Rifle Scopes New guy here be gentle

[Deakin]

I've been shooting all my life. Not much instruction just flying by the seat of my pants. I've owned all kinds of scopes and rifles. Never been comfortable with clutter in the scope.

I have made some long hunting shots that were pure luck and am blessed with that ability. Now at an advanced age I want to call that hail Mary and be able to repeat that shot.

Will be hunting 95% of the time 5% trying longer than comfortable distance for me.
Bolt action rifle in a 260 for now.
Distance under 600 yds most of the time some a bit further coyote or pig.
Tried FFP once didn't give it much of a chance I'm really old school and the scope had a 4a reticle that covered up my target.

I suffered a neck injury this year in a car accident and am having trouble carrying a rifle like I did last year as I don't like to sit. That being said I may have to take a longer shot than I like to get a humane kill.

Would like a quality piece of glass on the lighter side but not willing to spend 5k. Will be more hunting than targets for sure but I like to see what where I'm aiming at longer distances.

Been here off and on for a while just don't have much quality input as most of you guys are well beyond my experience

Thanks for the input for my first post

 

[C_R_Slacker]

I see no one has responded yet. If you would give just a little more information, i bet people will start chiming in with recommendations. What is your specific budget? What magnification range are you wanting? Are you open to trying first focal plane again, or would you rather stick with second? Any specific features like mil vs moa, illumination, or capped/locking turrets?

 

[Deakin]

Just proving my inexperience.

Budget under 2k
Magnification 25 tops
Is first focal plane better for long range? Which is better for hunting?. The 4a covered up the animal I was trying to shoot. Is there better hunting reticle?
I'm thinking lighted reticle.
Locking turrets
Can't say on the mil vs moa never shot either
Used will be better for me too anal for something new as it might get scratched

 

[Dthomas3523]

Vortex AMG.

 

[longshot2000]

Nightforce ATACR C555 SFP MOA 5-25x.

 

[Guiseppe83]

Just proving my inexperience.

Budget under 2k
Magnification 25 tops
Is first focal plane better for long range? Which is better for hunting?. The 4a covered up the animal I was trying to shoot. Is there better hunting reticle?
I'm thinking lighted reticle.
Locking turrets
Can't say on the mil vs moa never shot either
Used will be better for me too anal for something new as it might get scratched

Lots of stuff used in your price range. The point you made of “never shot mil or moa” assuming that’s bc you’ve always had capped turrets. When relying on a BDC reticle failure is bound to occur. Even with factory ammo - lot#, temps etc. I’d say time to read a little about moa vs mil, can make your own range card or use a ballistic app on smart phone. best bet would be to browse manufacturers web sights and view the reticles available. Or hit a local store and look through some glass to see what u like. In regards to first focal or second, I prefer first. With second focal, your point of impact can change with magnification, and can only range with reticle at a specified mag power setting. You’ll also find most of your better quality optics will be first focal.

 

[Pilotscrappy]

Vortex amg sounds like it would be a perfect scope for your needs.

 

[Deakin]

I'm going to do much more research on reticle styles. Looking at the vortex amg is so close to Christmas stupid funds are going to be in short supply for a while.

Thanks for the honesty in helping me.

 

[Vargmat]

Im leaning towards the keep it simple principle, how about a Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 with a mil-dot reticle?
That will give you plenty of magnification for the distances you are talking about. Go with MIL turrets to match the reticle, wich is easy enough to learn and it wont cover your target. It wont have the best illumination system but good enough for most.

The AMG has a busy reticle and a less forgiving eyebox.

 

[honuswagner]

Hey man, always appreciate the humble seeker of truth! I'd say most of the folks here are pretty easy going, don't hesitate to ask your questions, it's a good question.

I'm just getting into competitive shooting, but I'm primarily a hunter. I hunt in the West, wide open spaces and potential for long shots.

I just purchased a Leupold Mark 5 HD 3.5-18 earlier this year, have used it to take multiple elk this season from 80 m to over 600. I have the Tremor3 reticle. I recommend this optic, it's compact and it's light, more than enough magnification to take shots confidently beyond 1000 meters.

I used to dial elevation, had the same concerns as you about a cluttered reticle. After using a gridded reticle for a while I'm a believer. I've found that I am more confident holding over using the reticle (not dialing). I know roughly what distance each MIL dot represents for distance, so I can quickly take a shot from 50 m out to 400, if it gets out beyond that I typically will have more time to get out my ballistic calculator and do some figuring and set up for a long shot.

I'm by no means an expert, but happy to share my experience if it helps!

 

[texasleftychef]

Are you going to use a range finder or need the ranging capability of a FFP scope? Are you going to hold or dial for wind? Do you need to be able to see where you missed so you can adjust and hit a stationary object?

I ask because your wants sound like what my dad would have asked for. He didn’t like a cluttered reticle and certainly didn’t like the reticle getting bigger and smaller. And managed to take a lot of game with a Leupold duplex reticle.

It’s not what people here like to say or recommend but I think for hunting a SFP scope is where it’s at. Especially if you have a range finder which I think is fairly mandatory now days for hunting at 500 yards plus. But the euros like hunting with FFP so maybe I’m the dumb one.

I like vargmat’s and longshot2000’s suggestion of the Nightforce NXS line or maybe an ATACR. Not sure on the weights of those but I would start there and see if any of those are kind of what you are looking for and report back.

 

[beetroot]

A Vortex AMG would fill the long range part, FFP is preffered for long range hunting and targets, but SFP can still be used succesfully.

But considering you said you will be hunting 95% of the time I think 6x is a bit to much on the low end, obviously depends where you are hunting but for me I'd want around 3x on the low end for hunting.
A Leupold VX5hd/VX6hd 3-5/3-18 could fit the bill for both uses, only SFP but for long range you will more than likely be on max power anyway.
There are Swazorski and Ziess scopes in the 3-18 odd range which would also fit the bill.

 

[Baner]

Would go with a March 2.5-25x52(sfp).
Light weight and they got nice reticles for hunting. Also super reliable mechanics.

Not lockable turrets, but won't budge unless you want em too.

 

[Kickin45]

Look for a nice used Razor G1. That should get you everything you need.

 

[steve123]

That so called clutter is there for a reason, that reason is to make it easier to holdover for elevation and holdoff for windage using the reticle vs dialing the turrets.

FFP, in a mil reticle, with .2 mil graduations, you can literally "see" in the reticle what and where one click is. It's a very effective and fun way to shoot long range, half the time I don't dial, I just holdover and holdoff.

You don't need a $2000 scope to hit things at long range and for the most part the great glass doesn't start til you get above $3000 retail. Having owned many scopes at most quality levels I'm mostly satisfied with Athlon's Ares 4.5-27x50 which is a $850 MAP scope, it has one of the best reticles around regardless of price and is loaded with features. There is the Cronus BTR 4.5-29x56 which is higher quality at $1999 retail. Both of those can be had for much less, especially used.

 

[5RWill]

Where are you guys finding AMGs for under 2K? Please point me in that direction if so..

If you're okay with SFP and MOA VX6HD or V6 conquest is where i would look. They're both affordable under 2K with great glass for the money.