Rifle Scopes Does this scope selection make sense?

[rookie7]

I've been wanting a new scope for a few months. I've got a few rifles sitting without scopes, so I'll probably buy 2 in the near future.

Here's what I'm shooting:

Remington 700 sps varmint .243 sitting in a B & C varmint medalist stock. Presently it has a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40 mil dot on it.

I've shot it from 100 yards to 1000 yards. Hit a 10" circle at 1000 with it shooting 95 grain SMK. Hit the steel plate several times, but only the circle once

(it was my first time shooting at 1000).

Originally, I was leaning towards buying a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 but I have wandered in my direction since. If I do get a new scope for the 700 I'll take the nikon off of it and put it on my winchester model 70 in .223 for my coyote rifle.

Then I thought - why not just keep the nikon on the 700 and buy something for the 70 instead. It has a Leupold vx3 3.5-8 on it now, but I'd like a little more magnification. I would also like more magnification on the 700.

I don't compete. I shoot for me. I'm not a "tactical" guy. I use whatever gear works best for me. I would rather see how good a group I can shoot with my rifle.

I've considered the following scopes in addition to the viper: nikon monarch, weaver grand slam, millet lrs, just to name a few.

But I thought - why not just get a fixed power scope for the 700? I'm not going to shoot it less than 100, and like to stretch that .243 as far as I can. I never shoot the nikon on anything other than 14x.

So I'm considering now buying the SS 16x42 to put on the 700.

So what do ya'll think?

Budget? $450 or less.

Thank you

 

[Graham]

Re: Does this scope selection make sense?

I think you'll find the 16x SS to be too dark.

Sell some stuff. Buy one scope. Spend $1200. Get a used NF.

 

[Dantrom]

Re: Does this scope selection make sense?

I liked the fixed 16 SS I had EXEPT Within 200 yards. So, I think you'd be ok.

 

[TKellogg]

Re: Does this scope selection make sense?

My only suggesting is don't spend all your budget on one scope. I did that and still have several rifles without scopes.

If you like the buckmaster and it works for you buy another. Don't change what isn't broke

 

[rookie7]

Re: Does this scope selection make sense?

Dantrom,

What was wrong with the 16x ss under 200?

Tkellogg - I like the buckmaster fine, but want something with more magnification. The original method to my madness was get a nicer scope for the bench gun and move the buckmaster to the model 70 .223 then move the leupold vx3 to my ruger #1 in 30/06. I read where a lot of folks run the ss 10x42 on their rifles, so it kind of hit me - why not go with a high fixed power since I always shoot the nikon on 14x.

 

[RicosRevenge]

Re: Does this scope selection make sense?

For shooting paper/steel only - a 16X will be fine.

If you have reactionary shooting where you need to acquire a target quickly you will struggle a little bit (especially under 200 yards). Finding a deer running throught the woods at 150 yards would be tough to do... not impossible, but tough.

Example, I use an SS16X on my .22LR trainer and it is great at 50 and 100 yards (or more) for shooting steel/paper/golf balls... but finding a turtle in the pond can definitely become tedious due to limited field of view (FOV).

The good news is you can buy the 16X for pretty dang cheap and if it doesn't work, you can get most of your money back in the classifieds pretty quickly. Heck at $299 its worth just keeping for a spare...

 

[rookie7]

Re: Does this scope selection make sense?

The 700 is strictly a bench or steel gun - too big and heavy otherwise. My intentions for the future is to add weight to the stock.

I have zero exposure to the ss scopes, so I am having to rely on internet input regarding their quality and performance. Also, I have never owned a fixed power scope of mid to high magnification. I have a 4x leupold that sits on top of a Marlin 1894 .44 mag and that's it.

 

[Sandbogg]

Re: Does this scope selection make sense?

I have owned three 16 x SS and each worked fine. The glass was not bad and they worked better than expected, they are real good scope for the money. I have only seen one break ,and SWFA gave him a replacement scope (it was a well used third hand scope and the turret came off the scope body). His replacement scope just went through a week long intense class and worked just fine. The20x SS are a little dark, but the 16x are gtg.

Just my two cents.