel. There is a caveat: If you go over your elevation range, say if you had a 30 MOA base and 20 MOA mount, you'd theoretically not be able to zero until you got much further down range.

According to the chart provided, you'll run out of elevation somewhere around a mile, but you'll have your reticle for additional holds.

-Sean
 
#23
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

I must be missing something simple here to add the numbers up. In Theory If that setup would have 62.5 MOA of elevation increase from a 100 yard zero wouldnt the scope be running out of elevation around 1850 yards?
Just using their bullet drop numbers and some rough guessing 62.5 moa= 625 inches at 1k and 1250 at 2k? whereas the bullet drop listing in the chart -1511 inches at 2k yards?

Unless you mean that with the 35 MOA in the rail and mount that the full range of the scope could be utilized, "Zeroed at the top or the elevation travel" but that still would mean that only have 65 moa of travel within the scope, so I guess i dont see where it would reach a mile? Can you please explain? (Thanks for all your time by the way)
 
#24
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

Your available elevation adjustment would theoretically be 62.5 MOA. 1 MOA = 1.047 inches at 100 yards (NOT 1 MOA = 1 inch @ 100yds).

With 62.5 MOA, you're max elevation dial adjustment would get you somewhere between 1800-1850yds on that chart and if you were in the same conditions as the chart was made for. A mile is 1760yds so you'll be slightly past that depending on environmentals.

Bullets don't travel in a straight line, but arc in with an ever increasing amount of drop as distance extends. You can't just double your 1000 drop for 2000. On the chart, its 24.06 MOA to 1000, but 72.15 MOA to 2000.

-Sean
 
#27
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

WIth 15moa/4.4mil rail + 40.4moa/12mil mount + 65moa/19mil elevation adjustment (88.4moa/26mil with an S&B PMII) + 47.6moa/14mil Horus H37 reticle available at 20x (119moa/35mil available @ 5x) = 168moa/49.4mil (262.4moa/77.4mil max) total you should be able to reach your distant goal.

Could you obtain a 100yd zero?
 
#28
Re: 50 BMG Optic (And Chassis) Advice

Do to the NF 8-32x and the 12-42x RET works at 22x I would go worth the 5.5-22x for you get more elevation.

If you looking for great optics with power I would look at the flowing
.
S&B
Steiner
Kahles
Premier

Other to look at that are really nice but not as nice as the above.
IOR
Leupold 8.5-25x M5 are really nice for the price.

Hope this helps.

Mike CST
 
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