Re: Need help selecting scope for CZ Varment
In that case I’ll say my usual two scope choices...
SWFA SS 10x (or 6x/16x/20x; whichever you prefer)
Vortex Crossfire OR Vortex Viper (NON PST)
Heck, you might even be able to find a used Viper HS 4-16 for under $400 if you look around.
I love my 10x, and nobody really has anything negative to say about them. There's the occasional hater, but for the most part users love their scopes.
Vortex has a good reputation too, but the amount of displeased customers on the lower end scopes is alot more. You rarely see anyone complain about a PST, but you will see people who have had bad experiences with the Crossfire line.
I go back and fourth on what I would do if I could do it all over again. I remember saying a few times that I’d go Vortex to save a few bucks over the SWFA 10x but in all reality, the 10x has NEVER displeased me. I wish I’d have gotten the 16x or 20x models instead though as spotting shots through the scope at 200+ is very difficult for me on the 10x. I can't say enough good things about this scope though. It's a fantastic buy for the money, and is $100 under your budget. Quick hint though, don't waste your money on the sunshade. I bought it and it's machined nicely and fits perfectly, but it seems to make the picture less bright (duh, common sense...) and that's a big no-no to me. I like the optics to be as bright and clear as possible. So the sunshade was just a useless attachment for me personally, YMMV of course...
Back to what I was saying before I went off on that tangent: If I could do it all over again, I would buy the 16x or 20x model instead. I do however, want to take advantage of SWFA's deal on the 1" Crossfire model they have on sale. I don't need the adjustments that a 30mm tube has to offer, and it provides much more magnification for me to use while still having an AO. I want to use it for a Silhouette/Hunting rifle build though, so my uses will vary from your own.
Ok, so about your rings/base. As I’m sure you know, you don't need any +MOA bases to get you to 150 (as long as you don't get a lemon of a rifle) and you don't need a scope with butt loads of adjustment to correct for drop either. So just about anything will work, in short. IF you do wish to go farther, (which I guarantee you will some day) you will have to find out if your scope has enough adjustment on its own. If not, then you'll need to look into +MOA bases offered by several companies.
Since you don't though, you can feel free to just use the dovetail that is built into the CZ receivers. This will save you 40-60 bucks. And Burris Signature Zee rings will get you out shooting.
Hope this helps,
-Dylan