Rifle Scopes Newb needing some help

GreyShirts

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Minuteman
Dec 29, 2011
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Oklahoma
My budget will be $1000-$1500, with FFP mil/mil. The scope will go on my .308 5R 20moa base, used for hunting(deer, coyotes) and shooting steel out to 1K. I would like it to begin its magnification around 3 or 5, and don't need more than 25 max. I'm okay with the objective being x42, but would prefer x50. I've looked at IOR 3-18, SS 5-20, HDMR 3.5-21, and PST 4-16. I also know I can get a Falcon or Weaver for considerably less money, but at what sacrifice and am I willing to do that? I don't think so. However, if someone can give me a good reason I should, I'm all ears. All this said, I want a scope with the most elevation adjustment possible. I know for another couple of hundred dollars I can get into NF and Leupold range, but I would like to spend that money elsewhere on my rifle. Before anyone says it I would like to buy new because I don't want to run into any warranty issues if a problem arises, but I'm not against buying used.
 
Re: Newb needing some help

I went with the IOR 4-16x50 with X-1 reticle. Great glass, illumination, zero stop and 20 mils of elevation. The reticle is "kind of" Horus like but not really. There are other scopes with more evelvation but how much do you need for a .308? Liberty Optics took care of me. Check it out, see what you think. Comes in under $1500.
 
Re: Newb needing some help

From what I can tell anywhere from 9.5mils-13mils depending what weight I'm shooting? If that doesn't sound right someone chime in here. For pete sake, I'm the newb, I should be the one asking the questions! I will be planning on shooting 155's and 175's from SW Ammo.
 
Re: Newb needing some help

I shoot 175's from SWAmmo and I needed 10.2 mils to get to 1000 with my rig. Your rifle won't do what mine does or any one else's because they are all different. Add to that many other factors and it gets more complicated. Find a scope that has the features you want and does the things you need it to and go try it out. If it doesn't work out, sell it and try something else. I got everything I needed in my IOR.
 
Re: Newb needing some help

Those are about right. I have a Viper PST 4-16 FFP on my AR-10. I max out in elevation at 12.9 mils up from the current zero (178 amax @ 2625fps). My ballistics app tells me I need 10.6 mils @ 1000. I have not fired it at 1000 yet but I do like it so far. I will likely throw it on my Rem 700 PSS in order to have a FFP mil/mil illuminated scope for a competition coming up that will involve UKD and night shooting.
 
Re: Newb needing some help

I really expected more input here.... I understand some of yall get tired of this question, but isn't that the point of this community? I'm looking for some of yall that have first hand experience with these scopes that can offer some input.
 
Re: Newb needing some help

Thanks for that link, I already read that last week when <span style="text-decoration: underline">someone else</span> posted it in a thread. Still looking for some first hand feedback. I've read a lot of positive on the SS and HDMR, but is it just a fad thing with them or are they GTG?
 
Re: Newb needing some help

This is why experienced people here hesitate to answer the same old questions. You get many responses here and you're attitude is

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: greyshirts</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I really expected more input here.... I understand some of yall get tired of this question, but isn't that the point of this community? I'm looking for some of yall that have first hand experience with these scopes that can offer some input.</div></div>

You got "first hand experience" in the respnses. Plus, do some searching. There are more than ample questions that address your needs. But just in summary, here's my input again.

IOR-I've had an IOR and it sucked ass. Albeit in truth it was a number of years ago and many say improvements have "been made". I'm not spending the money to find out.

Bushnell-It's undergone a lot of testing and despite the "perceived" BS issues, it's good to rock and roll. It's on my current comp rig.

Vortex are great scopes and the PST is a good line but I would save a couple of hundred more and get a Razor. And for that matter, I think the Bushnell is a better price (and maybe a better scope) than the Razor although I wouldn't hesitate to shoot the Razor again either.
 
Re: Newb needing some help

I just want to say thanks for all those that chimed in, especially mike. Yes, I have read reviews on all these and most were just scopes on loan for the purpose of testing/reviewing. I was looking for guys that actually own them, shoot them, look through them, and can give a first hand resoponse(educated feedback) on likes and dislikes.
 
Re: Newb needing some help

Ok, so I'm narrowing it down to the SS 5-20 and the HDMR 3.5-21. Out of those two which has the better qualities and which has the most overall internal elevation adjustment? I think the SS has around 30mils, but what about the HDMR? If I'm wrong about the SS please set me straight.