Rifle Scopes First LR rifle scope selection (budget related)

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Here’s the deal – just put the down payment on a TRG-22 (.308), I have the money upfront for it but I decided to pay for it over the course of a year for cashflow purposes. I am relatively new to the long range shooting world but I figured the time was right to buy the rifle now (I will be married soon, and did NOT want to convince my future better half to let me buy a $3k rifle).

I'll be using the rifle to learn proper long range shooting, from my distance of 200yds right now to 300/600 yds and hopefully out to the magical 1000 yds as I progress. I like to buy the equipment that I will use in the future upfront, and not "trade-up" if at all possible.

However – that being said, I don’t have the money to buy proper glass at the moment. My optics collection at the moment consists of a Leupold VXII 3-9x40, and… that’s it. What should I do? Honestly, I’d rather mount the Leupold for a couple years or so and then buy a top-of-the-line scope than buy something cheap now and push back the nicer scope by another year.

Also – what mounts should I get?

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Sako TRG-22 scope selection (budget related)

your on a budget so get egw rail and any 1913 pic rail rings you want. mount up your current scope and go for it. when you have couple hundred extra bucks buy a bushnell fixed 10x mildot with mil knobs and that will get the job done for all practical purposes for the time being. its cost alittle more than putting m1 knobs on your current leupold but is better learning tool and will hold better trade/resale value. they used to be $199 midway and they are reliable, track well, and enough elevation travel to at least get you to 600 probably 1000+ if you get the 20moa base.

 

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Re: Sako TRG-22 scope selection (budget related)

Thanks team! Some great advice

I changed the topic name as I think my previous title was leading people to believe this was specific to the TRG.

 

[Overflow10]

Re: Sako TRG-22 scope selection (budget related)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Team-Send-It!!!</div><div class="ubbcode-body">... they used to be $199 midway and they are reliable, track well, and enough elevation travel to at least get you to 600 probably 1000+ if you get the 20moa base. </div></div>

Good advice. Also watch out for any coupon codes for Midway. http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2323678&page=4

 

[crnkin]

Re: Sako TRG-22 scope selection (budget related)

I dial a nikon buckmasters 4.5-14x40 from zero to 30 MOA up and back every time I shoot and it always tracks perfect.

Got it for $200 and will never sell it.

Just my 2c.

Bushnell is nice having exposed turrets but the nikon turrets are nice too, just covered, and vari power. You can get mildot too

Chris

 

[Jeeprider]

Re: First LR rifle scope selection (budget related)

You're a patient man, great virtue. You seem to have the right idea, mount the Leupy up and enjoy that awesome rifle. I have a Leupold VX-3 it's a great scope, I also have an S&B 5-25 x56 on order. Don't waste your money on building up to a great optic just rock the Leupold now than move onto a quality optic when the money is there. When I say quality optics think - S&B, Hensoldt, PRH, USO, NF. As far as mounts go - Sphur, Seekins, Badger, NF. You're off to a good start, have fun.

 

[Hawk45]

Re: First LR rifle scope selection (budget related)

See if you can find a few guys you know or at the range you can look through some of their optics at distances you plan to shoot.

1. Decide on your max budget
2. Decide on a max power you will be happy with from 100 - 1K
3. Find a reticle you like and make sure the knobs match (mil/mil, moa/moa)
4. Decide if SFP or FFP is on your needs list.
5. Research durability/tracking of the model that satisfies 1,2,3,4
6. Purchase

 

[Overflow10]

Re: First LR rifle scope selection (budget related)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hawk45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">See if you can find a few guys you know or at the range you can look through some of their optics at distances you plan to shoot.

1. Decide on your max budget
2. Decide on a max power you will be happy with from 100 - 1K
3. Find a reticle you like and make sure the knobs match (mil/mil, moa/moa)
4. Decide if SFP or FFP is on your needs list.
5. Research durability/tracking of the model that satisfies 1,2,3,4
6. Purchase

</div></div>

That should be a sticky.....

 

[rchman]

Re: First LR rifle scope selection (budget related)

My brother and I were not impressed at all with the Bushnell 3200 Elite 10x. I had trouble making out bullet holes at 100 yards. The scope seemed very fuzzy and the turrets were mushy. Side by side, the Buckmaster (4.5-14) and Monarch (2.5-10) were much much better scopes at the same magnification.