Rifle Scopes Help with new scope please...

[BlkZ06]

Hey everyone, I'd like a couple questions answered about an upcoming scope purchase.

I just received my new Ultralight Arms bolt action rifle in .300 WSM and I'm get ready to put a scope on it. I do know I'll probably spend somewhere around 700-1500 bucks for scope, but I have not narrowed it down to any particular brand. I do like the Vortex, SS, and Swavorski brands.

First off...I am starting to read a lot about etched reticles....is this important? Power wise, is 4x-16x a good all around magnification for 200-400 yard shots?

Secondly, being that I bought the rifle to use for long range hunting...should I look for scopes that you can dial in with the turrets? To be honest, I'm not even sure how these work, so an explanation or link to the process would be appreciated. Are these more suited for tactical scopes, or are they used for hunting too?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Crosshair]

There will be limitless reading on these questions here on the hide with the search bar at the top right, also an easy way to find content is in a google window type
site:snipershide.com "your topic here"

In a nutshell that is a great new rifle and cartridge and worthy of a great scope. Several excellent choices in that price range. I would caution you to watch the weight of whatever scope you choose, sounds like it is a light rifle and I'd want to stay under 22 or so oz.s
You will mostly find etched reticles in the scopes over about the $500 price point, nothing really wrong with wire reticles, just not very many "fancy" reticle options and not quite as fool-proof. Not something really worth spending too much time considering. What to consider, IMO are these factors:
1) do you need a moa or mil based reticle, or just regular old duplex etc.
2) do you want front focal plane or second focal plane
3) what magnification range do you need and what is your average target size going to be
4) is illumination necessary
5) does it have enough elevation adjustment to dial out to the longest distances you will be shooting with your loads

Most hunting scopes with duplex reticles are fine for the average shot under 300 yards. A zero at 100 or 200 yards is close enough to put a shot into the vitals with holding dead on with a flat shooting caliber at distances about 300 and in.
For long range shooting, weather tactical or long range hunting, the drop is enough that it becomes necessary to dial the turrets to compensate, or to hold over with the reticle that is basically acting as a ruler. Even with Very Low Drag (vld) hunting bullets like the .30 caliber 168gr Berger at 3100 fps out of the 300wsm, there is over 12 feet of drop at 800 yards and around 22 feet at 1000 yards.
If you are brand new to long range shooting I'd recommend learning in mils, moa is fine too, but the most important feature to make life easier is to make sure what ever scope you get, the reticle units (if it is a ruler type; moa based or mil based) matches the units of the turrets.
To wrap up, the 3-15x and 4-16x range of magnification is very well suited almost all hunting and long range shooting, they are very versatile. I'd recommend a laser range finder for sure as well. The Lecia rangemaster 1000's are on sale all over for $399, and worth every penny. The brands you mentioned all rock in there own right.

SWFA SS 3-15x42
Vortex Viper PST or HS, HS-T 4-16x44 or 4-16x50
For a sexy long range hunting scope: Swarovski 4-12x50 Z3 Riflescope
For a super-sexy long range hunting scope: Swarovski 3.5-18x44 Z5 Riflescope
lots of others out there too.

 

[Supergyro]

You may also consider a used Bushnell ERS for your price range.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

A ULA bolt action 300 WSM is going to weigh less than 6 lbs. IMO a big heavy scope doesn't help the balance of that type of ultralight hunting rifle, so for 200-400 yards a VX3 3.5-10x40 or similar other model would be perfect.

 

[steve123]

Hey everyone, I'd like a couple questions answered about an upcoming scope purchase.

I just received my new Ultralight Arms bolt action rifle in .300 WSM and I'm get ready to put a scope on it. I do know I'll probably spend somewhere around 700-1500 bucks for scope, but I have not narrowed it down to any particular brand. I do like the Vortex, SS, and Swavorski brands.

First off...I am starting to read a lot about etched reticles....is this important? Power wise, is 4x-16x a good all around magnification for 200-400 yard shots?

Secondly, being that I bought the rifle to use for long range hunting...should I look for scopes that you can dial in with the turrets? To be honest, I'm not even sure how these work, so an explanation or link to the process would be appreciated. Are these more suited for tactical scopes, or are they used for hunting too?

Thanks in advance!

A Nightforce 2.5-10 would be a great scope for your purposes. I'd be afraid to mount a lesser scope on a lightweight magnum rifle like that.

 

[BlkZ06]

Thanks so much for all your responses. Again, I do a lot of lurking here, but from bits and pieces of the posts I've read...Nightforce is a great scope, but maybe not on par glass-wise with Swav and Leupold.

Also, am I giving up much low light capability with a 40mm scope vs a 50mm scope?

 

[steve123]

Thanks so much for all your responses. Again, I do a lot of lurking here, but from bits and pieces of the posts I've read...Nightforce is a great scope, but maybe not on par glass-wise with Swav and Leupold.

Also, am I giving up much low light capability with a 40mm scope vs a 50mm scope?

Only a 10 power so you should have enough exit pupal for dusk and dawn, if not put it on a lower power. The new NF's have very good glass too, better than the older ones.

 

[mlh29]

on that style rifle, I would say forgo the tactical optics and give leupold a call. Have them build a 2.5x8 or similar with a reticle matched for you intended load. It will keep it light, and give you an easy reticle to use for that rifle. For long range hunting you can easily make the shots needed with a 8 power scope. Good luck

 

[2Shots]

I agree with Kimber, keep your scope in that 10X max power range and the scope will be smaller and lighter. Leupold vx3 or similar, you might look at some of the lower end zeiss, I don't have one yet but they look good for the money. As for the first or second focal, until you get some time behind these different reticles and adjustable elevation knobs just keep it simple and stay with the normal second focal and a duplex. You can hold over with that caliber out to 400 or 500 with some practice. Let us know what you end up with, sounds like a nice rig.

 

[Harvey]

Some folks maintain that a NIKKO Stirling Target Master 10-50X60 ($400) will stand up against a similar Night Force ($2000).

Just sayin'. I've got one bolted to a 50BMG and it's doing just fine. Mount it on a 20MOA rail and it'll have all the elevation range you'll ever need.

 

[BlkZ06]

I called Leupold this morning and they recommended either the 2x-12x-42mm VX6, or the 3x-18x-44mm VX6 if I wanted to go a little bigger.

Guy at Leupold said both are compact and relatively low weight.

Any opinions?

 

[XTREM HTR16]

I've got the VX6 2-12x42 on my 260. It's a great scope and a step up from the VX3. Comes with a certificate for free CDS dial so you can have one made to match your ballistics or just get a zero stop MOA dial, which should take you to 700 yards.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

PS the VX6 2-12 is 16 ounces IIRC. Just 3-4 ounces heavier than a VX3.

 

[kmose73]

Some folks maintain that a NIKKO Stirling Target Master 10-50X60 ($400) will stand up against a similar Night Force ($2000).

Just sayin'. I've got one bolted to a 50BMG and it's doing just fine. Mount it on a 20MOA rail and it'll have all the elevation range you'll ever need.

With all due respect I think 10X is FAR too much at the low end for a hunting scope. In fact for 0-400 yrds I would question 6X at the low end.

 

[Harvey]

Agree, kmose.

I simply mentioned NIKKO as an alternative to the pricier stuff. The OP was looking for something that will take the recoil of a light magnum.

Check out the NIKKO Gameking in the 3-9X40 or the 4-14X44. Going with a less-costly scope at first might be the way to go, since we know that finalizing a rifle/scope combination can be somewhat of an 'experiment'. We all have a scope or two laying in the drawer that turned out to be not 'the one'.

 

[BlkZ06]

Thanks Harvey...I am not as much of a novice as my posts make me out to be, LOL. I do have several hi-end scopes but I haven't been in the "market" buying for several years. Lot of new brands out there.

So, it sounds like the Leupold is a keeper....but I see Vortex has a nice scope as does Super Sniper. I keep reading Leupold holds its own with scopes costing 2x the price. I also forgot to mention the Leupold guy said I could move to the 3x-18x50 for a very small sacrifice in weight and length. Any opinions on that? He said the 50 had excellent contrast and light gathering ability at all magnifications.

 

[BlkZ06]

I've got the VX6 2-12x42 on my 260. It's a great scope and a step up from the VX3. Comes with a certificate for free CDS dial so you can have one made to match your ballistics or just get a zero stop MOA dial, which should take you to 700 yards.

Thanks so much for the info. Do you have a certain MOA dial you'd recommend? How do you like the glass on the VX6?? What reticle did you choose?

 

[Theo98]

My New Scope!

So, it sounds like the Leupold is a keeper. I keep reading Leupold holds its own with scopes costing 2x the price. I also forgot to mention the Leupold guy said I could move to the 3x-18x50 for a very small sacrifice in weight and length. Any opinions on that? He said the 50 had excellent contrast and light gathering ability at all magnifications.

BlkZ06,

Got the VX-6 3-18X50 fine duplex in May, great scope for the $$$. If interested , here are my thoughts:

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...luepold-vx-6-anybody-get-one.html#post2618352

Hope This Helps,

Ted

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Thanks so much for the info. Do you have a certain MOA dial you'd recommend? How do you like the glass on the VX6?? What reticle did you choose?

I chose the standard one turn MOA dial with zero stop. Standard duplex reticle. I didn't want to get a ballistic dial when I live at 800' ASL and can hunt at 5,000' or more. The MOA dial will get me to 700 with my 260 and a Berger 130 VLD and that's all I want/need for this hunting rifle.

I like the glass on it, this is the nicest scope I have ever owned. I've never tried a S&B or Zeiss Victory or other higher priced scope, so I can't compare it to those. Good luck!

 

[308winchester]

The vx-6 2-12x42 is a great scope in every aspect. Eye relief is constant and non- critical, adjustments have been spot on and glass is superb all in a moderate size package

Even the duplex reticle is better than a standard duplex to me because it's a tad thicker. Sort of like a medium type duplex
Great glass is useless if the reticle is gone and I prefer to keep it simple and not use illumination.

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[BlkZ06]

Thanks 308W. Great looking rifle, BTW.

I am drawn to the NightForce scopes....love the true Zero Stops they have.

Not sure if the VX-6 has them or not.