Rifle Scopes Newbie looking for a scope!

[H.Hutch]

Hey guys my name is Hutch. I have been wanting to get into long range shooting ever since I was a kid and I know the most important thing about it is the glass and the time spent behind the trigger. Since I am new to the whole thing I am going to be using my deer rifle which is a Remington 700 VTR in .308. This is to just find out if the bug is going to bite me and I can upgrade trigger, stocks, barrels, and etc....

Now since you know a little about my goals/plans. I am looking for a scope that is not going to break the bank. I currently have it fitted with a Leupold hunting scope with no turrents (plain crosshair). I know there are two type of scope measurements. The MOA and Milliradians, if I am correct. Which one do you guys think is easier to learn. Now after picking that it is onto the scope. I am in love with vortex scopes, but I also know there are a lot of other brands that are worth looking into. I've looked at everything from the vipers and diamondbacks to the super sniper scopes. I am very new at this, but feel free to throw everything at me. If I don't under stand something I will look it up and later ask if I am still seeking knowledge or further understanding on something.

I hope you guys understand that I'm new. I have never shot past 100 yards before, but would like to shoot out to 800 and beyond. Willing to buy used and budget would like to not go over $700 if possible. Until I decide this hobby is for me or not. Sorry, that I'm all over the place I am in a bit of a rush.

Thanks,
Hutch

 

[Wyzrd]

Welcome! As far as a scope, definitely check out the Optics PX here as you can find some really good deals. My first decent scope was a Vortex Viper PST 4-16 FFP Mil scope and it worked great! With a budget of $700 you could get into the Gen 1 PST scopes (maybe certain models of the Gen 2 PST's, but I'm not sure). I've also had good results with Nikon M223/308 line of scopes although they are SFP. SWFA SS scopes, Athlon, Sightron, Leupold, Burris... Lots to choose from. Read the threads/reviews here in the Optics section, and also try to get heads on with as many different scopes as you can first. It's always nice to be able to look through them, get a feel for the turrets, etc. Best of luck in your search and welcome to this very addictive world of shooting! Practice as much as you can and have fun with it!!!

 

[SRPowah]

Welcome to the forums...you might be in a rush but you need to slow down as this sport involves a lot of patience. No offense but half of your questions could be answered by simply using google or bing. It isn't like this question gets asked once a month minimum.

First ignore the Mils vs MOA. It is simply choosing what type of ruler you want to use. If you shoot with bench rest shooters that work in MOA, nothing wrong with going MOA. If you shoot with guys like most around here that use Mils, go mils. Simply because you can make corrections to each other without math. If you miss .75 moa, you dial .75 moa. If you miss .4 mils, you dial .4 mils. No learning involved once you know what the reticle is telling you. I threw a mil scope on a coworker's rifle (moa his whole life) last week and he literally understood what I meant after the very first shot.

SWFA 3-15 is my vote.

 

[Nik H]

Agree with SRPowah

MILS or MOA is irrelevant. Don't fall prey to the false information. Just make sure your reticle and turrets are in the same unit and then dial whatever the reticle is telling you.

If you are buying new, I would also second the recommendation on the SWFA 3-15X. If you go MIL, they over the Mil Quad reticle. It is pretty nice. A lot of people here also use Athlon scopes but I have no experience with them.

Buying used is a good alternative as well as you will get more for the money...Burris makes some nice scopes that you may be able to get for your price on the PX section here. I have bought a couple of scopes from the PX section and got great deals.

 

[H.Hutch]

Welcome! As far as a scope, definitely check out the Optics PX here as you can find some really good deals. My first decent scope was a Vortex Viper PST 4-16 FFP Mil scope and it worked great! With a budget of $700 you could get into the Gen 1 PST scopes (maybe certain models of the Gen 2 PST's, but I'm not sure). I've also had good results with Nikon M223/308 line of scopes although they are SFP. SWFA SS scopes, Athlon, Sightron, Leupold, Burris... Lots to choose from. Read the threads/reviews here in the Optics section, and also try to get heads on with as many different scopes as you can first. It's always nice to be able to look through them, get a feel for the turrets, etc. Best of luck in your search and welcome to this very addictive world of shooting! Practice as much as you can and have fun with it!!!

Thanks to scopes you listed here. I'll be sure to give them a look as well as the section and reading reviews.

 

[ICU22250]

I will also advise the PX here, we have some great members here that sell some pretty nice like new goodies for decent prices if you know what your looking at.. Also if your debating new optics the vendors here on the hide treat is pretty good as well. This is a good thing as your about to find out that this long range shooting sport is very expensive. I would try to snag a gen 2 PST if possible, that may be tough for 700 though. I hate to recommend the Burris XTR II cause I'm not fond of their glass, but they do seem to track very well and alot of guys are running them.. Anyway, good luck with your endeavor into the sport, good luck with your optic purchase...

 

[H.Hutch]

Welcome to the forums...you might be in a rush but you need to slow down as this sport involves a lot of patience. No offense but half of your questions could be answered by simply using google or bing. It isn't like this question gets asked once a month minimum.

First ignore the Mils vs MOA. It is simply choosing what type of ruler you want to use. If you shoot with bench rest shooters that work in MOA, nothing wrong with going MOA. If you shoot with guys like most around here that use Mils, go mils. Simply because you can make corrections to each other without math. If you miss .75 moa, you dial .75 moa. If you miss .4 mils, you dial .4 mils. No learning involved once you know what the reticle is telling you. I threw a mil scope on a coworker's rifle (moa his whole life) last week and he literally understood what I meant after the very first shot.

SWFA 3-15 is my vote.

I have done quite a bit of research. I understand the difference between mils and moa. I'm mainly leaning towards mils, but wanted to see what other with experience would recommend. Thanks for suggestion to learn the reticle to help me know what values to plug in.

 

[H.Hutch]

Agree with SRPowah

MILS or MOA is irrelevant. Don't fall prey to the false information. Just make sure your reticle and turrets are in the same unit and then dial whatever the reticle is telling you.

If you are buying new, I would also second the recommendation on the SWFA 3-15X. If you go MIL, they over the Mil Quad reticle. It is pretty nice. A lot of people here also use Athlon scopes but I have no experience with them.

Buying used is a good alternative as well as you will get more for the money...Burris makes some nice scopes that you may be able to get for your price on the PX section here. I have bought a couple of scopes from the PX section and got great deals.

I'll be sure to to give the SWFA a look, I think I may go with the mils version if I do.

 

[H.Hutch]

I will also advise the PX here, we have some great members here that sell some pretty nice like new goodies for decent prices if you know what your looking at.. Also if your debating new optics the vendors here on the hide treat is pretty good as well. This is a good thing as your about to find out that this long range shooting sport is very expensive. I would try to snag a gen 2 PST if possible, that may be tough for 700 though. I hate to recommend the Burris XTR II cause I'm not fond of their glass, but they do seem to track very well and alot of guys are running them.. Anyway, good luck with your endeavor into the sport, good luck with your optic purchase...

Thanks! I know the sport is going to be pretty expensive. I've heard mixed reviews about Burris, but I'll be sure to give them a look.

 

[Yasherka]

I'll be sure to to give the SWFA a look, I think I may go with the mils version if I do.

I've used a number of scopes, high end and mid-range. Craptastic ones too. I have by no means the experience of some on here, but the SWFA and Vortex mil/mil scopes are some of the best bang-for-the-buck scopes out there. For what you want I second SRPowah for the SWFA 3-15 mil quad. I think it would be a great all-arounder and am saving for one now. Just don't cheap out when it comes to mounting it or you will fuck yourself.

 

[H.Hutch]

I've used a number of scopes, high end and mid-range. Craptastic ones too. I have by no means the experience of some on here, but the SWFA and Vortex mil/mil scopes are some of the best bang-for-the-buck scopes out there. For what you want I second SRPowah for the SWFA 3-15 mil quad. I think it would be a great all-arounder and am saving for one now. Just don't cheap out when it comes to mounting it or you will fuck yourself.

I'm going to try to find one in the PX section. I am debating on buying a .223 to "Train" with. Mainly to get my breathing and focus on being steady. I'm sure I can find a used one somewhere. I figure I better focus at 100yards for awhile before moving jumping the gun. I'll be sure to check the SWFA out. I can't decide if I want to hold off for a used Viper or one of those.

Thanks

 

[Yasherka]

I can't decide if I want to hold off for a used Viper or one of those.

Thanks

You're welcome. Similar price point and both have a top-notch warranty. You really can't go wrong either way. Another bennie is they hold their value well.

 

[SRPowah]

I have done quite a bit of research. I understand the difference between mils and moa. I'm mainly leaning towards mils, but wanted to see what other with experience would recommend. Thanks for suggestion to learn the reticle to help me know what values to plug in.

I didn't mean to try and teach you the difference between them. My main point was pick a ruler you like to look at. Something that is functional, but not overload. As long as the turrets match the ruler, it doesn't matter what you pick. It will be easier to find a used Vortex if you are in a hurry, but you could wait until SWFA's holiday sales in the coming months. I snagged my 3-15 new for $580 a year or so ago. I only recommend the SWFA over the Vortex in that price point due to turret tracking. While Vortex will take care of tracking issues, I have had better luck with SWFA being more precise out of the box (tested 4, 3 of those I owned).

 

[H.Hutch]

I didn't mean to try and teach you the difference between them. My main point was pick a ruler you like to look at. Something that is functional, but not overload. As long as the turrets match the ruler, it doesn't matter what you pick. It will be easier to find a used Vortex if you are in a hurry, but you could wait until SWFA's holiday sales in the coming months. I snagged my 3-15 new for $580 a year or so ago. I only recommend the SWFA over the Vortex in that price point due to turret tracking. While Vortex will take care of tracking issues, I have had better luck with SWFA being more precise out of the box (tested 4, 3 of those I owned).

Yeah I understand what you are saying. If your turrets are in mils then my crosshair will need to be in the same units. I'll probably wait until the holiday sales, since school is about to start up again. I'm also trying to find a cheap load that will do well out to 100yards. This will be used just to keep my cost down and help me get more range time. Until I can get time behind the trigger and a steady hold. I'm not sure if it is a good idea or not. Still doing research on it. Anyways thanks for letting me know about the sales! I'll be sure to give them a look closer to time.

 

[Servo93]

Don't get another rifle if you are testing the waters. You will eat up most (or all) of your budget when you could have spent more time shooting and had better optics while doing it. Work with what you got, the 308 is a good place to start learning.

You are on the right track with your choice in equipment improvements, good scopes are never a bad investment. Just as important is the quality of the mounts, unreliable mounts make good scopes suck.
Like others have said the optics for sale section here (optics PX) has a lot of good deals if you keep an eye open.

 

[SRPowah]

I also agree with Servo. I just finished a .308 Remington build as my trainer of sorts. Sure it is more expensive than shooting bulk .223, but you can get great deals on FGMM here in the PX now and again where it is just under $1/shot. I know this is the scope subforum, but buy a trigger here in the PX and also open up the channel on your stock so it doesn't touch the barrel. As long as you give your barrel windows to cool in between shots, it should be more than up to the task.