Rifle Scopes Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

[JayMazee]

Ill keep this short. I need a scope for a 16" recce, I want to stay under 1k, and my goal is to be able to hit 20" steel reliably at 600-800y knowing the wind will be a large factor.

The only major factors I want in a scope are exposed turrets, mildot gen2+ (.5 mil markings, etc), a good value as I don't want to buy twice, along those lines, I'll probably mount this scope on a bolt gun at some point, so definitely no bdc.

I have been looking at:

VX-R Patrol 3x9 (I can get a good deal on this)
SS 3x9 (great but no illumination)
SS 1-6 (Unreleased, new, might not be enough scope for 600yards)
Others/Unknowns (like a used Mk4 with TMR reticle)

I have been told to check NF, but I don't like their reticles in the 2-10, and I'm not sure they are worth the cost over my other options for what I want to do with this gun.

Ok... I know.... Let me have it!

 

[shootist~]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

20" steel at 600 Yds is a pretty big target; a 1.5-5 Mk 4 will work fine for that and is compact and light weight. For 800 Yds, something with 10x on the upper end (including the NF 2.5-10x32) will be a major benefit. My MOA/MOA NP-R2 2.5-10x NF works well at 700 Meters (760 yds) (with an 18" SPR and 77 gr reloads), but I would just as soon have the the mildot reticle. I dial past 500 meters anyway.

 

[JayMazee]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

Well that's where I'm looking at 6x and thinking it's just not going to work. I'd be all over an SS 1-6 for this gun, but it's just not enough top end. A 2-10 would be perfect, but I'm trying to stay mil/mil which means currently no nightforce (also the cost).

The Leu Patrol looks good, and for the cost would be great. But I've been told it's not half the scope the SS 3-9 is. If the 3-9 was illuminated this wouldn't even be a question, it would be over with.

Same goes for the Vortex, I don't know that it's a better deal $/$ to the SS.

 

[fockell]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

I love my NF with the lv reticle. Easy hits out to 600 and just a little dial work for beyond. I know you are wanting Mil/Mil. The real deal is BDC for the type of weapon you are talking about. Besides 77grain smks have nearly the same trajectory as the 175 grain smks. So you could put it on a 308 later.
Luepy with a TMR or SS are going to be the only ones in your budget worth having if you are stuck on mils.
Where are located? If close you can try one of mine.
Brandon

 

[JayMazee]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

Yea, if it were a specific gun to have this scope forever, I might consider BDC. My purpose for this gun is to learn long range and learn precision semi-auto. The platform is less important to me than the scope, but I still have a budget. The idea is to get myself a nice mil/mil scope and next year I'll know better what I want for a real long range gun.

Luepy VX-R Patrol 3-9x
+ $100 less than the SS
+ Illuminated (albeit only the very dot)
- SFP

SS 3-9x
- $100 more than VX-R
- Not illumated
+ Reportedly superior glass

I guess maybe I'll look around for a used Mk4 TMR, and short of that I'll probably get the SS. I was just unsure if there was an option I was overlooking. I was into IOR for awhile, but I just can't find anywhere I feel is a great value on those.

 

[mluning]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

Check out the Vortex PST 2.5-10. Has a lot of features for a fair price plus a nice warranty.

 

[JayMazee]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

I haven't seen anyone 1:1 compare the PST to the SS where the SS wasn't a clear winner, but I'll admit the PST does have a lot of features I'd like. Zero stop, Illum, mil/mil, etc.

I'll check it out more. Maybe I'll phrase the next question as VX-R Patrol 3x9 vs PST 2.5-10

 

[physhphude]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

You can get the Nightforce as Mil/Mil.

I think the nightforce is worth the price.

 

[hk dave]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

I love my SWFA 3-9. I hit out to those ranges all day long with it and a 16" gas gun. I think you'll be pleased. Glass is crisp, reticle is nice, tracks perfectly.

If illumination is absolutely necessary, go with something else.

 

[ToKeepAndBear]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

I have a SS 3-9 with the mil-quad reticle on a LMT MRP with 18" SS barrel. I had a 3 power ACOG on before this and was reasonably accurate with it to 600 yards (15x20in targets). The SS 3-9 does allow substantially better precision and repeatability. Out to 600 is easy, 800 plus yards gets to be much more challenging. I have had a first round hit at a new shooting location at 820 yards (15x20in target) with a 77 SMK hand load. I then proceeded to miss the next two (wind) but ended up around 50%. I still remember my brothers crazy laugh when we heard the faint ding from that first round hit. It was a good day of shooting with family.

I find the glass quality to be good as long as a lens shade is used to prevent flare (not necessary on my Hensoldt scopes). The 3-9 seems to do fairly well in low light. The reticle in the mil-quad version is very nice. It is fairly thick but very useable at all magnifications. I had it on my 308 TRG for a short time and did feel the reticle was a little too thick for a 0.5 moa or better bolt gun. It is perfect for your chosen application and I do not see replacing it on my AR anytime soon. The throw lever is also a nice option on this scope. I wish Hensoldt made something similar.

The NF unimount is a very nice lightweight mount with 20 moa that works well on an AR. I have the 1.125 and may have been better off with the taller one.

Good luck!

 

[fockell]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: peacemaker.45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can get the Nightforce as Mil/Mil.

I think the nightforce is worth the price. </div></div>
Euro optik, sample list and a few others here on the hide sometimes have used or demos right around a grand. I have both the 24 and 32mm objectives and can't tell too much difference. A lot of the Mil/Mil versions have the NV mode too.

 

[vinsonr]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

I've have a leupy MK4 2.5-8 illuminated mildot on a 5.56 SPR and use it out to 750 with good success. I just wish it had mil knobs...

 

[Ring]

Re: Need a 600y recommendation for a 556 SPR

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: stungib</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Check out the Vortex PST 2.5-10. Has a lot of features for a fair price plus a nice warranty.</div></div>

or the 1x4 PST