Rifle Scopes 2 guns, one scope?

G

GT40MkI

Texas
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 19, 2011
420
52
West of DFW, Texas
#1
I have a .308 and a .300WM I need to buy glass for...
I was shocked how close my mk4 in a Larue spr1.5 was to zero at 200 yards on my .308.

With a $3k budget,
should I buy 1 nice (s&b, premier) scope., or a leupold/nightforce grade scope for each rifle?

is there a good rail mount that would be ideal for this application?
 
#3
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

You really aren't sacrificing much of anything by going with "just" two nightforce scopes over one higher priced scope quality wise... Most people here are fans of NF optics even though they are not top tier price wise...
 
#4
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

This is where the guys over at DTA have such a compelling argument... I feel your pain as i have a separate .308 and .338 and want to put the best glass i can afford on each. So ideally i would recommend a scope per rifle, however if you're only shooting 1 at a time, who would notice?
 
#5
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

What rifles, what usage, how often do you shoot both same day, etc.

More info is needed before an informed recommendation can really be made. Two different employment purposes = two different optics.
 
#6
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

Actually I had to do the one scope between two rifles gig for awhile, I HATED IT! Every time I wanted to switch I would have to re-zero the scope... If I all of a sudden hade an itch to go long range coyote hunting I would have to pull the optics off the bench rifle and go to the range first to sight the coyote rifle back it before going out hunting. Then repeat the whole process if I got a call from a friend to kill some steel at the bench, it was a major pain in the ass in short order, I would not recommend it...
 
#7
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

I take it you bring out both rifles when you shoot? If yes, then the two NF scopes will serve you well.

Another option if you're going to put the scope in a throwlever mount is to get a S&B or Premier or whatever, mount it on one rifle, zero it. Now take the scope and put it on your other rifle, zero it but don't zero out the knob and write down or remember that number (lets just say its 3) on the elevation turret. Throw the scope back on the first rifle as long as it's in the same position on the rail you turn the Elevation turret to read "0", hit the throwlevers and put it on the second rifle and turn the Elevation turret to read "3".

just a suggestion.
 
#8
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

You can do it with a good set of rings that return to zero but as it's been mentioned above you're soon going to be annoyed by it I think. I've done it just to see how well it worked out and got sick of the hassle by the second trip to the range.

If you have the rings/mount that RTZ then you can actually reset your turrets between each rifle too, just know what the different zero is on each of them.

I just posted a review on a setup that does that, although I did it a different way: 2 scopes, 1 rifle.
 
#9
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

Wow! thanks for all the responses!

This was the closest to my thought process, as if you know your scope "dope" it just goes into the equation with whichever load you're using...

I'd have a hard time throwing a $3k piece of glass in a drag bag on a gun...

Rifles are here:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2697078&#Post2697078

and here:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...349#Post2626349

The Larue throw lever SPR1.5 was dead on for windage on 3 rifles with that MkIV (LMT AR in 5.56, AICS Rem 700 in .308, and a .243 win hunting rifle with a picatinny base)..and elevation at 200 yards was just a few clicks away from factory 0 (20MOA base)...

Knowing me it'll be a preowned deal on a couple o nightforce optics...perhaps a 5.5-22 and an 8-32, or 3.5-15 and 5.5-22 respectively. I see me shooting the .308 much more frequently, but want the .300wm on standby when I need that extra umph...



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pupdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I take it you bring out both rifles when you shoot? If yes, then the two NF scopes will serve you well.

Another option if you're going to put the scope in a throwlever mount is to get a S&B or Premier or whatever, mount it on one rifle, zero it. Now take the scope and put it on your other rifle, zero it but don't zero out the knob and write down or remember that number (lets just say its 3) on the elevation turret. Throw the scope back on the first rifle as long as it's in the same position on the rail you turn the Elevation turret to read "0", hit the throwlevers and put it on the second rifle and turn the Elevation turret to read "3".

just a suggestion. </div></div>
 
#10
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

In that case I'd go for a pre-owned NF 5.5-22 first, run that on the .308 and then when you come around to getting/finding a pre-owned NF 3.5-15 put that on the .308 and run the 5.5-22 on the 300WM.

Or vice versa. Which ever you come across first. Then maybe by the time you're ready for the second scope you'll have a little more budget and could get something a little "flashier" like PH, SnB, etc.

Either way you're good to go. That NF scope will probably be with you for a long time.
 
#11
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

S&B's are nice, and so are NF's... the glass quality is not in the same league but the NF scopes are still very good.

I'm more partial to what I have now, which is the Vortex Razor, and 2 new Razors would be right about the cost of the S&B.

It's up to you, 2 NF's or 2 Razors is a great setup and I doubt you'll be "wanting" if you have a scope on each rifle to shoot anytime you want.
 
#12
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

Without you going into exactly what you're looking to do with the rifles or what your preferences are (FFP/SFP, reticle styles, etc), then I'd say you're probably on the right track with the NF and agree with pupdawg. You have a pretty good budget so your options, especially when you're willing to go used, are pretty broad.

Depending on how long you're willing to wait, the 5-20x SWFA SS ($1500) is a good deal if FFP is your style. No, you can't have mine...
laugh.gif
 
#14
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

I'm a big Nightforce fan, so I'll say get the two Nightforce scopes. I could afford better if I wanted, and I'm sure that I'll wind up with an S&B at some point in time, but I've never felt like I was at a disadvantage running a Nightforce. My question now is how are you going to get two NF scopes for $3K?
 
#15
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

I do sort of the same thing but two nightforces with Arms mounts and swap between 4 rifles. Other that having to rezero as mentioned before it works fine. Might buy a S&B later but the two scope NF swap works.
 
#16
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

In your situation, I would go for 2 scopes for 2 guns. In my opinion it is not a good idea to be always switching scopes between rifles. In precision long range shooting even a some variation can result in large differences at distance. Even though, I can attest to a difference in image quality between S&B/Premier and NF, NF is already a great scope and more then enough for most applications.
 
#17
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

Thanks for all of your input, I ended up reaching out to Jay @ Sport Optics and have a spanking new 5.5-22x56 on the way..great service, great price, and found a preowned 3-15 ready to go on the board as well...and stayed within budget :)

I'm sure I'll grab an S&B or Premier, but if I'm going to keep it in a drag bag I'll feel a little more at ease...the S&B will probably have it's own pelican case and I'd use it quarterly...

Off the record, Jay and Chris are rock stars and made it an easy choice - also had exactly what I was looking for on the shelf, ready and waiting for me. Expect some pics early next week!
 
#18
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

NICE.

Yea Jay at Sport Optics is a great dude. Always helpful and sincere. I was looking forward greatly to doing business with him but unfortunately the timing was awful. But there's always next time, next scope... Right Jay!
wink.gif
 
#19
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GT40MkI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I'm sure I'll grab an S&B or Premier, but if I'm going to keep it in a drag bag I'll feel a little more at ease...the S&B will probably have it's own pelican case and I'd use it quarterly...

</div></div>

You can really not worry about that. They aren't made of tissue paper. LOL I toss mine into my drag bag all the time. It was in there today. I don't think the Marines or USSOCOM baby their S&B scopes either
wink.gif
 
#25
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

Well hell...now thats done, which scope on which rifle?

I ended up with a 3.5-15x50 NP-1RR and a 5.5-22x56 NP-R1, both MOA.

I see me shooting the .308 MUCH more frequently for a few reasons ($$$, shoulder fatigue, need to reach out 1000yds+) and am inclined to throw the 22x on the .308.

Obviously the .300 would make better use of the 22x...but since I won't be using it as frequently I think I'd rather have the "nicer" scope on the .308. Thoughts? Talk me out of it?

Thanks again to all - some good stuff here.
 
#26
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GT40MkI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well hell...now thats done, which scope on which rifle?

I ended up with a 3.5-15x50 NP-1RR and a 5.5-22x56 NP-R1, both MOA.

I see me shooting the .308 MUCH more frequently for a few reasons ($$$, shoulder fatigue, need to reach out 1000yds+) and am inclined to throw the 22x on the .308.

Obviously the .300 would make better use of the 22x...but since I won't be using it as frequently I think I'd rather have the "nicer" scope on the .308. Thoughts? Talk me out of it?

Thanks again to all - some good stuff here.</div></div>

Bummer, there inlies the problem! Once you get behind the 300, you'l wish that it's scope had the magnification of your 308 scope. That's why I bought two identical scopes. I had a 5-25 S&B on my 308 and put the same thing on my 223 so that I wouldn't be thrown off when I switched guns.

However. you should probably put the 5-22 on the 300 for when you want to stretch it's legs . . . otherwise you'll be tempted to take it off the 308 and you'll have the same problem over and over again.

My $0.02
 
#28
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

I've taken mile shots with a 30-06 using my 3.5-15x50 NPR1 on 12" targets. The target is still clearly visible at that distance even with gray/black steel on a green hillside. Splash can be seen without trouble and the impact on steel is obvious.

I think you'll be fine with the setup as you're using it now. I have a 5.5-22 on my 308 and find it to be too much at times, prompting me to shoot it on 11x a lot. Especially with movers, the 11x "doubler" and NPR1 works out great on the 600yd mover stages common at many of my local matches.
 
#29
Re: 2 guns, one scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've taken mile shots with a 30-06 using my 3.5-15x50 NPR1 on 12" targets. The target is still clearly visible at that distance even with gray/black steel on a green hillside. Splash can be seen without trouble and the impact on steel is obvious.

I think you'll be fine with the setup as you're using it now. I have a 5.5-22 on my 308 and find it to be too much at times, prompting me to shoot it on 11x a lot. Especially with movers, the 11x "doubler" and NPR1 works out great on the 600yd mover stages common at many of my local matches. </div></div>

I guess if nothing else, shot placement at 1000yds with a .308 is much more important than with a .300wm...and the 11x is a great point as well. Looks like the 5.5-22 is going on the .308...
 
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