Rifle Scopes Confusion Has Set In

[imbradm]

I have read over the sticky and ran through many searches. This has all confirmed that I am infact CONFUSED. I have used Vortex before and like them, and have also found the Viper Series within my budget (for now). My confusion is as follows:

I have a Remington 700 SPS Tactical .308 (Straight out of the box)

I will be shooting most of the time within 300yds (Target).

I will make trips to the range as often as possible and that will be out to 500yds.

I also will do some hunting with this rifle inside 200yds (pig and yotes).

I was thinking about the 6.5-20x50 but not sure if that's going to be overkill for what I'm doing or not.

I have always preferred 50mm objective but that has mostly been for hunting in the past (early mornings and late evenings) I will probably target shoot mid day more often.

So im not sure what size objective lense is going to be the correct choice for me.

I am also confused as to the scope base and rings (MOA or just STD) and why? Can I just go with a standard Leupold turn in base or do I need a Weaaver or and MOA?

If you could suggest a few bases and ring options I would be greatful. Will take suggestions on scopes as well. $400 ish.

 

[Joop]

Re: I read the sticky and did the search (Confused)

Hi, Brad.

Given your intended use of the scope, I would be more concerned with the magnification range, than with the objective size. You can probably do some more searching to find the pros/cons of a large objective vs. a smaller one and draw your own conclusions.

As for the magnification range, however, I would not be so worried about a max of 20x being "overkill", as I would the 6.5x on the low end, especially if you intend to use this scope for close range hunting (especially hogs and yotes), as you say. The problems come when they get really close; say, inside of 100 yards. The 6.5x setting may make it difficult for quick target acquisition, as well as lead.

As for which base to use, you probably wouldn't "need" a 20 MOA base for your stated ranges. However, if the time ever came that you wanted to dial up a shot for around 1000 yards, you may wish that you had it. With many companies having the same price on both their zero and twenty MOA bases, why not have the twenty?

I set up a rifle specifically for coyotes and with the occasional target shooting/plinking in mind. It's a Savage Predator Hunter in .243 Winchester. It has standard bases (0 MOA) and a Bushnell 3-12x44 scope with FFP mildot reticle. I'm still able to dial out to 800 yards for a center hold, using the 105 grain A-Max. So, with that being said, I don't think you would have any problems out to 500 yards with the .308 with a standard base (actual range will depend on the specific load, of course). Also, I don't find the smaller, 44mm objective to be a hindrance, at all, even though I have other scopes that are 50 and 56mm. I just don't notice the difference until I put them side by side and, even then, it's not really a huge change.

Hope this helps!

John

ETA: I see you're looking at scopes in the $400 range and I've described one that's probably closer to the $700 range. However, it's the low end magnification that I was trying to emphasize, as an example.

 

[imbradm]

Re: I read the sticky and did the search (Confused)

I appreciate any input at this stage.

 

[Icallem]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

Brad
I bought the scope you are talking about and we put it on a rifle (308) for our nephew. It sounds like you both do the same type of shooting. As far as you can when you can and hunting. I will tell you I didn't put tons of thought into buying it, it was there, looked good and the price was right. As it turns out, dollar for dollar it seems to be really good. It has some sort of hold-over ret., and it is a touch thick for super precision, but tracks real good, has tons of adjustmant and...... Well, if I saw another one available I would not think twice about buying it just to have lying around in case I needed a scope on something.

 

[Patriot Prepper]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

20x overkill? No way. Just cause you got it, don't mean ya gotta use it. It's nice to be able to zoom in when you need to. Aim small, hit small.

I used to use 10X fixed on most my rifles. Hate to say it, but I am now a magnification junky.

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

i would highly recommend a rail mount with quick detach rings. I find it very useful in setting up the scope to get optimum eye relief. And it will allow you to switch scopes out very quickly if needed. i have a few scopes, all with badger rings on them. And I just choose which scope I need based on what Im doing. BAT and Talley both make aluminum bases and rings, so weight isnt too bad. You dont need to go crazy with a 20moa base, but it wouldnt hurt.

As for magnification....its like height of basketball players..you cant teach height...it is what it is. Rarely have I heard of someone complain of having too much magnification. But based on what you intend to do with this gun, you definitely dont NEED 20x. I shoot a 4.5-14x on my 300winmag out to 1300yds on groundhogs, and it gets the job done. At that range, I wish I had 20x. But for 500yd shooting, you could DEFINITELY get away with a 12-14x scope. Id be looking to get a scope with the best clarity and tracking at about 12-14x. Spend your money on that, instead of more magnification.

 

[CleanMoostang]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

I have the same rifle with a 20moa base 30mm rings and a bushnell elite tactical scope with 44mm objective. Not only does a rail mount give you more room for adjustments at longer range, but keeps that objective away from your barrel depending on how far back and forth you set your scope.

Now, my scope is only 3-12 power, and I wish I had more. I normally dont shoot further than 500 yards unless I am with a large group of people, but still, I wish I had th at X-20 power because it gets kinda hard to call your misses the further out you are with a lower power scope.

 

[roggom]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

x20 is fine, but the 6.5 may be a little much for moving game like hogs and yotes. I chopped my SPS-V to 22" to make a hunter/shooter. I had the Weaver 3-10x40 and it was great for tracking and field of view but a little shy on mag at my max effective range. I then installed a Weaver 3-15x50, great mag and clarity, but heavy as a truck. So finally I went with the Vortex 4-16x44, to me it is just right, good field of view at x4, clear mag at x16 and only 20 oz. The 1/2 moa will dial to 800 in one turn, so for hunting and steel it is a nice feature. Maybe not if one is trying to hit 10 rings at close range as the 1/2 moa is not a precise scale. It tracks fine, just that zero may not be exactly center(elevation) at 100Y.
I have the 4-16x44 LR which has the external turret, price is about $550, The covered turret version is 1/4 moa elevation is about $499

 

[imbradm]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

Well I am ready to make a purchase on a scope today. Does anyone have any links to a good deal on a Vortex Viper (new or used) and also rings and bases(on the easy side of $$).

Redfield Revenge 6-18
Viper Vortex 6.5-20
Nikon Monarch

Any links to a good price on these?

 

[sawman556]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

Check out the Nikon Monarch 4-16x42mm with side focus. Throw a Weaver Tactical 20 MOA base and some TPS 1" low rings on your rifle.

 

[Enough Said]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

Save until you can afford the Viper.
Just an opinion. Not a judgement.

 

[UIUCPPQ]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

I went over my original budget and got a Vortex PST and I'm really glad I did. They're excellent scopes and worth every penny.

 

[imbradm]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

The Viper is in my budget. I was just trying to make sure I had my magnification and objective size where it needs to be for what im doing. What are the differences between bases and rings.. Night force Leupold weaver etc.... whats one have that the other doesnt?

 

[UIUCPPQ]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

The objective size really doesn't make that big of a difference in most cases, I like the 50mm's but that's probably a fair amount of superstition on my part because I almost never shoot in low light.

The bases and rings are priced differently based on quality. The more expensive ones are going to be more precisely made, they'll be more sturdy, have better materials, maybe less weight etc. Also some have different purposes like those made to detach quickly. Anyway I don't know too much about the higher cost ones, I went with Burris Xtreme Tactical rings, and with a 50mm scope and a thicker than normal barrel, low or medium height were good for me. I can't tell you too much about bases honestly, but it would take some convincing to get ME to buy something very expensive in that category.

 

[bcpdshooter]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

Talking about rings and bases, I like steel over aluminum or alloy. the higher price rings and bases are going to be held to closer tolerances and are able to take more abuse while still holding zero. In reference to rings, if I am searching for rings for a $800 to $4,000 optic I want good quality rings so that the high dollar optics I mount with them do not get damaged due to the rings being out of spec. Also with rings and bases there are about as many options out there to choose from as optics. I have used leupold and badger both are good i like the badger better. If you look on optics planet they have a lot to look at. I set up a friend with a 20 moa base that was around $40 and rings that were about $50 he had me on a tight budget. They were not what I would have purchased for myself but he was happy with them. He does not shoot a lot but they seem to be doing well for him. The problem with all of this is if you like to shoot and your op said you do, you will be upgrading over time. The more you shoot the more you will learn and the more you will see that what you thought was good enough just isn't. This is ok though because it gets you out on the range shooting and as your skill level increases you can upgrade.
good luck hope this helps.

 

[rundm]

Re: Confusion Has Set In

Seekins rings and bases or Badger is all you will ever need and you can
not go wrong with either.