Rifle Scopes First scope... would I regret it?

L

lostinperiphery

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Minuteman
Feb 1, 2008
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raleigh NC
#1
I'm going to need some glass for a 700PSS I recently acquired. I've been eying the bushnell 3200 5-15x40 tactical, but a friend is encouraging me to step it up to a vortex viper pst 4-16x50

I know I'd get the extra reach with the 30mm tube of the viper, but for now, I can't think of any opportunity to shoot past 600 yards. not to say i won't in the future though. Is it really worth dumping almost twice the cost of the bushnell into a vortex, or am I likely to be plenty satisfied with the bushnell?... any reason the bushnell might have any problems zeroing at 100yards if i put it ontop of a 20moa mount?

This is my first long-range rifle, so its quite likely my brain will be the limiting factor, and not the gear. But if it makes more sense to 'buy once, cry once' I don't mind spending some more....
 
#2
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

if you're gonna take the 'buy once, cry once' why not step up to USO or nightforce? just saying..

with the Bushnell scope in question, you'd get 50 minutes of adjustment. Mounted on a 20 MOA base, will put you really close to bottoming out the scope for a 100 yard zero and you will barely get a .308 to 1000 yards and there will not many clicks left to spare at the top.

as for the vortex PST, they've only just started shipping again, so the wait time will be hefty, considering the line of people you'll be standing in to get your hands on one

just my 2cents, YMMV
 
#3
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

It's never a bad thing to spend as much as you can afford when buying a scope. If you can afford a Vortex PST, or other scopes in that price class, then you will shortly regret not doing so.......

Bob
 
#5
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

The PST is better suited with more elevation... but in the long run, it's you who have to decide your price limit.

If you go the bushnell route, to be safe you'd better run a 10 moa base. You go 20 and that leaves you 5moa to bottoming out- I would not be comfortable with that. Just your luck for some reason you'd need 6.5 moa to hit 100 (in other words, bottom out and still be 1.5" high)

Might think about looking at other scopes in your price range that have more elevation. You'd be alright with 60 min. 1000m would require around 46moa running 175smk @ 2550. Of course with your 26" barrel you should hit 2800 easily- giving you more room to maneuver.

Look for 60 MOA of travel on a 20 moa base to get to 1000m. If 600-700 is your max, you'll be fine with 50 MOA and a 10 MOA base.
 
#6
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

It really depends, right now that Bushnell 3-12 is a great scope for $540, a solid upgrade from the 3-15 3200, but without the price tag of the PST.

What might be a bigger factor is your time frame, with the delays in the PST, and all the backorders it could very well be months before they show up in the general market.
 
#7
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

Your biggest problem with the PST line is that you are going to have to wait a while before you can get your hands on one.

It sounds to me like you are looking to stay with a "budget" scope which is perfectly fine.

one other place that you could look would be at the SS scopes. I have never had one but I have heard good things about them.
 
#8
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BaileyMoto</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You could also consider the Bushnell 4200 in the 3-12 or 6-24 as well. Both are on closeout prices at the moment. </div></div>

I do like that 6-24, and the price is right... I'll check it out!
 
#9
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njlohmann</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your biggest problem with the PST line is that you are going to have to wait a while before you can get your hands on one.

It sounds to me like you are looking to stay with a "budget" scope which is perfectly fine.
</div></div>


Firstly, I plan on suppressing this rifle, so It'll be being sent out for threading sometime in the coming months. I don't mind throwing a scope off one of my .22's for the time being, just to try different ammo loads...

secondly, I'm not <span style="font-style: italic">necessarily </span>looking to stay with a budget scope (which in my mind is around $400 mark. If you're thinking $800 is still a budget scope, then yes, I am
smile.gif
)... just trying to figure out whether I would really benefit from a more expensive optic, and from the sounds of it, its likely I would... a few hundred more certainly isn't going to break the bank.
 
#11
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

I would skip the bushnell look for something with a little better glass. You won't regret it and you'll know you bought the best you can afford. I am looking at going broke and buying an S&B so maybe you shouldn't go by me, haha.
 
#12
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

I do not rely on my rifle for work, nor do I anticipate having to use my rifle to defend myself or my family. I use my rifle for sport. I am, however, somewhat obsessive/compulsive and do like to get good equipment. I've spent a lot of time and money trying to find the "right" scope for me. After having been through Trijicon, Vortex (Vipers, not PSTs), Bushnell, Weaver, Nikon, Leupold, Sightron, etc.; I've found that if you want the bells and whistles (target turrets with adjustments that match the reticle, very positive clicks, repeatable adjustments, very clear glass, tank like build, etc., etc.) for a reasonable price and be able to rest assured that you will likely NOT regret your purchase in the future, get a Nightforce.

I don't think that there are very many scopes out there that are built better than a Nightforce and, although the glass isn't top notch, it is much better than most. If cost is a concern, look around for one of the older models without the hi-speed turrets. I bought a 5.5-22X50 not too long ago, with zero stops, NP-R2 reticle and MOA adjustments for under $1500. Although it doesn't have the hi-speed turrets, I'm just a range jockey and really don't need them.

Although I haven't laid my hands on the higher magnification PSTs, I did get the opportunity to check out a 1-4X PST. It's a very nice scope. Positive clicks, nice reticle and good glass; but I certainly wouldn't put my 1-4X Nightforce to the side to go with the PST. It was good, but not that good.

If glass quality is what you're chasing, check out the Swarovski Z5 line. They are in about the same price range as the Nightforce but the glass is better. I opted for the Nightforce scopes because of the tank like build with more than good enough glass quality.

I may be going out on a limb here, but I'd say that Nightforce is probably the "value" line of top quality scopes. You can spend more, but you won't get much better.

Since you're considering a couple of 10Xs, keep your eyes open on the forums. There are quite a few 2.5-10X32s going up for sale on the used market. I know that I sold one a few months ago for around $1K and many others can be found for around that price. One of the nicer things about the small NXS is that it is "made in the USA."
 
#14
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

I agree with the concept of buying once. I would get a Njght foce 5.5-22X50 NXS. Cost more but worth every penny. Also much easier to sell should you ever have too.
 
#15
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

can anyone explain why both of these bushnells, a 1" and a 30mm, both have 50moa adjustment? I'd have assumed the 30mm tube on the bushnell 4200 6-24x50 would've provided the necessary vertical range for the longer shots?

4200:
http://bushnell.com/products/scopes/riflescopes/elite4200/426245T/ http://bushnell.com/products/scopes/riflescopes/elite4200/426245T/

3200:
http://bushnell.com/products/scopes/riflescopes/elite3200/325154T/ http://bushnell.com/products/scopes/riflescopes/elite3200/325154T/
 
#16
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

In the $400 zone, the popular suspects is the SS 10x. Plenty good to get going. Otherwise, I'd also take a look at the Bushnell Closeouts that are available now.

As nice as the NF scopes are, they are 5x the alloted budget of the OP.

IMHO going 2x the original proposal would step it up to the SS 3-9x or HD 10x, higher end series Bushnell and PST zone. The only caveat for the PST would be the lead time in finding one.

The similarity in elevation adjustment range despite the 2 different tube sizes comes down to magnification range, I believe: with a given tube size, the scope with less magnification will have more adjustment range. In this case, the 4200 is 6-24x50 and the 3200 is 5-15x40.

Either one of the Bushnells should work just fine.
 
#17
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

Another thing to consider if your budget stops at $800, is really give the SS line a hard look, if 3x9 or a fixed is enough. Out of all the scopes recommended, the SS line by SWFA is the only brand where there isn't a markup for the middle men. SS scopes are built for and sold only through SWFA. In theory, you are getting the best bang for your buck. You won't find many complaints with build, durability, or cost vs. value with the SS.
 
#18
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

You can make mistakes buying a budget scope. They won't be apparent if you have never shot a real quality scope. Lower quality scopes generally don't have the clarity or tracking ability if a high quality scope.
If you want to be truly happy with a low quality scope then never, ever shoot a high quality optic.
I shoot and test alot of different types of scopes. And although many of them are more than adequate, and some of them I would rely on in combat, I still find myself comparing them to a Schmidt and Bender.
And if I had my choice I'd be shooting Schmidt and Bender. Hands down. No contest.
 
#19
Re: First scope... would I regret it?

I've was a hunter for years. I believe in getting a gun and setting it up right the first time, and then forgetting about it. Consequently I have a couple of Leupold Vari X II AO 3.5-10 on my hunting rifles. It was pretty top of the line 30 years ago(I paid $375 back then). I always thought Leupolds were the best until recently when I decided to get into long range shooting and started doing research. Man was I shocked... I was budgeting $800 for a new scope, but I quickly learned $800 is barely a starting point for good glass. I believe in buying top of the line or within reason based on my needs and intentions.

I asked myself these questions, and answered yes to each and then bought a NF in good concience. I have no regrets. As a matter of fact I'm going to buy another NF soon.

Regards,

Rick

1. Can I afford a top of the line scope?
2. Am I going to shoot the rifle enough to take advantage of a top of the line scope?
3. Can I tell the difference between a top of the line scope and lesser scopes?
4. Will it bother me to know I settled?
 
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