Rifle Scopes NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

[wburke2010]

I am having a rifle built for long range shooting it is a .284 winchester. I am thinking about the nightforce 8-32x56 with zero stop. Not sure what price i can get the scope for from my local gunsmith yet thought. I am looking at a budget of around $1000 with a little room to play. Mainly i am going to be using this rifle to shoot at 500 yards but still want to be able to poke out to 1000 ever now and again. I just started the build on the rifle and it will take four months to get the barrel so i have some time. Just wanted to get some suggestions and you what kind of scope yall like for that distance.
Thanks for the help
Walter

 

[Redmanss]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

A NXS, even used, is going to run you a bit over $1k so you're either going to have to pick a different scope or come up with a bigger budget.

As for the magnification, I'd look more at a 5.5-22x NXS instead. More than enough magnification for your specified ranges, ability to dial down lower for close range and low light shooting, and also more internal travel.

Another suggestion is the Bushnell HDMR 3-21x in the group buy section. A bit over your budget, but not much.

 

[bench98]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

If your main use is only long range then the higher power will be better, the better you can see the better you can shoot.

 

[Longshot38]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

NXS scopes are about impossible to find under $1K even used. However some good options exist. The Vortex Viper PST line is a good value as are the Weaver Tacticals.

Why all the magnification for 500 yard use? You will find that excessive magnification is more of hinder then a help.

 

[wburke2010]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

Yeah i was looking at that nightforce also. I also was looking at the trijicon 8-25 with mildot retical. Any thoughts on them are they quality? I would like to stay close to $1000 but i will spend more money on better glass if the quality is worth it. Any thoughts on the Trijicon?
thanks for the help
walter

 

[wburke2010]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

Ive heard good things about about the viper but never had a a chance to put hands on. I was thing 5.5-25 I was thinking that mucb magnification becuase i would like to be able to shoot out to 1000 when I have practiced moving out ranges once i get a place to shoot that far.
Thanks
walter

 

[Sportin Wood]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: barrettshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If your main use is only long range then the higher power will be better, the better you can see the better you can shoot. </div></div>

Bullshit.

 

[Longshot38]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wburke2010</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ive heard good things about about the viper but never had a a chance to put hands on. I was thing 5.5-25 I was thinking that mucb magnification becuase i would like to be able to shoot out to 1000 when I have practiced moving out ranges once i get a place to shoot that far.
Thanks
walter </div></div>

You seem to be making the mistake many new guys do. It is better to have good clear glass then a bunch of magnification. And 1000 yards really doesn't require all that much. So guys do it with iron sights. The military did it for many years with fixed 10x scopes. I've done in excess of 1000 yards with everything from 4x to 25x. The point is that don't worry with top end magnification and worry more about glass quality.

 

[jpspeeddemon]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

is this a tactical type field rifle or paper puncher rifle?
Will you be shooting steel or paper?

If its a tactical lr rig, then as suggested 20-22 power is more than enough.

Might want to look at a sightron SIII 6-24 considering your budget. Also look at the Viper PST

 

[wburke2010]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

Im not too worried about the major magnification. I would like more but I am looking for quality. Ive not put a good quality scope on any of my bolt guns becuase they are mostly hunting rifles, my nicest scope is a Nikon Monarch. I am looking for quality glass. Im just not sure what all good quality glass there is becuase my local shops that ive been to do not stock those higher end scopes. What would you reconmend for quality glass?

 

[wburke2010]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jpspeeddemon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">is this a tactical type field rifle or paper puncher rifle?
Will you be shooting steel or paper?

If its a tactical lr rig, then as suggested 20-22 power is more than enough.

Might want to look at a sightron SIII 6-24 considering your budget. Also look at the Viper PST </div></div>

This rig will be setup as a target rifle for punching paper at 500 and as my skills improve hopefully out to 1000.

 

[n8lusk]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

There's an older Mark 4 duplex in the for sale section for $700 (not mine and I don't remember who was selling it) that should meet your needs and leave you 300 for more brass, bullets, and powder. I have a couple of the older Mk4's and have had good luck with them. USO ST10 moa/moa for $1200 that John with USO has posted that would be great too.

So far I haven't had any issues with a 10x out to 1k and I know a lot that feel the same. If I were in your shoes that's along the lines I would look. New gun equals lots of rounds to to get the feel for her.

Good luck,
Nathan

 

[wburke2010]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: N8Lusk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There's an older Mark 4 duplex in the for sale section for $700 (not mine and I don't remember who was selling it) that should meet your needs and leave you 300 for more brass, bullets, and powder. I have a couple of the older Mk4's and have had good luck with them. USO ST10 moa/moa for $1200 that John with USO has posted that would be great too.

So far I haven't had any issues with a 10x out to 1k and I know a lot that feel the same. If I were in your shoes that's along the lines I would look. New gun equals lots of rounds to to get the feel for her.

Good luck,
Nathan

</div></div>

Thanks for the adice
Walter

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: N8Lusk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There's an older Mark 4 duplex in the for sale section for $700 (not mine and I don't remember who was selling it) that should meet your needs and leave you 300 for more brass, bullets, and powder. I have a couple of the older Mk4's and have had good luck with them. USO ST10 moa/moa for $1200 that John with USO has posted that would be great too.

So far I haven't had any issues with a 10x out to 1k and I know a lot that feel the same. If I were in your shoes that's along the lines I would look. New gun equals lots of rounds to to get the feel for her.

Good luck,
Nathan

</div></div>

Along those lines I'd suggest the SWFA SS10X or 16X. Old school mildot and 1/4moa turrets, which is one step ahead of the MK4 10X w/duplex. I run SS16X scopes on my rimfires and like to have one around as a backup for my centerfires.
I have had MK4 16X Ultras and the SS16X at the same time, side by side and I think the SS is just as good of a scope for 1/3-1/4 of the money.
Get a SS and a couple cases of ammo or a PR course for the same money and it will serve you well until you know what you really want/need in a scope.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

And clarity doesn't mean shit if a scope doesn't track reliably and repeatably. SS scopes, while considered bottom of the food chain by those that regurgitate what the cool kids type and don't have any experience of their own, are solid performers with a longer track record than most have shooting precision rifle. They are the only <$1K scopes I even bother with.

 

[wburke2010]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And clarity doesn't mean shit if a scope doesn't track reliably and repeatably. SS scopes, while considered bottom of the food chain by those that regurgitate what the cool kids type and don't have any experience of their own, are solid performers with a longer track record than most have shooting precision rifle. They are the only <$1K scopes I even bother with. </div></div>

Thanks for the adivce i will check them out.
walter

 

[jpspeeddemon]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

Fellas, he said it will be set up as a target rifle. 10x-16x may not be enough for this purpose (yes it is doable, i know), but if he wants to shoot small groups, i suggest something over 20x like the Sightron SIII or a SFP PST. Thoughts?

 

[wburke2010]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jpspeeddemon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Fellas, he said it will be set up as a target rifle. 10x-16x may not be enough for this purpose (yes it is doable, i know), but if he wants to shoot small groups, i suggest something over 20x like the Sightron SIII or a SFP PST. Thoughts? </div></div>

Yeah it will only be setup for a target rifle. Thats why i was thinking around 20 power. Im not sure the difference in sfp and ffp but what ive been reading from here on the hide i would probably like ffp better for ranging and keep my zero the same thru the magnification levels?
Thanks for all the help
walter

 

[jpspeeddemon]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

Generally SFP are desired for target use becasue the elevation is dialed in. hold overs are very rare as you are not engaging mutliple targets at multiple distances. Also, FFP reeticles tend to be a little thick on the higher powers.

I'd say go with a SFP scope for target use, the SIII 8-32 is very popular amoung LR Benchrest guys, great glass(for the $), great tracking.

 

[wburke2010]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jpspeeddemon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Generally SFP are desired for target use becasue the elevation is dialed in. hold overs are very rare as you are not engaging mutliple targets at multiple distances. Also, FFP reeticles tend to be a little thick on the higher powers.

I'd say go with a SFP scope for target use, the SIII 8-32 is very popular amoung LR Benchrest guys, great glass(for the $), great tracking. </div></div>

okay thank you for your input as i said im pretty new to the high end scopes and LR shooting.
thanks
walter

 

[Longshot38]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jpspeeddemon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Generally SFP are desired for target use becasue the elevation is dialed in. hold overs are very rare as you are not engaging mutliple targets at multiple distances. Also, FFP reeticles tend to be a little thick on the higher powers.</div></div>

What???? On a FFP scope the reticle is NO larger at higher magnification then it is at lower. The reticle will always cover the exact same about of area on the target no matter the magnification. This occurs because the target and reticle are in the same plane thus they are magnified equally. And hold overs are used because they are faster then dialing dope.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jpspeeddemon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd say go with a SFP scope for target use, the SIII 8-32 is very popular amoung LR Benchrest guys, great glass(for the $), great tracking. </div></div>

I'll agree that the SIII line of scopes is very good, I really liked mine. But for a general purpose rifle that will see any sort of field use FFP is a better choice.

 

[jpspeeddemon]

Re: NEW MEMBER scope suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Longshot38</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jpspeeddemon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Generally SFP are desired for target use becasue the elevation is dialed in. hold overs are very rare as you are not engaging mutliple targets at multiple distances. Also, FFP reeticles tend to be a little thick on the higher powers.</div></div>

What???? On a FFP scope the reticle is NO larger at higher magnification then it is at lower. The reticle will always cover the exact same about of area on the target no matter the magnification. This occurs because the target and reticle are in the same plane thus they are magnified equally. And hold overs are used because they are faster then dialing dope.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jpspeeddemon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd say go with a SFP scope for target use, the SIII 8-32 is very popular amoung LR Benchrest guys, great glass(for the $), great tracking. </div></div>

I'll agree that the SIII line of scopes is very good, I really liked mine. But for a general purpose rifle that will see any sort of field use FFP is a better choice. </div></div>

LongShot,
I know FFP reticles subtend the same amount through the entire power range, but it is also true that the reticle looks thicker at higher powers. My example on hold overs was brief, and my point was that they are used becaasue they are faster especially when engaging multiple targets and multiple ranges when you don't have time to dial in elevation.

Also, wburke2010 said the rifle will be for target shooting, not a general purpose/field rifle.