Rifle Scopes ballistic scope advice

[Texas_Republic]

I searched for a similar post. If one already exists let me know. I have a burris fullfield II with the ballstic plex and am somewhat satisfied with it compensating for bullet drop. However, its a pain in the butt to figure out how much drop each plex accounts for and comparing it your own bullet ballistics. What similar scope do this better and more precisely? Would prefer not to exceed $400-500. Is the zeiss scope as good as it sounds?

 

[our gang]

Re: ballistic scope advice

Any SFP variable will have different holdover specs depending on what power you have it set. The chart that comes with the Burris (and any other SFP scope) is only good at one setting. In the Burris it is 9X.
If you want constant holdover you can with a variable FFP scope (usually big $) or get a SFP fixed power appropriate to your use. i.e a 4X for big game out to 300, a 6X for deer and antelope in open county and a 10X and up for Varmints.
A fixed power scope for the same money is always superior to a variable costing the same and has far less to go wrong.
One of the best is the Leupold fixed 6 for $300-400. There are several models, here are three.
See:
http://swfa.com/Leupold-6x36-FX-II-Riflescope-P7494.aspx
http://swfa.com/Leupold-6x42-FX-3-Competition-Hunter-Riflescope-P12754.aspx
http://swfa.com/Leupold-6x42-FX-3-Riflescope-P12758.aspx

 

[ToddM]

Re: ballistic scope advice

Some of the companies (swarovski and zeiss) off the top of my head have software on their website to calculate what each ballistic reticule holdover should be at each power setting (for SFP) That makes it a bit easier to do the calculations.

However one has to keep in mind the old garbage in garbage out rule. Even though they have loads built into the calculator you can choose it's imperative to know the load specs in your particular rifle to get close and even then verification in the field is necessary. If you have your own load data they both will allow you to enter it as well.

 

[Texas_Republic]

Re: ballistic scope advice

I think I understand what the previous post was saying about a fixed zoom scope. But on my burris ballistic plex..I usually always shoot with it zoomed in all the way. That way the plexs will always be consistent.
I start off by ranging the target... then look at my custom ballistic cross hair print out I made to find the appropriate place to aim..find the target in the scope while zoomed out...then I zoom in to aim.
I performed all of the calculations on the JBM website prior to shooting it. In an hour I was hitting 600 yard targets. No joke. And im not that experienced with this stuff. I was just wondering if there was another scope that stood head and shoulders above the rest for this function. I think Burris gives alot of bang for the buck..but I am wanting to find a scope to put on a AR-30 338 lapua. Keep em coming guys. I appreciate it.

 

[Rafael]

Re: ballistic scope advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Texas Republic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I searched for a similar post. If one already exists let me know. I have a burris fullfield II with the ballstic plex and am somewhat satisfied with it compensating for bullet drop. However, its a pain in the butt to figure out how much drop each plex accounts for and comparing it your own bullet ballistics. What similar scope do this better and more precisely? Would prefer not to exceed $400-500. Is the zeiss scope as good as it sounds? </div></div>

For this reason I am surprised more people don't move away from BDC reticles and adapt Mil or MOA or IPHY reticles. It just as easy or slightly easier to make up a holdover chart and you can use it for ranging as well. It's not hard to adapt your drops to a BDC, but it's certainly easier to just print them in the same values as your mil/moa/iphy reticle.

Just my opinion.

How about a Falcon FFP?

 

[CanPopper]

Re: ballistic scope advice

Sounds like you are looking for something like a Horus scope or a scope with a Horus reticle.

I think a Zeiss would encounter similar issues as a Burris though depending on which one you get, you can either have 600, 800, or 1000 yard hash marks.

 

[Strangedays]

Re: ballistic scope advice

Sightron SII, enough said.

 

[chpprguy]

Re: ballistic scope advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rafael</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

How about a Falcon FFP? </div></div>

+1, I am impressed with my Falcon 4-14.... I had no problem seeing p-dogs this weekend at ~ 760 yards, and the reticle made it easy to do quick elevation/windage holdovers for switching winds....
on a side note, I had a SN3 and figured out that 300 yards was 1.5 mil adjustment from 100 yard zero...
I pulled the SN3, put on the Falcon, dialed in zero at 100, turned 1.5 mils up, and it was dead on at 300....
seems like alot bang for your buck thus far....

 

[sscoyote]

Re: ballistic scope advice

I use many ballistic and rangefinding reticles for rangefinding and downrange zeroing. My favorite so far are the Zeiss Rapid Z's (always at the optics highest power). I always prefer a more direct windage system in my reticles (tree-style reticles), and i especially like the 0.5 IPHY rangefinding system they use (should provide for an interpolative accuracy level of about 1 tenth of a 0.5 IPHY unit of subtension).

 

[buckhorn]

Re: ballistic scope advice

I've had success with the Zeiss Rapid Z for hunting applications. You just need to get the reticle set up for your combination and it's good to go. My scope maxes out at 10x and I set it at max for the reticle to match my ballistics which is a good set up. The main thing I like about the Rapid Z reticle is that the various holdover references in the scope are actually numbered with the applicable yardage so it cuts down on confusion when things happen fast. I find other reticles like the Burris, Leupold B&C, and TDS too easy to get confused under pressure. With the Rapid Z, the numbers are marked right there in the reticle. You can dial the magnification up or down on the Rapid Z (SFP) to get as close a match as possible to your rig. You need to keep in mind variables like elevation change but the Rapid Z calculator can help you adjust the magnification to match the yardages under differing conditions. Close enough for big game hunting.
All that being said, I'm also trying out a Leupold with the CDS elevation turret this year. Want to see the difference between dialing elevation and going with the BDC for big game hunting.

 

[Texas_Republic]

Re: ballistic scope advice

I forgot the specific name, but Ive heard that one of the night force scopes with the turrets and zero reset function are great. Just adjust to the appropriate yardage and fire away I guess?